Aman [MOTORBYTE]: Welcome back to the channel, everyone! Today, we have a car that stands out in the premium segment but is priced competitively with mid-segment cars. It’s an intelligent decision if you’re thinking about buying it, as the pricing is around Rs. 35-36 lakh. However, the quality, premium feel, and brand value you get are top-notch, making this a premium car experience. And with me today is Kaushik Majumdar, the owner of this car. Welcome, Kaushik ji!
Kaushik Majumdar: Thank you, Aman, glad to be here.
Aman [MOTORBYTE]: So, Kaushik ji owns this car, which is from the Volkswagen family, priced at around Rs. 35-36 lakh. There are other cars in the same price bracket, but this one packs a punch when it comes to power. The car we’re talking about delivers 190 BHP, which is impressive. Some cars in this segment fall a bit short in that department. But let’s talk about something even more important—mileage. While the company claims a mileage of around 12-14 kmpl, what’s the actual story?
Kaushik Majumdar: You’re absolutely right, Aman. In terms of mileage, the company does claim around 12-14 kmpl, but in reality, I get around 8 to 9 kmpl in city driving. On highways, if I’m cruising smoothly, I’ve touched 14.5 kmpl.
Aman [MOTORBYTE]: That’s not bad, considering this is a 2-liter turbo petrol engine, which is meant for performance. But speaking of performance, you mentioned this car shares an engine with some other premium models like the Skoda Kodiaq and even the Audi A4, right?
Kaushik Majumdar: Yes, that’s correct. The engine is also shared with the Audi A3, Q5, and other models from Volkswagen’s portfolio. It’s a very well-refined engine, and while you might not get all the high-end refinements of those luxury cars, the driving dynamics are really solid.
Aman [MOTORBYTE]: Interesting! You were also considering the Kodiaq, but you ended up with this. Why the change of heart?
Kaushik Majumdar: Well, after all the discounts, the Kodiaq was coming to around Rs. 42-44 lakh on-road. I felt this Volkswagen offered nearly the same experience for a significantly lower price, especially when it comes to driving pleasure. I’m someone who drives my own car, so that was crucial for me.
Aman [MOTORBYTE]: You said you prefer driving yourself rather than sitting in the passenger seat, right? I guess you rarely sit in the back.
Kaushik Majumdar: (Laughs) That’s true! I think today’s the first time I’m sitting in the backseat of my own car.
Aman [MOTORBYTE]: Well, since you’re back there, we’ll be asking for your thoughts on rear-seat comfort as well! Now, Kaushik ji, I brought a little gift for you—this is Evolve Element Pro, a premium car perfume from their premium series, perfect for your premium ride. And for everyone watching, if you want to buy this perfume, the link is in the description below, and you can use the coupon code “MOTORBYTE” for a discount.
Kaushik Majumdar: Thank you, Aman. That’s a nice touch!
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Aman [MOTORBYTE]: Now that we’ve started the drive, you mentioned something about the memory settings of the car, specifically the side mirrors. Could you tell us more about that?
Kaushik Majumdar: Yes, it’s one of those features you come to appreciate over time. Every time I get back in the driver’s seat, I press the memory setting, and not just my seat but also the side mirrors adjust to my height and position. It’s a small feature, but it adds to the overall convenience.
Aman [MOTORBYTE]: That’s a smart feature! Speaking of which, you’ve had the car for about six months now and covered almost 5000 kilometers. How’s the overall experience been in terms of long drives with the family?
Kaushik Majumdar: The family loves it. We’ve done a couple of road trips with my wife, daughter, and in-laws, and even on long stretches, no one’s asked for a break because they were uncomfortable. That says a lot about the car’s comfort.
Aman [MOTORBYTE]: That’s great to hear. Now, what’s the highest speed you’ve hit with this?
Kaushik Majumdar: I once touched 155 km/h, but the car is so well-insulated that I didn’t even realize I was going that fast. I had to slow down once I noticed. The power delivery is so smooth, you don’t feel like you’re pushing the car at all.
Aman [MOTORBYTE]: That’s the beauty of these premium cars—they’re built for performance without compromising on comfort. But let’s address the elephant in the room—what’s your opinion on the mileage? You mentioned 8-9 kmpl in the city and 14.5 on the highway.
Kaushik Majumdar: Yes, but honestly, if you’re buying a car like this, you’re not buying it for mileage. It’s for the driving pleasure. I mean, it’s a 2-liter turbo engine, and you’ll feel the pull as soon as the turbo kicks in.
Aman [MOTORBYTE]: True, it’s not just about the mileage, but the entire experience of driving. Lastly, Kaushik ji, if you had to rate this car out of 10, what would it be?
Kaushik Majumdar: I’d give it an 8.5. The missing points are for things like the reverse camera quality and a few features like 360-degree cameras that other cars offer in this price range. But apart from that, it’s an amazing car.
Aman [MOTORBYTE]: Fair enough! Well, on that note, thank you so much for sharing your ownership experience, Kaushik ji. And for all of you watching, if you’re considering a car in the Rs. 35-36 lakh range, you should definitely take this for a test drive. I guarantee it will change your mind.
Kaushik Majumdar: Thanks, Aman! Always a pleasure to be here.
Aman [MOTORBYTE]: Thank you! And remember, hit the like button, subscribe if you haven’t already, and share your thoughts in the comments below. See you in the next video!