Quick overview
- High driving position
- Comfort
- Versatile
- Large boot
- 4WD makes it pricey
- Not as good to drive as Ford Puma
- No hybrid
- Touch-sensitive controls tricky to use
It could be tricky to identify exactly where the T-Roc fits in to the Volkswagen line-up, especially when the company offers the Taigo and Tiguan plus the T-Cross that all sit within the same sort of sphere. However, the T-Roc has had no trouble in attracting plenty of drivers thanks to its long list of positives.
Prime among these are its clean, handsome looks plus that all-essential raised seating position for the driver that so many choose an SUV for. It also makes the T-Roc a very comfortable car to spend lots of time in, so it works as a family’s only car if that’s what you need. This is underscored by the T-Roc’s roomy rear cabin, large boot and good versatility. It all adds up to a car you don’t have to think about or adapt to for it to fit into your daily routine.
This is also true of the engine line-up with the T-Roc. Volkswagen doesn’t offer any hybrid power or an EV version of the model, which is an oversight in this day and age, but there is a wide selection of petrol and diesel engines. The petrols range from the expected 1.0- and 1.5-litre engines used in so many VWs to the more potent 2.0-litre turbo petrol that comes with four-wheel drive. This does have an impact on fuel economy, though, so you really will have to need this version to choose it. While other car makers are abandoning diesel, VW sticks with it with its range of 2.0-litre engines in a couple of power outputs, and you can also have four-wheel drive for those who might be towing a caravan or trailer regularly. There’s even the sensationally quick R version with 300hp that gives serious performance cars much to think about.
An update in 2022 brought improvements to the T-Roc’s quality and dash design, including a revised infotainment set-up, so it remains a compact SUV you must consider seriously.
Prices
Volkswagen starts off the T-Roc range with the Life trim, which costs from £26,080 with the 110hp 1.0-litre TSI engine. Go for the 1.5-litre engine and you pay from £27,555 for the manual and £29,240 for the auto. The only other engine offered with the life is less powerful 2.0-litre turbodiesel costing from £28,865. Next in line is the Style trim that has the full spread of engines and costs from £28,825, while the R-Line sticks with the more powerful engine options and its prices begin at £31,745. The standalone high performance R model weighs in at £42,155. Savings of around £1000 are perfectly feasible with brand-new T-Rocs, while nearly new models with only a few miles on the clock can be had from £23,500 depending on the trim, engine and gearbox you decide on. A three-year old T-Roc with around 30,000 miles under its wheels will cost from £17,000.
Infotainment, comfort and practicality
One of the most notable features of the Volkswagen T-Roc is the driving position it provides. Where most of its rivals feel more like a hatchback from the driver’s seat, the T-Roc is definitely an SUV in the way it elevates the driver to offer a good view forward and to the sides. The front windscreen pillars are quite thick and chunky, so you do sometimes have to peer around them when pulling out of junctions, but it’s no worse than many others in this sector. The seat itself is very supportive and there’s standard height and lumbar adjustment for all T-Roc models. Vision for the driver out of the back the T-Roc is a bit limited, but every version comes with front and rear parking sensors as part of the Park Assist pack. You also get lane keeping assistance on all models.
The main dials in the T-Roc are clear and easily legible in the entry-level Life trim, while the upper three trim models come with VW’s 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit that replaces the normal dials with a screen that can be configured using the steering wheel buttons. It’s one of the best of its type and is easy to operate. VW also makes it easy to adjust the air conditioning settings with a separate control panel for this in the centre console, though it uses a smooth touch-sensitive panel rather than physical buttons that you find in a Skoda Karoq. Above this sits the 8.0-inch infotainment screen that’s used in all T-Roc models. It’s positioned high up so it’s easy to see and reach, and the operation is better than many others in this class such as the Peugeot 3008’s. VW sticks with proper dials to work the stereo’s volume and radio station choice, and the screen itself responds quickly to inputs. It also has a crisp resolution.
