Volkswagen T-Roc Review 2024

August 2017

Volkswagen T-Roc unveiled

The optionally front-wheel or all-wheel drive T-Roc is the first Volkswagen SUV that will be available to order in two-tone paintwork with visually contrasting roof section (including the A-pillars and exterior mirror housings).

The look is enhanced by all-round, dark plastic trim, which protects the bodywork around the wheel arches and side sills, as well as the vehicle's front and rear.

Inside it gets the Active Info Display and a specific infotainment system which creates a new, digital and interactive cockpit. Via smartphone and Volkswagen Car Net it is possible to use a wide spectrum of online services and apps and to integrate the telephone and/or media library.

If all five seats are occupied, luggage space when loaded up to the top edge of the rear seat backrests totals 445 litres. The backrests can also be folded down in a 60/40 split, yielding luggage capacity of up to 1290 litres.

The T-Roc base version comes with high-tech systems such as Front Assist area monitoring with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and the lane keeping system Lane Assist. Also part of the base specification are details such as air conditioning, the Composition Colour infotainment system, LED tail light cluster, visual underbody guard (black) and LED daytime running lights in the bumper.

In addition, two higher lines on a par with each other, 'Sport' and 'Style', are available in parallel for maximum personalisation of the T-Roc. While the T-Roc 'Style' is characterised by exclusive touches such as the interior's decorative panels available in a choice of four colours, the focus in the case of the T-Roc 'Sport' is on sporty features such as the standard sport comfort seats.

Like the larger Tiguan, the new T-Roc too is being offered with efficient turbocharged engines: three petrol engines (TSI) and three diesels (TDI). They are being offered partly with front-wheel drive and manual gearbox, partly with front-wheel drive, 4Motion all-wheel drive (including 4Motion Active Control as standard) and the dual clutch gearbox (7-speed DSG).

April 2018

T-Roc R-Line launched

Additions to T-Roc R-Line models include 19-inch ‘Suzuka’ alloy wheels shod with low rolling resistance tyres; sports suspension, body-coloured roof spoiler and styling pack including R-Line design front and rear bumpers, black wheel arch extensions, body-coloured side skirts and unique R-Line badging.

Inside, the T-Roc gains a black roof lining; dark grey decorative inserts in dash and door panels; front footwell illumination, front LED reading lights, Carbon Flag upholstery, chrome R-Line door sill inserts, aluminium pedals, R-Line carpet mats front and rear and a flat-bottomed R-Line leather multi-function steering wheel.

April 2018

Driver's seat lumbar support not originally available on the T-Roc is now available as an optional extra at £60.

August 2018

Volkswagen adds 1.6 TDI to T-Roc

The 1.6-litre turbodiesel comes with a six-speed manual gearbox and produces 115PS and 250Nm of torque. Although Volkswagen has yet to reveal an official fuel economy figure for the entry-level diesel, it has been tested under the new WLTP lab tests. Volkswagen's quoting an NEDC-derived CO2 emissions figure of 115g/km.

Only available as a front-wheel-drive model, buyers after four-wheel drive will have to opt for the 150PS 2.0-litre turbodiesel. Petrol buyers, meanwhile, are catered for with 1.0-, 1.5- and 2.0-litre TSI engines with power outputs ranging from 115PS to 190PS.

February 2019

Volkswagen T-Roc R announced

7-speed wet clutch DQ500 transmission and 4Motion Haldex clutchd 4WD. Has sporty features such as progressive steering, sports running gear with driving mode selection and race mode, launch control and a traction control system that can be disengaged.

Sports running gear (with lowered suspension) ensures ideal road holding. Progressive steering included as standard plays a major part in ensuring agile driving behaviour, while the 17-inch brake system previously only found in the Volkswagen Golf R Performance provides effective braking.

Driving modes include a special "race" mode for an especially sporty driving experience. Launch control feature, which provides optimal traction during acceleration while offering maximum drive torque and a corresponding stability management program. The ESC Electronic Stability Control feature can be manually switched off to ensure particularly dynamic driving on the edge.

