Volkswagen T-Cross 2020 Review

Right now, Australia probably needs another compact SUV as much as Donald Trump needs more negative press.

But for Europe’s biggest car-maker, the all-new Volkswagen T-Cross couldn’t have arrived soon enough.

While most mainstream marques have ridden a wave of compact SUV demand in recent years, in turn driving heady sales volumes, Volkswagen has simply watched on as the T-Cross and slightly larger T-Roc hit their mark overseas – where they have been available since 2019 and 2017 respectively – but were yet to ride the ship into Australia.

Between now and August, Volkswagen Australia is launching both small SUV models, marking its first direct rivals for city-SUVs including the Mazda CX-3, Mitsubishi ASX and Hyundai Kona, along with more prestige offerings like the Audi Q2, BMW X2 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.

The German-built T-Cross is first cab off the rank, with a greater emphasis on value for money and practicality.

The Volkswagen T-Cross will initially be available in two grades in Australia – the 85TSI Life ($27,990) and 85TSI Style ($30,990).

Priced from under $28K, the newcomer slashes the price of entry to Volkswagen’s SUV stable considerably, undercutting the existing Tiguan 110TSI Trendline (from $34,150) by more than $6000.

That said, the T-Cross’ entry price is still higher than the CX-3’s ($22,710) and Kona’s ($24,300), but that’s a point Volkswagen counters with the compact SUV’s generous suite of standard equipment.

The entry-level Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI Life gets 16-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, wireless phone charging, four USB ports, an 8.0-inch infotainment touch-screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reversing camera, a leather-clad multi-function steering wheel, black roof rails, tyre pressure indicator, automatic headlights and wipers and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Higher up the food chain, the $30,990 Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI Life adds 17-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, carpet mats, chrome roof rails, park assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert and comfort sport front seats.

Earlier this year, Volkswagen confirmed a third T-Cross variant, the 110TSI Style fitted with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, will arrive in June. However, it now says recent events could pose complications on that front.

The Volkswagen T-Cross equipment list can be further augmented with the selection of three optional packages.

The $1200 Driver Assistance Package is available on the Life model and brings adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, park assist, proactive occupant protection and power-folding side mirrors.

The $1900 Sound and Vision Package brings VW’s ubiquitous Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display, Discover Media Satellite Navigation and a 300-Watt Beats audio system.

Meantime, the $2500 R-Line package is available for the 85TSI Style, bringing 18-inch Nevada alloy wheels, R-Line badging, scuff plates and dark body accents, tinted rear and side windows, aluminium pedals, leather steering wheel and ‘carbon flag’ sports cloth upholstery.

All T-Cross models are backed by a five-year/unlimited kilometre factory warranty, and one-year roadside assist.

Service intervals for the Volkswagen T-Cross are 12 months/15,000km. According to Volkswagen’s assured price servicing plan, the T-Cross will cost $2445 to service over the first five years of ownership, or $1246 for the first three years.

Volkswagen also offers up-front ‘Care Price’ plans for the T-Cross, available at the point of purchase. They reduce the respective servicing costs to $1800 over five years and $990 over three years.

The Volkswagen T-Cross is available in eight different colours. Metallic and Pearl hues add $600 while the hero Makena Turquoise Metallic adds $800.

In case you were wondering, the braked towing capacity is 1100kg.

The Volkswagen T-Cross arrives in Australia bearing a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Along with full airbag coverage and the usual electronic acronyms (ABS, TC, ESC), the T-Cross boasts low-speed AEB (Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, pedestrian and cyclist monitoring), Lane Assist and Driver Fatigue Detection, plus a reversing camera and parking sensors with Manoeuvre Braking as standard.

The Style variant takes things a step further with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, park assist, proactive occupant protection and power-folding side mirrors (available as a $1200 on the Life).

Both Volkswagen T-Cross variants are powered by an 85kW/200Nm 1.0-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission.

The three-cylinder is Euro 6 emissions-compliant, with an official fuel consumption rating of 5.4L/100km and a combined emissions rating of 123g/km CO2.

If the engine’s credentials sound familiar, that’s because the T-Cross is based on the Volkswagen Polo hatch, which employs the same engine in certain variants. As such, the official 0-100km/h acceleration claim of 10.4 seconds is lineball with the Polo.

