SPACE MATTERS – Volkswagen T-Cross
Volkswagen’s new compact SUV, the T-Cross will be launched in South Africa in September this year.
Volkswagen’s T-Cross is on its way to South Africa, and is scheduled to hit Msanzi in September. And for those that can’t wait to get their hands on the high-tech crossover, you will be pleased to note that pre-sales have kicked off today on www.vw.co.za .
The T-Cross is actually Volkswagen’s smallest crossover, and it will go up against rivals like the Renault Duster, Ford EcoSport, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Creta and Suzuki Vitara. To give you an idea of its size, we should mention that it is based on the sixth-generation Polo. The T-Cross sits below the T-Roc in Volkswagen's global portfolio, which in turn sit below the Tiguan and the Touareg.
Being based on the Polo, means that it rides on the same MQB platform, and just like the Polo, it will be exclusively front-wheel drive. And because of this, it has allowed Volkswagen engineers to stretch out its wheelbase to a generous 2.56m and seat up to five adults, despite being only 4.11m long.
For the greatest possible versatility in the interior, its sliding rear seat can be adjusted by 14 centimetres, allowing more passenger leg room or more luggage space. The luggage compartment has a capacity that varies between 385 and 455 litres. If that’s not enough, the rear seatback folds down fully or partially to expand cargo volume to an impressive 1,281 litres.
South African variants of the T-Cross will be available with a choice of three petrol engines. Two 1.0 TSI variants, and a 1.5 TSI. The 70kw 1.0 TSI three-cylinder will be the first to arrive in September and will be priced just under R300 000 for the Trendline derivative – as Volkswagen promised a while ago. This model will be available exclusively with a 5-speed manual transmission.
An 85kw 1.0 TSI three-cylinder will also debut at launch, and will be offered with a 7-speed DSG transmission. Two derivatives will be available, a 1.0 TSI Comfortline priced at R334 600, and a 1.0 TSI Highline priced from R365 000. The 1.5 TSI four-cylinder variant, with 110kw, is scheduled to arrive in early of 2020. This too will feature a 7-speed DSG transmission, and pricing will be revealed closer to its launch. The T-Cross will come standard with a 3 year/120 000km warranty, a 3 year/ 45 000km Volkswagen Service Plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty.
Standard equipment for the new T-Cross includes numerous driver assistance systems which were previously reserved for higher vehicle classes. Together with the vehicle's outstanding crash characteristics and exemplary occupant protection, these increase safety, reduce the risk of a collision and improve driving comfort.
Optional safety and driver assistance systems available on the T-Cross includes Front Assist area monitoring system, the lane keeping assistant Lane Assist, Hill Start Assist (available from 2020), the proactive occupant protection system, automatic adaptive cruise control (available from 2020), Park Assist and the Blind Spot Detection lane change assist system with the integrated Rear Traffic Alert (available from 2020).
At launch, the T-Cross will be available with Volkswagen’s VW Connect dataplug. The dataplug is an easy ‘‘Plug and Play” retrofit car connectivity solution which has countless benefits for Volkswagen customers. The dataplug which is plugged into the Onboard Diagnostic Interface, sends data via bluetooth to the customers‘ smartphone. The VW Connect dataplug processes the vehicle data and this is then visualized to the customer. The VW Connect dataplug is standard on the T-Cross Comfortline, Highline and R-Line models, and will also be extended to all Volkswagen vehicle owners from next year. This app will thus replace the current My VW App in South Africa.
Also worth a look: the Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen Touareg.
FAQ
Q: What does the Volkswagen T-Cross cost in South Africa?
The Volkswagen T-Cross starts at just under R300,000 for the entry-level Trendline with the 70kW 1.0 TSI engine and 5-speed manual transmission, making it one of the most affordable compact SUVs in its segment.
Q: Is the Volkswagen T-Cross worth buying?
The T-Cross is absolutely worth considering if you want maximum space in a compact package, with its clever sliding rear seats offering between 385 and 455 litres of boot space, plus the option to fold seats flat for 1,281 litres when needed.
Q: What engines are available in the Volkswagen T-Cross?
South African T-Cross models come with three petrol engine options: a 70kW 1.0 TSI three-cylinder with 5-speed manual, an 85kW 1.0 TSI three-cylinder, and a 1.5 TSI variant for those wanting more power.
Q: How does the Volkswagen T-Cross compare to competitors like the Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster?
The T-Cross stands out with its impressive interior space thanks to a 2.56m wheelbase despite being only 4.11m long, plus the unique sliding rear seat system that most rivals like the EcoSport and Duster simply don't offer.
Q: What is the fuel consumption of the Volkswagen T-Cross?
While official fuel consumption figures weren't specified in the launch details, the 1.0 TSI three-cylinder engines are designed for efficiency, and being based on the proven Polo platform means you can expect competitive consumption figures in the compact SUV segment.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, the Volkswagen T-Cross is a smart buy if you need maximum practicality without breaking the bank. At just under R300,000 for the base Trendline model, it's the best space-per-rand package in the compact SUV segment in South Africa. The clever sliding rear seats and massive 1,281-litre cargo capacity when seats are folded make it perfect for families who need versatility. Sure, it's front-wheel drive only and based on the Polo, but that also means proven reliability and lower running costs. For anyone wanting a proper five-seater SUV without paying Tiguan money, the T-Cross hits the sweet spot perfectly.
