Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0TSI 70 kW Comfortline (2023) - A viable Polo alternative?

The Volkswagen Polo's days are numbered. Despite still continuing to sell in impressive volumes, the shift towards high-riding crossovers means that it won't be too long before we see the humble Polo withdrawn from showroom floors.

Interior & Space

Its main rival is this, the Volkswagen T-Cross, a crossover based on the same MQB A0 platform as the current Polo, only offering the benefits of SUV design and construction. No, the T-Cross won’t be crawling up rocks any time soon, but the increased ride height does mean that speed bumps, potholes and irregularities in the road are less of a concern for the driver. It’s easier to climb in and out of and offers a touch more cargo space. Despite this, it’s no more difficult to drive than a Polo and, in fact, it’s easier to manoeuvre as the driver sits higher, providing a better view of the road.

Yes, the T-Cross is a little pricier than the garden variety Polo, but it doesn’t have to be the range-topper to still be a viable option. We spent a week with the entry-level T-Cross 1.0TSI 70 kW Comfortline that is paired with a manual gearbox. South Africans still love a manual gearbox, and it provides a visceral driving experience and fewer expensive complications.

Styling 

The smallest in VW’s SUV lineup and the smallest offering to wear the ‘T’ prefix, the T-Cross carries some of the distinguishing VW SUV design traits. The angular headlights flank a broad grille that features a prominent VW badge and is pierced with chrome spars, spearing out from either side of the badge. It’s underscored by another brightwork strip on the lower edge of the grille.

Our test model was equipped with the optional R-Line package, dressing up the front bumper treatment and adding R22 200 to the list price. With this styling package comes a set of 17-inch Manila alloy wheels.

The angular design elements that run down the side of the T-Cross are a modern touch and break what could be a slab-sided affair. The design of these echoes those lines found on the Polo, further drawing correlations with its positioning in the lineup.

Volkswagen T-Cross colour and price guide

Space & Interior 

The sharp, angular design theme is carried through to the interior as well where a broad dashboard garnish is crafted to house the infotainment system, branching out from the driver’s binnacle. It’s a relatively dark and sombre affair with only small amounts of brightwork puncturing the wash of plastics used in the interior. This is my first gripe with the T-Cross, and that is the gratuitous use of hard plastic for the interior trimmings. Only a few small areas of the door cards are soft-touch. The gear knob, gaiter, and steering wheel are synthetic leather bound and the upholstery cloth, but very little else gives off any impression of luxury.

The T-Cross offers a little additional space over the Polo with which it shares its platform, giving you 377 litres of boot space tucked behind a manual hatchback lid. Interior storage is adequate with generous door bins and a small amount of storage under the front arm rest.

Everything you need to know about the Volkswagen T-Cross

Comfort & Convenience 

Comfort is next on my list of qualms, and the ergonomics of the T-Cross did not suit me at all. The rather firm seats have exceedingly long lower squabs, and while some may like this for support under the knees, it becomes troublesome when one has to constantly depress the clutch in a manual version. I found this to be rather fatiguing, even on longer roads. For these long roads, our unit was fitted with the optional Adaptive Cruise Control with Autonomous Emergency Braking. Handy in this situation and worth the R6 200 premium if you drive the open road on a regular basis.

This one was also fitted with the R8 900 Composition Media package that gives you a larger colour touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It’s not wireless, though and uses a USB-C connection with no provisions for a USB-A connection. Furthermore, this example was also fitted with the optional Active Info Display, a R10 200 option that replaces the traditional analogue gauges with a full digital display for the driver, allowing them to cycle through a myriad of information and configure their view to their liking.

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Performance 

This model is powered by a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces, as the naming convention suggests, 70 kW. This is complemented by 175 Nm torque and while it may not seem like a lot by modern standards, it’s more than adequate for nearly anything you throw at it. Paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox, the power is sent to the front wheels. This is very much Polo in its execution and makes it no harder to drive than the popular hatchback.

It will sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h in 11.5 seconds and top out at a top speed of 180 km/h. The body may say R-Line but the T-Cross is not a ‘boy racer’ and is geared more towards the daily commute, offering practicality over outright performance.

Fuel Economy 

Volkswagen claims that you should be able to see 5.5 l/100km from the 70 kW T-Cross. In our time with the vehicle, we were able to get it below the 6 l/100km mark on the open road, but most times the combined cycle gave us mid-6s. The T-Cross is fitted with a 40-litre fuel tank and this gives you a theoretical range of 833 km.

Safety 

Aside from the optional Autonomous Emergency Braking that was fitted to our test unit, the T-Cross comes with a steady array of safety features. ABS and EBD are standard, as are ESC and a TCS system. Learn more about these terms here.

Even this entry-level model is equipped with 6 airbags and ISOFIX mountings mean that little ones can be secured safely with an appropriate booster seat. These are located on the outer rear seats and front passenger seat.

Price 

The base price of the Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0TSI 70 kW Comfortline is R399 000, but with the several options fitted to our test unit, the bill comes to R457 300, including VAT.

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Competitors 

Natural rivals for the Volkswagen T-Cross are the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue, but consideration must be given to the Suzuki Grand Vitara or Toyota Urban Cruiser. The real challenge comes from the Chinese offerings in the Haval Jolion and Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, who manage to offer a similar level of equipment as standard, challenging the final price of this entry-level T-Cross model.

Verdict 

Volkswagens have become expensive, and I don’t know if I can justify it any more. I am not particularly impressed with the quality of the trimmings, with the interior feeling like a budget offering rather than a R400 000 product. The lack of attention to areas that are within Volkswagen’s wheelhouse – that of the ergonomics – just screams lazy, mass-production; a product to fill a gap. The Sub-R400k price tag is appealing but then there’s the options list that bumps it far past what you were expecting to pay, bumping your monthly premium up by over R1000 per month.

The T-Cross is great of you’re stepping out of an older vehicle or if you’re considering one as your first car. You’ll be none the wiser to the faults that exist in the product, but that’s why we’re here, to tell you that there are other options out there. Still, the extensive dealer network and availability of parts and service centres means that you have that peace of mind, so I cannot hold it against those that do choose a T-Cross as their next car – it’s not the worst deceision you could make.

Keyword: Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0TSI 70 kW Comfortline (2023) - A viable Polo alternative?