MOTORING REVIEW: VW T-Roc does the basics so well

At a glance

Model: VW T-ROC hatch

Grade: R-Line Plus

Engine: 1.0 TSI 110hp petrol

Transmission: 6sp manual

Combined fuel consumption: c. 6.1 L/100kms

C02 emissions: 136g/km WLTP

Road Tax: €210

Price: petrols are from €33,095 RRP. R-Line Plus entry price €41,030

Diesel RRP prices are from €35,495.

T-ROCis a compact crossover manufactured by Volkswagen since 2017 and given a mid-life upgrade last year. In the Volkswagen lineup, it sits between the T-Cross and larger Tiguan.

The car is based on the Volkswagen Group MQB A1 platform so has quite a few close relations including the VW Golf Mk7, SEAT Leon Mk3, Audi A3 Mk3, and the Skoda Octavia Mk3. Size-wise, the Golf is slightly longer but the T-Roc is higher and wider and has a bigger boot capacity of 445 litres.

The model comes with a sharp-looking exterior that gives it a strong appearance and a sporty looking front. Not over the top in looks, but just right for a car you’d want to live with every day and feel comfortable driving. The new light design is impressive while darkened tail light clusters catch your eye from a distance. The chrome R Line logos along the sides of the car add interest.

Customers can choose from eight paint finishes and can have the roof in a contrasting colour. Silver roof rails are standard. My review car was in an unusual shade of very pale, almost white, Ascot Grey which drew lots of favourable comments from friends.

The cabin is very comfortable and well thought out with high quality materials which include a soft dash panel. It all manages to give the interior a clean and uncluttered look. R-Line sports seats come with lumbar support and are extremely comfy with nice cloth upholstery. Tall people can sit in comfort in the rear with good head and leg room, but the transmission tunnel is quite high for a person seated in the middle seat.

There's a stand-alone large central screen and a separate large driver’s instrument screen. The 8-inch media navigation infotainment system has very attractive graphics. There’s the option of a 10.5-inch display with added features.

The multifunction steering wheel facilitates management of the radio, media player, voice control, phone and the view of the digital instrument cluster screen for whichever trip information you require. On my travels, I discovered place names previously unknown to me.

Separate controls for ventilation and air conditioning are below the screen so are handy to get at. There are two small C-type USB ports in front and two more in the rear. Boot capacity is 445 litres and the floor here is nice and high for ease of loading. A hatch connects the boot to the second row of seats. Stowage areas include a decent glovebox, a small area below the slidable front armrest and excellent door bins.

This is quite a high car with good all round visibility but there was just a basic blind spot alert on the side mirrors. Another minor niggle was how reflections on the piano black trim over the glovebox distracted me on sunny days while driving.

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Equipment lines are Life, Style, and R-Line. All come generously specced. Features on my R-Line Plus car were 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted windows, LED front and rear lights, sunroof, wireless app connect, park assist, front and rear parking sensors, a very good rear view camera, electric parking brake with auto hold, sports suspension, hill start assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking. Just a sealant repair kit so no spare tyre.

Petrols are a 1.0 110hp, and a 1.5 150hp with dual clutch automatic. The diesel is a 2.0 with 116hp - only manual gearboxes are available with the diesel. My review car had the 1.0 TSI 110hp which was well matched to a 6-speed manual gearbox which proved a joy to use with plenty of pep for everyday use. Volkswagen claim a fuel consumption of around 6.0 L/100kms.

Petrols are priced from €33,095 RRP. R-Line Plus €41,030. Diesels from €35,495. Road tax is from €200 for the 2.0 116hp diesel and €210 for petrol options. All Volkswagens come with a 3-year warranty or up to 90,000km.