Volkswagen T-Roc: range analysis and prices

The Volkswagen T-Roc is set to be one of the headline SUVs of 2018. Here we take an in-depth look at the range, available versions and prices, to help you make your buying decision.

Not much of an introduction is needed. The new Volkswagen T-Roc is the brand’s bet in a segment, that of small SUVs, which is growing by leaps and bounds. In fact, they are starting to appear in the Top 10 best-selling SUVs in Spain in 2017, and new arrivals such as the Hyundai Kona or the Kia Stonic have just joined them. And although it is still a little early, since it has only just arrived on the market, the Volkswagen bet looks like a winner. Let’s discover all its cards.

Design and bodywork of the Volkswagen T-Roc

You’ve surely already seen the new T-Roc advert on television. If not, here it is. An original campaign, different from what the brand has accustomed us to. The same can be said of the car.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6oKt_MbB_4

At 4.23 metres long, 1.82 metres wide and 1.57 metres high, the T-Roc’s exterior design has a personality of its own and catches the eye. Especially in versions with the most striking colours (flash red, yellow or orange), or when two different colours are combined for the bodywork and roof. The wheelbase is 2.60 metres. As for ground clearance, at around 160 mm it also sits at a midpoint between those better suited to asphalt and those better prepared for the occasional trip along tracks or dirt roads.

The freshness of the exterior carries over into the cabin, for which there are also various customisation options by playing with the colours of the dashboard decorative panels. The driver sits a little higher than in a conventional car, enjoys good visibility and has a well-organised centre console in front of them, with the controls within easy reach. The touchscreen of the multimedia system is intuitive to use, and as a technological gadget that is always interesting, the Sport versions feature the spectacular configurable digital instrumentation of Volkswagen, whose new generation debuted recently in the Polo.

There is no shortage of well-designed compartments for leaving objects or emptying your pockets. And for its size, the T-Roc’s roominess can be rated as good. It is in line with other SUVs in its class, standing out in some dimensions such as rear width or boot space. Here you should know that the Volkswagen T-Roc can serve as an everyday car even better than a Volkswagen Golf.

And not only because of rear space, or greater ease of fitting child seats. Luggage space is one of the T-Roc’s strong points. It offers 445 litres of boot capacity –dropping to around 390 in the 4Motion versions with all-wheel drive– with rear seatbacks split 60/40 that fold down easily, leaving a flat surface that extends capacity to 1,290 litres. To give you an idea, a VW Golf offers 380 litres.

Engines and transmission of the Volkswagen T-Roc

Once the range is complete, the T-Roc line-up will feature three petrol engines and three diesels. In terms of power, the entry point is set by the 1.0 TSI three-cylinder and the 1.6 TDI four-cylinder, with 115 CV, available only with manual gearbox and front-wheel drive. With 150 CV, two other engines are offered: the magnificent 1.5 TSI that the VW Golf debuted, and the well-known 2.0 TDI. These two can be paired with the 6-speed manual gearbox or the 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic.

In the case of the most powerful diesel and the third petrol engine, a 190 CV 2.0 TSI, it is also possible to choose 4Motion all-wheel drive, paired with the automatic gearbox. 4Motion is the system used on other Volkswagen models, of the switchable type, with a multi-plate clutch that allows the T-Roc to operate as front-wheel drive while the driven wheels retain grip. With 4Motion, the Volkswagen T-Roc adds dynamic driving mode with four programmes, including two specific for driving off-asphalt. It also features a hill start assist for low-grip conditions, and hill descent assist.

Of all the versions available, our favourite T-Roc is the 150 CV 1.5 TSI with DSG gearbox, for its performance, responsiveness and because it also allows very low fuel consumption. To help achieve maximum efficiency, it has an ECO driving mode. In any case, the two 115 CV engines can be considered a more than reasonable minimum for this car.

Throughout 2018, Volkswagen will offer the T-Roc with a DCC variable damping system, allowing a choice between three modes: normal, comfort and sport.

