Volkswagen's fashion-conscious T-Roc compact SUV continues to look appealing. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

The T-Roc set a more fashionable trend for compact Volkswagen SUVs, representing the brand in the affordable style-conscious end of the fast-growing mid-sized crossover segment. Almost everything you can't see on this car comes from a Golf hatch, which is no bad thing. As for the stuff you'll admire in the driveway, well it all looks satisfyingly fashionable.

Background

From launch in 2018, the T-Roc provided an entry point to Volkswagen's SUV range, but these days two models, the Taigo and the T-Cross, sit beneath it. So the T-Roc, which unlike those two Polo-based designs rides on the underpinnings of a larger Golf, got a bit of a spruce-up in 2022 to justify its continuing place in the range. Over a million T-Roc sales had been posted at the time of that mid-term update. Of a crossover supposed to appeal to customers who want something larger than a supermini-based crossover design, but don't want to stretch up to Volkswagen's mid-sized Tiguan SUV. People who want something trendier - which is why the T-Roc also comes in Cabriolet and hot hatch T-Roc R forms. There's lots of competition these days though, for this type of car. So this T-Roc will need to be good.

Driving Experience

Surprisingly, Volkswagen didn't introduce its mild hybrid tech as part of the most recent T-Roc update. So, as before, there are four TSI petrol engines, a 115PS 1.0-litre three cylinder unit, a 150PS four cylinder 1.5 and a 2.0-litre powerplant offered either with 190PS - or with as much as 300PS in the top T-Roc R. Diesel options have been updated in recent years: you can select between a couple of the brand's now-cleaner 2.0-litre TDI diesels, these offering either 115PS or 150PS. You'll also get the option of DSG auto transmission on most models - which you have to have with the T-Roc R. Engaging drive dynamics won't be a priority for T-Roc customers, which is just as well given what's on offer here, but as usual with a Volkswagen, you get a very well judged standard of ride. All-wheel drive isn't an especially popular customer option in this segment, but Volkswagen offers it with the 2.0 TSI and 2.0 TDI 150PS models - that's another thing that's mandatory on the T-Roc R. The brand has packaged up its 4MOTION system with plenty of extra features, primarily a driving profile selection system (which you can also order on a 2WD variant). This set-up gives you a choice of two on-road profiles ('Street' and 'Snow'). There are a couple of off-road modes too: 'Offroad' (which automatically sets the car up for 'off piste' use) and 'Offroad Individual' (which allows you to set various parameters). Other extras you can add include 'DCC' 'Dynamic Chassis Control' adaptive damping and 'ACC' 'Adaptive Cruise Control'.

Design and Build

There weren't many exterior styling tweaks made to this model as part of its 2022 mid-term update - just LED headlights and darkened rear tail lamps. You can add to them by paying extra for the brand's 'IQ LIGHT with LED matrix headlights' package. As usual with a T-Roc, there are three variants, the standard T-Roc hatch, the sporting T-Roc R and the T-Roc Cabriolet. In all cases, the fashionable looks stay much the same, a wide and long stance allied to a relatively low roofline, short overhangs and a steeply raked C-pillar. Inside, there's a smart dash trimming panel. And a 'tablet'-like central infotainment screen, which can be had in larger 9.2-inch form as well as the usual 8.0-inch size. All variants get a digital instrument cluster too - optionally upgradeable to 10.25-inches in sizes in 'Digital Cockpit Pro' form. There's also a smart leather-stitched steering wheel and high quality fabric door trim. The two monitors combine to offer a wide range of online services and apps accessible via smartphone and the usual 'Volkswagen Car-Net' media connectivity system. As you'd expect, the 'MirrorLink'/'Android Auto' and 'Apple CarPlay' smartphone-mirroring systems are available, as is a 'Security & Service' package which provides support in a wide variety of situations. There's reasonable room for a couple of adults in the back. And luggage space in the fixed-top version is quite generous - measuring 445 litres when loaded up to the top of the second row seat backrests. That falls to just 284-litres with the Cabriolet.

