Volkswagen T-Roc Review

If you want a stylish, crossover with a versatile cabin, the Volkswagen T-Roc’s a great choice. It’s got more kerb appeal than the bigger Tiguan, yet families will find it more practical than the Golf hatchback.

With a suspension that focuses on comfort rather than sportiness, it’s a surprisingly comfortable choice - while the strong engine line-up means there’s something for everyone. You can even get four-wheel-drive models, although these are fairly thirsty and to be avoided unless you really need to venture off-road.

The most basic models do without a lot of the standard equipment which makes the T-Roc so appealing, so we’d suggest splashing the cash on one of the pricier versions if your budget allows.

Most buyers will find the 1.5 TSI to be the best combination of performance and economy. The 1.0 TSI is fine, if most of your miles are around town, although you’ll only find it paired with low-spec versions of the T-Roc.

If you cover a lot of motorway miles, a diesel will make more sense. The 1.6 TDI does the job, in the same way as a plate of boiled pasta will do the job. The 2.0 TDI is munch punchier and no less efficient in the real-world, provided you avoid four-wheel-drive models.

There’s quite an extensive line-up of trim levels and decided which one suits you depends on what exactly you want in a corner. We’d probably look for a Design or SEL model, for things like a contrasting roof and the desirable 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Cheaper models are fine, although the entry-level S is very basic indeed.

There’s a whole range of crossover SUVs that contend with the T-Roc. These include other Volkswagen Group alternatives like the Skoda Kamiq, SEAT Arona and even the pricier Audi Q2. You could also consider the Mazda CX-30 - a left-field crossover with a superb cabin - or the fashionable MINI Countryman.

Toyota’s C-HR is a hybrid alternative, if that floats your boat, while the Honda HR-V could be a sensible and practical choice. If you’d like a premium contender, we’d recommend the BMW X2. There’s the Mercedes-Benz GLA, too, although the 2014-2020 model isn’t as good as you might expect.

Finally, the Ford Puma is an excellent, well-equipped alternative, particularly if you’d like a crossover that’s a bit more sporty to drive.

The Volkswagen T-Roc’s a bit of a mixed bag in terms of interior quality and finish, unfortunately. Don’t get us wrong, it’ll probably wear very well and we’d be surprised to find one afflicted with rattles and creaks a few years down the line. But it just doesn’t feel quite as plush as we’re accustomed to from Volkswagen, with some surprisingly flimsy plastic finishes and hard materials.

The entry-level S model feels particularly cheap, lacking a leather-wrapped steering wheel or gear lever, and little to lift the cabin. The Design, with its flashy dashboard inserts looks (and feels) a fair bit smarter.

No T-Roc came as standard with leather seats, although they were offered as an option on most models. We’d pay good money for a T-Roc with these on the used market as they feel significantly plusher than the standard cloth seats.

All T-Rocs come with an eight-inch infotainment display. Even the most affordable models don’t come with a small display surrounded by drab plastic where you’d ordinarily find a big navigation system.

The standard system used on the T-Roc S covers all the basics but little more: it’s got DAB radio, you can connect your phone via Bluetooth and there’s even a CD player. The SE adds App Connect, which features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That’s a good thing, as it can mirror apps from your phone onto the car’s infotainment system.

High-spec models come with navigation, pre-loaded with European mapping data. We’d rather use Google Maps via our phone, but in-built navigation’s a good idea if you’re precious about your data.

Whichever system your T-Roc of choice comes with, it’ll have clear graphics, intuitive menus and fast responses. Volkswagen’s infotainment systems are among the best, although they are averse to buttons. You’ll find a physical control for the volume, but that’s about it. Everything else is operated via touchscreen, which can be frustrating on the move. We reckon the Mazda CX-30, with its rotary controller, is better in this respect.

The Volkswagen T-Roc might be smaller than conventional family crossovers like the SEAT Ateca and Nissan Qashqai, but it’s not far off in terms of practicality.

For a start, the boot is capable of lugging up to 445 litres of stuff (sorry, we mean your prized possessions). That drops to 392 litres if you buy a four-wheel-drive version. That compares well to the likes of the SEAT Arona (400 litres), Mazda CX-30 (430 litres) and Kia XCeed (426 litres), although the Honda HR-V (470 litres) and Ford Puma (468 litre) pip it in this respect.

It’s a nice shape, if a boot can be such a thing - usefully square, without too many intrusions. A false boot floor reduces the amount of lip for lifting heavy items over, while there’s even space for a space-saver spare wheel. That’s a useful thing and not one that can be taken for granted in the age of the tyre repair kit.

In terms of accommodating people, the T-Roc is a very spacious car. It’s quite wide (you can tell that just by looking at it), meaning a pair of adults in the front won’t find themselves bashing elbows all the time. There’s a huge amount of headroom, too, while the door pockets are usefully large. The cup holders are big enough to handle a pair of takeaway coffees and there’s a handy cubby box underneath the front armrest. Most T-Roc models even come with a drawer under the driver’s seat.

There’s a surprising amount of room for rear passengers, too. You’ll fit a pair of adults more comfortably than you would in a Volkswagen Golf, and the T-Roc’s wide dimensions mean there’s more room for a middle passenger than usual. Having said that, you will sit perched slightly higher than other rear occupants, and it’s still going to be fairly cramped back there with three people in the rear seats.

There are Isofix child-seat mounting points fitted to the outer rear seats. These are easy to get at, and the T-Roc’s relatively high rear seat and wide-opening rear doors help, too.

