Test drive: VW T-Roc Life 1.0 TSI 110 CV: a one-litre SUV that will make you feel on top of the world

Yes, I won’t hide it; it’s time to admit that those of us who have always had a Volkswagen Golf in the garage have looked with considerable suspicion at the arrival of the German brand’s SUVs, especially the one that could cast quite a shadow over the compact car par excellence. But over time, VW T-Roc has carved out a niche in the market and can boast without complexes of being much more than a ‘raised’ Golf. Why? We tell you in this test of the VW T-Roc Life 1.0 TSI 110 CV, a one-litre SUV that will make you feel ‘on top of the world’ at a moderate price and with surprising dynamic qualities. A car for everything?

Today, the catalogue of every manufacturer offers almost as much variety of models and engines as there are different mobility needs. And this wide offer is especially found in the fashionable segment, that of the crossovers, which are still much maligned by some in bar conversations (“I love driving, I’m more of a saloon and coupé person”), but then irremediably turn out to be the kings of sales… among other things thanks to models as complete as this one.

In fact, at a time when many vehicles are rising so much in price and electrification also contributes to this price increase even in the entry-level versions, it is easy to despair: what suits you for daily, individual and purely urban use (with a Eco or Zero emissions label) is probably not the most suitable for venturing out to travel as a family, with plenty of space, a certain ground clearance, much more range and at a reasonable cost. But don’t worry! The ‘solution’ does not always involve having a car for each thing; rather, models such as this VW T-Roc can be good for almost everything without needing a larger fleet of vehicles in your name.

Any T-Roc already guarantees, from 28,000 euros, interesting standards of design, quality, space and wide customisation possibilities in terms of engines, mechanical configuration, trim levels and equipment in general. And on this occasion, we have chosen one of the most recommendable options in the range, for its unusual balance of value for money, responsiveness, practicality and fun behind the wheel: the VW T-Roc 1.0 TSI 110 CV.

Sobriety and discretion… with a certain elegance

From the outside, it looks much more sober than it really is – especially in white, like this test unit – and that allows you, to begin with, to park it anywhere without attracting excessive attention. A real virtue if you see your private vehicle as a way of getting from one place to another without arousing suspicion among envious neighbours or people with light fingers. Nevertheless, it is attractive, its shapes are harmonious and convey robustness and a certain elegance.

Inside, from the very start, the T-Roc is a good-looking five-seater, rationally conceived, with comfortable seats, remarkable ergonomics, an appropriate and logical layout of all the controls, good fit and finish, connectivity typical of a modern car (compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), a boot of 445 litres with the seats in place (in the 4×4 versions, it drops to 392 l)…

Every T-Roc, moreover, comes as standard with LED headlights and rear lights, a Digital Cockpit with an 8-inch screen, driver fatigue detection, lane keeping assist, automatic lights, rain sensor, air conditioning, a six-speed manual gearbox, 16″ alloy wheels…

But for 2,860 euros more, the Life trim you see here comes with 17″ wheels, roof rails, up to 6 speakers, adaptive cruise control, Confort front seats with specific upholstery, hill start assist, dual-zone electronic climate control, darkened rear windows, pedestrian detection system, multifunction leather steering wheel, rear camera, and a Digital Cockpit with a 10.25″ screen…

A litre that goes a long way

So, once this step towards even more complete equipment has been taken, which engine should you choose? Bear in mind that this first decision here determines performance, but also the equipment, the drivetrain and many other factors, since from that point on you may or may not take other paths in the final result.

We opted for the most basic one, the 999 cc three-cylinder petrol engine, with ‘only’ 110 CV, saving the almost 2,000 euros more that the 1.5 TSI costs, a four-cylinder with 1,498 cc and 150 CV. And the truth is that the impressions have been surprisingly positive, with the 6-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is only available on the T-Roc R-Line 2.0 TSI 4Motion 190 CV – from 46,445 euros -).