Market and Model

It's evidence of the current spiralling state of new car pricing that a car we tested as recently as 2018 costing from around £19,000 is, at the time of this review in Autumn 2024, priced in this only very lightly updated facelifted from around £28,500 just six years later. And that figure is anything but typical of the kind of sum people are likely to pay for T-Roc ownership. At the time of this test, getting on for £30,000-£32,000 was more representative of the sort of sum you'll need for the T-Roc you might have in mind. That's the kind of price tag attached to the mid-range 'Style' variant, which sits just above the base-spec 'Life' and 'Match' models; and just below top-spec 'R-Line', 'Black Edition' and 'R' grades. A word on your transmission choices. A manual gearbox is mandatory on the base 1.0 TSI petrol and 2.0 TDI 115PS diesel variants. If you want auto transmission, you'll have to stretch to either the 1.5-litre TSI 150PS petrol engine or the 2.0 TDI 150PS diesel - and either way pay an extra £1,740. Auto transmission is mandatory on the rapid but thirsty 2.0 TSI 190PS 4MOTION petrol model - and you'll also have to have it if you want the 2.0 TDI 150PS 4MOTION diesel - that 4MOTION system an extra £1,310 over the cost of the ordinary front-driven 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG variant. Got all that? Good. The top T-Roc R, which of course has auto transmission and 4MOTION as standard, is almost a separate model - and very much commands a separate price - of £43,000 - or £43,250 in 'R Black Edition' form.

Cost of Ownership

OK, let's assume you're amongst the growing number of buyers switching into a fashionable little SUV like this one from a conventional family hatch - so in this case, you're moving from a Golf into this T-Roc. What'll the running cost penalty be for that higher-set driving position and those more fashionable looks? To answer that, let's consider what's predicted to be the best-selling T-Roc engine, the 1.0-litre TSI three cylinder petrol unit. It manages up to 49.7mpg on the combined cycle and up to 129g/km of CO2, returns that until recently, a diesel model would have struggled to reach in this class. But it's still a chunk behind an identically-engined Volkswagen Golf, mainly due to the fact that this T-Roc's kerb weight is around 60kgs more than its conventional hatchback counterpart. You may well decide you could live with that. And if you can, you might very well also decide to upgrade yourself to the 150PS 1.5 TSI petrol model, because its fuel and CO2 returns are virtually no different (47.3mpg and 136g/km). That's thanks to a cylinder-on-demand system that cuts off two of the engine's four cylinders under light-to-medium throttle loads. As for the TDI diesels, well if you opt for the base front-driven 115PS variant, it should be possible to get up to 58.9mpg and up to 126g/km of CO2. For the gutsier 150PS 2.0 TDI variant, it's 56.5mpg and 131g/km. There's very little efficiency downside by the way, in opting for a model with the alternative 7-speed DSG automatic. A DSG auto in a T-Roc 2.0 TDI 150PS model fitted out with VW's heavy 4MOTION AWD system though, is a slightly different kettle of fish; one of those can only manage up to 50.6mpg and up to 146g/km of CO2. But of course that's still a much more efficient way of getting a 4MOTION T-Roc than choosing a petrol AWD version. The 2.0 TSI 4MOTION 190PS model manages only 38.7mpg and 166g/km - or, in top T-Roc R performance form, bests of 33.2mpg and 193g/km.

Summary

Strip away the funky bodywork and the cabin personalisation and what you've got here is a slightly less efficient but slightly more fashionable alternative to a Golf. But then, you could say similar things of just about any other compact-to-mid-sized SUV contender in this growing segment. It's all about giving the market what it wants. And with the T-Roc, Volkswagen has done just that. Are there problems? Interior space perhaps. But then if you wanted that in a compact Volkswagen SUV, you'd probably stretch to a Tiguan. This more recent facelifted T-Roc model addressed the original model's issue that some of the cabin trimming felt a little down-market, though you might still want for more, given the pricing applied to plusher models. Fortunately, there's enough technology now provided to make this less noticeable. The top derivatives are quite expensive though, which brings into focus the fact that amongst rivals in this segment, there are plenty of slightly cheaper alternatives. Most of them though, lack this T-Roc's 'want one' factor. And the way this part of the market is these days, that'll probably be very significant in keeping this as Volkswagen's third best selling model.

