Volkswagen T-Roc (2018) Review

Volkswagen T-Roc (2018) At A Glance

Comfortable and refined on the move. Available with lots of personalisation options. High quality feel throughout. Entry-level 1.0 TSI engine is excellent.

Not as fun to drive as the SEAT Arona. Hardly the most daring of designs. Issues with 1.5 TSI Evo engine.

Real MPG average for a Volkswagen T-Roc (2018)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

Satisfaction Index

Reviews for Volkswagen T-Roc (2018)'s top 3 rivals

Kia Sportage

One of the best crossovers on the market, well-equipped, seven-year warranty, practical and spacious.

SEAT Ateca

Very comfortable and refined with impressive ride quality. Lots of room for those in the back along with...

Volkswagen Tiguan

Comfortable, spacious and supremely practical. Refined diesel engines. Plenty of modern technology.

Ask Honest John

Can you suggest a crossover to replace our hatchback?

"We are now on our sixth Volkswagen Golf. My wife is now struggling at times to get out of the passenger front seat. What car or SUV of a similar size to our Golf, and perhaps a little higher up, would you suggest for our next vehicle?"

Take a look at the Volkswagen T-Roc. It'll feel like a Golf, but with a higher seating position and easy access. If you're ready for a change, we'd recommend a Ford Puma or Peugeot 2008, or slightly bigger crossovers like the Peugeot 3008.

Answered by Andrew Brady

My Volkswagen T-Roc bunnyhops and VW refused rejection. What now?

"I've been fobbed off by Volkswagen saying my new car had a software fault, then apparently it's a characteristic of the vehicle. VW refused rejection after having my car for three weeks without a fix. My local Volkswagen dealer had a T-Roc manual we could try, but as soon as we pulled off the forecourt, it bunny-hopped. We asked about an auto to try and this didn't bunny-hop at all. We asked if it was possible to have an auto in place of mine and they said yes. I contacted customer care about the bunny-hopping and they agreed with the salesperson that it's a characteristic of the car. They had not heard that VW has had rejections so I sent them a link to the Honest John article and I have not heard from them since. All conversations about faults were in their office (verbally, not via email). I'd have to wait fourteen weeks for a new automatic car with the same spec to be built, and that would mean another three grand knocked off mine (manual) so we declined the offer and walked out. It was coming to the end of the six month period at the time with 1600 miles on the clock."

Thank you for the information, we're actively looking into this situation. We'll forward your details to Volkswagen UK, too.

Answered by Georgia Petrie

Can I reject my Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 for the software issues that make it stutter?

"I bought a new Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 with a manual gearbox in March 2020. I complained about the kangarooing issue just after I bought it for the full amount in cash. I returned the car months later due to dealership being closed due to coronavirus, but they say they can find nothing wrong with it. The problem still exists, mainly when starting it when cold or if car has stood for a few hours. How am I fixed for a refund or repair? I like the car but do not like the car playing up when first pulling away."

If you're unhappy, I would reject the vehicle while you can. You only retain the right to reject the car if there is something fundamentally wrong with it. But you can reject it within six months of the date of purchase. This includes faults that were present - or developing - when you bought the car, or it was received in a condition that does not match what you were told. I would suggest rejecting it if you can while you still can because we've had reports of ongoing issues with this engine despite Volkswagen saying they have no further plans to update software. You rights can be found here: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/how-to-reject-a-car-your-consumer-rights

Answered by Georgia Petrie

Have the issues with 1.5-litre petrol engines in VW cars been resolved?

"I'm considering buying a brand new Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 Evo petrol manual, but upon reading about the kangarooing when the engine is cold, it's got me nervous. Has this problem really been solved as regards to a new vehicle? "

Based on the most recent reports we've received about the 1.5-litre engine in VW Group cars, the issues don't appear fully resolved.

Answered by Georgia Petrie

On the inside of an Volkswagen T-Roc (2018)

• Boot space is 830–1532 litres
• Euro NCAP rating of five stars

The T-Roc may not appear as big as your standard crossover, but it does in fact have more standard boot space than a Nissan Qashqai - 445 litres if you're counting (or 392 litres in 4Motion models). That means there's plenty of room for a pushchair and shopping, making this more than enough for a family car. It also has an adjustable boot floor, but only on two-wheel-drive models.

The driver and front passenger get plenty of room and there's loads of adjustment in the seats (and the steering) so even those six-feet tall and more will find enough space. The seats have good support too and we found even after long journeys we didn't have any back ache. 

The driving position isn't as 'SUV' as the likes of the Ford Kuga, but it feels higher up than a Kia Stonic for instance. Visibility is good and it's easy to judge the extremities plus all models (bar the S) have front and rear parking sensors as standard.

In the rear it feels a little more claustrophobic, partly due to the slim windows reducing the light coming into the cabin. Legroom is just about adequate for adults, but with the front seats slid all the way back, it's tight back there.