Colour choice between Lapiz Blue Metallic or Pure White Uni, Flash Red Uni, Turmeric Yellow Metallic, White Silver Metallic, Energetic Orange Metallic, Deep Black Pearl Effect and Indium Grey Metallic. The roof can be painted black in connection with all colour options if desired.

The 19-inch Pretoria alloy wheels in Dark Graphite with 235/40 R19 tyres and an R-performance titanium exhaust system from Akrapovic.

September 2019

Volkswagen T-Roc R priced from £38,450

Orders now open for the T-Roc R, which combines 300PS with 400Nm of torque and a limited top speed of 155mph. 0-62mph is covered in 4.9 seconds.

Lightweight 19-inch Pretoria alloy wheels are fitted to the T-Roc R as standard – an upgrade over the standard-fit 18-inch wheels fitted in other markets. The new R model also benefits from the option of Volkswagen’s Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive damper system at a cost of £695.

The T-Roc R’s colour palette includes Energetic Orange, Turmeric Yellow, White Silver, Indium Grey, Deep Black, Pure White, Flash Red and the standout R-specific shade Lapiz Blue all available on the compact performance SUV. All are also offered in combination with a black roof, A-pillar and mirror housings.

October 2019

Updates for 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc

T-Roc gets a VW Connect Dongle as standard on S, SE and Design trims. Meanwhile, on the R-Line the standard fit Caribou Grey dash pad is replaced by a Shadow Steel item.

May 2020

Volkswagen T-Roc Black Edition launched

Based on the SE model, the Black Edition adds a black-finish to its grille trim, door mirror caps, roof rails and exhaust pipes, as well as adding rear privacy glass, 18-inch ‘Arlo Black’ alloy wheels and LED headlights.

On the inside, the black theme continues, with ‘Piano Black’ dashpads, black roof lining, leather-wrapped gearshift knob and multifunction sports steering wheel with contrasting grey stitching, white ambient lighting and footwell illumination.

The Black Edition is sold with 1.0- and 1.5-litre TSI petrol, and 1.6- and 2.0-litre TDI diesel engines, with 115 and 150PS outputs respectively.

The T-Roc Black Edition starts at £23,750 RRP OTR for the 1.0-litre, 115 PS TSI model.

July 2020

Volkswagen T-Roc United edition announced

Based on the SE trim. Adds bespoke United badging and door sill protectors, ‘Dublin’ alloy wheels, voice control function and a Winter Pack – comprising heated front seats, a low washer fluid warning light and heated windscreen washer jets. Inside, the T-Cross United edition features bespoke grey and blue seat fabric, brushed stainless steel pedals and decorative interior inserts, as well as front and rear carpet mats. Priced from £23,550.

April 2021

Volkswagen T-Roc Active special edition priced from £24,035

Based on the SE model, the Active adds Discover navigation, Winter pack (including heated seats), front fog lights, privacy glass and an electrically operated tailgate.

February 2022

Updated Volkswagen T-Roc priced from £25,000

The Volkswagen T-Roc has been given a mid-life update with particular attention paid to its interior, which benefits from both a redesigned dashboard and the use of even higher-grade materials throughout. The T-Roc is available in three specifications – entry-level Life, luxury and comfort-focused Style, and sportily-styled and driver-focused R-Line – as seen on a number of other Volkswagen models. Even the Life benefits from LED headlights; an 8.0-inch Digital Cockpit; wireless App Connect through its 8.0-inch Ready 2 Discover infotainment system; a suite of driver assistance systems including Lane Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Front Assist; and 16-inch ‘Chester’ alloy wheels, black roof rails and interior ambient lighting.

