Prices for the VW T-Roc start from €24,750
Volkswagen says the launch of its new crossover, the T-Roc is one of the most important cars in years writes Geraldine Herbert
What is it? The T-Roc is a five-door crossover aimed at families who want space, style and agility. Crossovers position themselves explicitly between the family hatch and the large winter-ready 4×4 and this one is designed to compete with the likes of SEAT’s Arona, the Kia Stonic and Hyundai’s Kona.
Styling? Clearly playing to win over young, trendy buyers the T-Roc is a very eye catching combination of rugged good looks and a sporty profile thanks to the low roofline.
Under the Bonnet? There is a choice of petrol and diesel to choose from along with front or four wheel drive. Our test car was powered by a 2.0-litre diesel with 4Matic, the permanent four-wheel-drive system.
What about inside? The interior boasts the sensible styling for which VW is renowned for and inside it offers good space front and back, though its probably best suited to two adults in the rear as three would be a squeeze. There are, of course, a few niggles and the quality of the interior is a little disappointing and feels plasticky in places and the boot isn’t teeming with space; at 392 litres it fall short of some rivals. Front wheel drive models of the T-Roc have a larger 445 litres.
On the Road? Earlier in the year we had the opportunity to drive the 1.0-litre petrol engine and its surprisingly punchy and is the one to consider if you don’t do much mileage. The 2.0 litre diesel is the pricier option though the extra cost is offset against savings on fuel; VW suggest’s its does around 5.1 litres per 100 consumed on a combined cycle. With 150hp and a top speed of 200 km/h it’s quick and agile for city driving, but it’s also refined, comfortable and reassuringly weighty on motorways.
And Safety? The T-Roc comes stuffed with big-car safety features including include front assist with pedestrian monitoring and and the lane keeping system Lane Assist. It was also deemed to be the safest small off roader tested in 2017 by the EuroNCAP.
Will it break the bank? The good news is that you’ll get the entry level T-Roc for less than 25K. Trim choices come as standard T-Roc, Design and Sport. Our test T-Roc costs €36,695 but by the time you add up the extras, including a Beats’ sound system, a Tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof it will cost you €42,996.
What it says about you? You may be more likely to tackle supermarkets than snow mounds but at least you tackle them in style.
So what’s the verdict? It’s no easy thing these days for a crossover to stand out from the crowd but despite its silly name and late arrival the T-Roc is a very impressive car. While it may not be as practical as rivals in terms of driving dynamics and style it’s head and shoulders above the rest.
Why you’ll buy one? Fun to drive; Smart Styling, good engine choice.
Why you won’t? Boot space maybe a little tight for families, interior falls a little short in quality
Rivals
Kia Stonic
Renault Captur
Audi Q2
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Volkswagen T-Roc Sport 2.0 TDI 4Motion
Engine: 1968cc diesel 150bhp
Max speed: 200 km/h
0-100 kph: 8.4 seconds
Emissions (Motor Tax) : 134g/km (€280)
Starting Price: €24,750
Model Tested: 2.0 TDI 150HP OTR €37,470 + €5,496 optional extras €42,966
No of Doors: 5 doors
Euro NCAP: 5 stars
Fuel type: Diesel
Fuel Economy (combined cycle): 5.0 l/100 km (56.5mpg)
Boot Capacity (Seats down): 392 Litres(1237)
Car Seats: 2 Isofix fittings in the rear
Length: 4,234 mm
Width: 1,819 mm
Height: 1,573 mm
Wheelbase: 2,590 mm
For more information on the T-Roc visit the Volkswagen Ireland website or its Facebook page for further details.
Geraldine Herbert
24th August, 2018
