Bulbous SUV? Of the segment, the T-Roc is of the few that boast deceptively compact dimensions and sharp styling that give it a pronounced aesthetic akin to that of a raised station wagon, rather than an SUV. As far as the rest of it objectively looks, it is also of the more attractive, particularly with the Kings Red Metallic and Misano rim combination.
Commodious enough interior? Being the R-Line, intended for occasional spirited driving, seat bolsters in the front row inherently ensure maximum stability while driving however larger passengers were of the opinion that they encroached on comfort – you can’t please everyone.
The most impressive aspect of the entire 3 000 km worth of travel was the fuel economy. While the total mileage included open road driving from Johannesburg to the north coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal, the remainder was exclusively done in urban settings. Despite this, a final reading of 6,8L/100 km was reflected on the long-term telemetry but more impressively, when driving in eco mode on the open road in a sedate manner, that number would feature a 5 before the comma.
So the answer then, was the Volkswagen T-Roc 4Motion R-Line the perfect four-wheeled travel companion for December? In the evergreen KZN, there ain’t no mountain high, ain’t no valley low enough for the T-Roc and everything I had planned to use it for.
With the R-Line coming in at R660 400, all the niceties including a panoramic sunroof, rearview camera system and IQ Lights among many other add-ons, the final asking price flirts with three-quarter of a million rand which is a great ask for shoppers in the competitive segment so the next logical question would be, is it worth it?
Sure, the more affordable 1,4-litre derivative is available for much cheaper and can be equipped with all of the price-inflating add-ons, but in terms of day-to-day driving, the 4Motion R-Line would be the better bet. Despite an onslaught of Chinese and Korean models entering the segment, the T-Roc also seems to have picked up where its spiritual ancestor, the Golf, has left off in popularity.
Volkswagen T-Roc 4Motion R-Line Fast Facts
Price: R742 700
Engine: turbocharged 2,0-litre 4-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed DSG
Power: 140 kW @ 4 200 r/min
Torque: 320 N.m @ 1 200 r/min
Ground clearance: 161 mm
Claimed fuel consumption: 7,4 L/100 km
Achieved fuel consumption: 6,8 L/100 km
Distance travelled: 2 928 km
Average speed: 54 km/h
Rivals: Peugeot 5008, Volvo XC40, Audi Q2
Keyword: Finding a travel companion in the Volkswagen T-Roc 4Motion R-Line – Part 3