Head into the back of the T-Roc and you find one of the best in the business among mid-sized SUVs for passenger space. There is more than ample room for legs, heads, feet and shoulders. If you choose the optional panoramic sunroof, a little headroom is sacrificed, but not as much as in some of the T-Roc’s competitors. You can fit three adults into the back as the VW is broader than most others in the segment, while kids will enjoy the space. There are also two Isofix child seat mounts in the outer two chairs, while storage is taken care of by map pockets and reasonably sized door bins.
The T-Roc’s rear seat is divided 40-20-40, so you have more options when it comes to fitting in loads alongside passengers. There’s no sliding or tilting function for the rear seats, but that’s not a major hurdle for the T-Roc as it comes with a generous 445-litres of boot capacity with the seats in place. Fold them all down and you free up a total of 1532-litres, which should be more than enough for most needs. All T-Roc versions have an adjustable height boot floor and, in its higher setting, it sits flush with the load sill.
Which 2018 Volkswagen T-Roc model should you buy?
The Life version of the Volkswagen T-Roc gets things going and comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, lane assist, automatic headlights, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors. Inside, there’s climate air conditioning, front seats with lumbar adjustment, ambient lighting, and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Move up to the Style and you get 17-inch alloys, LED Plus headlights, silver roof rails in place of the Life’s black items, rear privacy glass, and the choice of the roof painted in body colour or a contrasting hue.
The dash uses the 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit display, while the infotainment set-up gains sat-nav and wifi connection. With the R-Line trim, you have a different alloy wheel design, and there are unique bumpers for this model. It also has heated front seats, and the driving profile selection to choose between Normal, Sport, Eco and Individual settings. For the R, you benefit from 18-inch alloy wheels, R exterior styling that includes chromed twin exhausts, and there’s 4Motion four-wheel drive as standard. The interior has front sports seats and the R is trimmed in Karoso fabric and microfleece upholstery. On the steering wheel of the R, there are paddle shifters for the DSG gearbox.
Value for money: how much does a 2018 Volkswagen T-Roc cost to buy and run?
Running costs for the Volkswagen T-Roc vary depending on your choice of engine, gearbox and if you want four-wheel drive. The 1.0-litre 110hp engine delivers a good 47.1mpg and 136g/km of carbon dioxide emissions. Choose the 1.5-litre 150hp turbo petrol and you’ll see the same fuel economy and slightly lower 135g/km emissions with the manual gearbox, while the auto offers 46.3mpg and 138g/km. The 2.0litre 190hp TSI engine comes with all-wheel drive and auto transmission as standard, which means you’re looking at a combined economy of 38.2mpg and 168g/km, while the R provides 33.2mpg and 194g/km. The diesels are the most frugal, with 60.1mpg and 122g/km from the 115hp version. The 150hp diesel gives 58.9mpg and 125g/km with the six-speed manual gearbox or 57.7mpg and 128g/km with the auto. Add four-wheel drive to the more powerful diesel and you end up 51.4mpg and 145g/km. Most T-Rocs fall into an insurance group somewhere between 15 and 27 dependent on which trim and engine you pick, while the R sits in group 34.
Verdict: Should I buy a 2018 Volkswagen T-Roc?
Volkswagen’s T-Roc does pretty much everything well or exceedingly well, which makes it a very tough act for its rivals to the get the better of it. Sure, the Ford Puma or MINI Countryman are more entertaining to drive on a twisty country road, but then VW has the very rapid R version of the T-Roc if you want these kind of thrills.
Of more importance to most drivers will be the T-Roc’s roomy, well made and well-appointed cabin that is sufficiently versatile to work for most families. There’s loads of room in the front, back and boot, and all T-Roc models come with a long list of standard luxury and safety kit. The only real note of caution is if you choose the all-wheel drive versions as they take a dip in fuel economy.