Volkswagen T-Roc R review reveals a brilliant sporty family SUV
The VW T-Roc R compact SUV can deliver the groceries and driving thrills.
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You’re looking at the most popular vehicle in the Australian Volkswagen range.
Indicative of the seismic shift toward SUVs, as well as the supply issues in the past two years, the T-Roc has emerged as a shining star.
Medium and small SUVs dominate the market Down Under with VW’s T-Roc the perfect example of a successful formula: compact dimensions, high riding position, strong tech credentials along with ample internal space with accommodation capable of four adults.
A new CityLife base model is available for a drive-away price of $36,990, but those with deeper pockets and a zest for athleticism will be lured by the T-Roc R which can be in traffic for $65k.
What do you get?
Being the range-topper, the R gets no shortage of kit and performance punch.
Most importantly under the bonnet is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a sub five-second time for the sprint from standstill to 100km/h.
From the outside there’s a sporty persona sitting low with sports suspension, glimpses of blue brake calipers behind19-inch alloys, LED grille strip, quad exhaust pipes.
The theme continues once inside with ‘R’ embossed on the nappa leather sport seats, 9.2-inch central touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital driver instruments which have various view options via a steering wheel button and a sports steering wheel with paddle shifters.
How’s the drive?
With all-wheel drive and the potent four-potter providing the motivation, finding a direct rival with this ability and price range is challenging. There’s the Mini Countryman John Cooper Works which is about $75,000 drive-away, along with Cupra Formentor VZx for about $70,000 – the latter is part of the VW group and shares aspects of the mechanicals.
It’s the same engine tune we saw in the Golf R Mk7.5, but slightly less grunt than the latest Golf R.
For an SUV the T-Roc boasts impressive dynamics. While it can’t quite match its Golf brethren in wagon and hatch guise, the T-Roc R’s ability to hunker to the bitumen and change directions is outstanding.
Coarse bitumen comes with some road rumble from the low-profile rubber but it’s one of few small blemishes on a stellar on-road resume.
Would you buy one?
KEL: Shut up and take my money. I loved the look, the drive and the internal space. It meets my expectations in terms of features and space. While I wouldn’t push the T-Roc R to its performance limits, the acceleration and overall confidence is addictive.
GRANT: The T-Roc R suits our active family lifestyle. Push the blue R button on the steering wheel and it adopts a savage personality, while in comfort mode it cruises around town for daily requirements.
What did you love?
KEL
● Sporty looks inside and out
● Great size meant parking was easy
● Performance didn’t overshadow comfort or feature levels
GRANT
● Impressive boot for the genre, which was able to handle a mountain bike and surf boards with rear seats collapsed
● Punchy power delivery and limited body roll in the bends
● About $10k less expensive than a Golf R
What did you loathe?
KEL
● Some additional console storage spots would be helpful
● Apple CarPlay was glitchy as was the wireless phone charging
● Some hard plastics let down the interior
GRANT
● Runs on the most expensive unleaded, RON 98
● Road noise on some surfaces
● Beats audio is extra $800, panoramic sunroof is $2000
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Originally published as Volkswagen T-Roc R review reveals a brilliant sporty family SUV