Volkswagen T-Roc 2022 Review

The 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc line-up has hit local showrooms, continuing on with the entry-level 110TSI Style – now priced from $37,250 plus on-road costs (+$1750) – and introducing a new mid-range 140TSI R-Line that starts at $45,350 plus ORCs.

The R-Line replaces the previous 140TSI Sport for a $2650 premium.

A fire-breathing 221kW Volkswagen T-Roc R also now tops the range, priced from $59,300 plus ORCs, but it’s subject to a separate review under embargo until September 15.

The refreshed T-Roc range feels much more upmarket than before, boasting VW’s latest digital displays (including a fully digital cockpit) and minimalist cabin tweaks, as well as bringing high-quality materials that live up the small SUV’s higher asking prices.

Even in the range-opening Style, the T-Roc’s safety and equipment levels are impressive, but, importantly, they’ll soon take a hit as the global semi-conductor shortage has forced Volkswagen Australia to forfeit some key equipment next year.

Those upcoming omissions include proactive occupant protection, rear cross traffic alert and side assist, all of which feature on MY22 examples tested here, but not MY23.

Volkswagen will knock $650 off the price to combat the loss of those safety features.

Back to MY22, where the Style and R-Line each have a unique daytime running light design and exterior tweaks so you can easily pick them apart, while the cabin brings changes to materials, including special stitching for the R-Line’s steering wheel.

Elsewhere, a touch-sensitive climate control panel features across the board, adding to its premium feel.

VW expects sales to be fairly evenly split across the 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc trio, comprising the Style, R-Line and R, even though the outgoing mid-range Sport previously accounted for the majority of sales.

Volkswagen covers every T-Roc with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty and includes a three-year ($1550) or five-year ($2600) Care Plan service package for the 110TSI Style.

The more powerful 140TSI R-Line is a bit more expensive to maintain, at $1600 and $2800 respectively over the same three- and five-year periods.

Headline features on the base front-wheel drive 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style include 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, ambient interior lighting, wireless phone charging, Travel Assist, shift paddles, Drive Select drive modes and tinted windows.

For those after a little more flair, the mid-spec 140TSI R-Line enters with all-wheel drive and a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, mated to VW’s seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission.

But more option packages available for the R-Line allow you to make it look even more menacing.

For example, our test car was fitted with a $2900 Black Style package, adding larger gloss black 19-inch alloy wheels, a blacked-out roof and mirror caps, carbon-look C-pillars, a 300W Beats audio system and adaptive suspension.

Separately, a leather package (+$3950) adds Nappa upholstery to R-Line variants (Vienna leather for Style grade if you tick this option at $3450), along with heated and electric-adjust front seats.

Rounding out the options – all on our R-Line tester – is a panoramic sunroof (+$2000) and electric tailgate (+$600).

That brings the final price of our T-Roc R-Line to a whopping $54,800 before on-road costs, by which point you might start leaning towards the racier T-Roc R…

But you don’t have to tick any boxes to feel safe behind the wheel, because every variant comes fitted with Volkswagen’s IQ.Drive safety suite.

That includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, lane assist, adaptive cruise control, multi-collision braking, park assist, a reversing camera and parking sensors at either end.

It also scores a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating (dating back to 2017), which we’re told will go unaffected despite the aforementioned omissions set to take place next year.

Two familiar four-cylinder turbo-petrol powertrains are used across the regular 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc range, namely the Style’s 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre engine and the R-Line’s 140kW/320Nm 2.0-litre unit.

The front-drive 110TSI Style is the more economical of the two on paper, claimed to sip 6.3L/100km on the official combined cycle, compared to the bigger-engined 140TSI R-Line at 7.3L/100km.

We hit averages of 8.0L/100km in the Style, and an impressive 7.6L/100km in the R-Line, over a short highway stint combined with plenty of fast country roads.

For those more concerned about performance, the entry-grade 110TSI powertrain provides more than enough oomph.

It’s also paired to an eight-speed torque-converter auto that delivers a seamless and predictable pairing on the road, unlike the seven-speed DSG in the 140TSI which has a signature delay at low speeds.

It’s not as quick to 100km/h, however, with the Style reaching the mark in 8.7sec compared to the R-Line at 7.2sec, although neither comes close to matching the T-Roc R’s ballistic 4.9sec dash.

Power delivery, while slightly delayed by a hint of turbo lag, is super-refined in the 110TSI, with minimal engine noise – even at full pelt – flowing into the cabin, while the steering feels light and precise.

Push it hard and the thrummy little 1.4-litre eventually runs out of puff, but, overall, it’s nippy enough to live with.

The pricier T-Roc 140TSI R-Line ups the ante with its all-paw grip and extra output that’s also delivered across a much broader rev range, which makes for effortless and flexible performance.

Road noise is more pronounced in the R-Line, due to the optional 19-inch wheel-and-tyre combination on our car, however general levels of cabin refinement in both T-Roc models is very good.

Something that remains unchanged for the updated 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc range is the small SUV’s outstanding on-road manners.

The Style, with its chunkier Falken tyres wrapped around 18-inch rims, is comfortable and compliant, gliding over even the sharpest hits and potholes with ease.

But while both models feel athletic and nimble when pushing hard into tight corners and in fast directional changes, the more energetic R-Line is the clear winner when it comes to powering out of bends, thanks to its superior 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.

The R-Line’s tauter suspension set-up isn’t as forgiving on rougher roads, but both feel rewarding in their own unique way.

Visibility in the T-Roc – aside from thick rear C-pillars – remains great, with large side mirrors placed ever so thoughtfully, so as to not obstruct your view.

Unless you tick an option package, the front seats require manual adjustment, but there’s a good range of adjustability for humans of most sizes. Tilt and reach adjustment for the steering wheel also helps the driver find the optimum position.

Nothing has changed in the second row, where there’s adequate accommodation for two adults to travel in comfort, with access to a pair of USB-C ports, air vents, door pockets and outboard child seat ISOFIX points.

The R-Line’s all-wheel drive set-up means it sacrifices a bit of luggage space, offering a 392-litre boot (with the rear seats upright) compared to the Style’s more generous 445L capacity.

The 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc is fresh evidence of the German brand’s current push upmarket in Australia with more luxurious models.

Even the high levels of tech and equipment on the base 110TSI Style make it difficult to tell that it’s the more affordable option.

That said, you pay for it, and entry to the T-Roc range is well and truly at the $40K mark once you’re on the road, which is a lot of coin for a small SUV.

Luckily, it’s a pretty good one.

How much does the 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style cost?
Price: $37,250 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 110kW/250Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 143g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)

How much does the 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc 140TSI R-Line cost?
Price: $45,350 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/320Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 7.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 167g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)