Likewise, the Volkswagen T-Cross shares the Polo platform, albeit stretched by 54mm. The driver sits 100mm higher in the T-Cross than the better-known VW hatch.

For what it’s worth, the Volkswagen T-Cross is 1mm longer than its forthcoming Golf-based T-Roc stablemate, and is also 11mm taller but 37mm narrower.

Those dimensions liberate useable proportions inside the cabin and boot areas.

Up front, there’s adequate space for adults and their belongings, while the rear seats offer decent passenger amenity for adults on moderate journeys.

Rear toe room and head room are sound, however, shoulder room will ultimately limit accommodation to two adults rather than three.

Handily, the T-Cross’ rear bench seat slides back and forth, via 100mm of fore-aft adjustment.

The split/folding rear seat with two ISOFIX attachment points (three top-tether points overall) reinforce the T-Cross’ practicality.

Further back, a 385-litre boot bests all the obvious rivals in this segment except for the ergonomically-sound Honda HR-V. This space can be liberated to 455 litres with the rear bench slid right forward.

Extra points go to Volkswagen for the fitment of a full-size spare wheel, too.

In a compact SUV segment already brimming with different options, what can Volkswagen possibly bring to the table, you ask?

From the outset of our 500km drive this week, it is evident the answer lies in a bit of European charm.

The Volkswagen T-Cross cabin will never be confused with the bristling technology array that is the Volkswagen Touareg, but there is a comforting charm in its ergonomics, from the adequately-padded driver’s chair and clear instrumentation to the functionality and familiarity of the 8.0-inch infotainment system (sans inbuilt sat-nav on the base model).

The T-Cross’ clever packaging and finishes are redeeming, too; cavernous door pockets, four USB ports (two front, two rear), a full-size spare wheel and that oh-so-clever fore/aft sliding function for the rear bench.

Up front, there’s a strong storage assortment of two cup-holders, an open cubby area, centre console and a sliding tray underneath the passenger seat. The rear isn’t quite as convincing, missing out on a centre armrest, but the layout is accommodating nonetheless.

Look more closely and there is some tell-tale cost-cutting, like hard plastics all-round, the absence of steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and overhead grab rails, and the deletion of vanity mirror lights.

All in all, however, the execution here is strong, ably balancing comfort and practicality.

Behind the wheel, the T-Cross hits the key marks of any new Volkswagen. That is, competent dynamics, a spritely yet efficient engine and a general air of solidity and refinement.

The engine thrums along confidently, reaching its key power and torque outputs from 5500rpm and 2000-3500rpm respectively.

Ultimately, 200Nm of torque is never going to deliver the kind of effortless torque you’d expect from a V6 diesel, but it rarely feels strained or languid – a virtue of the quick-thinking seven-speed dual-clutch auto.

Even approaching its redline, the three-pot is restrained in terms of vocals, avoiding the thrashy feeling imparted by some four-cylinder SUV rivals.

In fact, our only complaint with the drivetrain is one shared with most other VW models: low-speed hesitation. Upon taking off in the T-Cross, there is a momentary lapse when pushing the accelerator pedal – a symptom of engine turbo lag and the dual-clutch automatic taking up slack. Beyond that, it’s smooth and frugal sailing (we achieved the 5.4L/100km with minimal fuss).

The Volkswagen T-Cross delivers convincing levels of feel and feedback via its key controls to deliver an enjoyable driving experience.

There’s a sporty pretence to the compact SUV’s dynamics which ultimately dictates some firmness over bumps, along with the occasional thud. This is more obvious in the case of the Style variant, which rides on larger 17-inch wheels with low-profile rubber.

Importantly, however, progress is usually well controlled and inherently refined, with minimal road noise and wind noise.

The car’s small footprint and engine isn’t infallible. At 1240kg, it is occasionally shaken by larger obstacles on the road, and the engine spins at close to 3000rpm at highway speeds.

So not exactly a Sydney-Melbourne specialist. Go figure.

The Volkswagen T-Cross enters a tightly fought compact SUV segment but it does so with typical VW levels of polish and practicality.

Clever design, smart finishes and first-rate safety and technology are anticipated traits, combined with a surprising level of character and engagement wrought largely by the thrummy three-cylinder engine.

How much does the 2020 Volkswagen T-Cross cost?
Price: From $27,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 85kW/200Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 5.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 123g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)