All-New VW T-Roc is a Compact SUV with a Big Personality.
All-New VW T-Roc is a Compact SUV with a Big Personality.
When Volkswagen launched the original T-Roc in 2017 it was seen as a spiritual successor to the Scirocco, but reimagined as a compact SUV for a new generation of buyers. With over two million units sold in the intervening years, the T-Roc has become a genuine global phenomenon rather than a niche experiment. The all-new, second-generation T-Roc is built on the MQB Evo platform, which it shares with the latest Golf, Tiguan, Tayron, Passat and Caddy in the VW model range, as well as many Skoda, SEAT, Cupra and Audi models too. The new T-Roc aims to build on the outstanding success of its predecessor with a sharper design language, a more upmarket cabin, and a highly efficient mild-hybrid (mHEV) engine.
One Engine, Three Trim Lines.
Buyers can choose from three trim lines: Life, Style, and R-Line, all of which come with a 1.5-litre eTSI mHEV engine paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The engine comes in two states of tune: 116hp in Life and Style trim, and 150hp in top-spec R-Line trim, with power sent to the cars’ front wheels in all cases.
Sleeker & Curvier Exterior Design.
The latest T-Roc has a sleeker and curvier design than before, and is 136mm longer, and 9mm wider than its predecessor with measurements of 4,372mm and 1,828mm respectively. The wheelbase has grown marginally from 2,590mm to 2,629mm, but the cars’ overall height of 1,573mm is identical to the original T-Roc. Boot space has increased to 475-litres with the rear seats in their upright position, and this expands to an impressive 1,350-litres when they are folded down. This represents a 30-litre increase over its predecessor, and approximately 100-litres more than a Golf Mk 8. The cabin in the new T-Roc is surprisingly spacious, with a light and airy feel to it, and the mildly-elevated driving position provides an excellent view all around the car. The upmarket materials used throughout the cabin are plush and tactile, and the central infotainment touchscreen is intuitive in its operation. All of the car’s controls are integrated into the central display, with easy access to functions such as the climate control and heated seats, while the slider controls immediately underneath the touchscreen control the temperature as well as the audio volume. The gear selector is positioned on the right-hand side of the steering column (where the windscreen wiper stalk would traditionally be), so it is close to hand when you need to use it, while also freeing up useful space between the front seats. The increased wheelbase length delivers ample legroom for all occupants, with generous head and elbow room available too. The centre console cubby space between the front seats can be configured to the requirements of the occupants, with the possibility of creating 2 cupholders by positioning the movable dividers accordingly. The 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard has been redesigned with a more user-friendly menu layout, customisable shortcut bars, and integrated physical-digital controls. A fully digital driver information display (Digital Cockpit) is positioned directly behind the steering wheel and it features crisp, high-resolution graphics.
Test Car Details.
My test car was a new T-Roc R-Line 1.5 eTSI 150hp DSG mHEV, which was finished in distinctive Canary Yellow solid paintwork (a no-cost option), with upgraded 19-inch ‘York Aero’ diamond-turned alloy wheels. Key standard R-Line trim equipment includes sports comfort seats with integrated head restraints (front), heated leather multi-function steering wheel, rear privacy glass, keyless access & start, parking sensors front & rear, rear-view camera, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, anti-theft alarm, sporty R-Line bumpers, sports suspension with shock absorption, progressive steering, and black headliner material. Optional extras fitted to my test car consisted of a Parking Package, ‘Discover’ Infotainment Package, IQ.Light Lighting Package (inc. Matrix Headlights), IQ.Drive Technology Package, Black Styling Package, and Easy Open & Close functionality. The T-Roc’s striking front end incorporates a high-gloss black grille in a classic R-Line honeycomb design, with Performance LED headlights with eye-catching illuminated front and rear VW logos providing a sharp and sleek contrast. Sporty R-Line detailing within the cabin include stainless steel pedals, R-Line scuff plates, and an R-Line-specific sports steering wheel, and seats with R-Line fabric upholstery. The T-Roc’s hybrid system combines a refined 1,498cc four-cylinder petrol engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, and it features Active Cylinder Technology (ACT), allowing the system to temporarily shut down two of the four cylinders under light loads to save fuel. Producing 150hp and 250Nm of torque, a 0-100km/h sprint can be completed in just 8.9-seconds, on its way to a 212km/h top speed (where permitted). Power is sent to the cars’ front wheels in an orderly fashion via the VW Group’s ever-popular 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The T-Roc’s driving dynamics are outstanding, with excellent control, security and roadholding ability on offer, and the cars’ flexible, composed performance is well suited to the DSG gearbox. The R-Line’s sports suspension provides the car with a lowered ride height for a more dynamic and engaging driving experience. The cars’ sharp handling characteristics are particularly evident on back roads, where it tackles sharp bends and corners with ease, but it also comes into play when changing lanes on a motorway. Body movement through bends is well contained, and the well-weighted steering feels suitably direct at speed and impressively light when manoeuvring into tight car park spaces. Official fuel consumption for the 150hp engine is from as little as 5.6l/100km on a WLTP combined driving cycle, with the lower-powered engine cutting this slightly to 5.5l/100km. Annual road tax is just €210.
Verdict & Price.
The new VW T-Roc is manufactured to high build quality standards, and its striking new look, along with its vastly improved driving dynamics, enable it to hold its head high in the fiercely-competitive compact SUV market segment. Pricing for the new T-Roc starts at €39,565 (ex-works) in Life trim, and from €43,150 (ex-works) in mid-spec Style trim, with my R-Line test car specification priced from €44,995 (ex-works) excluding optional extras.
Visit www.volkswagen.ie for further information.
