Volkswagen T-Roc R 2022 Review

The 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc R has officially arrived in local showrooms to head up the German car-maker’s small SUV range, which now comprises the entry-level T-Roc 110TSI Style (from $37,250) and mid-series T-Roc 140TSI R-Line (from $45,350).

Priced well above the regular models at $59,300 plus on-road costs, which will comfortably take it beyond $60K once on the road, the flagship Volkswagen T-Roc R brings familiar running gear from other R-rated performance cars, including the Golf R’s turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, 4MOTION all-wheel drive system and the latest fandangle safety and technology.

Inside the cabin, it’s luxe finishes all round, with soft leather, touch-sensitive control panels and large digital displays.

But for even more gear, you’ll have to tick a few option boxes, which boosts the final price by a decent wedge of cash.

Our launch review car came fitted with a panoramic sunroof ($2000), six-speaker Beats audio system ($750), Black Style Package ($1200) and Lapiz Blue matte colour-coded interior inlays ($250), bringing the as-tested price to $63,500 plus ORCs.

Even if you can live without those items, great levels of standard equipment include 19-inch Estoril alloy wheels, IQ.LIGHT Matrix LED headlights, LED tail-lights with dynamic indicators, Nappa leather seats with heating up front, wireless phone charging, Digital Cockpit Pro and a large 9.2-inch Discover Pro central touch-screen.

Volkswagen covers the T-Roc R with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty, with three-year ($1600) and five-year ($2800) service packages available.

The 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc R borrows much of its refreshed T-Roc siblings’ tech, including a slick touch-sensitive climate control panel and big digital instrument cluster dubbed Digital Cockpit Pro.

Graphics are top-notch and the driver’s display comes with a heap of customisation options, where you can view navigation, media, digital speed, and toggle through driver assistance aids.

Likewise, the big central touch-screen (dubbed Discover Pro) brings a responsive, high-res display, which doesn’t seem to be hindered by similar tech woes we experienced in other Volkswagen models, including the Mk8 Golf, where the unit seemed slow to respond to inputs and sluggish to load.

Elsewhere, the optional 300W Beats audio system – with a subwoofer and amplifier packed into the boot – offers plenty of bass and brilliant clarity with music pumping.

On the safety front, Volkswagen’s IQ.DRIVE safety suite comes standard, featuring autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, Travel Assist, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, driver fatigue detection, rear cross traffic alert and parking sensors at either end.

Interestingly, some safety omissions that are set to affect MY23-built versions of the regular T-Roc Style and R-Line – including the deletion of Side Assist, Proactive Occupant Protection System and rear cross traffic alert – won’t affect the R, which will continue to be fitted with all three features in this MY22 series, and into MY23.

That said, ongoing supply constraints have prompted Volkswagen Australia to offer a limited-run Grid Edition of the T-Roc R (and Tiguan R) that have less equipment and are priced $5000 cheaper as a result.

Features removed in order “to support production” include the aforementioned safety systems as well as the Matrix LED headlights, Nappa leather/heated seats and electric tailgate.

The regular T-Roc range carries a five-star ANCAP rating that dates back to 2017; however, the T-Roc R is not included under this assessment.

By far the most potent version of the small SUV yet, the 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc R certainly lives up to its R-performance nomenclature.

It’s powered by the same EA888 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine used in the Golf R and Tiguan R, although the T-Roc is the least potent of the lot, delivering 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque.

By comparison, the Golf R hatch and Tiguan R churn out 235kW and the same 400Nm, while the Golf R wagon has an extra 20Nm to play with.

Like the R wagon, the T-Roc has a petrol particulate filter in the exhaust instead of a catalytic converter found elsewhere, so there are slight discrepancies in output and a requirement to only use 98-octane petrol.

Drive is sent to all four corners via the same seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission used in the other R models.

Volkswagen claims the T-Roc R can accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 4.9 seconds, which is a match for the Golf R wagon and only a tenth slower than the Golf R hatch. The larger Tiguan R hits the highway limit in 5.1sec.

The R-rated T-Roc also misses out on the Golf R’s clever torque vectoring system, which brings a special ‘Drift Mode’ function that exploits twin clutches in the rear differential to send up to 100 per cent of torque to an outside rear wheel.

But there’s no real cause for complaint. The T-Roc R is a charming little weapon in its own right, bringing enough athleticism to make it the most powerful in its class.

Acceleration doesn’t feel barbaric off the line, mostly due to a bit of lag from both the turbo and DSG. But it’s still a snappy little SUV that feels at its best when you’re ringing its neck at the upper end of the rev range.

Admittedly, the heavier Tiguan R feels more ferocious under hard acceleration, but the T-Roc R will certainly have you pinned back in your seat and will be sure to impress.

We achieved an average of 7.1 litres per 100km after a highway stint from Canberra to Sydney, a bit of suburban stuff, plus a heap of fast country roads in between, smashing Volkswagen’s claimed combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 8.3L/100km.

The 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc R sits 20mm closer to the ground than its regular T-Roc siblings and includes a raft of performance-oriented features including launch control, progressive steering and Adaptive Chassis Control (including Race mode).

The T-Roc R’s sports suspension is firm but compliant. Larger hits still send a thud through the cabin, but they don’t tend to unsettle the SUV, which for the most part feels firmly planted to the road.

It’s also super-flat and nimble through fast corners, with dynamics that can see it change direction with fantastic body control.

As for noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels, there’s definitely a bit of tyre noise inside the cabin from the low-profile Continental rubber, but it feels both better damped and more refined inside the cabin compared to competitors like the Hyundai Kona N.

Blue stitching features throughout cabin, along the seat edges and steering wheel, to match those matte blue interior inlays (if you option them).

Meanwhile, the steering is light and there’s pretty good vision in every direction, aside from a slightly chunky C-pillar.

In the second row, it’s a similar story to the regular T-Roc, where you’ll find adequate accommodation for two adults, with access to a pair of USB-C ports, air vents, door pockets and outboard child seat anchorage points.

Boot space is the same as the T-Roc 140TSI R-Line, rated at 392 litres with the rear seats upright.

The 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc R is a practical yet ferocious little weapon, bringing yet another option to performance-loving SUV buyers Down Under.

If a sporty compact SUV with superior ride comfort and technology is your jam, the T-Roc R makes a great alternative to the (just as spicy) Kona N, so long as you’re happy to fork out the extra $10,000.

On the other hand, the hot little T-Roc R is a more affordable substitute for Euro rivals like the Audi SQ2 and BMW X2 M35i.

Either way, those who choose the Volkswagen T-Roc R will be rewarded with a neat little SUV that’s more than capable of family duties during the week but race-ready for the weekend.

How much does the 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc R cost?
Price: $59,300 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 221kW/400Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 8.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 191g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested