Long-term road test review of the VW T-Roc 2021 model

Volkswagen’s compact SUV uses impressive genetics to garner further family appeal.

The Volkswagen T-Roc starts from about $38,300 drive-away.

Log into the Volkswagen website and there’s a bevy of funky early 20s types looking active and tech-savvy with phone in hand.

Reality may be somewhat different. Our family’s town is renowned for its population of mature residents and there’s a hefty VW presence.

While the marketing hyperbole might be telling us the growing horde of SUVs on our roads are for youngsters, it’s actually more likely to be older folk embracing the greater ride height, which is easier to access for ageing backs and knees.

Yet compact SUV sales are growing at a rapid rate with strong appeal across all age groups. So far this year, small SUV numbers are up more than 68 per cent on last year, while the slightly smaller versions have increased nearly 150 per cent.

In the past year VW has developed a strong portfolio of compact SUVs, among them the
T-Roc, which is based on the all-conquering Golf hatchback. Our crew put it to the test over three months to see whether it can meet the needs of a growing family.

All Volkswagen T-Rocs have a two-tone colour scheme. All options come with a black roof and can be combined with white or red, but for an extra $600 you can have the metallic options of blue, grey, yellow or silver.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

KEL: Various European manufacturers have done a good job of the two-tone colour schemes in recent times and this looks classy.

GRANT: We’re in the Style version of the T-Roc and it emanates vibrancy. All options come with a black roof and can be combined with white or red, but for an extra $600 you can have the metallic options of blue, grey, yellow or silver.

KEL: Many modern SUVs look pretty dull in terms of colour options so it’s good to see some personality.

GRANT: Striking looks and a European badge dictate an asking price of about $38,300 drive-away.

KEL: That sounds like it’s pushing toward premium models, how does it compare?

GRANT: Despite some brand damage via Dieselgate a few years back, Australians essentially have cared little and still see VW as above mainstream. But even a top-end Hyundai Kona N Line Premium costs more than $46,500, a Mazda CX-30 G25 Astina is about $46,000, while at the budget end the MG ZST Essence is $33,690 with a strong list of inclusions.

Inside the Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style with the luxury package.

THE LIVING SPACE

KEL: Given the price point, that comes with high expectations. There is a liberal use of plastics in the T-Roc.

GRANT: Across the dash and doors does lack some wow factor, although the operations are simple and fast. Some of the new offerings favour minimisation and sacrifice common sense in the process.

KEL: It’s great having the separate aircon dials for the dual zone aircon and the quick-access buttons on either side of the touchscreen.

GRANT: The driver’s digital display is clear and concise – typically German. That does mean a few more buttons on the steering wheel, but the driver can quickly scroll through various view options for speed, satnav instructions or trip details.

KEL: Our car has leather trim and heated front seats. Both those features rank high on my must-have list.

GRANT: Agreed, although those two items are part of a luxury package that also includes the panoramic sunroof and collectively cost an extra $3800. Many of the rivals have these features as standard inclusions.

KEL: Two cupholders in the console handle the daily coffee addiction and there’s another pair in the fold-down arm rest in the back.

GRANT: VW has used the symmetrical USB-C ports in the front and back. Most people still have the larger one-sided USB-A cords, but small adaptors can easily fix that issue and the’re not expensive.

The Volkswagen T-Roc is easy to drive with honest performance.

THE COMMUTE

KEL: Easy to drive with light steering, the T-Roc feels responsive and reasonably powerful if you want to punch into a hole in traffic or overtake on the highway.

GRANT: While turbocharged, the power delivery is smooth courtesy of a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. Many small-capacity turbo engines are partnered with dual-clutch transmissions which can sometimes lead to frustrating hesitation at low speeds.

KEL: The ride quality remains cushioned and it’s also quiet in most driving conditions.

GRANT: It’s comfortable and composed, and while the 0-100km/h time of 8.7 seconds doesn’t put it in sports car territory neither is it frustratingly slow off the mark.

Kel and Grant Edwards.

THE SHOPPING

KEL: Being compact, it’s easy to park, especially in those confined spaces with concrete pillars that seem to grow around the car.

GRANT: Swallowing the weekly grocery shop was also achieved with a handy boot space allocation of 445 litres. That’s about 70 litres better than your standard Golf, so this is one occasion where the SUV version is more spacious than the hatch on which it’s based – quite often it’s not the case.

KEL: I can understand why most like SUVs more because of the higher driving position.

GRANT: Automotive companies can also charge more as people feel like they’re getting more car for their coin.

KEL: Another function I like in the T-Roc is the rear cross-traffic alert which is really handy to warn of approaching vehicles when you’re reversing out of car parks.

GRANT: It’s become a vital ally to avoid carpark bingles. Some systems actually stop the car if traffic is detected, but the T-Roc only has warnings.

The 2021 model Volkswagen T-Roc Style.

SUNDAY RUN

KEL: There were occasions where some extra power would have been nice, especially in the hilly areas near where we live.

GRANT: For those wanting more there is the Sport model that comes with all-wheel drive and an additional 30kW of power.

KEL: Out of town it felt confident and there wasn’t much body roll like I’ve found in some SUVs.

GRANT: Having Golf genes means impressive architecture. The T-Roc remains composed when pushed; it hangs on nicely in the bends.

Changing the digital instrument display can be done via a steering wheel button.

THE FAMILY

KEL: Two air vents in the rear and reasonable legroom, our two growing boys never complained about a lack of space.

GRANT: It’s not the biggest of back seats, but we also carried adults without issue and while it’s Golf-sized on the outside it’s actually more practical inside with greater real estate.

KEL: Most of the primary safety features seemed to be there, like radar cruise control which maintains a distance from other vehicles on the highway, and emergency braking that steps in if you don’t react fast enough to a frontal collision.

GRANT: It has a five-star rating from Australia’s safety authority, but they point out it misses out on the aforementioned AEB in reverse and tech which can look around corners and stop the driver pulling out into oncoming traffic at an intersection.

KEL: I’m always concerned about running costs on Euros. What’s the servicing like?

GRANT: There’s a five-year warranty and a service package costs $1900 over the same period. Fuel consumption was also reasonable at just above seven litres for every 100km, but it does need premium unleaded.

Back seat space in the Volkswagen T-Roc.

VERDICT

KEL: Comfortable and capable, its appeal grew the longer we had it in the driveway. I’d be more than happy to have T-Roc as a permanent family car which would be able to handle the rigours of life with two teenage boys.

GRANT: This would be one occasion where I’d advocate the extra money over the hatch. The performance remains adept, but you do have to pay extra for the interior luxuries.