Volkswagen T-Roc 140TSI 4MOTION 2019 Review

The T-Roc is the newest member of Volkswagen’s expanding SUV family. Or at least it’s about to be, rolling into Australian showrooms from the first quarter of 2020.

The Volkswagen T-Roc squeezes between the established Tiguan and another newcomer — the smaller T-Cross — within the Volkswagen stable, as a quasi-Mazda CX-3, Hyundai Kona and Subaru XV rival.

While it might be new, the Volkswagen T-Roc in fact shares many similarities with the German brand’s long-standing Golf hatch.

The pair is based on the same MQB platform, use a common engine line-up and field similar interior proportions.

In this case, the Volkswagen T-Roc 140TSI 4Motion borrows a de-tuned version of the EA888 engine used on the Golf GTI. In high-riding form it produces a formidable 140kW and 320Nm, sending drive to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Volkswagen hasn’t released pricing details for the T-Roc as yet, other than to say it is targeting a sub-$40,000 starting sum.

Whatever the case, it will likely cost significantly more than entry-level versions of the CX-3 and Kona while offering more standard equipment than those rivals.

Volkswagen has confirmed three equipment grades -- Style, Sport and R-Line – along with unique interior designs and wheel sizes up to 19-inch Suzuka alloys, plus sports suspension, the option of adaptive dampers and Tumeric Yellow metallic paint with a contrasting black roof, as tested here.

A 445-litre boot area (1290L in total) offers respectable space for days out, matched by interior ambient lighting, LED tail-lights and daytime running lights, selectable driving modes, auto tailgate, electric park brake and a range of driver aids.

Expect a five-year/unlimited-km warranty and the option of capped-price servicing, the latter spaced across 12-month/15,000km intervals.

Basing the T-Roc off the Golf is a mere masterstroke on Volkswagen’s part. Settling into the SUV’s slightly raised driver’s chair imparts a real sense of familiarity, from the layout of the controls to the nicely set seating position.

It’s all very… Golf-like, with nice-to-touch materials at the contact points and a sophisticated infotainment interface replete with two USB points, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There are elements of the interior that feel as though they’re built to a budget; namely, hard out-of-sight plastics, a last-generation climate control interface and some minor shortcuts in the car’s finish. However, given the car we drove wasn’t Australian specification, we’ll reserve our final judgement for now.

Similarly to a Golf, the driving experience yields no nasty surprises – based on our track-only preview drive this week.

The Volkswagen T-Roc has wonderfully tuned steering and suspension, and its chassis feels every bit as communicative and composed as its donor car. There’s a real maturity at play, heralded by a quiet and serene cabin environment at speed.

Even with a higher-riding stature, the T-Roc restrains its circa-1500kg mass well, hunkering down through corners and readily telegraphing its movements on the road to the driver’s hands. Nineteen-inch Pirelli P Zero tyres no doubt play a part in the car’s surefootedness.

There is a decidedly front-driven feel to the drivetrain, despite its all-wheel drive status. That’s no bad thing; power down is smooth and predictable and there is adequate grip through the bends.

The de-tuned Golf GTI engine slots in comfortably to SUV duties, offering a meaty mid-range and a surprising briskness towards the top-end of the dial. Officially, expect a 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.2 seconds.

Whereas rivalling SUVs tend to feel undernourished on the open road, and anaemic under acceleration, we suspect the GTI-sourced powertrains will have no such issues.

The turbo engine and DSG auto will occasionally hesitate and lurch from a standstill, mostly when you stand on the accelerator.

The caveat here is that we cannot speak for how the Volkswagen T-Roc will fare on public roads. Given there is a decidedly sporty edge to the suspension tuning, there may be a firmness to contend with over bumps. Time will tell.

The Volkswagen T-Roc will land here in early 2020, with a couple of different engine options set to be available.

While the jury remains out on a rumoured cabriolet version, the freshly-revealed, 220kW T-Roc R performance flagship could also be off-limits Down Under.

Full details, including pricing, will be released for both the Volkswagen T-Cross and T-Roc by the end of this year.

Here’s the thing, the Volkswagen T-Roc isn’t going to house a family of five. However, its interior proportions aren’t preposterous; there is adequate knee room and headroom from the back seat reflective of the car’s 4.2-metre length. Front seaters will ride in comfort no matter how long the journey.

Shoulder room could be the biggest compromise, meaning two abreast in the rear seat will be more comfortable than three abreast.

The boot is similarly accommodating, offering adequate length and width but not a lot of depth. That could be because the car we drove had allocation for a spare wheel.

On face value, the Euro feel, driveline sophistication and equipment levels make the Volkswagen T-Roc a nice fit for urban dwellers and rural drivers alike, across a breadth of ages.

Housing a little one, pram, baby seat and other paraphernalia could prove a taller order, however.

The Volkswagen T-Roc has the makings of something significant for Europe’s biggest car0maker, which has suffered a dearth of SUVs in Australia – in a market that is all about the high-rider.

While our brief foray with the T-Roc on a circuit is hardly a cross-country adventure, it is enough to suggest the newcomer will lend a dynamic edge to the compact SUV brigade.

There’s a lot to like, so long as it doesn’t price itself out of the equation.

How much does the 2019 Volkswagen T-Roc 140TSI 4MOTION cost?
Price: $37,000 (estimated)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/320Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 6.7L/100km (estimated)
CO2: 152g/km (estimated)
Safety rating: TBC