With the continued rise of the SUV showing no sign of abating, the arrival of Volkswagen’s first small SUV, the T-Cross will merely add to your dilemma of which one to choose.
As part of Volkswagen’s tough, practical SUV family the T-Cross sits just below the T-Roc and above the Polo. The T-Cross is spacious and flexible and has been developed to fill the gap for customers looking for a small SUV that is practical and urban-friendly.
Geraldine Ingham, Head of Marketing at Volkswagen UK said: "This undeniably stylish new compact car completes the major expansion of our SUV line-up – for the time being – and I’m incredibly excited to welcome it here [as] the T-Cross ensures we have an SUV offering for the vast majority of UK buyers."
Trims
The T-Cross is the fifth in the full range of Volkswagen passenger cars and the most compact to date, and is available in S, SE, SEL, and R-Line trims. It has an impressive specification, even at entry level, with the S trim setting the standard with 16" Rochester alloy wheels, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors. As well as an 8" touchscreen composition media infotainment system with VW Connect, rear LED tail lights, and automatic headlights.
There is no skimping on driver aids thanks the front assist driver aid. It is complete with city emergency braking system, predictive pedestrian protection, lane assist with blind spot plus lane keeping and hill start assist. Plus, there’s six airbags, including curtain airbags for rear passengers, and Isofix child seat mounting points on the outer rear seats. The T-Cross is a flexible car, with all versions benefiting from a signature sliding rear bench seat as standard, allowing the driver to decide between more rear leg room or a bigger load area of up to 455-litres.
As you move up the levels, specifications are enhanced and improved with the SE trim equipped with everything from – 17" Clayton alloy wheels and black roof rails to front fog lights with cornering function and a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel. As well as a variable boot floor, adaptive cruise control, app connect and a driver alert system.
The SEL trim brings with it everything from 17" Chesterfield alloys, tinted windows, and LED headlights to silver roof rails, front sport seats and carpet mats. As well as an ambient lighting package, climate control, a Discover Navigation system, front and rear parking sensors, and a driver tiredness detection system. Whereas the top-of-the-range T-Cross R-Line models boast 18" Navada alloy wheels, a sporty R-Line exterior and interior styling, and Volkswagen’s innovative Active Info Display.
Drivers of the new T-Cross can customise both the interior and exterior thanks to the availability of Energetic Orange, Bamboo Garden and Black style packs. As well as five different alloy wheel designs, keyless entry, and a high-spec beat® sound system.
Power
The T-cross uses Volkswagen’s 1-litre TSI petrol engine in two variants – 95-PS and 115-PS - with a 5 or 6-speed manual. Plus, depending on the engine and specification it also offers a 7-speed DSG gearbox.
The 95-PS version delivers 175-NM from just 2,000-RPM and the 115-PS version delivers 200-NM across the same 2,000-RPM to 3,500-RPM band. Thanks to the 95-PS engine under the bonnet, the T-Cross reaches 62-MPH in 11.5-seconds up to a top speed of 112-MPH, with the punchier 115-PS versions reaching a top speed of 120-MPH, following a 0-62-MPH acceleration in 10.2-seconds.
All of the engines across the range are frugal when it comes to CO2, with them all boasting 112g/km CO2 figure save the 115g/km 1.0TSI 115PS 6-Speed manual.
Conclusion
When compared to its competitors in the small SUV market, such as the Hyundai Kona, Renault Captur, Seat Arona, and Kia Stonic you'll find that the new Volkswagen T-Cross stands up impressively with its quality design, compact dimensions, generous cabin and boot space, and high driving position perhaps giving it that little bit of star quality that the drivers may be looking for.
Driving it is easy and comfortable, and it is competitive when it comes to running costs, so if it is an all-round small SUV you are looking for, then the Volkswagen T-Cross should not be far from your thoughts.
Contact one of our Customer Service representatives to discuss how Volkswagen's newest addition could be the small SUV you are looking for.
