Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI Style 2024 Review

The 2024 Volkswagen T-Cross Style starts at $33,490 before on-road costs (ORCs). However, our test vehicle is optioned with the $2600 R-Line and $2200 Sound and Vision packages, raising the sticker price to $38,290.

Yes, that is less expensive than the top-spec Mazda CX-3 Akari, which comes in at $38,770 before ORCs, but both are significantly undercut by the Kia Stonic GT-Line ($30,790) and the Hyundai Venue Elite ($29,250).

If you want to stick with VeeDub but can’t extend to the fully kitted T-Cross Style, the 85TSI Life is priced at $30,990.

First unveiled in 2018 and upgraded in mid 2023, the Volkswagen T-Cross range is well equipped.

The 2024 Volkswagen T-Cross Style tested here is a step up from the base Life variant and gains things like dual-zone climate control, keyless access and push-button start, insulated and tinted side and rear windows, chrome roof rails and 17-inch alloys.

Optioning the $2600 to the R-Line package – which is only available at Style level – means you get 18-inch wheels with extra exterior design details, black interior headlining, ‘Carbon Flag’ cloth/microfibre seat trim, a leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel and aluminium-faced ‘Sports’ pedals.

The $2200 Sound and Vision package brings gesture-control GPS, a punchy 300-watt, subwoofer-boosted Beats sound system, along with Volkswagen’s versatile multi-function Composition Media audio system, digital ‘Cockpit Pro’ instruments, voice control and wireless phone charging.

The 2024 Volkswagen T-Cross Style is covered by the company’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. It also includes 12 months of roadside assist, with servicing intervals pegged at 15,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first.

Volkswagen quotes servicing prices beginning at $421 for the initial 12-month/15,000km workshop visit, adding up to a total of $3080 for the full five years of warranty.

Considerable savings are available through a three-year servicing plan which can be purchased for $1400, while a five-year plan, which includes a free first service, is available for $2450.

The Volkswagen T-Cross earned a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2019.

The 2024 Volkswagen T-Cross Style’s comprehensive safety kit includes (low-speed only) autonomous emergency braking in forward and reverse, pedestrian avoidance, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, driver-attention detection, rear camera, tyre-pressure motoring and self-parking capabilities.

There are some surprises, though. With a count of six airbags, the T-Cross Style doesn’t offer a driver knee-bag or a far-side airbag. Blind-spot monitoring also fails to get a mention – the same goes for front and rear cross-traffic alert and road-sign recognition.

At this level (including option packages), you’re hardly left wanting in the 2024 Volkswagen T-Cross Style.

The Sound and Vision-equipped T-Cross Style’s 8.0-inch touch-screen display is crisp and clear, flanked by a couple of satisfyingly analogue knobs to control volume and app selection. The variable-view 10.25-inch instrument panel also has a decidedly premium look to it with easy-to-use functions.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is factored in, along with the previously mentioned wireless phone charging. There are four USB-C ports – two up front and two at the rear behind the centre console.

However, Volkswagen’s need to impress technophiles via such things as the tricky touch/slide adjusters for the HVAC controls prove to be more of an annoyance than a benefit. Something of an aberration considering the tactile twist-knobs.

The 2024 Volkswagen T-Cross Style is powered by the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine.

Found in a host of small Volkswagen products, namely the Polo on which the T-Cross is based, the diminutive three-pot delivers a decent 85kW and 200Nm to the front wheels – the latter being usefully produced between 2000 and 3500rpm for city driving. It’s a sweet, characterful engine that offers more power and charm than similar engines from competitors in the light SUV class.

OK, the engine response could be characterised as willing rather than punchy, but there’s a pleasant three-cylinder thrum and the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is efficient.

Tipping the scales at less than 1300kg, the 2024 Volkswagen T-Cross Style is appreciably frugal with a claimed combined fuel-consumption figure of 5.4L/100km (matching the Kia Stonic).

Impressively, we virtually matched that claim during our week of testing, returning an average of 5.5L/100km across a variety of conditions.

The only downsides are that it requires 95 RON premium unleaded fuel and, at 40 litres, the T-Cross has a smaller fuel tank than its rivals from Mazda, Kia and Hyundai.

The 2024 Volkswagen T-Cross Style R-Line drives similarly to the slightly bigger T-Roc – which is a definite positive.

There’s a solid feel to the quick steering and body roll is quelled nicely for an essentially flat stance in corners via the MacPherson strut/torsion beam suspension setup.

Despite its small capacity, the torquey three-cylinder pairs well with the willing dual-clutch gearbox for swift shifts on the run. Even the steering wheel-mounted paddles add driver interaction, creating a bit of a sporty light SUV feel in comparison to its Japanese and Korean competition.

Admittedly, they do increase the, ahem, style factor, but the R-Line’s 18-inch wheels wrapped in 215/45 R18 rubber don’t help with ironing out sharp-edged bumps. So, consider the lesser T-Cross spec grades with chubbier tyre sidewalls if ultimate ride comfort is a top priority.

And, as impressive as the DSG is while moving, it can be abrupt at times from a standing start or while reversing on an incline.

We doubt buyers will be leaving tarmac in their 2024 Volkswagen T-Cross Style, especially with the R-Line’s bigger wheels. However, for those who do the VeeDub offers 185mm of ground clearance, which is almost identical to the Kia Stonic (183mm) but is appreciably more than the Hyundai Venue (170mm) and Mazda CX-3 (155mm).

With the R-Line package, the 2024 Volkswagen T-Cross Style lives up to brand expectations regarding the quality of the fit and finish.

The overall aesthetic is also clean and pleasing to the eye, yet there are more hard-touch surfaces than expected.

Occupant space isn’t in abundance with more than two people on board as rear-seat legroom is left wanting. Air vents also fail to feature in the back, although that’s a common trait in this class, instead there’s a small storage compartment.

To its credit, the T-Cross does offer storage pockets behind each of the front seats and there’s a small, lidded cubby between the driver and front passenger.

The boot wins the spec battle on paper, with the T-Cross gaining 385 litres of capacity, which expands to 1281 litres with the 60/40-split rear seats are folded.

This is in comparison to the Mazda CX-3 (264/1174 litres), Kia Stonic (332/1132 litres) and Hyundai Venue (355 litres), although we feel the T-Cross could utilise its capacity advantage better in reality.

Ultimately, it’s a case of whether the European cachet of the 2024 Volkswagen T-Cross Style checks in enough to justify the pricing – especially with the selected options.

The T-Cross is actually built in Germany and with the optional extras fitted, offers a distinct level design and class compared to other offerings in the light SUV segment.

The Polo/T-Cross platform is also a pleasure to drive, offering powertrain benefits with the feisty and frugal thee-cylinder engine.

However, like other light SUVs, the cabin isn’t capacious for either occupants or luggage and, when you factor in the two option packages, the T-Cross Style will breach $40k by the time you park it on your driveway.

Increasing sales for 2024 suggest positive signs, however, it ultimately all comes down to panache versus dollar value. The fully loaded version of the 2024 Volkswagen T-Cross Style has plenty of the former but lags behind a bit on the latter.

2024 Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI Style at a glance:
Price: $33,490 ($38,290 with R-Line/Sound and Vision package before ORCs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 85kW/200Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 5.4L/100km
CO2: 123/km
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP Year 2019)

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