Updated Volkswagen T-Cross review

This compact crossover has a case to answer for the dwindling number of hatchbacks in Australian new car showrooms.

Iain Curry

3 min read

August 28, 2024 - 5:00PM

Motoring

Why Aussies are shifting to this sort of car

Volkswagen’s market research shows its T-Cross SUV is “prime choice” for young, female metropolitan buyers.

You’d therefore expect this reviewer – a not-so-young male who has abandoned city life – would find it quite unsuitable … even a bit irrelevant.

2024 Volkswagen T-Cross. Photo: Supplied

Not so. I’m hardly the core T-Cross target market, but VW’s tiniest of SUVs – facelifted for 2024 – impresses as being utterly fit for purpose: good-looking, roomy, safe, and an eager thing to punt around town.

First and last car buyers swarm to T-Crosses, much like they once did VW’s Polo hatchback, on which this SUV’s based.

2024 Volkswagen T-Cross. Photo: Supplied

Of note, Aussies bought five times more T-Crosses than Polos last year.

This updated model brings new bumpers, LED lights, digital driver display and much improved standard driver assist kit to all grades.

2024 Volkswagen T-Cross. Photo: Supplied

There’s also a more up-market cabin feel, with the hard and scratchy plastic dashboard replaced by a softer touch effort.

But you know what’s coming – prices are up.

Recommended retail prices climb by $3000 or more, but there’s drive-away pricing for all three grades, with fancy paint ($600-$900) the only option.

On the road, an entry-level T-Cross Life is $34,990, mid-spec Style $39,990 and flagship R-Line $43,990.

2024 Volkswagen T-Cross. Photo: Supplied

Hop inside and there’s excellent order and simplicity to the T-Cross’s controls.

Okay, it’s dark and austere, but if you favour class over fripperies, you’ll appreciate the maturity.

Elements that made the T-Cross successful remain. Its thrummy 85kW 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder isn’t as powerful as CX-3 or Venue rivals, but its healthy 200Nm torque trumps most, making it a livelier thing for zipping through suburbia.

Also remaining is a handy sliding rear seat – rare for a city SUV.

When nobody’s in the back, seats can move forward to give a whopping 455L boot: more than a Mazda CX-5 medium SUV.

At $5000 under the Style, the Life’s clearly the value pick, even if its 16-inch alloys look daggy, plus there’s the indignity of putting a key in an ignition rather than using a push button start.

The Style’s 17-inch alloys, dynamic LED lights (front and rear they look superb at night), ambient cabin lighting, dual zone climate, wide-screen map display and wireless phone connectivity give polish, but it’s a big jump in dollars.

2024 Volkswagen T-Cross. Photo: Supplied

The R-Line’s the real looker with 18-inch alloys, body kit and bad boy tinted windows, while a Sport mode keeps its engine and gearing in ‘ready for fun’ setting.

Speaking of fun, the outgoing T-Cross desperately needed bright body colours, now remedied for 2024. A beautiful light blue’s the pick, or blood red’s an R-Line exclusive.

There’s a vibrant ‘Grape Yellow’ but it looks a resale nightmare.

It’s a reassuringly Volkswagen-y car to drive. Seats are supportively sculpted and roomy and it’s easy to find a comfy position.

2024 Volkswagen T-Cross. Photo: Supplied

The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is beautifully smooth, bar a few hiccups at low speed. But for town life, using the paddle shifters brings the most reward – you can keep the little three-cylinder revving nicely, and time your quick-shifts to enjoy the pleasing pull offered.

The steering’s easy if a tad lifeless, and while it’s not a little funster like, say, VW’s Polo GTI, the T-Cross is agile and playful enough.

It confidently tackles fast corners with poise, then 110km/h cruises in rare serenity for a city SUV. Harsh city bumps catch it out as the ride’s relatively firm, and its lack of power hurts it on steep hills. Otherwise it’s a talented partner for urban life.