Review - Volkswagen T-Roc

The upside of the saturated compact SUV segment is that competition between manufacturers is fierce, and great for us customers. The downside is that it’s increasingly difficult for cars like the VW T-Roc to stand out from the crowd. 

Volkswagen’s all-new T-Roc has a lot going for it, offering buyers a slice of premium European engineering within the compact SUV market, but how does it stack up against the competition? Let’s find out.

Starting Price: $37,250

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Volkswagen T-Roc (110TSI) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Volkswagen T-Roc car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Volkswagen T-Roc lineup kicks off from $37,250 for the entry-level T-Roc Style, while the mid-spec T-Roc R-Line is priced at $45,250. 

The flagship Volkswagen T-Roc comes in the form of the T-Roc R which is priced at $59,300. 

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change, and do not include on-road costs. 

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

You could save money by using one of OnlineAuto’s car agents to assist you in finding the best car for you. As one of the leading car buying services in Australia, our team have access to a range of dealerships across the country to help find you the best deal.

What Features Does the Volkswagen T-Roc Have?

The entry-level T-Roc Style comes riding on a set of 18-inch alloys, and receives LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, reversing camera with front & rear parking sensors, keyless entry & start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, comfort seats with lumbar adjustment lined with microfleece, LED ambient lighting, privacy glass, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, wireless smartphone charger and an 8.0-inch infotainment system packed with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB+ digital radio. 

Stepping up to the T-Roc R-Line adds a set of 18-inch Nevada allows, a sports suspension system, sporty steering wheel & front seats, alongside an R-Line styling upgrade for the exterior and interior. 

Finally, the flagship T-Roc R adds a set of 19-inch Estoril alloys, Matrix LED headlights with LED tail lights, a powered boot lift, Nappa leather upholstery with heated front seats, R-Line exterior upgrades, and an adaptive chassis control system with sports settings, atop an upgraded 9.2-inch infotainment system. 

Range Features:

• 18-inch alloys 

• LED headlights 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Reversing camera with parking sensors 

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel 

• LED ambient lighting

•  Comfort seats with lumbar adjustment 

• Keyless entry 10.25-inch digital driver’s display 

• 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• Sports suspension (R-Line)

• Sporty steering wheel & front seats (R-Line)

• R-Line styling upgrade (R-Line) 

• 19-inch alloys (T-Roc R) 

• Matrix LED headlights with LED tail lights (T-Roc R) 

• Nappa leather upholstery (T-Roc R) 

• Powered boot lift (T-Roc R) 

• Heated front seats (T-Roc R) 

• Adaptive chassis control with sports setting 

• 9.2-inch infotainment system (T-Roc R) 

Volkswagen T-Roc Colours

The Volkswagen T-Roc lineup is available in a choice of Pure White, Flash Red, White Siler, Tumeric Yellow, Ravenna Blue, Deep Black and Indium Grey. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive?

As we’ve come to expect from Volkswagen, the driving experience on offer in the latest T-Roc is a wonderful slice of premium European motoring in an agile, user-friendly and in some variants, exceptionally fast package.

The entry-level T-Roc Style comes powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that kicks up 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque, which powers the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

Stepping up to the T-Roc R-Line adds a revised version of the same engine that sends 140kW of power and 320Nm of torque to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch that also receives VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system. 

Both the Style and R-Line offer perky acceleration with a smooth power curve that makes acceleration quick and effortless, particularly in the R-Line variant. 

Combined with a short wheelbase and lightweight steering rack, the T-Roc platform lends itself perfectly to in-town commutes and tight-quarters car parks where it is easy to maneuver, and offers a user-friendly driving experience. 

The ride quality is slightly firmer than some of its rivals on rougher surfaces, however, on smooth surfaces, it offers a typically-European driving dynamic that minimises body roll and feels premium on the road. 

For those looking for maximum thrills, Volkswagen offers the T-Roc R which is tuned up to a massive 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque, which can sprint to 100km/h from a standstill in just 4.9 seconds; that’s some serious sports car performance in a compact SUV.  

Thankfully, the T-Roc R also receives sports suspension and a clever adaptive chassis control system that helps keep the body from rolling in the corners while softening the suspension for more mundane trips around town. 

As a complete package, the T-Roc is a user-friendly and premium compact SUV in entry-level guise, while seriously raising the bar in terms of compact SUV performance in its flagship R variant.  

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Compact SUVs are typically created by stretching out a platform taken from a hatchback, in an effort to save costs for the manufacturer. 

The T-Roc is no exception, taking its platform from the VW Golf, which in this case is a good thing considering just how spacious and practical the Golf is for a hatchback. 

As a result, the front of the T-Roc’s cabin offers the driver a great amount of visibility, with a heap of headroom for tall drivers and adjustment in the driving position, making for a comfortable and ergonomic driving experience. 

Storage options in the front of the cabin include a storage tray that doubles as a wireless smartphone charger at the base of the dash, a pair of cupholders and a key stash in the central tunnel, a folding armrest with storage inside, and a pair of door bins either side of the cabin. 

Move to the second row of the cabin and you’ll find the rear bench seat is perhaps best suited to kids and growing teenagers, although an adult will have no problems on shorter journeys. All up, headroom is absolutely fine, but there is a lack of legroom for tall rear passengers. 

The second row of the T-Roc’s cabin features ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts for easy installation of child seats, air vents, and a folding armrest with in-built cup holders. 

In terms of boot space, the entry-level T-Roc Style is the practical pick of the bunch with a boot totalling 445L in size, which drops to 392L in higher variants. 

Is it Safe?

The Volkswagen T-Roc range has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, scoring 96% for adult protection, 87% for child protection, 79% for vulnerable user protection and 71% for its safety assist technologies. 

As standard, the T-Roc range receives autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, travel assist, rear cross-traffic alerts, semi-autonomous parking, lane-keep assistance, adaptive cruise control, proactive occupant protection, a reversing camera with parking sensors, and curtain airbags around the cabin. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

With three engines on offer in the latest T-Roc range, the entry-level T-Roc Style is the fuel-efficiency winner with a combined cycle figure of 6.3L/100km. 

Moving to the more powerful T-Roc R-Line increases fuel economy figures to 7.3L/100km, while the flagship T-Roc R consumes 8.3L per 100km. 

Our Verdict: Is the Volkswagen T-Roc Worth it?

While the T-Roc lineup doesn’t necessarily come cheap, it does offer an undeniably sophisticated platform that is easy and comfortable to drive, atop a generous features list that makes the entry-level variant a particularly great option. 

For those looking for more speed, the T-Roc R is a true performer for the segment, offering sports car acceleration in a compact SUV package. 

Overall, while prices have risen in recent years, the T-Roc remains an impressive option for those looking for a premium compact SUV without moving to the next, largely European-vehicle price bracket. 

While the competition might be fierce, the T-Roc performs well enough to cement itself a healthy niche within the premium compact SUV segment here in Australia. 

With that in mind, it’s well worth adding to your shortlist if you’re after a compact SUV with a generous handful of luxurious appointments and features. On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925.

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty 

2. 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster as standard 

3. Fuel economy of 6.3L - 8.3L/100km 

4. 445L of boot space

5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating 

Pros

• Generous features list in entry-level Style variant 

• User-friendly & sophisticated driving nature 

• Immense performance in T-Roc R

Cons

• Base model interior trim feels cheap in parts 

• Limited second-row legroom

OnlineAuto Rating: 8/10

Volkswagen T-Roc Competition