Body Glass

Front windscreen wiper with intermittent wipe and 4 position delay

Rain sensor

Heated rear window

Privacy glass for rear side windows and rear window

Rear wash/wipe with intermittent wipe setting

Power windows with comfort operation and circuit breaker

Brakes

City emergency braking and pedestrian monitoring

Volkswagen roadside assistance

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) inc EDL (Electronic Differential Lock) and ASR (Traction Control)

Electronic parking brake

Anti-lock brake system

Rear disc brakes

Carpets/Rugs

Front + rear carpet mats

Communication

Wireless app connect

Mobile phone interface

Online services

Driver Aids

Park assist including front and rear parking sensors

Modified key software - reduce switch off time for key status change to Long no motion

Power assisted speed sensitive steering

Lane keeping system Lane Assist

Advanced driver attention and drowsiness monitor

Driver Convenience

Tailgate/trunk lid release from outside

Driver Information

10.25" Digital cockpit pro

Emergency call service

Service interval indicator

Warning sound and light for front seatbelts unfastened

Think blue trainer driver tips and journey analysis

Driving Mirrors

Remote electrically foldable door mirrors, puddle lights and reverse activated passenger's door mirror

Auto dimming interior rear view mirror

Exterior mirrors aspherical on driver side, convex on front passenger side

Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Deep iron grey decorative inserts in dashboard, centre console and front door trim panels

Engine

Battery regeneration during braking

Start/stop function with battery regeneration

Entertainment

Premium USB cable in choice of either Apple or Android smartphone compatibility

Front and rear 6 speakers

Music playback - MP3, WMA and AAC files

Title and cover art display

Simultaneous pairing of 2 compatible mobile devices

Diversity antenna for FM reception

SD card slot

DAB Digital radio

We Connect and We Connect Plus functionality

Exterior Body Features

Body coloured exterior mirror housings and door handles

Rear exhaust tailpipe

External USB type C socket and charging sockets

Rear side wing doors

Body colour sports bumpers with silver metallic underbody fascia

Extended roof spoiler

Exterior Lights

Automatic headlight control with LED separate daytime running lights with coming/leaving home function

Dynamic headlight range control with self adjusting whilst driving

LED rear combination lamps

LED 3rd brake light

Rear fog light on one side and reversing lights on both sides

LED rear number plate lights

Light mode for poor weather, rain, fog or snow

Automatic hazard lights activation under emergency braking

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Air care climatronic air conditoning system with active combination filter and 2-zone temperature control

Interior Features

Drawer under drivers seat

Storage compartments in driver and front passenger doors

Leather gearshift handle

Front cupholders x 2

Door and side trim panel with leatherette insert

Load-through provision with cup holder when folded down ('Unsplit rear seat bench, split folding backrest, with centre armrest)

12V power socket in centre console

Glove compartment door with light

Front centre armrest

Storage compartment in rear doors

4 load lashing points in luggage compartment

Storage compartment in left and right luggage area

Chrome plated radiator grille inserts, air vent surrounds and light switch surrounds

Variable boot floor, height adjustable and removable

Interior Lights

Interior light delay

Instrument lighting, white adjustable panel illumination

Luggage compartment lighting

Interior ambient lighting and surround lighting

Front footwell illumination

LED interior light with switch off delay/dimmer and 2 front/rear LED reading lights

Packs

Driver assistance pack without proactive passenger protection - T-Roc

Safety

Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger airbag deactivation

Two tone horn

3 point seatbelts in outer rear with ECE label

Driver and front passenger safety-optimised head restraints

3 point height adj front seatbelts + pretensioners

Tyre pressure loss indicator

Predictive pedestrian protection

Front and rear passengers curtain airbag system including front side airbags

Child locks on rear doors

Drivers seatbelt reminder

Seats

Isofix child seat preparation

Single front passenger seat

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Front comfort sports seats

Non-folding front passenger seat backrest

3 rear head restraints

Front seat back storage pockets

Vanity Mirrors

Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Wheels

Trims for alloy wheels

Emissions - ICE

HC: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 126

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 135

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 126

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 96

CC: 1968

Cylinders: 4

Number of Valves: 16

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 81

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: COMMON RAIL

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Transmission: MANUAL

Gears: 6 SPEED

Engine Code: D1142D

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 55.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 6.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 4.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 4.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 4.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 6.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 5

