Volkswagen T-Roc – What you need to know

One size down from the popular Tiguan mid-sizer but one size up from the equally new T-Cross baby SUV, the Volkswagen T-Roc throws European chic into the small SUV segment, dominated by Japanese and Korean brands.

An all-new design and the latest in safety and driver assistance technologies makes the new Volkswagen T-Roc a prime candidate for many small SUV buyers.

Two models – the top-shelf 140TSI Sport and the newly arrived entry-level 110TSI Style – complete the range, offering the choice of two engines, two transmissions (both automatic) and both front- and all-wheel drive.   

Let’s take a closer look to discover the one that works for you.

The 110TSI Style entry model is priced from $33,990 (plus on-road costs) and has the following standard equipment:

If you like red or white you are in luck, otherwise open your wallet for any of the other paint hues in metallic for an extra $600.

A $2000 sound and vision option for the 110TSI Style gives you a digital instrument panel, discover media, satellite navigation and beats premium audio.

Fork over another $3800 and the Luxury pack brings Vienna leather upholstery, heated front seats, glass sunroof and an electrically operated tailgate.

The sound and style pack on the top-spec 140TSI Sport costs $2000 and you get 19-inch alloys, adaptive chassis control and 300-Watt beats premium sound.

Throw another $3500 on the table and you can have the luxury pack with Vienna leather upholstery, a glass sunroof and an electrically operated tailgate.  

Both Volkswagen T-Roc models come with a cache of safety tech with six airbags, traction and stability controls, anti-lock brakes with a regenerative function, front assist with city emergency braking and pedestrian monitoring, plus emergency brake display that flicks on the hazard lights.

Driver assistance tech extends to adaptive cruise control, low speed front and rear collision mitigation, front and rear collision warnings, front and rear park distance control, lane assist and blind spot monitor with rear traffic alert, LED auto high-beam, dusk sensing headlights with electric levelling and auto dipping.

But wait, there's more including rain-sensing wipers, an anti-glare rear-view mirror, driver fatigue detection and making life easier are parking assistance, tyre pressure sensors, a hill holder function and reversing camera. The folding exterior mirrors have heating and auto-dipping functions.  

You can add a speed alert warning, lane assist with adaptive guidance, blind spot monitor with traffic assist, traffic jam and emergency assist and a hill descent control, but only by opting for the 140 TSI Sport.

An 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android auto and six-speakers are standard on both models, along with an AAC and MP3 decoder and Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity.

Step up to the 140TSI Sport and you also get satellite navigation, the superb customisable digital dash and paddle shifts behind the leather sports steering wheel. You also get a coloured headlining, body-hugging sports seats and sports pedals to dance on.

In keeping with the sport theme, the 140TSI Sport has selectable drive modes, letting you change the ride and handling of the sports suspension, as well as the engine and gearbox maps.

Although both models come with cup-holders in both rows and bottle holders in the front, the 140TSI Sport interior further sets itself apart with gloss-finish inserts across the dash, in the centre console and door trims.

Outside, the 140TSI Sport is distinguished by the use of privacy glass on the rear side and rear windows, partially body-coloured exterior mirrors, front fog lights (rear only on the 110TSI Style), a rear diffuser and tinted tail-lights.

Lastly, while both variants roll on 18-inch wheels, the styling is different.   

The Volkswagen T-Roc offers the choice of two engines and transmissions, neither manual.

In the T-Roc 110TSI Style has a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 110kW and 250Nm. Drive is sent to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Powering the T-Roc 140TSI Sport is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that puts out 140kW and 320Nm, with drive dispersed to all four wheels via a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch auto.

Both Volkswagen T-Roc variants deliver the premium feel you expect from Volkswagen and a lot of equipment is shared across both models. If my budget stretched only as far as the 110TSI Style, I certainly would feel content.

Although you can't see most of the extra goodies in the 140TSI Sport, such as the selectable drive modes, sports suspension, 4MOTION all-wheel drive and quicker steering, you sure can feel them – along with the extra urge from the bigger, more powerful engine.

And to me, they make the 140TSI Sport overwhelmingly attractive.

How much does the 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc cost?
110TSI Style – $33,990
140TSI Sport – $40,490

* Prices exclude on-road costs