Volkswagen T-Roc 2023 Review
Volkswagen T-Roc 2023 Review
Introducing the Volkswagen T-Roc
The T-Roc is a compact five-seater SUV produced by the German automaker Volkswagen. It was first introduced in 2017 as a stylish and practical alternative to the Golf hatchback, offering more space, a more flamboyant exterior and a higher driving position for the driver.
The T-Roc is based on the same MQB platform as the Golf and shares some of its engines and other components. However, it has a more distinctive and aggressive exterior design, with a bold grille, sporty lines, and chunky wheel arches. The T-Roc also offers a range of advanced features and technologies, including a digital instrument cluster and adaptive cruise control. Overall, the T-Roc is designed to appeal to drivers who want a practical and stylish SUV that offers a fun driving experience and a wide range of features.
In this review, we will take a closer look at the Volkswagen T-Roc, explore its key features, and answer some frequently asked questions about this popular SUV.
Volkswagen T-Roc trim levels
The VW T-Roc range comprises four main trim levels: Life, Style, R-Line and R.
VW T-Roc Life
The T-Roc's entry-level Life trim is kitted out with an abundance of standard kit, including 16" alloy wheels, an 8" Digital Cockpit display, an 8" Ready 2 Discover infotainment screen, LED headlights, interior ambient lighting with logo projection, DAB radio, wireless app connect, black roof rails and air conditioning with dual-zone temperature control.
VW T-Roc Style
The VW T-Roc Style adds a larger 10.25" Digital Cockpit Pro display, sat-nav with a media and internet package, 17" alloy wheels, silver roof rails, LED Plus headlamps with different light modes to assist with poor weather conditions, sports comfort seats with an ArtVelours microfleece finish and privacy glass from the B-pillar backwards.
VW T-Toc R-Line
The VW T-Roc R-Line is the sportiest version of the trim line-up, and it includes 17" 'Valencia' alloy wheels, bespoke body styling, sports suspension and silver roof rails. The cabin also features sportier features with R-Line badging, black roof lining and a glossy black design across the dashboard. Additional features of the R-Line include heated front seats, selectable driving modes, progressive steering and stainless steel pedals.
VW T-Roc R
The top-end VW T-Roc R trim adds more premium features, such as 18" 'Jerez' alloy wheels, an 'R' styling pack with uniquely shaped front and rear bumpers and side sills, chrome twin exhaust tailpipes, a leather-wrapped multifunction sports steering wheel with touch control and shifting paddles and all-wheel 4Motion drive.
Overall, the Volkswagen T-Roc offers a range of trim levels and equipment options, making it easy to find a model that suits your needs and budget. From the entry-level Life model to the sporty R-Line, the T-Roc offers a range of features and capabilities that set it apart from its rivals in the crowded SUV market.
Volkswagen T-Roc Exterior
The Volkswagen T-Roc boasts a distinctive and eye-catching exterior design that sets it apart from other SUVs in the UK market. Here is a closer look at the exterior features of the T-Roc:
Front End:
At the front, the T-Roc features a bold and aggressive look, with sharp lines and angles that give it a sporty and dynamic appearance. The front grille is large and imposing, flanked by a pair of sleek headlights that incorporate LED technology.
Side Profile:
Moving to the side, the T-Roc has a muscular and athletic stance, with a rising beltline and sloping roofline that give it a coupe-like profile. The wheel arches are pronounced, accommodating the T-Roc's large alloy wheels and giving it a rugged and off-road-ready look.
Rear End:
At the rear, the T-Roc has a distinctive and unique look. The rear bumper is aggressive and sculpted, with integrated dual exhaust pipes that add to the T-Roc's sporty character.
Colour options:
The T-Roc is available in a range of striking colours, including Kings Red, Pure White, Ascot Grey, Indium Grey, Ravenna Blue, Petrol Blue, Deep Black and Pyrite Silver.
Volkswagen T-Roc Interior
The Volkswagen T-Roc is not only impressive on the outside, but it also offers a spacious, comfortable and modern interior. Here is a closer look at the interior features of the T-Roc:
Space:
There's an abundance of space which easily accommodates four to five passengers, with good legroom and headspace for taller passengers sitting in the rear behind similar-sized adults in the front.
Seating:
Much like the VW Golf, the T-Roc provides comfortable seating arrangements for families and has comfortable and supportive seating for both driver and passengers, with ample legroom and headroom. Even six-foot-tall passengers can sit behind a six-foot driver in relative comfort. Getting a child seat in the VW T-Roc is easy, thanks to higher seating positions and doors which open fairly wide.
