Volkswagen Ameo VS Vento: What's Different?

Both the cars have nearly identical feature list, share same diesel drivetrains along with a similar platform — so what exactly is unique between the two? Read on to know more…

Update (05/06/2016): Volkswagen has launched the Ameo at a price of Rs 5.24 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi), check out the launch story.

For past few years Volkswagen in India has just been focusing on the Polo’s platform. We have seen numerous iteration of the Polo — the GT, the Cross and the Vento/Rapid. Now, the company is coming up its first-ever Made-for-India product — the Ameo compact sedan. And just like any other new model in the market, Volkswagen has loaded the Ameo to the brim so that it can outsell its rivals. But this has been done by borrowing mechanicals and features from the Vento. Which lands us to the point — is there any real difference left between the two sedans from the German automaker? Let us see. 

Styling

To design a head-turning sedan, all the while maintaining its under four metre length, is next to impossible. Just because Indians usually prefer sedans and the sub-4m cars attract fewer taxes  — combining the two seems the best way out. What seems to have happened is the flooding of market with rather odd looking economical notchbacks/compact sedans. The Ameo is no exception. The Vento, on the other hand, has a proportionate design and features a slightly stretched Polo’s platform since there were no restrictions on the dimensions. 

Initially, when VW had introduced the Vento in the country, its front fascia looked similar to that of the Polo. However, the sedan has been really benefited from the last facelift as the new grille has single-handedly shifted its resemblance from the Polo to the Jetta! In contrast, the Ameo borrows the Polo’s entire front fascia.

At the rear, as you would have expected, the Ameo has a stubby boot compared to the Vento. Moreover, the Vento also looks premium with subtle bits of chrome appliques it features. That said, the Ameo is still the most handsome looking and well proportioned car in the sub 4-meter sedan segment. 

Interior Space and Boot 

Both the cars feature Polo’s platform, but the Vento gets a stretched version of it. Undoubtedly, the Vento has more legroom than the humble Ameo. The same goes with the boot space as well. But if you do compare the Polo to the Ameo, the Ameo is more spacious at the rear by a slight margin due to some clever packaging by Volkswagen. The boot too is a lot bigger than the Polo due to the extra length. The Ameo, in fact, addresses one of the biggest flaws of the Polo, which was the lack of legroom at the rear. 

1.2-litre TSI with DSG and 1.6-litre MPI

The Ameo comes standard with a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder motor along with the 1.5-litre diesel, both mated to a five-speed manual transmission. What is optional in the Ameo is the seven-speed automatic, which is mated to the diesel. What you see missing in the Ameo is an option of a petrol automatic, which is readily available in most of its rivals. The Vento also offers it. Why is it not offered with the Ameo? The Vento features a 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged motor and it is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. This configuration will make the Ameo costly just like the Polo GT, however, VW might introduce it at a later stage. Moreover, the Vento also offers 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol, which cannot be offered with the Ameo. As the latter is a sub-4m vehicle and sub-4m cars are bound to feature sub 1.2-litre petrol motors. 

Features 

Almost everything is similar in both the sedans such as cruise control, touchscreen infotainment system with rearview camera, parking sensors, auto climate control with rear AC vents and others. However, there are subtle differences in the feature list like — the Vento pampers its rear passengers relatively more, courtesy a rear centre armrest and a lever from which you can slide the front co-passenger’s seat to further increase the legroom. Moreover, the Vento also offers leatherette seat upholstery  juxtaposed to Ameo’s fabric one. To our total amusement, unlike the Vento, ABS (anti-lock braking system) is standard across all variants of the Ameo. Read more to know what exactly is different in the Vento Vs Ameo Spec Comparison.

Prices 

As expected, there is a considerable difference in terms of pricing of the Ameo and the Vento. It is because the former qualifies for relatively fewer taxes in this country compared to the latter. Volkswagen has priced the Ameo pretty competitively. Apart from its rivals, the Ameo also undercuts the Polo hatch on which it is based on. The prices of the Ameo petrol starts at Rs 5.24 lakh in the capital compared to the Vento petrol, which starts at Rs 8.09 lakh. So, the Vento’s base variant costs nearly Rs 3 lakh extra than the Ameo’s base version.

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