The best engine for most buyers is actually the most popular. It’s the 1.5 TSI petrol engine, which packs 150PS and is available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.

It’s grunty enough for overtaking, efficient and refined. Unless you cover mega miles (in which case get a diesel), it’s probably the perfect choice for you.

If you’re on a budget, you might notice the little 1.0 TSI coming up a lot in your search. Don’t be put off by its diminutive size… in some ways, it’s actually better than the 1.5. It’s a little turbocharged three-cylinder engine that provides surprisingly sprightly performance. Sure, it starts to run out of juice at motorway speeds, but it’s ace around town.

Topping the petrol line-up is a 2.0 TSI unit that comes with 4Motion four-wheel-drive. Unless you really, really want 190PS and four-wheel drive, it’s not really worth the drop in efficiency. Sure, it’s fun, but you’d be better looking for the T-Roc R if you want performance car thrills.

Despite their bad press, diesels still suit a lot of drivers. If you cover a lot of miles out of town, look for one of the T-Roc TDIs. The 1.6 TDI is the entry-level diesel and, frankly, it feels it - with sluggish performance that’ll have you pulling your hair out when you want to join a motorway.

The 2.0 TDI is much better. With 150PS, it requires less effort to drive, while it was initially offered with four-wheel-drive. This was dropped in 2019, however.

In terms of choosing between manual or automatic gearboxes, it comes down to personal preference. Neither are bad choices, although we think the DSG automatic transmission suits the T-Roc well. It responds quickly, and no one buys a car like this because they want to hustle the gearbox...

Like the Golf hatch (and most Volkswagen models, for that matter), the T-Roc does a superb job of isolating you from the outside world. There’s not a great deal of noticeable wind noise (despite its bluff shape) while road noise is also well-hushed, particularly on smaller wheels with chunky tyres.

Some engines are a little more vocal than others, but neither are particularly thrashy. The 1.0 TSI petrol sounds a little coarse when you work it hard (something you’ll find yourself doing a lot if you want to get anywhere), so the 1.5 TSI petrol’s a better option if you’re concerned about noise levels.

The diesels are typically a little rumbly, especially the 1.6 TDI. The 2.0 TDI diesel is better although, like the 1.5 TSI, this is partly because it requires less effort to get it moving.

Whichever engine you pick, you won’t really notice any significant vibration through any of the controls. It’s almost like Volkswagen invests a lot of money making sure that doesn’t happen...

The Volkswagen T-Roc comes with all the latest clever safety systems designed to prevent you from being involved in a crash. Pleasingly, most of them are standard across the entire range.

All models come with Volkswagen’s Front Assist feature. This a radar-controlled system which monitors the distance between your car and the vehicle in front, warning you if you get too close. If it detects an imminent collision, it’ll warn the driver - before applying the brakes if you don’t react. It’s probably wise not to become too reliant on it, but it’s a handy feature…

There’s also Lane Assist, which’ll gently nudge the steering if you start to veer from your lane, while the electronic parking brake has an auto-hold function to keep the car still when you’re stopped in traffic.

If you are involved in a crash, there’s a plethora of airbags to keep you well-cushioned, while the We Connect Go system can provide your location to the emergency services.

When the Volkswagen T-Roc was crash tested in 2017, Euro NCAP gave it a maximum five-star rating. That includes an impressive 96% score for adult occupants, 87% for children, 79% for pedestrians and 71% for its safety assist features.

If you’re a young or inexperienced driver, look for a T-Roc 1.0 TSI or 1.6 TDI as these are the cheapest to insure. The former falls into group 11, while the latter’s insurance group 10. That’s very competitive against rivals. A Ford Puma, for example, starts from group 12.

The priciest models to insure are the four-wheel-drive 2.0-litre models. In R-Line trim, the 2.0 TSI 4Motion falls into insurance group 24. That’s not outrageous, but it might be worth shopping around for quotes...

Whichever model or engine you choose, the Volkswagen T-Roc will set you back a flat rate of £150 a year in tax (after the first year). Look for an electric alternative like the Hyundai Kona Electric to be eligible for free car tax.

The most affordable model in the range is the T-Roc S. Specification highlights include 16-inch alloy wheels, two-zone climate control as well as an eight-inch media system with DAB radio and Bluetooth. It does the job but little more, essentially. Even an alarm is an optional extra...

SE trim builds on this with 17-inch alloy wheels, electrically heated and foldable door mirrors,  front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. There’s also a host of desirable interior highlights - ranging from a handy little drawer under the driver’s seat to storage pockets behind the front seats, a front central armrest and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.

Black Edition models look the part with various black exterior highlights (including the 18-inch wheels, front grille, window surrounds and roof rails), piano black interior inserts and ambient lighting.

The Design trim level builds on the SE with 17-inch alloy wheels, a contrasting roof, tinted windows and sportier bumpers with silver styling. It can also be equipped with a variety of interior dash colours, while ambient lighting is standard. There’s also a Driver Alert system which warns you to take a break if you appear tired.

Moving up the range, the pricer SEL features 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and LED darkened rear clusters, front sports seats and an eight-inch navigation system with voice activation. There’s a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, too, while driver profile selection allows you to select between a variety of drive modes.

Topping the range is the T-Roc R-Line, which comes with lowered sports suspension and 19-inch alloy wheels. There are various R-Line exterior trim highlights including a rear roof spoiler. Inside, there’s a plethora of R-Line badging, including embossed on the front sports seats (which are also heated). There’s progressive steering and heated windscreen washer jets, too.