If, after the previous paragraph, you are still puzzling over the “three-cylinder” part, don’t worry. As soon as you start up, you realise that here the absence of a fourth cylinder does not translate into unpleasant running noise, increased vibration or high consumption. On the contrary, the soundproofing is a point in this car’s favour, as is the flexibility of its engine as you skilfully handle a well-calibrated gearbox, with very well-judged ratios and a usable sixth gear… The perfect complement to getting the most out of a turbocharged unit that delivers a lot.

In town, although it is not as comfortable to drive in traffic and at traffic lights as with a DSG (not available for this one-litre engine), you quickly see that the acceleration is more than adequate to move the 1,301 kg of the whole with ease, thanks to progressive delivery and, between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm, its peak torque of 200 Nm. And with the higher seating position and ground clearance of the bodywork compared with any compact, you get better visibility, greater comfort for the everyday errands typical of any crossover (going to work, shopping, taking the children from one place to another) and some room to park in the typical open spaces that tend to surround hospitals, for example.

When leaving the city for ring roads, motorways and dual carriageways, you can easily reach cruising speed without fuss or any need for more horsepower or driving mode selection – not available here – for a relaxed drive, without excessive sporting aspirations but at a good pace.

And in a world where tyres with very low profiles and excessively wide widths are the trend, it must be said that its Michelin Primacy 4 215/55 R17 tyres are ideal for tackling everyday speed bumps, humps and kerbs; but also for venturing without hesitation onto broken tarmac, unpaved tracks and everything else you might encounter both in the city centre and in suburban developments or rural villages. In other words, everything that a SUV with certain adventurous qualities should allow you to do!

Versatility and balance

Now it’s time to head along mountain roads and try to explore the limits of this VW T-Roc 1.0 TSI 110 CV. Without passengers getting car sick (who enjoy good headroom even in the rear seats). On a typical short weekend getaway, or with the boot well loaded and four more travellers ready for a car like this to also cope with full holidays of several hundred kilometres.

Well, the chassis has a certain composure in virtually all circumstances; the steering is comfortable and quite suited to bends of all kinds, with a surprising agility. The gear ratios, once again, give plenty of scope and help to cope with some moments on steep slopes where a few more horses would certainly not go amiss.

But again, if you know how to make the most of a gear lever that is well judged in length, ratios and precision, and with a suspension that is firm but more comfortable than sporty, the feeling of comfort is almost never lost and it is also not easy to feel ‘stuck’ by strange body roll or loss of power when overtaking.

A car for (almost) everything

Comfort, safety and connectivity (both enhanced by the Life trim) are really good. What’s more, the multifunction steering wheel with physical buttons (rather than the sliding ones on the centre console, which are an option or standard on some versions of the T-Roc and other models from the brand) greatly improves the driving experience and results in more precise driving.

However, satisfaction with this compact SUV cannot be complete if costs spiral. And here, it’s a mixed bag. On the one hand, the price of this petrol VW T-Roc with the 110 CV 1.0 TSI engine is no bargain, as it just exceeds the 30,000 euro barrier) and it rises as soon as you swap the standard solid grey for the Pure White of this test unit (225 euros) or choose metallic shades (in one or two colours, 600 to 1,085 euros more). On the other hand, the factory equipment and the Life trim are really complete, so there is not much need to ‘pump it up’.

The cost per kilometre is also very positive compared with other rivals, since consumption is really moderate (on winding country roads at full load we recorded around 5.9 l/100 km and less than 7 litres per 100 in town). In fact, it uses less than the four-cylinder 1.5 l version, which in theory should go more comfortably.

It is a pity, though, that neither of these two petrol versions can give up the C label. And that limits its suitability as “a single car for the whole family and for everything”, as it will be restricted from entering the more restrictive low-emission zones (ZBE) of some municipalities that require a Zero or Eco sticker.

Otherwise, if that last point is not a problem, the use you plan to make of this vehicle is more interurban than urban and your budget allows it, the VW T-Roc 1.0 TSI 110 CV will give you more than enough car for (almost) everything. And you may well forget about the Golf!

Technical specifications of the cars in this article

HatchbackVolkswagen Golf28 versions · from 24,450 €

CrossoverVolkswagen T-Roc7 versions · from 34,285 €