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 43.5

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 58.9

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

EC Urban (mpg): N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Combined (mpg): N

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 52.3

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 56.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 5.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 4.8

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 64.2

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 70.6

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 58.9

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 62.8

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 42.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 5.4

General

Special Order: 0

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

Based On ID: N

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 18E

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Service Interval Mileage: 9300

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Badge Power: 115

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

Special Edition: 0

Generation Mark: 1

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Coin Series: Style

Coin Description: TDI EVO

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Performance

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - KW: 85

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 221

Engine Torque - NM: 300

Engine Torque - RPM: 1600

Engine Power - BHP: 115

Top Speed: 118

0 to 62 mph (secs): 10.7

Engine Torque - MKG: 30.6

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 215/55 R17

Tyre Size Rear: 215/55 R17

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 17" ALLOY

Wheel Style: JOHANNESBURG

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4236

Height: 1584

Wheelbase: 2590

Width: 1819

Weight and Capacities

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11

Max. Roof Load: 75

No. of Seats: 5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 445

Max. Loading Weight: 576

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 700

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1500

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 50

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1920

Minimum Kerbweight: 1344

Chassis/Suspension

DCC including driver profile selection, eco function, disc brake in fronts, progressive steering, front and rear shock absorption

Communication

Wireless Smartphone charger

Driver Aids

Rear view camera

Driver Information

Discover navigation pro touch screen navigation with streaming/internet/DVD radio system with integrated voice activation,car-Net guide/inform plus

Exterior Body Features

Black roof rails

Two tone solid paint

Tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof with rear panoramic sunroof

Two tone signature metallic paint

Two tone special solid paint

Metallic paint

Signature metallic paint

Two Tone Metallic paint

Special solid paint

Exterior Lights

IQ LED matrix headlights

Interior Features

Heated leather wrapped multi function steering wheel

Packs

Easy open package with safelock - T-Roc

Sport pack with sports suspension - T-Roc

Ergoactive seat/ ergo active pack 1 - T-Roc

Vienna leather package with winter pack 1 - T-Roc

Winter pack without heated windscreen washer jets - T-Roc

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Ravenna blue with black roof

Metallic - Deep black pearl with white roof

Metallic - Ravenna blue with white roof

Metallic - Pyrite Silver with white roof

Metallic - Petrol blue with black roof

Metallic - Indium grey with white roof

Metallic - Pyrite Silver with black roof

Metallic - Indium grey with black roof

Metallic - Deep black pearl with grey roof

Metallic - Petrol blue

Metallic - Indium grey

Metallic - Pyrite Silver

Metallic - Ravenna blue

Metallic - Deep black pearl

Paint - Solid

Solid - Ascot grey with black roof

Solid - Ascot grey with white roof

Solid - Ascot grey

Paint - Special

Special solid - Pure white

Signature metallic - Kings red with black roof

Special solid - Pure white with black roof

Signature metallic - Kings red

Special solid - Pure white with Indium grey roof

Security

Keyless locking and starting system keyless access with safelock

Towing

Removable and lockable towbar

Trim - Cloth

Ergoactive seat pack with Art velours microfleece cloth - Titanium Black - Anthracite/Titanium Black/Black

Art velours microfleece cloth - Titanium Black - Anthracite/Titanium Black/Black

Art velours microfleece cloth - Grey - Black - Silver Anthracite/Anthracite/Pearl Grey

Trim - Leather

Vienna leather package with winter pack - Platinum Gray - Black/Titanium Black/Black/Ceramique

Wheels - Alloy

17" Johannesburg black diamond turned alloy wheels with anti theft wheel bolts

18" Portimao alloy wheels with anti theft wheel bolts

19" Misano black diamond turned alloy wheels with low rolling resistance and anti theft wheel bolts

18" Arlo sterling silver finish alloy wheels with anti theft wheel bolts and low rolling resistance

19" Misano alloy wheels with low rolling resistance and anti theft wheel bolts

Wheels - Spare

Space and weight saver spare wheel with tool kit