The Volkswagen T-Cross, like many compact SUVs, is a crossover-fied model of a metropolis hatchback.
Volkswagen’s smallest crossover successfully takes the favored Polo hatch, jacks it up and beefs up the guards and bumpers for a harder look. In any other case, it’s a lot the identical beneath the pores and skin as its low-riding sibling.
That’s what’s in vogue today. Clients world wide need the upper experience top and feeling of safety that you simply get from a conventional SUV, mixed with the city-friendly proportions of a small hatch.
And, the T-Cross delivers on all of these fronts. Even higher, it does all of it with a stage of maturity and refinement that we’ve come to count on from even the entry-level merchandise within the German model’s sprawling vary.
Earlier this 12 months the facelifted T-Cross was revealed to the world, bringing minor design modifications however extra substantial enhancements within the cabin within the areas of tech and cabin materials high quality. Nonetheless, it’s not attending to Australia till the second half of 2024.
Within the meantime, you may get your palms on the present mannequin which is mechanically virtually similar, and nonetheless packs a good wad of package and applied sciences relative to its section. Is it nonetheless price a glance?
How does the Volkswagen T-Cross fare vs its rivals?
View an in depth breakdown of the Volkswagen T-Cross towards equally sized automobiles.
Volkswagen
T-Cross
How a lot does the Volkswagen T-Cross value?
Volkswagen T-Cross pricing:
- Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI Life: $30,990
- Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI Type: $33,490
Costs exclude on-road prices
To see how the T-Cross shapes up towards its rivals, use our comparability device.
What’s the Volkswagen T-Cross like on the within?
The T-Cross borrows fairly considerably from the associated Polo hatchback inside, although with a design that provides a little bit of top – whereas additionally taking a step again considerably in materials high quality.
The basics are strong, together with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and handbrake, clear digital shows, and a way of strong construct high quality.
Whereas the general tactility of the switchgear is nice, don’t count on an abundance of high-end supplies such as you might need beforehand from Volkswagen. As a substitute, VW has gone for a hard-wearing, utilitarian vibe right here.
The dashboard and door tops are completed in laborious, scratchy plastics that just about really feel higher suited to industrial automobiles, and the general end doesn’t really feel high-end given the automobile you see right here is about the identical worth as a Golf.
With the upcoming facelift, the higher components of the sprint and doorways will get nicer soft-touch supplies. Learn extra right here.
In any other case, the inside has the elements of a typical Volkswagen cabin. Nice ergonomics, good storage, a variety of adjustment within the steering wheel and driver’s seat, good outward visibility, and a pleasant, insulated atmosphere.
The 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with optionally available satellite tv for pc navigation affords high-resolution, easy-to-navigate menus and fast response occasions, in addition to in-demand options like wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in addition to DAB+ digital radio – although wi-fi App-Join is tied to the optionally available navigation unit.
It’s the identical interface you’ll discover in most Volkswagen merchandise, so it’s a straightforward win. Likewise, the ten.25-inch Lively Data Show is crisp, responsive, and customisable. The optionally available 300W Beats premium audio system is respectable for the category, however maybe not the standout expertise you would possibly count on.
Not less than the contact factors are trimmed in high-quality supplies, from the aforementioned leather-based trim on the steering wheel to the padded centre armrest and entrance door inserts – although the rears miss out on the latter. Fortunately, the T-Cross has gone with out the finicky touch-capacitive steering wheels which have polarised opinion of late.
Whereas the T-Cross doesn’t essentially justify its premium over a Polo 85TSI Type, relative to its rivals it actually makes a case for itself as one of many extra premium choices, significantly within the space of infotainment.
Transfer into the second row and the T-Cross has one of many extra accommodating rear seats within the class, bolstered by a nifty sliding bench to maximise rear legroom or enable extra cargo capability.
At 6’1 I can sit behind my very own driving place in relative consolation, one thing not essentially achievable in my expertise with rivals just like the Ford Puma and Toyota Yaris Cross.
4 adults ought to be effective in a T-Cross, and it’s greater than roomy sufficient for teenagers. ISOFIX factors on the outboard pews, top-tether mounts throughout all three positions and a big rear glasshouse make it a friendlier place for little ones, too.
