Volkswagen T-Roc - TopCarNews

Volkswagen T-Roc (2017 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Volkswagen T-Roc is a compact SUV/crossover that sits between the larger Tiguan and smaller T-Cross in the Volkswagen SUV family. It was unveiled in the summer of 2017 with the first cars arriving in the UK by Christmas the same year.

There is a high-performance model called the T-Roc R, and a convertible version of the T-Roc was announced in the summer of 2019. We do not have review data for either of these models yet, but will add them both as soon as we do.

The Volkswagen T-Roc has received generally positive reviews from the UK motoring media, with an overall Expert Rating of 71% (as of December 2021) that is competitive in its market segment. The T-Roc has received particular praise for its comfort and overall refinement. However, it has been criticised for not maintaining the same sort of interior quality that the rest of the Volkswagen range offers, while top-spec models are relatively expensive compared to its rivals.

In a 2020 What Car? survey of the most reliable cars in the UK up to eight years old, the Volkswagen T-Roc ranked equal 47th.

A facelifted T-Roc is set to arrive in the UK in Spring 2022.

Key specifications

Body style: Compact SUV/crossoverEngines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £52,695 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2017Last updated: Summer 2019
Next update due: Spring 2022

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Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Score: 8.2 / 10“The Volkswagen T-Roc is a joy to drive, but lacks in material quality compared to other VW models.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Volkswagen T-Roc Golf-based SUV is fun to drive, great to look at and family friendly – but cabin quality is most un-VW-like.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 9 / 10“Bullet-shaped LED daytime-running lights lend the T-Roc a distinctive light signature.”
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Car

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“Some of the dashboard materials are iffy and you’ll have to be seriously careful with the options list to get the best value for money. Plus, it’s not what you’d call exciting to drive. But how many crossover buyers really care about that last point?”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual DesignScore: 8 / 10“Interested in a Volkswagen T-Roc? Get this one. It’s a much more convincing package in this specification than the higher-performance cars we initially tested.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: Cabriolet rangeScore: 7 / 10“If you love the SUV styling and want a drop-top with a raised ride height, it’s this or a four-year-old Range Rover Evoque Convertible, which is worth noting is just about the same price. With decent-sized rear seats and a usable boot, you could happily use the T-Roc every day.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7.6 / 10“The Volkswagen T-Roc looks good, drives well and offers plenty of space, but it’s pricey and some rivals have a nicer interior.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Volkswagen T-Roc is a small, stylish SUV with a high-tech interior and a big boot, but alternatives are cheaper to buy and come with more space for back-seat passengers.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Design“The likeable T-Roc could become a stand-out model in VW’s line-up.”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual DesignScore: 9 / 10“It may not result in a dramatic conclusion, but there is actually very little about the Volkswagen T-Roc to fault. The 1.0 TSI petrol model on test felt light and agile, it offered decent performance and economy, it was refined and quiet, and it was a practical body style.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“There’s much to like about the Volkswagen T-Roc, most notably its refinement and comfort. It’s not the last word in excitement when it comes to driving, but it’s very capable nonetheless.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel“This is a small Volkswagen that appeals more to the heart than many of its siblings and stands comparison with the class best.”
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Motoring Research

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Volkswagen T-Roc is like a Golf that’s grown in every direction. It looks more distinctive, too. It starts to look expensive once you’ve progressed through the range, and its engines are surprisingly vocal for a Volkswagen. Not that any of these grumbles will stop it from selling like hot (rock) cakes.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8.8 / 10“Good-looking and fun SUV that’s great to drive and packed with kit”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual“Drivers should bear in mind the Volkswagen T-Roc skimps on the interior to look good where it matters- but once you get behind the wheel it’s a joy.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic R-LineScore: 8 / 10“A Golf with muscles and some dad jeans”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel manual SELScore: 6 / 10“If you want a diesel family crossover this Volkswagen T-Roc is one of the more desirable options. However, there’s still no escaping that it has a high price and a small boot compared with its petrol-powered counterparts.”
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Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“The Volkswagen T-Roc stands out in the crowded SUV market thanks to its funky styling and fun driving experience. It’s not as spacious as a Seat Ateca, and the quality of some of the interior plastics might not be as plush as you’d expect, but neither of those points are deal-breakers for what is a very good SUV indeed.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“Just what the market ordered. Stylish crossover for people who don’t need family space. But don’t dig too deep beyond that.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“Stick to the cheaper trims and engines and the T-Roc is a fine buy. Its soft ride and practical boot will appeal to families, while its high-set driving position is just what SUV buyers crave, and something that many other small SUVs fail to deliver.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Range overview“Best Buy small SUV.” Rated BEST BUY.
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Safety rating

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2017

96%

ADULT OCCUPANT

87%

CHILD OCCUPANT

79%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

71%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

No eco rating

The Volkswagen T-Roc has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP, and only a few cars have do far been assessed. As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic.

If and when the T-Roc is tested by Green NCAP, we’ll publish the results here.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Volkswagen T-Roc has received

2021

What Car? Awards – Best Small SUV for Comfort

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Keyword: Volkswagen T-Roc