The Volkswagen T-Roc is a small SUV that gives you a sportier driving experience and a bit more space than the two other compact Volkswagen SUVs – the T-Cross and the Taigo. The T-Roc is very well-equipped, has a high-quality interior and is also available as a convertible called the T-Roc Cabriolet.
The Volkswagen T-Roc was introduced towards the end of 2017 and was updated in 2022, with design tweaks and new technology. Underneath the SUV styling and raised suspension, it shares much in common with the Volkswagen Golf hatchback, and takes up about the same space when parking.
There are two types of Volkswagen T-Roc – the standard SUV and the Cabriolet, which is a convertible SUV. The SUV comes with a range of engine and gearbox choices and a range of trims and there’s even a high-performance version called the T-Roc R.
When the SUV was introduced, the trim line up started with the S and rose through the SE, Design, SEL and R-Line. The high-performance T-Roc R was introduced in 2019 and two new special edition models were added in 2020 – the Black Edition and the United (both based on the SE but with extra features included).
The T-Roc Cabriolet was also introduced in 2020, available in Design and R-Line trims, while in 2021 a new Active trim was added to both body styles, sitting above the SE trim in the SUV and above the Design trim in the Cabriolet.
The range was given a refresh in 2022 with updated technology and tweaked looks. The trim line up was also revised, and now includes Life, Style, R-Line and R models. The Cabriolet trims were narrowed to Style and R-Line.
The Volkswagen T-Roc comes well-equipped, even on entry-level models. All T-Rocs have at least two-zone climate control air con, a touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and DAB, USB chargers and alloy wheels. As you rise up the trim levels you’ll find features like support for Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and an Active Info Display, which replaces the driver’s traditional dials with a screen that you can customise to show your preferred driving info. On post-2022 models this is known as a digital cockpit and is standard on all models.
Adaptive cruise control is also available, as is a rear camera to make parking easier, leather upholstery, wireless phone charging and an electric boot lid. Keen music fans might want to keep an eye out for cars equipped with an upgraded Beats sound system.
On the outside, higher-spec T-Rocs have contrasting roof colours and tinted windows, while R-Line and R models have more angular, sporty bumper designs. Black Edition models have black exterior trim for a more stealthy look.
The majority of T-Rocs are front-wheel drive, but a four-wheel-drive system, called 4Motion, is also available.
Models from 2022 and onwards have an upgraded infotainment system and bright LED lights as standard, as well as extra safety systems.
Most versions of the Volkswagen T-Roc are geared towards efficiency, with the exception of the T-Roc R, which sacrifices some fuel economy in favour of performance from its 296bhp petrol engine. The non-R petrol models therefore will give you a fuel economy of between 35mpg and 53mpg, while the diesels both promise around 60mpg. These figures are slightly lower in the T-Roc cabriolet, largely because it’s heavier by some 200kg and less aerodynamic.
There are no hybrid or electric versions of the T-Roc. Servicing costs are likely to be slightly above some other brands but should be below premium manufacturers, while insurance groups are between 10 and 27, depending on the model, so premiums shouldn't be too expensive.
The Volkswagen T-Roc has several rivals from just about every major manufacturer, but it compares well to them. If you’re after something particularly fun to drive, look at the Cupra Formentor or the Ford Puma, while a premium alternative would be Audi’s Q2. As far as great all-rounders go, we’d recommend both the Ford Puma and the Skoda Kamiq – they’re good at just about everything.
There are very few convertible SUVs on the market, so the T-Roc Cabriolet’s only real rival is the larger Range Rover Evoque Convertible. The Range Rover has more interior space (although oddly its boot is smaller) and it feels more premium, but it’s more expensive, too.
The Volkswagen T-Roc is spacious considering its size, with interior space comparable to the Volkswagen Golf upon which it’s based. That means lots of space inside for four adults and it has a much bigger boot than the Golf at 445 litres (or 392 litres in four-wheel-drive models). That’s also more load space than in rivals like the Nissan Qashqai, the Seat Arona or the Audi Q2. There are also several storage spaces in both the front and the back of the car, with cupholders, storage trays and door pockets for you to fill up.
The Volkswagen T-Roc is one of three small Volkswagen SUVs, the others being the Taigo and T-Cross, both of which are smaller. The T-Roc is similar in size to the Golf hatchback, but taller. The Tiguan is a larger SUV, while the Touareg is the largest SUV that Volkswagen makes.
As a major car manufacturer, Volkswagen has many other cars in its line-up, from the small Up city car, the Polo and Golf hatchbacks and the Passat and Arteon saloons and estates, up to MPVs like the Touran, Sharan and van-based Caddy.
The Volkswagen T-Roc was tested by the independent safety organisation Euro NCAP in 2017 and was awarded the maximum five stars with particularly impressive scores. Although standards have moved on since then, the rating hasn’t expired, unlike for some other cars from around the same time. From 2022, Volkswagen added the latest advanced safety systems to the T-Roc line-up.
As of late 2023, there are no full-electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid versions of the Volkswagen T-Roc. However, Volkswagen does make a wide range of hybrid cars, including the Golf, the Passat, the Tiguan, the Arteon and the Touareg. And its full-electric cars are plentiful, too – the ID.3 and e-Golf hatchbacks, the ID.4 and ID.5 SUVs, the ID.7 saloon and the ID.Buzz MPV.
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