The T-Roc Style, starting at £27,635 RRP OTR, majors on comfort and technology, bolstering the T-Roc Life’s equipment package with the larger Digital Cockpit Pro; Discover Media navigation infotainment system; sports comfort seats finished in ArtVelours microfleece; privacy glass from the B-pillar backwards; and LED ‘Plus’ headlights with different light modes for poor weather. From the outside, a bespoke rear bumper and 17-inch ‘Johannesburg’ alloy wheels mark out the Style from the rest of the new T-Roc range. The Style is predicted to be the top-selling trim in the model range, with more than one in three T-Roc customers expected to opt for this model.

With R-Line specific body styling, 17-inch ‘Valencia’ alloy wheels, sports suspension, silver roof rails and an interior featuring sportier elements such as a black roof lining and R-Line badging, and gloss black design trim in the dashboard, the T-Roc R-Line lives up to its billing as a sportier alternative to the Life and Style versions. Over the equipment of the Life specification, the T-Roc R-Line also gains features such as progressive steering for additional driver focus; selectable driving modes which can alter the car’s character to suit the driver’s mood; stainless steel pedals, and other interior enhancements contributing to a sporty ambience. The new T-Roc R-Line starts at £30,435 RRP OTR.

Seven engines are available across the standard T-Roc range, with both three- and four-cylinder units, petrol and diesel options, 6-speed manual and 7-speed DSG variants, and power ranging from frugal 110 PS units, to a highly capable 190 PS TSI. The extra ability of Volkswagen’s acclaimed 4MOTION all-wheel drive system is available on the highest-powered models – the 150 PS TDI, and 190 PS TSI. Technical and pricing data for the full range of T-Roc engines is available below.

The diesel engines bring twin-dosing technology, with dual-injected AdBlue, while the 1.5-litre petrol engines feature cylinder deactivation technology, to boost fuel efficiency and reduce CO 2 output by allowing the car to run on only two cylinders under certain loads.

The Volkswagen T-Roc R has also been updated with the same upgrades as the regular T-Roc, which complement the model’s innate dynamic abilities thanks to the work of the R division. The model is also even more generously equipped than its predecessor, with keyless entry, among other luxuries, added to its list of standard-fit equipment. Even crisper and sportier styling is also a major part of this suite of revisions.

The T-Roc R is priced from £40,445 RRP OTR, and is equipped exclusively with a seven-speed DSG transmission and 4MOTION four-wheel drive. The T-Roc R nods to the R brand’s first model – the Golf Mk4 R32 – which also featured Volkswagen’s acclaimed DSG. As the fastest-responding transmission option, it is the natural choice for a specialist performance car like the T-Roc R, matching the pace that its 300 PS engine confidently delivers.

August 2024

Volkswagen announces top-spec T-Roc R Black Edition, priced from £44,250

The Volkswagen T-Roc line-up now features the R Black Edition. The new trim level sits at the top of the T-Roc range and is based on the existing T-Roc R, but comes with a new design pack and additional equipment.

The design pack includes black decorative elements and 19-inch Estoril alloy wheels, while additional equipment includes a rear-view camera, heated front seats, electronic tailgate and a tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof.

A Beats sound system with six speakers, digital eight-channel amplifier, subwoofer and 300W total output also comes as standard.

Performance is the same as the T-Roc R. Power comes from a 300PS 2.0 TSI engine, while a seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4MOTION all-wheel is standard. VW claims a 0-62mph sprint time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph.

The Volkswagen T-Roc R Black Edition is available to order from Thursday 15 August priced at £44,250. The T-Roc R starts at £43,000.

July 2024

Volkswagen T-Roc Black Edition announced

The Volkswagen T-Roc Black Edition has been announced. Sitting above the existing R-Line trim level, the T-Roc Black Edition comes with larger wheels, upgraded lights, heated front seats and wireless charging.

Black Edition styling elements include a black roof, black roof rails, black alloy wheels, black mirror housings and decorative trim, as well as tinted rear windows.

The standard body colour for the T-Roc is Pure white. Other colours are available as options.

VW claims that the new Black Edition is priced at £1000 more than the T-Roc R-Line trim, but adds features worth £3,875.

The T-Roc Black Edition is available to order from 4 July 2024.