It is also worth noting that the outer two seats are quite heavily sculpted to offer side support, meaning that the centre seat is significantly higher, reducing headroom substantially. The rear seats don't recline or slide, plus they only split 60/40 rather than 40/20/40.

The quality of the cabin is good if not exceptional. It feels superbly well put together with the usual standards we've come to expect from Volkswagen, but there are some hard plastics in areas. This is where the T-Roc doesn't feel quite as premium as an Audi. 

However, it makes up for it with a brilliant 8.0 inch touchscreen system behind a large glass encased surface. The system is the best around, not only in the way it looks, but how easy it is to use. All models come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

One of our favourite features is the Active Info Display (standard on SEL), which replaces the conventional instrument dials with a configurable digital display. Not only does it make the T-Roc feel more upmarket, but it's genuinely useful with the ability to have whatever information you want (i.e the navigation map) right in front of you.

All models also get Automatic Post-Collision Braking, active lane keeping system, the Front Assist area monitoring system with Pedestrian Monitoring and City Emergency Braking.

Standard Equipment (from launch):

Volkswagen T-Roc SE comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior trim, LED daytime running lights, black roof rails, variable boot floor, climate control, automatic wipers, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system including DAB, USB input and Car-Net smartphone integration, adaptive cruise control, lane assist and front assist.

Design adds 2 Zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, auto emergency braking, composition Media infotainment system with 8-inch colour touchscreen, Car-Net ‘App Connect’, adaptive cruise control  with Front Assist and City, black roof rails.

SEL adds 18-inch sterling silver Arlo alloy wheel, LED headlights with signature LED daytime running light, Car-Net Security and Service and Guide and Inform, front and rear parking sensors, Active Info Display, 8-inch colour touchscreen Discover Navigation infotainment system, Car-Net ‘App Connect’.

Child seats that fit a Volkswagen T-Roc (2018)

Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.

Which car seat will suit you?

Driving Volkswagen T-Roc (2018)

• Engines range from 1.0 TSI 115 to 2.0 TSI 190 DSG 4Motion
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 29–61 mpg

In our opinion, the best engine - and the most surprising - is the entry-level 1.0 TSI. It may seem too small for a car like this with just 115PS, but it feels far quicker than the figures suggest.

That's helped by the 200Nm of torque which means the three-cylinder unit pulls really well in gear. As a result it has little trouble keeping up with fast moving traffic and is very capable on the motorway. It rarely feels slow or lacking in get up and go. It's no surprise then that this is the best selling engine in the range. 

The downside is that it's a manual only. If you want an automatic - a seven-speed DSG in this case - or 4Motion four-wheel drive, you have to go for a bigger petrol, either the pricey 2.0 TSI or the new 1.5 TSI Evo. The latter has not been without its issues though, with some owners reporting problems at low speeds (in manual cars). Volkswagen has yet to fully resolve these.

If it's economy you want, the 1.6 TDI should see more than 50mpg in real world driving, although it's far from the most thrilling engine to drive and compared to the zesty 1.0 TSI it feels lethargic. As for the 2.0 TDI, owners are actually seeing better economy figures in Real MPG than the 1.6-litre model, but it's not cheap.

The T-Roc certainly rides well and feels smoother over poor road surfaces than an Audi Q2 or MINI Countryman. It's still well controlled though and doesn't float all over the place or bounce over bumps.

In terms of handling, there's no much to write home about. It's exactly what you'd expect from a crossover of this ilk. The steering is responsive and nicely weighted but it remains an easy car to drive rather than an exciting one. 

Throw it into a corner and the result is more body roll than its aforementioned rivals. Here the SEAT Arona feels more sporty, but then doesn't ride as well as the T-Roc. Top models come with Dynamic Chassis Control as an option, but the differences in settings are so small, we think you're better saving the money.

As for noise levels, the T-Roc is very quiet on the move, with little road or wind noise. There's good sound insulation too so none of the engines is noisy - although 1.6 TDI tends to grumble away whatever the speed. The 1.0 TSI can be a little vocal if worked hard, but this tends to sound more sporty than coarse. Despite being a three-cylinder, there's no vibration through the pedals or in the cabin.

Long term test

Volkswagen T-Roc SEL 1.6 TDI 115

Volkswagen T-Roc (2018) Models and Specs

Currently on sale

On sale until November 2020

Good

What to watch out for

Model History

• August 2017: Volkswagen T-Roc unveiled
• April 2018: T-Roc R-Line launched
• April 2018
• August 2018: Volkswagen adds 1.6 TDI to T-Roc
• February 2019: Volkswagen T-Roc R announced
• September 2019: Volkswagen T-Roc R priced from £38,450
• October 2019: Updates for 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc
• May 2020: Volkswagen T-Roc Black Edition launched
• July 2020: Volkswagen T-Roc United edition announced