Volkswagen T-Roc Review 2022

If you want a stylish, small SUV 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, the Volkswagen T-Roc is 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.

Most buyers will find the 1.5 TSI to be the best combination of performance and economy with the Volkswagen T-Roc. 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 deciding which one suits you depends on what exactly you want in a car. We’d probably look for a post-facelift Volkswagen T-Roc in mid-range Style trim for desirable features such as in-built navigation, a larger digital instrument cluster and 17-inch alloy wheels.

There’s a whole range of small 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 small SUV with a superb cabin – or the fashionable MINI Countryman. Then there's the Ford Puma – probably the small SUV our money would go on, although it's not quite as comfortable as the Volkswagen T-Roc.

Hybrid alternatives include the Honda HR-V, Toyota Yaris Cross (and bigger Toyota C-HR). You might also want to look at premium SUVs like the BMW X2 and Mercedes GLA, too.

The Volkswagen T-Roc was originally a bit of a mixed bag in terms of interior quality and finish, unfortunately. Don’t get us wrong, it's proving to 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.

Things improved when the 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc went on sale with its plusher dashboard design and fewer flimsy finishes. It's still not as posh as an Audi Q2 but it's a lot more satisfactory than it was before.

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 early Volkswagen T-Roc S covered all the basics but little more: it featured DAB radio, you could connect your phone via Bluetooth and there was even a CD player. The T-Roc SE added App Connect, with 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 came 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.

The infotainment offerings changed with the T-Roc's mid-life facelift in 2022. You still get an eight-inch touchscreen display, but it's now higher up on the dashboard as is the current trend. It's an easy and intuitive system to use, although we still prefer systems with a rotary controller like with in the Mazda CX-30.

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

For a start, the Volkswagen T-Roc's boot capacity 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 T-Roc. 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. The Volkswagen T-Roc measures just over 4.2m long, while it's quite wide at 1.8m (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 in the Volkswagen T-Roc, 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 now-dropped 1.6 TDI was the entry-level diesel until 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.

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 Volkswagen 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.

Volkswagen makes some very dependable cars, while the T-Roc performs exceptionally well in the HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index (it actually ranked second overall in the latest survey).

The only common issue we've heard of relates to the 1.5 TSI petrol engine, which can be a little hesitant when cold. This was fixed by an update in 2020, so make sure that's been done.

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 £155 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 regular Volkswagen T-Roc range now consists of three core trim levels: Life, Style and R-Line.

The entry-level Volkswagen T-Roc Life is pretty comprehensively kitted out with LED headlights, an 8.0-inch Digital Cockpit, wireless App Connect through its 8.0-inch Ready 2 Discover infotainment system, a suite of driver assistance systems including Lane Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Front Assist, and 16-inch ‘Chester’ alloy wheels, black roof rails and interior ambient lighting.

The Volkswagen T-Roc Style adds the larger Digital Cockpit Pro, a Discover Media navigation infotainment system, sports comfort seats finished in ArtVelours microfleece, privacy glass from the B-pillar backwards; and LED ‘Plus’ headlights with different light modes for poor weather. From the outside, a bespoke rear bumper and 17-inch ‘Johannesburg’ alloy wheels mark out the Style from the rest of the new T-Roc range.

The sportier range-topping Volkswagen T-Roc R-Line features bespoke body styling, 17-inch ‘Valencia’ alloy wheels, sports suspension, silver roof rails and an interior featuring sportier elements such as a black roof lining and R-Line badging, and gloss black design trim in the dashboard. Over the equipment of the Life specification, the T-Roc R-Line also gains features such as progressive steering, selectable driving modes, stainless steel pedals, and other interior enhancements contributing to a sporty ambience.

On earlier models, the most affordable car in the range was the Volkswagen 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 did the job but little more, essentially. Even an alarm was an optional extra...

The T-Roc SE built 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 was 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.

The Volkswagen T-Roc Black Edition looked 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 T-Roc Design trim level built on the SE with 17-inch alloy wheels, a contrasting roof, tinted windows and sportier bumpers with silver styling. It could also be equipped with a variety of interior dash colours, while ambient lighting was standard. There was also a Driver Alert system which would warn you to take a break if you appeared tired.

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

The T-Roc R-Line topped the range with its lowered sports suspension and 19-inch alloy wheels. There was various R-Line exterior trim highlights including a rear roof spoiler. Inside, you'd find 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.