Volkswagen Taigun vs MG Astor vs Honda City for Performance Enthusiasts: Comparing Their Variants Priced Rs 13-15 Lakh

What are some of the best performance cars, or top sports cars in India? What makes them high-performance car models? Today, we are looking at the Volkswagen Taigun, MG Astor and Honda City. Let’s see how their variants compare with each other in terms of performance.

In this article, we will share

• What a performance enthusiast should look for in a car
• Volkswagen Taigun vs MG Astor vs Honda City – a comprehensive analysis of their variants, performance and features
• How to pick the right car for you

What a Performance Enthusiast Looks for in a Car

Here’s what to look for in a car as a performance enthusiast:

• Acceleration and Speed – How quickly a car accelerates, what is its top speed
• Power – How it pulls weight, how is its high speed stability, does it feel strained while going up the hills, or with AC on
• Agility – How it behaves while turning at speeds
• Driving Experience/Handling – Is the gearbox smooth and responsive, how is its steering/braking performance

Performance enthusiasts prioritize driving dynamics, engine performance, and handling when selecting a car. They seek vehicles with responsive engines, minimal turbo lag, and linear power delivery for an engaging driving experience. Agile handling, minimal body roll, and precise steering are crucial for tackling twisty roads with confidence. 

Well-tuned suspensions strike a balance between sportiness and comfort. Additionally, performance enthusiasts appreciate features like advanced transmissions, sport modes, and driver-centric cockpits that enhance the overall driving experience.

Why Volkswagen Taigun, MG Astor and Honda City are Popular

The Volkswagen Taigun, MG Astor, and Honda City have garnered popularity among performance enthusiasts for their distinct characteristics. 

The Volkswagen Taigun offers a dynamic driving experience with its TSI engines, delivering quick acceleration and minimal turbo lag. Its razor-sharp agility and precise steering make it a joy to drive on winding roads. 

The MG Astor appeals to enthusiasts with its sporty design, agile handling, and feature-rich interior. Its 1.5-liter engine delivers linear power, while the CVT transmission ensures smooth acceleration. 

The Honda City, known for its refined engines and responsive handling, appeals to enthusiasts who seek a blend of performance and practicality. Its engaging driving dynamics and well-designed cockpit make it a favorite among enthusiasts.

Volkswagen Taigun, MG Astor and Honda City Variants Shortlist in Rs 13-15 Lakh Range

For Volkswagen Taigun, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 2 April 2024
1.0 TSI Highline	₹1,370,000

For MG Astor, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 2 April 2024
Select CVT	₹1,398,000
Sharp Pro	₹1,441,000

For Honda City, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 2 April 2024
VX	₹1,371,000
VX CVT	₹1,496,000

Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI Highline

• Pros: Razor-sharp agility, minimal body roll, linear power delivery, quick engine responsiveness, turbocharger
• Cons: Lack of cruise control and lane keeping assist

If you’re buying your first car, you can check out our comparison of the Taigun with Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Honda Elevate.

MG Astor Select CVT

• Pros: Agile handling, minimal body roll, linear power delivery, LED headlights
• Cons: Laggy transmission response, lack of cruise control and wireless charging

MG Astor Sharp Pro

• Pros: Agile handling, minimal body roll, linear power delivery, cruise control, LED headlights, synthetic leather upholstery
• Cons: Lack of wireless charging

If you’re a gadget enthusiast, you can check out our comparison of the Astor with Citroen C3 Aircross and Honda Elevate.

Honda City VX

• Pros: Agile handling, minimal body roll, linear power delivery, cruise control, lane keeping assist, wireless charging
• Cons: Halogen headlights

Honda City VX CVT

• Pros: Agile handling, minimal body roll, linear power delivery, responsive CVT transmission, cruise control, lane keeping assist, wireless charging
• Cons: Halogen headlights

If you enjoy long-distance road trips, you can read our comparison of the City with Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.

Our Pick for the Best Variant among Volkswagen Taigun, MG Astor and Honda City for Performance Enthusiasts

After careful consideration, we recommend the Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI Highline as the best variant for performance enthusiasts. The Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI Highline offers a perfect blend of performance, handling, and driving excitement. Its 1.0-liter TSI engine, equipped with a turbocharger, delivers quick acceleration and linear power delivery. The minimal turbo lag ensures instant throttle response, making it a joy to drive in both city and highway conditions.

The Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI Highline excels in terms of driving dynamics. Its razor-sharp agility and precise steering make it a delight to drive on twisty roads. The well-tuned suspension minimizes body roll, providing excellent stability and control during spirited driving. The light clutch and smooth manual transmission further enhance the driving experience, allowing for seamless gear changes.

In terms of features, the Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI Highline comes equipped with essential amenities that performance enthusiasts appreciate. It offers a glossy alloy wheels, adding to its sporty appeal. The steering-mounted controls provide easy access to audio and other functions, allowing the driver to keep their hands on the wheel. The rear parking sensors and camera assist in easy maneuverability, while the wireless charging keeps devices powered up on the go.

While the Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI Highline misses out on a few features like cruise control and lane keeping assist, its exceptional driving dynamics and engaging engine performance make it the top choice for performance enthusiasts. Its agile handling, minimal body roll, and quick responsiveness set it apart from the competition, offering an exhilarating driving experience.

The Top 3 Choices

1. Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI Highline
2. Honda City VX CVT
3. MG Astor Sharp Pro

Attribute	Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI Highline	Honda City VX CVT	MG Astor Sharp Pro
Agility	Razor-sharp	Agile	Agile
Body Roll	Minimal	Minimal	Minimal
Power Delivery	Linear	Linear	Linear
Engine Responsiveness	Quick	Moderate	Moderate
Traction Control	Yes	Yes	Yes
ESC	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cruise Control	No	Yes	Yes
Lane Keeping Assist	No	Yes	No
Wireless Charging	Yes	Yes	No
Turbocharging	Yes	No	No
LED Headlights	No	No	Yes
Synthetic Leather Upholstery	No	Yes	Yes

How to Pick the Right Car for You

• The Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI Highline stands out with its razor-sharp agility, quick engine responsiveness, and engaging turbocharger. 
• The Honda City VX CVT impresses with its agile handling, responsive CVT transmission, and advanced features like cruise control and lane keeping assist. 
• The MG Astor Sharp Pro offers a balanced package with agile handling, linear power delivery, and premium features like LED headlights and synthetic leather upholstery. 

Ultimately, the choice depends on the individual’s priorities and driving style, but these three variants provide exciting options for performance enthusiasts.

If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.