Three trim levels

Advance, Style and Sport are the three trim levels offered by Volkswagen for the T-Roc. What is interesting is that although the Volkswagen T-Roc’s price is high, its equipment is also very comprehensive.

The Advance versions already include as standard dual-zone climate control, active cruise control, automatic lights, roof rails, 16-inch alloy wheels, multifunction leather steering wheel, anti-collision system with city emergency braking, lane keeping assist, front and rear parking sensors, hill start assist and a multimedia system with an 8-inch screen, compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Not bad for a “basic” version.

Above that, the T-Roc Style costs an additional 600 euros. It adds more decorative than functional details, such as exclusive-design 17-inch wheels, two-tone bodywork, ambient interior lighting or chrome door trim. Note that if you want a Volkswagen T-Roc where you can choose different colours for the dashboard or for the central band of the seat upholstery, it has to be from this trim level upwards.

Between the T-Roc Advance and the top Sport trim, the price jump is 1,300 euros. Among other things, you get sports seats, LED headlights, anodised roof rails, rear-view camera, VW Digital Cockpit instrumentation with an 11.7-inch screen, driving mode selector and wireless phone charger.

Optional equipment is organised into packs, at prices we can consider reasonable. For example, the Comfort pack, which includes a rear-view camera, automatic lights and electric tailgate, costs 900 euros. The same goes for the Dynamic pack, with sport chassis, driving mode selector and anodised roof rails. Volkswagen also offers individual extras for the T-Roc, notably LED headlights (1,045 euros), the Discover Media navigation system (600 euros) or even a folding tow hitch with electric release (605 euros). During 2018 the R-Line exterior and interior customisation packs will be added.

Which trim to choose for the Volkswagen T-Roc? Well, it goes without saying that the Sport is the most “desirable”, but the Advance is the logical choice if you’re tight on budget, especially with the launch promotion. Check with the dealership, because during the launch period, with no defined end date, Volkswagen offers various Launch Packages. These add extra equipment worth 1,200 euros for the T-Roc Advance and Style, and 1,400 euros in the case of the Sport.

The rivals of the Volkswagen T-Roc

The Volkswagen T-Roc is a bit like the Audi Q2. In dimensions it competes with the SUVs we can call “small”, but in price there are alternatives among the larger compact SUVs. Among its most direct rivals, which stray a little from the more mainstream small SUVs, we might find the Mazda CX-3, the Honda CR-V or the MINI Countryman.

The rest of the SUVs of this size, the ones that usually top the sales charts, such as the Renault Captur or the Peugeot 2008, are clearly cheaper than the T-Roc. And depending on the engine and equipment, for what the Volkswagen SUV costs you could get a less powerful, less equipped version of a Hyundai Tucson or a Nissan Qashqai, for example.

Range and prices of the Volkswagen T-Roc

For now, the Volkswagen T-Roc is sold with the 1.0 TSI petrol engine with 115 CV, in Advance and Style versions, with a starting price of 23,870 euros. The 1.6 TDI with 115 CV will follow later, with the same trim levels. Above these are the two 150 CV engines, the 1.5 TSI Evo petrol and the 2.0 TDI.

For the moment the TSI can be chosen in any of the three trim levels with manual gearbox, and the 2.0 TDI only with 4Motion and DSG gearbox, as is the case with the 190 CV 2.0 TSI, the most powerful in the range.

T-Roc 1.0 TSI Advance 6v: 23.870 €
T-Roc 1.0 TSI Style 6v: 24.470 €
T-Roc 1.5 TSI Advance 6v: 25.255 €
T-Roc 1.5 TSI Style 6v: 25.880 €
T-Roc 1.5 TSI Sport 6v: 27.180 €
T-Roc 2.0 TSI 4Motion DSG: 33.995 €
T-Roc 2.0 TDI 4Motion DSG: 34.615 €

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverVolkswagen T-Roc7 versions · from 34,285 €