Drivers will have no objections to improving their comfort levels by being able to adjust the steering wheel to a convenient position, and all front passengers benefit from having multi-adjustable seats.
Storage:
The T-Roc offers plenty of storage options for both driver and passengers, including a large glovebox, door pockets, cup holders and a centre armrest with storage. The boot space is also generous, with 445 litres of space with the rear seats up. However, you can fold the rear seats in a 60:40 split to increase boot space to a handy capacity of 1,290 litres. This is quite a bit more space compared to the VW Golf hatchback, which provides 380 litres of luggage space. However, models equipped with the 4Motion four-wheel drive technology have slightly less room for luggage, with a 392-litre boot - or 1,237 litres with the rear seats folded down.
Comfort:
The T-Roc is designed to offer a comfortable and relaxing ride, with features such as dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel available on higher trim levels. The cabin is well insulated, with minimal wind and road noise, making it a pleasant place to spend time on longer journeys.
What engines are available in the Volkswagen T-Roc?
The Volkswagen T-Roc comes with a range of petrol and diesel engines to suit different driving styles and preferences. Here are the available engine options in the UK:
VW T-Roc Petrol Engines
First up is the 1.0 110bhp TSI turbo petrol engine, offered with the lower-spec versions of the T-Roc. This is a great little engine that works well if you're going to be using the T-Roc around town regularly without loading up on passengers or luggage.
The 148bhp 1.5 TSI Evo petrol engine is the pick of the range as it's a great all-rounder, as you'll get fantastic refinement and lively performance. Both the 1.0 TSI 110PS and 1.5 TSI Evo with cylinder deactivation will give you a combined economy figure of 47.1mpg. Although, if you add the DSG automatic option, this reduces slightly to 46.3mpg.
For more fun and power, you can choose the top-of-the-range 2.0 TSI with either 187bhp or 296bhp. The 2.0 TSI 4Motion 187bhp engine offers hatch-rivalling performance and returns decent fuel economy with a maximum of 38.2mpg, whereas the R trim model with the 296bhp engine manages 33.2mpg.
VW T-Roc Diesel Engines
Due to improved technology and improved performance of newer petrol engines, the popularity of diesel engines has started to decline. However, they are still an excellent option for drivers who cover a lot of mileage each year. Both the 114bhp and 148bhp TDI engines have proven to perform solidly in other parts of Volkswagen's range and deliver a combination of decent refinement and powerful torque. The 114bhp TDI engine will provide a very healthy 60.1mpg, and the 148bhp TDI manages around 58.9mpg. Adding a DSG auto option has a slightly negative result, returning a figure of 57.7mpg.
Overall, the Volkswagen T-Roc offers a range of powerful and efficient engines to suit different driving styles and preferences, making it a versatile and capable vehicle on the road.
Which is the best Volkswagen T-Roc engine to choose?
The 1.5-litre 150bhp petrol engine is our pick of the range as it's an excellent all-rounder, and is available with a seven-speed DSG auto or a six-speed manual gearbox. This engine provides more than enough oomph for overtaking whilst also being very fuel-efficient. It should suit most drivers, but if you cover a large mileage each year you might want to consider a diesel.
But, you could also try the 1.0-litre three-cylinder 110bhp engine first – as it's a fantastic small engine with lively performance that's ideal if you will be driving the T-Roc around a town or city regularly without having too much luggage or passengers.
How safe is the Volkswagen T-Roc?
When Euro NCAP tested the Volkswagen T-Roc in 2017, they awarded it their maximum five-star rating. That includes an impressive 96% score for adult occupants, 87% for children, 79% for pedestrians and 71% for its safety assist features.
Safety is a top priority for Volkswagen, and one of the key benefits of their MQB platform is that there's a ton of standard active safety equipment, including:
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): This system uses sensors to detect potential collisions and applies the brakes to prevent or minimise the impact of a collision.
- Front Assist (FA): This radar-controlled system monitors the space between your car and the car in front, alerting you if you get too close. If it notices an imminent collision, it warns the driver and might apply the brakes if you don’t react in time.
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): This works electronically to regulate your vehicle's speed. It helps to reduce the stress on drivers and provides them with more comfort on long journeys by keeping the car at a constant speed.
- Lane Keeping System with Lane Assist: This system monitors the T-Roc's position on the road, and it will gently adjust the steering if you start to deviate from your lane.
- Park Assist with Front and Rear Parking Sensors: The T-Roc is equipped with parking sensors that detect objects in front and behind the vehicle to make parking easier and safer.
- Driver Fatigue Alert: This closely monitors the driver's behaviour – identifying any irregular steering wheel movements and lane movements, judging when you might start to feel tired and need to take a break from driving.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC): This system monitors the T-Roc's movement and applies the brakes to individual wheels to help the vehicle stay on course.
