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The Volkswagen T-Cross SUV gives you as much space as many mid-size family hatchbacks, packaged into a car the size of a supermini. That could make it ideal if you need the space but want a smaller car. It’s smooth, quiet and comfortable to drive – as at home on motorways as it is in town. The interior doesn’t quite have the premium feel you might expect of a Volkswagen, but you get plenty of equipment as standard.
The T-Cross was launched in 2019 as a brand new model line. It’s a practical, five-door SUV with two doors on each side and a lift-up boot lid. ‘TSI’ petrol and ‘TDI’ diesel engines are available; even the least powerful options give good acceleration in what is a small, light car. Some models have an automatic gearbox but four-wheel drive isn’t available. There are no hybrid or electric power options, either.
There are four trim levels to choose from – S, SE, SEL and R-Line. The more letters, the more equipment you get. The range-topping R-Line has sporty-looking wheels and bumpers. There are a couple of special-edition models, including the high-spec First Edition.
All T-Cross models have a touchscreen infotainment display with Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio and a USB port. You also get access to the Volkswagen Connect smartphone app, which shows useful information about your car including its location, which could be very useful in a busy car park.
The entry-level T-Cross S has air con and electric front windows. Step up to the SE and you get adaptive cruise control and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The SEL upgrades to climate control and built-in satnav. The R-Line adds a digital driver’s display to the SEL’s equipment.
According to official figures, T-Cross models with petrol engines give average fuel economy of 43-48mpg, while the diesel can give 54mpg. That’s about the average for this type of car. Road tax and insurance costs are low.
The T-Cross costs a bit more to buy than some of its rivals, but it’s a very well made car from a desirable brand.
T-Cross rivals include the Ford Puma, Nissan Juke and Skoda Kamiq, among many other small SUVs. The T-Cross isn’t as much fun to drive as the Puma or as spacious as the Kamiq but it’s a well-rounded car that gives you more space and practicality than a supermini, high-tech equipment and a desirable brand name.
Like most small SUVs, the T-Cross has a tall body that gives you more space than you’ll find in a hatchback of similar length. Four tall people fit comfortably and there’s notably generous headroom. The back seat is a little narrow for three passengers but it slides backwards and forwards, so you can tune the boot-to-passenger space ratio to suit your needs. Even with the rear seats pushed back for maximum legroom, the T-Cross has a big boot for a small car, giving you as much space as mid-size hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.
The T-Cross is a fraction shorter, but much taller, than VW’s Polo supermini, with which it shares many parts. That makes it the smallest SUV in the VW range, below the T-Roc, Tiguan and top-of-the-range Touareg.
Safety organisation Euro NCAP gave the T-Cross a full five-star rating. It scored very high marks for protecting passengers in a crash and has automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and two Isofix child seat mounts as standard.