There was a time, not so long ago, when the phrase "enthusiast's car" brought to mind low-slung coupes that had about as much practicality as a suitcase on wheels, seats that looked as though they had been designed by someone with a very peculiar idea of comfort possibly inspired by the Spanish Inquisition, and suspension so unforgiving that hitting a pothole felt like receiving a rather stern talking-to from your chiropractor. The kind of car where, rather than enjoying the ride, you simply gritted your teeth and hoped the end of the journey came soon. But, as is often the case, the world has moved on. Or at least Volkswagen has.
Because here we are, waxing lyrical about a sedan. Not an SUV. Not a hatchback. It's just a good, honest, four-door sedan. And yet, the Volkswagen Virtus GT Plus Sport has gone and done something rather remarkable, and it’s walked away with BBC TopGear’s Enthusiast’s Choice of the Year 2025 award. When you stop and think about it, it is quite something.
Now, if you weren’t paying attention, that means the public voting has deemed this car to induce an uncontrollable degree of glee in the person behind the wheel. The sort of glee that results in spontaneous outbursts of giggle, animated discussions at dinner parties about "steering feel," and, if left unchecked, a distressingly detailed internet forum post beginning with the words, "Actually, the thing about sedans is..." Naturally, being professionals, we felt it necessary to conduct a thorough re-examination of the Virtus GT Plus Sport in the only way that makes sense: by taking it to a stretch of road that a very excitable friend insists is "basically India’s Stelvio Pass."
At first glance, the Virtus GT Plus Sport is a well-proportioned sedan that exhibits Volkswagen's signature restraint in design. This is a company that doesn’t engage in ostentation for its own sake. But it’s the ‘GT’ badge that intrigues me because that’s a moniker with some serious history.
Back in the 1970s, Volkswagen gave the world the Golf GTI, a car that singlehandedly invented the hot hatch segment. It was fast, fun, and, crucially, didn’t make you look like someone compensating for personal inadequacies. Since then, Volkswagen has developed a knack for taking normal, practical cars and injecting them with just the right amount of mischief. The Polo GTI, Tiguan R, and various other R-badged models have all carried forward this tradition globally of performance with everyday usability. And now, the Virtus GT Plus Sport appears to be a recipient of this philosophy.
Volkswagen’s approach to performance has never been about making a big noise or setting your hair on fire. It’s more like that quietly competent athlete who turns up, does the job with minimal fuss, and leaves with a pocket full of medals, barely breaking a sweat. There's no need for theatrics; it's just a relentless focus on getting things done. This is, after all, the same marque that absolutely dominated the World Rally Championship with the Polo R WRC, securing four consecutive titles. There were no wild gestures or flamboyant displays of power, just a car that got on with it and did the business, race after race. Volkswagen didn’t need to shout to make an impact; the results spoke for themselves. It’s this philosophy of understated but unshakable competence that underpins everything they do. And they didn’t achieve that by unleashing some lunatic horsepower figure that would terrify livestock. No, they did it with a devastatingly effective car, in a very calm and collected sort of way. And that same quiet confidence has somehow found its way into the Virtus GT Plus Sport, which is rather nice.
The blacked-out roof, dark alloy wheels, and discreet rear spoiler give it an air of menace without descending into boy-racer territory. The GT badging is present, but not obnoxiously so. It’s the automotive equivalent of a well-tailored suit with a little flair but nothing garish. You won’t find oversized vents that serve no function or LED strips that resemble a discount electronics store display. Instead, the Virtus GT Plus Sport exudes a quiet confidence, the kind that doesn’t need to shout to make itself known.
Step inside, and things get even better. The perforated steering wheel, aluminium-finish pedals, and red-stitched sports seats immediately let you know you’re in something special. The infotainment screen even gives you a custom GT welcome animation, which is subtle but effective. Unlike many modern interiors, which seem to have been designed by someone desperately trying to impress a focus group, this one is logical, solid, and reassuringly German.
