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New Delhi: Volkswagen has kicked off calendar year 2026 with a pricing move that feels a bit unusual at first glance. Prices are going up across most variants, yet entry-level buyers suddenly have a better deal on the table. It is one of those announcements that makes you pause, check the fine print, and then check it again.
Volkswagen is lowering the barrier of entry for new buyers, while quietly nudging prices up for higher trims. This comes at a time when both cars are nearing updates and competition in their segments is only getting tighter.
Volkswagen India currently sells just two models under its INDIA 2.0 plan. The Taigun SUV and the Virtus sedan. As 2026 begins, both cars have received a price revision.
The headline change is at the bottom of the range. The base variants of both cars are now cheaper. Every other version sees a price hike, though the increases are mostly modest on the SUV and sharper on select sedan trims.
This move lands just ahead of expected updates. The Taigun facelift has already been spotted testing, and Volkswagen has teased a larger SUV for India, widely expected to be the Tayron.
The Taigun SUV gets the more balanced treatment. The base Comfortline manual variant now costs ₹10.58 lakh, down from ₹11.42 lakh. That is a straight cut of ₹84,000, which is not small in this crowded segment.
Every other Taigun variant gets a uniform hike of ₹4,000. For a mid-size SUV fighting rivals like the Creta, Seltos, Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Kushaq, Elevate, Astor, and upcoming nameplates, this is a careful move.
From an enthusiast’s point of view, the Taigun still offers two familiar petrol engines. A 1.0 TSI for daily use and a stronger 1.5 TSI for those who enjoy highway drives. The price correction at the base could bring more first-time Volkswagen buyers into showrooms.
The Virtus sedan follows the same entry-level strategy but with bigger jumps on higher trims. The base Comfortline manual now starts at ₹10.50 lakh, down from ₹11.16 lakh. That is a cut of ₹66,000.
Beyond that, the hikes are uneven. Some variants go up by ₹10,000 or ₹11,000, while others jump by as much as ₹51,000. The biggest increases hit the Highline automatic and GT Line manual trims.
With the Maruti Ciaz now gone, the Virtus mainly goes up against the Slavia and City. The higher price jumps may push buyers to think harder about variant choice, especially in the automatic range.
Having covered car prices for years, this feels like a classic segmentation play. Volkswagen wants footfall. A lower starting price helps. At the same time, it protects margins on higher trims where buyers are usually more committed.
There is also timing. Facelifts are coming. A larger SUV is on the way. The brand needs to stay visible in one of India’s toughest markets without making big structural changes just yet.
