Even as SUVs continue to dominate the Indian car market, two midsize sedans have quietly created a strong impact—Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus. Launched just a few years ago, this powerful pairing has delivered impressive numbers, proving that sedans still have loyal buyers in the country.

By January 2026, combined wholesale sales of the Slavia and Virtus crossed 1.5 lakh units, reaching a total of 1,52,482 cars in the Indian market. The Skoda Slavia was launched first on November 21, 2021, followed by the Volkswagen Virtus in June 2022.

Virtus Takes the Lead

Among the two, the Volkswagen Virtus has emerged as the stronger performer. It has recorded 79,104 units in domestic sales, about 5,276 units more than the Slavia, which has sold 73,378 units. This gives the Virtus a 52% share of their combined Indian sales.

Exports further highlight the Virtus’ dominance. While just 66 units of the Slavia have been exported, the Virtus has shipped 1,02,350 units overseas. Including exports, total Virtus sales have touched 1,81,454 units, compared to 73,444 units for the Slavia.

Verna and City Left Behind

In the current sedan rankings, the Slavia and Virtus stand fourth and fifth among the 11 sedans on sale in India. They compete with well-established models such as the Hyundai Verna and Honda City, both of which they have managed to outperform in recent sales.

However, they still trail behind high-volume compact sedans like the Maruti Dzire, Hyundai Aura, and Honda Amaze. Market trends indicate that Slavia’s sales momentum has slowed slightly, while the Virtus continues to maintain a strong and consistent presence in the segment.

Price and Variants

The Skoda Slavia is priced between ₹10 lakh and ₹17.99 lakh (ex-showroom) and is offered in 10 variants. The Volkswagen Virtus is priced from ₹10.50 lakh to ₹19 lakh (ex-showroom) and is available in 11 variants across six trim levels.

Both sedans are built on the MQB-A0-IN platform, developed specifically for India by Skoda and Volkswagen teams under the Volkswagen Group. Nearly 95% of the components are locally sourced, helping keep costs competitive.

Engine Options and Mileage

Both models share the same engine lineup:

• 1.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol (115 hp, 178 Nm) with 6-speed manual or automatic

• 1.5-litre TSI turbo-petrol (150 hp, 250 Nm) paired with a 7-speed DSG gearbox

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Slavia delivers 18.73–20.32 km/l, while the Virtus offers 18.7–20.19 km/l, making both sedans practical as well as performance-oriented.