The buttons click with a precise thunk, the materials feel built to last, and mercifully, the climate controls remain direct buttons rather than yet another touchscreen submenu buried under layers of frustration. Volkswagen has ensured that the Virtus GT Plus Sport, besides feeling a bit posh, feels like a car that actually wants to be driven. But the list of features is rather extensive for those who enjoy a few creature comforts along the way. Ventilated seats, a sunroof, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a wireless charger, and a digital instrument cluster. And I should mention those ventilated seats have been on since we set off. They’re staying on, obviously. Because why wouldn’t they?
Under the bonnet, you’ll find a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine producing 148 brake horsepower and 250 Newton metres of torque. Now, that might not sound like the sort of thing that would cause your grandmother to clutch her pearls, but when it’s paired with Volkswagen’s DSG gearbox, it’s more than enough. 0–100 kmph arrives in just under ten seconds, which is perfectly respectable. But the real magic isn’t in the numbers. It feels quick. And that’s because the turbocharged engine delivers its torque nice and low in the rev range, so you get instant acceleration without that interminable waiting-around sensation you sometimes get with naturally aspirated engines. It’s a bit like asking for a pint at your local and having it land in front of you before you’ve even finished saying “please.” It's rather satisfying, really.
The DSG gearbox is, as ever, absolutely superb. Lightning-fast shifts, seamless power delivery, and paddle shifters for those moments when you fancy pretending you’re in a racing car. There’s also a Tiptronic mode, which lets you hang onto gears a bit longer if you’re feeling particularly enthusiastic. But if you’re the sort of person who prefers a proper three-pedal setup, and let’s be honest, many of us do, Volkswagen has thoughtfully given you that option as well. Yes, you can have the 1.5-litre engine with a manual gearbox. And to top it all off, there’s even a good old-fashioned manual handbrake. A proper, mechanical lever that you can yank up with a satisfying purpose, a rare joy in this age of buttons and electronics. Lovely stuff.
This is where the real magic happens: in the corners. Volkswagen’s engineers have struck a brilliant balance between comfort and control. The suspension is set up just right: a slightly firm ride that ensures the car remains rock solid at high speeds, yet it soaks up potholes with effortless grace. The faster you go, the better it feels, owing to a body shell that is torsionally very rigid. The steering? Precise. The grip? Immense. The chassis? Playful but controlled. You can feel the rear end helping to rotate the car through the tighter bends. It’s light at low speeds and gains just the right weight at higher speeds, offering genuine confidence and, crucially, real feedback from the road.
Take a set of hairpins, and the Virtus simply stays planted, with no unnecessary wallowing or pitching about like some confused, overexcited thing. Volkswagen’s suspension setup, with its softer dampers and a shell so rigid it could probably withstand a direct hit from a tank, ensures it stays true through every corner. You feel the road, sure, but you’re not battered by it. The result? A car that feels nimble, engaging, and utterly in control. It grips with a tenacity that makes you wonder if the tyres are glued to the tarmac, responding with precision to even the most enthusiastic of inputs. You can throw it into a corner with confidence, knowing full well it’ll come out the other side just as composed.
So, does the Virtus GT Plus Sport deserve its Enthusiast’s Choice title? Well, yes. Absolutely. It’s a car that reminds you why you first fell in love with driving. It’s not about sheer power or brash displays of speed; it’s about the connection between car and driver, the simple joy of a machine that just works when you ask it to. A car that deliberately takes the long way home and makes you grateful for every extra kilometre along the way. Sedans may not be the first choice for enthusiasts these days, what with the seemingly endless rise of SUVs, but the Virtus GT Plus Sport proves they should be. Because, frankly, no SUV, no matter how much horsepower it has, can match the sheer, uncomplicated joy of a well-sorted sedan on a proper road. It’s about balance, finesse, and the way it makes you feel alive every time you turn the wheel. And that, dear reader, is rather lovely, isn’t it? It's a pretty refreshing thought in a world entirely filled with bloated, overpowered behemoths.
