Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style 2020 Review

Volkswagen’s Australian SUV stable is looking healthier than ever. With the introduction of the Polo-based T-Cross and Golf-based T-Roc in 2020, more variants of the impressive third-generation Touareg now on hand, and forthcoming updates to the Tiguan in the first half of 2021, positivity abounds.

Yet one glaring space left unoccupied was a more affordable variant of the T-Roc, which at launch started from $40,490 plus on-road costs for the T-Roc 140TSI Sport, rising to $42,990 plus ORCs for the top-shelf special-edition ‘X’ limited to 200 units.

By all rights, the T-Roc probably should have exceeded the 900 units sold in the small SUV’s first four months on the market, even with the coronavirus pandemic having an all-too-obvious impact on volume. But perhaps the $40K-plus entry price was asking too much?

This has now been remedied with the arrival of the T-Roc 110TSI Style, which is a much more affordable proposition yet still purportedly delivers the 140TSI’s quasi-luxury wares.

Let’s see how it measures up.

Priced at $33,990 plus on-road costs, the 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style slots into the compact SUV range well below the top-spec 140TSI Sport ($40,490 plus ORCs).

Unlike the 2.0-litre all-wheel drive T-Roc 140TSI, however, the 110TSI is exclusively front-wheel drive and powered by a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine (110kW/250Nm) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

This sees Volkswagen bridge the gap between its Golf-based SUV range and the less expensive and less powerful Polo-based T-Cross, which is also front-drive and auto-only but powered by an 85TSI 1.0-litre engine (85kW/200Nm) and available in two trim levels: Life ($27,990 plus ORCs) and Style ($30,990 plus ORCs).

Standard equipment for the 2021 Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, chromed roof rails, 8.0-inch infotainment unit, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, LED interior ambient lighting and an electric parking brake.

Safety gear on the entry-level T-Roc includes front assist with low-speed autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, park assist, lane assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, a reversing camera and rear cross traffic alert.

The Volkswagen T-Roc was awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating in Australia, back-dated to its European release in 2017.

Optional packages include Sound & Vision ($2000) adding a digital cockpit, navigation and a Beats audio system, as well as a Luxury pack ($3800) that adds Vienna leather-appointed seats with heating up front, a panoramic sunroof and an electric tailgate. It goes without saying that many of those features are standard on the more expensive version.

No-cost exterior colour options are Pure White and Flash Red, while metallic colours including Turmeric Yellow, Ravenna Blue, White Silver, Energetic Orange and Indium Grey cost an extra $600. Every variant comes with a gloss black finish on the roof, windscreen pillars and door mirrors.

The Volkswagen T-Roc is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty and one-year roadside assistance.

Volkswagen offers two up-front Care Plans for servicing, which amount to $1300 for three years or $2100 for five years based on 15,000km/12-month intervals.

The Volkswagen T-Roc shares its MQB platform, engine line-up and interior proportions with the Volkswagen Golf hatch.

For the 110TSI Style, that sharing extends to its new 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine that will eventually do duty in select variants of the new 2021 Volkswagen Golf when it touches down in Australia.

Similarly, the T-Roc 110TSI Style introduces an eight-speed torque-converter automatic that will also be employed in the entry Mk8 Golf.

The use of a traditional torque-converter auto over VW’s longstanding fascination with dual-clutch units essentially reflects Australia’s lenient Euro 5 emissions regulations: Volkswagen is prioritising its newer 1.5-litre engine and dual-clutch transmissions for those markets with stricter sanctions.

Golf similarities aside, chances are you’ll recognise the internals of the 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style.

With its inception dating back to 2017, there is a slightly last-generation feel to the centre fascia, but all in all it’s a neat, contemporary and comfortable space.

Front passengers are presented with two central cup holders, an open cubby area, large door pockets and two USB-C ports. Broad proportions offer a clear, unobscured outlook of the road.

The rear seat is well appointed too, with rear air-vents, a flip-down centre arm rest, 12-volt outlet and large door pockets. There’s enough space to host a couple of adults on longer journeys, while transporting children is aided by ISOFIX restraint points for the outbound seats.

The cabin fit-out shares a lot of parallels with the more expensive 140TSI Sport, though makes do with harder-wearing contact points and less tinsel in its execution.

Spatially, the T-Roc’s raked exterior does impose some limitations as a full-time kiddie hauler, though a slightly larger 445-litre boot area liberated by the deletion of the all-wheel drive system is welcome. A 12-volt outlet, space-saver spare tyre and flat floor with tie-down points are all positives.

Just like its more expensive sibling, the new Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style offers up a naturally sporty demeanour, headlined by nicely tuned steering and a suspension tune that errs on the firmer side of the ledger, especially at low speeds.

The ride evens out approaching the speeds of rural back roads, thudding occasionally over harsher obstacles and maintaining control over larger compressions despite its small on-road footprint.

The new 1.4-litre turbo-petrol and eight-speed automatic transmission introduce a smoother take-off process than the comparative DSG combination, resisting the temptation to lurch or hesitate. The eight-speed unit happily peddles through its ratios with expediency, too, and will kick down gears in a timely manner to offset the engine’s small displacement and 250Nm torque output.

The combination is effective on the open road, too, the engine spinning at a miserly 1800rpm and helping the T-Roc to go close to achieving its official 6.2L/100km claim. We saw 7.2L/100km in a mix of conditions.

On the highway, the T-Roc is prone to some road noise and wind noise – though both are largely okay within the context of the small SUV segment.

In this tester’s mind, the T-Roc 110TSI Style doesn’t feel quite as planted through faster corners as its sportier 140TSI sibling – a symptom of its front-wheel drive underpinnings – but you could happily argue the trade-off is worthwhile given the price saving.

The 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style is a welcome addition to the German car-maker’s fleet.

Its $6500 saving, larger boot area and largely carryover interior are all welcome features.

While it doesn’t feel quite as special inside as the $40K flagship, to the price-conscious it won’t matter.

How much does the 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style cost?
Price: $33,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 110kW/250Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 142g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)

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