Behind that second row is a 385L boot with the rear seats of their rearmost place, increasing to 455L with them slid ahead. Fold them down and you’ve got 1281L, with the adjustable boot ground permitting for a largely flat load space.
An area-saver spare wheel lives beneath the boot ground. It’s price noting that automobiles with the Sound & Imaginative and prescient Bundle lose 80 litres of cargo capability because the Beats audio system’s subwoofer removes the variable ground top.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
| Mannequin | Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo |
| Energy | 85kW (5000-5500rpm) |
| Torque | 200Nm (2000-3500rpm) |
| Transmission | 7-speed DSG |
| Pushed wheels | Entrance-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1289kg (tare) |
| Gas financial system (declare) | 5.4 litres per 100km |
| Gas financial system (noticed) | 6.5 litres per 100km |
| Gas tank measurement | 40 litres |
| Gas requirement | 95 RON |
How does the Volkswagen T-Cross drive?
The T-Cross drives very very like a raised Polo.
I’ve spent loads of time within the present Polo hatch, as my youthful sister owns one and I’ve reviewed some myself. The T-Cross maintains the majority of the Polo’s on-road traits, whereas providing a extra commanding view of the highway.
DSG transmissions could be a little temperamental within the metropolis, particularly with a small-capacity engine just like the 1.0 TSI that doesn’t provide its torque peak till 2000rpm.
The T-Cross nonetheless displays a second of hesitation between cease/begin disengaging and the transmission linking up, but it surely’s one thing you get used to and study to work with. On the finish of the day, it is a small city-friendly automobile designed and engineered with smoothness and effectivity in thoughts, and largely drives as such.
The 1.0-litre engine pulls strongly when you’re within the torque band, and has a thrummy and characterful notice that’s surprisingly refined.
It’s virtually like a small diesel engine by way of the way it drives. Volkswagen used to supply a 1.6-litre diesel in older generations of the Polo, and the torquey, relaxed vibe of the 85kW petrol engine appears to hark again.
There’s loads of torque for metropolis environments, and as soon as shifting the seven-speed DSG snaps by ratios so rapidly it’s principally imperceptible. The place some rivals with CVTs or torque converter autos could be a smidge unrefined, indecisive or underpowered, the T-Cross goes about its enterprise largely with maturity and sophistication.
I used to be very shocked with how properly the R-Line-equipped take a look at automobile rode on Melbourne’s pimply inner-city roads. With 18-inch alloys and decrease profile 215/45 rubber, the T-Cross by no means crashed over bumps and provided compliance you’d count on from a bigger car.
That big-car really feel is extra evident on the freeway, with the T-Cross feeling assured, composed and refined at Australia’s authorized limits. The dearth of semi-autonomous Journey Help system grates when it’s obtainable on each different automobile within the vary, although.
It means you are feeling assured behind the wheel in any respect speeds regardless of its diminutive proportions, however these downsizing from a a lot bigger automobile don’t essentially need to sacrifice open highway refinement. Large props to Volkswagen right here.
Even at 110km/h the 1.0-litre engine hums away quietly within the background, with the tacho exhibiting round 2250rpm. With adaptive cruise management engaged, lengthy stints develop into an easy activity which might’t at all times be stated for automobiles on this class.
We’ve already famous the shortage of Journey Help, however the elimination of blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert for 2023 fashions is one other mark towards the T-Cross. Sure there’s good outward visibility, however these options are stuff you don’t realise you want them till you do.
In any other case, the Lane Help perform isn’t overzealous like we’ve discovered with some rival methods, and customary parking sensors entrance and rear increase the usual revering digicam.
What do you get?
T-Cross 85TSI Life highlights:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Auto headlights (halogen reflector-type)
- LED daytime working lights
- LED tail lights
- Entrance fog lights
- Multi-function show
- Leather-based steering wheel
- Paddle shifters
- Cruise management
- Entrance seats with top, lumbar alter
- Entrance centre armrest
- Air-con
- 8.0-inch Composition Media touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- Reversing digicam
- Wi-fi telephone charger
- 4 x USB-C ports
- Parking sensors entrance, rear
- Electrically folding facet mirrors
- Auto dimming rear-view mirror
- Rain sensing wipers
T-Cross 85TSI Type provides:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Gentle Help
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Adaptive cruise management
- Keyless Entry
- