Volkswagen T-Roc review
The Volkswagen T-Roc is a stylish and fun-to-drive compact SUV that brings a splash of colour and personality to the famously sensible VW lineup.
Author: The Cazoo editorial team
6th Jan 2026 – 8 mins read
Volkswagen has a reputation for making sensible, high-quality cars that are great at everything but maybe just a little… well, sensible. The T-Roc, however, feels like it’s let its hair down a bit. It’s a compact SUV that’s based on the much-loved Golf, but it’s been given a healthy dose of style, with a bold design, chunky SUV details, and a whole host of personalisation options. Launched in 2017, the T-Roc quickly became one of VW’s most popular models, and it’s easy to see why. It’s more practical than a Golf, it’s great to drive, and it comes packed with plenty of modern technology. While the interior quality might not be quite up to the usual high standards you’d expect from a VW, the T-Roc makes up for it with its charm and character. It’s the perfect choice if you want the reassurance of a VW badge but fancy something with a bit more flair.
Pros
- Stylish, eye-catching design with plenty of personalisation
- Great to drive, with the fun handling of a hatchback
- A practical and spacious choice for a small family
Cons
- Interior quality isn't quite up to usual Volkswagen standards
- Top-spec models can get quite expensive
- No hybrid or electric versions are available
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The inside of the T-Roc is a very pleasant place to be, with a modern design that’s full of character. You can find models with colourful trim pieces on the dashboard that match the exterior paint, which is a really fun touch that lifts the whole cabin. A large, slick touchscreen sits in the middle of the dash, and on most models, this will include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration.
Many higher-spec models also come with Volkswagen’s excellent digital driver’s display, which replaces traditional dials with a configurable screen. The only real let-down is the quality of the materials. You’ll find a lot of hard, scratchy plastics, which feels a bit disappointing in a car with a VW badge and a relatively premium price tag.
Comfort
The T-Roc is a comfortable car for daily driving. The seats are supportive, and the high driving position gives you a commanding view of the road ahead. The ride is a little on the firm side, especially on sporty R-Line models with larger wheels, but it’s never jarring or uncomfortable. It’s a trade-off that contributes to the car’s fun and agile handling. It’s a perfectly capable long-distance cruiser, remaining quiet and composed on the motorway.
Quality
As mentioned, this is a bit of a weak spot for the T-Roc. While everything feels solidly screwed together in typical Volkswagen fashion, the widespread use of hard plastics on the dashboard and door tops makes the cabin feel less premium than you’d find in a Golf. It’s a noticeable cost-saving measure that slightly detracts from the otherwise high-quality feel of the car.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
If you’re moving up from a family hatchback like the Golf, you’ll appreciate the extra space inside the T-Roc. There’s plenty of headroom and legroom for passengers in the front and back, so four adults can travel in comfort. The wide-opening rear doors and higher ride height also make it easier to get in and out, or to fit a child seat.
Boot space
The T-Roc is a very practical car. The boot offers a generous 445 litres of space, which is significantly more than the 380 litres you get in a Volkswagen Golf. This makes it ideal for family life, with plenty of room for a pushchair, the weekly shop, or luggage for a holiday. If you need even more space, the rear seats fold down to open up an impressive 1,290 litres.
Versatility
With its roomy interior and big boot, the T-Roc is a versatile car that can easily handle the demands of a busy family. It’s compact enough to be easy to park in town, but spacious enough to be a comfortable long-distance cruiser. Some models are also available with VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system, which provides extra grip and confidence in slippery conditions.
Driving
Driving experience
This is one of the T-Roc’s biggest strengths. Despite its higher ride height, it drives with the same fun and agility as a regular hatchback. The steering is sharp and precise, and it feels incredibly stable and controlled in corners with very little body roll. It’s a car that gives you a lot of confidence and is genuinely enjoyable to drive on a winding road. It manages to be fun without sacrificing too much in the way of comfort, striking a brilliant balance that makes it a great all-rounder.
Performance
There’s a fantastic range of petrol and diesel engines to choose from. The entry-level 1.0-litre petrol engine is surprisingly punchy and perfect for town driving. The 1.5-litre petrol is the sweet spot in the range, offering a great blend of performance and efficiency. For those who want serious speed, there’s a powerful 2.0-litre petrol and even a high-performance T-Roc R model, which borrows its engine from the legendary Golf R for hot-hatch-on-stilts performance.
If you cover a lot of motorway miles, the 2.0-litre diesel engines offer strong performance and excellent fuel economy.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
If fuel efficiency is your top priority, the diesel models are the ones to go for. They are capable of returning up to 60mpg in official tests, making them very cheap to run for high-mileage drivers. The popular 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre petrol engines are also very efficient, with both able to achieve around 47mpg. Unfortunately, there are no hybrid or electric versions of the T-Roc, which means it’s not as cheap to run as some more modern rivals.
Value for money
As a Volkswagen, the T-Roc is priced at the more premium end of the compact SUV market. Higher-spec models can get quite expensive, pushing into the territory of larger SUVs. However, it holds its value very well, which is great news when you come to sell it on. On the used market, you can find significant savings compared to the new price, making it a smart and desirable choice.
Reliability & Warranty
The T-Roc uses tried-and-tested engines and parts from across the Volkswagen Group, so it should prove to be a reliable car. There was a known issue with some early 1.5-litre petrol engines being a bit jerky at low speeds, but this was addressed by VW with a software update. From new, all Volkswagens come with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty.
Safety
Safety features
The T-Roc is a very safe car. It was awarded the maximum five-star safety rating when it was crash-tested by the experts at Euro NCAP, with high scores across the board. All models come with autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assist as standard. All but the entry-level model also get adaptive cruise control, which automatically adjusts your speed to the car in front, making motorway driving much more relaxing.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The T-Roc is available in a wide range of trim levels, so there’s something for everyone.
- S: The entry-level model is a bit basic, but still comes with air conditioning and an 8-inch touchscreen.
- SE: The most popular trim and our recommended choice. It adds 17-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
- Design: This trim focuses on style, adding a contrasting roof colour and more personalisation options.
- SEL: A high-spec version with larger 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, and the digital driver’s display.
- R-Line: The sporty-looking one, with a more aggressive body kit, larger alloy wheels, and sports suspension.
- R: The full-blown performance model with a powerful engine and all-wheel drive.
Engines
- 1.0-litre TSI petrol: A 108bhp engine that’s great around town.
- 1.5-litre TSI EVO petrol: A 148bhp engine that offers the best all-round performance and economy.
- 2.0-litre TSI petrol: A 187bhp engine that comes with all-wheel drive.
- 2.0-litre TDI diesel: Available with either 113bhp or 148bhp, perfect for high-mileage drivers.
- 2.0-litre TSI (R model): The high-performance 296bhp engine for ultimate thrills.
Most engines are available with a choice of a six-speed manual or a smooth seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.