2019 VW VENTO TDI DSG AUTOMATIC - OWNERSHIP REVIEW!
November 19, 2020
I bought a VW Vento, TDI, 2019, DSG Automatic. I took delivery on 01st November 2019 and the dealership did not give the promised accessories and also the Chrome Door Sill which is a Standard Equipment. After lot of follow up and one mail to the VW MD set the things straight. From the start there is noise in the door rubber and aftrer 6-7 visits it is still not rectified. Another problem with the Highline Plus Model is the LED Headlamps which neither offer good throw nor good spread and are a big problem and nowhere is comparision to that of Honda City, Seltos Etc. So Helogen lights are the best choice since LED Assembly design is itself defective. I had booked a Skoda Rapid and due to inclination towards LED Headlights I cancelled the booking of Rapid and purchased a Vento.
One more problem in VWs are squeeking doors of the cars due to rubber on the door and the service centres do not have any answer for that and I am facing this since inception.
Front Seats lack under thigh support and so does the rear seats. Space is good if seen on stand alone basis and better than Verna but no where near Honda City. The large transmission hump in the rear restricts the car for only 4 passengers. The car is not very practicle since it lacks cubby holes to storage. Glove box is large and cooled and will gobble up lot of stuff, but small storage areas are a miss for storing mobile phone, wallet, change, coins etc. Seats are comfortable but people with large built will miss the under thigh support as the seats are flat and not raised to support thigh. Seat are leatherette and made of good quality and are neither too soft nor too hard. Head room is ample, foot room is good and leg room is adequate.
The ergonimics of the car are good as everything falls in place and you need not take off your eyes from road for almost anything. The rear AC vent is a problem since it cannot be closed. The Air conditioning is good but not excellent since it will either freeze you or boil you and getting something in between is hard work.
Side view mirrors are solid and aerodynamic but very small which limit the rear view but are not deal breakers.
The car is Automatic with DSG transmission with Diesel Engine. The initial pick up of the car is too slow due to DSG transmission and you will miss the torque convertors or CVT for initial pick up. Once it shift to third gear it starts rolling like a normal car. Engine is preety refined with very less NVH inside the cabin.
Now lets come to the positives.
The car is built solidly like a tank. You open the doors and you would realise the solid build quality. The doors open in three steps and are robust. All the switches in the car are nicely built and have a tactile feeling. All the power windows are auto up and down which are highly convenient.
The drive is solid, planted and very stable even at three digit speeds. The suspension works fine at high speed and set of firmer side which gives excellent control and stability on high speeds.
The DSG is butter smooth for upshifts and once it reaches in 7th gear the engine is very silent and refined and will never get our of steam and you can press the excellerator and it will keep on rewarding you. Downshift from 3rd gear to 2nd is jearky. Braking is good but not great.
Steering is heavy but not unacceptable in city, rather on highway it becomes a delight. Fuel economy is around 16-17 on higway and 12-13 in city with a light foot.
Overall it is a driver oriented car for people who travel more on highways. It is less practical and lacks gizomes and gadgets. Honda City is a practical choice for most of the people but if you really want a solidly built, driver oriented mile muncher you choose the Vento.
Service has not been a problem though they were helpless in resolving some issues. I would rate the car 3.5 out of 5.
- Aarish Khan
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Despite the "cheapest car" tag, the Nano is actually the best example of Engineering ingenuity and is a true Marvel. My Nano has seen and been to all sorts of roads in and around Tamil Nadu. Every drive has been pure bliss. Although there's not a surplus of power, it can easily cope up and satisfy you on everyday drives. Bare minimum maintenance costs, yearly once service, easiest to park and navigate in the City. It's also seriously capable off road with the all independent suspension setup. The steering is a breeze too. Stability is decent even at Highway speeds
and long overnight drives are cakewalk. With larger 13 inch wheels, it's even more comfortable and capable than before.
The stock audio system is good enough with 4 Harman speakers, there are Power windows and remote locking too. What more you need?
Wish Tata brings back the Nano with a more powerful engine and better brakes.
Long distance, no compromise EV driving in India is now a reality thanks to Zeon Charging! Drove my Hyundai Kona from Bangalore to my ancestral home near Alathur, Kerala. Total distance of 470km, done in 9 hrs including a 45min charge+30min food stop at Saravana Bhavan Vaigundam.
Started Bangalore at 3.30pm, car was fully loaded with 3 of us and a full heavy boot. Battery at 100% SoC and 393km in the console. Kept the AC on throughout the journey and didn't hold back the speeds at 110-120kph throughout.
Unrestricted driving thanks to
the confidence given to me by the amazing team at @zeoncharging who kept checking on my trip progress. Reached the charging point at Saravana Bhavan, Vaigundam around 7.15pm and 250km later. Car was at 28% and had about 108km to go.
The charger, a 50kW Delta unit having 2 CCS2 connectors, is going online in a day or two on the app. Zeon guys were very gracious and helpful and didn't charge me anything for the charge since it was not officially open yet. Plugged in and my Kona started taking in 30kW initially, and went upto 32kW till 75% SoC, after which the car tapered it down to 14kW (happens normally in all EVs).
My destination was another 215km away, so I only needed about 80% charge, giving me about 300km in range. Took about 40min from 28% to 85% during which I chatted with the company guys, post which I went and had my dinner.
Finally left at 8.45pm and reached my destination at 11.45pm. Zeon guys were very gracious and helpful and didn't charge me anything for the charge since it was not officially open yet.
Final stats at the destination. Plugged in through my Brightblu charger set at 20A for a slow and steady charge, in time for my return journey! Will be stopping at the same charging point on my way back to get a top up to Bangalore.
COSTS so far: I charge using my rooftop solar at home, so I don't pay anything for charging the car at home. Zeon didn't charge me anything for the top up so didn't pay anything there. In Kerala, the cost of residential power is around Rs. 6, so will be incurring around Rs. 200.
That's my total cost for the onward journey. Rs. 200/- !
Will update regarding my return journey once I return.
Anticipating some usual extra smart comments/questions, and answering the same below:
1) Normal charging time with my 20A charger from 0-100% : 10 hours. I reach my destination, plug it in overnight, it's ready to go the next morning.
2) Range with AC: 350km, 380km without. (Both are actual tested figures)
3) NO, power is not being generated out of coal alone, we are quickly moving towards renewable sources of energy in the last 3-4 years, please look it up.
4) NO, batteries are not harmful for disposal, and can be re-purposed very easily after 8-9 years. Am using my old e2o batteries in my rooftop solar system, and is easily retaining about 80% of the charge it used to retain when new.
5) Yes mining minerals for the battery pack is messy, but still lot cleaner than regular fossil fuels.
- Akhil Venkateshwaran
