Volkswagen T-Roc: carsales Car of the Year 2020 contender
VW has gone upmarket with its high-riding T-Roc SUV, but the value equation makes it a strong contender for Car of the Year
Why is the Volkswagen T-Roc a carsales COTY contender?
The Volkswagen T-Roc heads up a new compact SUV effort from the German car-maker, having arrived alongside the smaller T-Cross in August.
How does it separate itself from the regular compact SUV set? Sporty dynamics, a smart and safe interior, and excellent equipment levels are all strong starts.
That’s partly because the Volkswagen T-Roc shares its MQB platform, engine line-up and interior proportions with the Volkswagen Golf hatch.
It has been sold in Europe since 2017, but compliance setbacks meant local VW officials had to wait another three years before it reached Aussie roads.
Who will the Volkswagen T-Roc appeal to?
In theory, the T-Roc should appeal to a broad cross-section of buyers.
The Volkswagen’s blend of performance, safety, technology and refinement lend it a typical European charm.
Precise and well-weighted steering, excellent chassis control and sound cabin acoustics endow the Volkswagen T-Roc with what may well be benchmark dynamics within the mainstream compact SUV brigade.
Ultimately, the T-Roc’s more rakish design limits it being a full-time family chariot in the same manner as the cheaper, more practical Volkswagen T-Cross. But it’s a useable space nonetheless.
Further back, the T-Roc’s 392-litre boot offers adequate proportions for a small family and their belongings, but will be quickly put to the test by a designer pram. A 12-volt outlet, flat floor with tie-down points and electric tailgate are all redeeming features.
How much does the Volkswagen T-Roc cost?
Specification and performance levels are noteworthy for the Volkswagen T-Roc – but you pay for the privilege.
Pricing starts at $40,490 plus on-road costs for the entry-level 140TSI Sport, rising to $42,990 plus ORCs for the 140TSI X.
For now, both models borrow a detuned version of the EA888 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine used in the Golf GTI, producing 140kW/320Nm in this application. They combine with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, driving all four wheels through VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.
Coming later will be a less powerful four-pot turbo-petrol engine, which will provide VW with something of a halfway mark between the T-Roc and smaller T-Cross, which is priced between $27,990 and $30,990 plus ORCs.
A digital instrument display (read: virtual cockpit) and 8.0-inch touch-screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are complemented by a five-star safety suite.
What have we already said about the Volkswagen T-Roc?
There’s a redeeming sporty charm to the Volkswagen T-Roc, and an inherent air of sophistication, practicality and refinement.
carsales’ Sam Charlwood summarised: “The Volkswagen T-Roc 140TSI Sport itself is a solid all-round machine, but would have broader appeal with a more affordable entry variant. Watch this space”.
Until then, Volkswagen’s $40,000-plus compact SUV will vow for supremacy at the carsales Car of the Year for 2020, proudly presented by Bingle.
Volkswagen T-Roc 140TSI X at a glance:
Price: $42,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/320Nm
Fuel: 7.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 163g/km (ADR Combined)
Related: Volkswagen T-Roc 2020 Review
Related: Volkswagen T-Roc now available to pre-order
Related: Cheaper Volkswagen T-Roc confirmed
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