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): This system monitors the tyre pressure and alerts the driver if there is a drop in pressure, reducing the risk of tyre blowouts and accidents.
You can find plenty of additional safety and driver assistance features on the options list, including a rear-view camera, traffic sign recognition, semi-autonomous traffic jam assist, parking assist and automatic high beam headlights, blind spot monitoring with a lane changing system are available, alongside emergency assistance.
Overall, the Volkswagen T-Roc is a safe and secure vehicle, offering a range of safety features to help keep you and your passengers protected on the road.
How much is a Volkswagen T-Roc?
With Fleet UK, you can drive a brand-new VW T-Roc for an affordable fixed monthly payment. We can help tailor a business or personal contract hire deal and the initial payment amount, contract length and annual mileage that suits your requirements. Sometimes you can find a business contract hire deal for as little as over £200 per month (exc. VAT), but you'll find many deals for different Volkswagen T-Roc trims for under £300 + VAT per month.
To learn more about how personal or business car leasing works, visit our useful guides section.
Is the Volkswagen T-Roc worth leasing?
Yes, the Volkswagen T-Roc is worth leasing for both personal and business use. Its attractive design, advanced driver convenience and safety features, and high level of customisation make it an appealing choice for drivers who want a versatile and reliable SUV. The T-Roc also offers excellent fuel economy and significantly saves on running costs.
What are the insurance groups for the Volkswagen T-Roc?
Insurance groups range from 15 for the entry-level 1.0 TSI Life model to 33 for the more powerful and premium R model. The 2.0-litre 113bhp diesel Life model falls into group 18, with the sporty-spec R-Line 148bhp model is in group 22.
What other cars is the VW T-Roc comparable to?
The Volkswagen T-Roc is a compact SUV that competes with other similar models in its class. Some comparable vehicles to the VW T-Roc include:
- Audi Q2
- SEAT Arona
- Ford Puma
Hyundai Kona
- Kia Stonic
- Mazda CX-30
- Nissan Juke
- Peugeot 2008
- Renault Captur
- Skoda Kamiq
- Volvo XC40
- Honda HR-V (Hybrid alternative)
- Toyota Yaris Cross (Hybrid alternative)
Toyota C-HR (Hybrid alternative)
- Mercedes GLA
These cars are all similar in size and features to the Volkswagen T-Roc, so they are worth considering if you are in the market for a compact SUV. However, it's always a good idea to do your own research to find the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
Is the Volkswagen T-Roc a reliable car?
The Volkswagen T-Roc is a highly reliable car. In 2017 it received a 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP and has been praised for its robust build quality and advanced safety features. Volkswagen also offers a 3-year/60,000-mile warranty for the T-Roc, providing additional peace of mind for drivers.
Is the Volkswagen T-Roc a good family car?
Yes, the Volkswagen T-Roc is an excellent family car. It has a spacious cabin that can comfortably seat five passengers and provides ample legroom and headroom. The T-Roc also offers a generous amount of cargo space, with 445 litres of capacity that can be expanded to 1,290 litres with the rear seats folded down. Moreover, it comes with a range of advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning, making it a secure family SUV.
Is the Volkswagen T-Roc bigger than the Tiguan?
No, the Volkswagen T-Roc is smaller than the Tiguan. The T-Roc is a subcompact crossover SUV, while the Tiguan is a compact crossover SUV. The Tiguan offers more interior space, cargo capacity, and seating options than the T-Roc. However, the T-Roc's smaller size makes it more manoeuvrable in tight city streets while still providing a spacious cabin and ample cargo space.
Which VW T-Roc has heated seats?
The Volkswagen T-Roc R-Line has heated front sports seats as standard, providing added comfort during cold weather.
Does the Volkswagen T-Roc come with sat-nav?
Yes, the Volkswagen T-Roc comes with sat-nav as standard on higher trim levels. All T-Roc's come with an 8" infotainment system with a range of connectivity options, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The T-Roc also comes with a range of other advanced features, such as a digital cockpit display and adaptive cruise control, making it a well-equipped SUV.
Summary
In conclusion, the Volkswagen T-Roc is an excellent SUV for personal and business leasing, offering a combination of style, versatility, and performance. With its spacious cabin, advanced safety features, and fuel-efficient engines, the T-Roc is an ideal choice for families and commuters alike. Moreover, the T-Roc competes well in its segment, with a range of features and capabilities that set it apart from its rivals. Whether you're looking for a reliable family car or a stylish SUV for business use, the Volkswagen T-Roc is a worthy contender.
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