Driven: 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc 1.4TSI
Teased as a concept at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, the striking T-Roc was merely supposed to be a canvas for Volkswagen to test out ideas for future Volkswagen SUVs and crossovers. Just three years later it was introduced as a production model, marrying the style of an SUV with the practicalities of a Golf. South Africans eagerly awaited its local launch but were sadly disappointed. Thankfully, the brand’s local arm has decided to introduce it in SA three years later.
Exterior
Finished in Energetic Orange, the T-Roc cuts an attractive figure. Under the chunky body of our test unit sat optional (R9,100) 18-inch Montego Bay alloy wheels. It may not boast the aggressive styling of the range-topping 2.0 TSI R-Line, but it’s still a handsome car. The design is available with a few optional extras to enhance the styling, namely LED headlamps (R13,850) and a panoramic sunroof (R13,400).
Interior
The spacious interior features comprehensive instrumentation and an easy-to-use eight-inch touchscreen. VW’s Composition Media radio and App-Connect are intuitive and easy to navigate through. While the cabin is logically laid out and feels well-screwed together, the plastics feel far harsher than they should for a car priced at nearly half a million rand. Even Volkswagen’s smaller offerings, the Polo and Polo Vivo, have soft-touch dashboards.
Aside from that, it is typically Volkswagen. Well-considered and conservative. The climate controls (dual-zone) are easy to use and, thankfully, haven’t been relegated to the infotainment system. Equipment-wise, the T-Roc sports a lengthy list of standard features. Indeed, parking sensors (front and rear), USB-C ports, hill-start assist, a leather-wrapped steering wheel (with shift paddles) and gear lever are all part of the package. Leather remains an option, but the standard cloth-trimmed seats look good and offer plenty of support.
The boot is particularly large, measuring 445 L with the seats up. With the rear bench folded down, you’re left with a simply cavernous 1290 L, besting rivals like the Hyundai Kona. Space for passengers, front and rear, is decent and on par with other cars in its class.
Behind the wheel
Under the tall bonnet sits a turbo-petrol 1.4-litre, four-cylinder which produces 110 kW and 250 Nm of torque. It may not sound like much, but the T-Roc puts that power to good use. This is thanks to a fantastically smooth and quick responding eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s sharp, without being violent, and blurs through the gears seamlessly. Also seamless in its operation is the stop/start system. Often, this can be jerky or dim-witted. It reacts quickly and smoothly without disturbing the driver or occupants.
The powertrain is refined in town and on the highway, with very little engine noise permeating the cabin. 0-100 km/h is dealt with in 8.4 seconds - perfectly acceptable for a car of this ilk - while the top speed is rated at 205 km/h. Despite the impressive performance and impressive refinement, the T-Roc is able to sip fuel at a conservative rate, too. VW claims 6.2 L/100 km, but we saw a figure closer to 8.0 L/100 km. Not bad, considering we weren’t trying to drive uber-efficiently.
Through corners, the tall crossover does a fine job of imitating a hatchback. It remains composed at all times, and although not inherently dynamic, does provide plenty of feedback through direct steering. Once you’ve settled down and had enough fun in the corners, the T-Roc settles down nicely and is a fine motorway cruiser. With 17-inch alloys, the ride is silky-smooth. The optional 18-inch alloys on our test vehicle didn’t take away from the ride quality, though.
Verdict
As a stylish midsize crossover, the T-Cross has very few peers. An impressive powertrain melds performance, economy, and smoothness exceptionally. The exterior is visually arresting while still retaining those classy Volkswagen design cues that make the brand’s offerings so popular. While the interior plastics leave a lot to be desired, it is at least solidly constructed. However, the near R500 000 asking price cannot be ignored - it strays dangerously close to the more practical, more premium Tiguan 1.4 Trendline. Still, those who want a T-Roc won’t be put off by any of the small foibles. If you’re one of those style-conscious buyers, the 1.4 TSI is the pick of the bunch. The 2.0 TSI may offer more power and some added toys, but the value is to be found in this base model. It’s a refined, classy, and stylish crossover that turns heads with ease.
Also worth a look: the Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen Touareg.
FAQ
Q: What does the 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc 1.4TSI cost in South Africa?
The 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc 1.4TSI has a starting price of around R480,000 in South Africa, though you'll want to budget extra for those tempting optional extras like the LED headlamps at R13,850 and panoramic sunroof at R13,400.
Q: Is the Volkswagen T-Roc 1.4TSI worth buying?
The T-Roc 1.4TSI offers solid Volkswagen build quality and SUV practicality with Golf-like driving dynamics, making it a decent choice if you can overlook the disappointing hard plastics in a nearly half-million rand car.
Q: What are the main competitors to the VW T-Roc in South Africa?
The T-Roc faces stiff competition from the BMW X1, Audi Q2, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Mazda CX-30, all offering similar compact luxury SUV credentials in the R450,000 to R550,000 price bracket.
Q: How fuel efficient is the T-Roc 1.4TSI engine?
The 1.4TSI turbocharged engine delivers respectable fuel consumption figures, typically achieving around 6.5 to 7.5 litres per 100km in mixed driving conditions, making it reasonably economical for daily commuting.
Q: What warranty does Volkswagen offer on the T-Roc?
Volkswagen South Africa backs the T-Roc with a comprehensive 3-year/120,000km warranty plus a 2-year/30,000km service plan, giving you decent peace of mind for those first few years of ownership.
Should You Buy It?
The 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc 1.4TSI is a solid maybe at R480,000, offering that reliable German engineering and decent practicality you'd expect from VW. However, those harsh interior plastics at this price point feel like a proper letdown when rivals like the Mazda CX-30 offer superior cabin quality for similar money. If you're dead set on the VW badge and can live with the interior compromises, the T-Roc delivers on driving dynamics and build quality, but shoppers wanting the best compact luxury SUV under R500,000 in SA should seriously consider the BMW X1 or Mazda CX-30 first.
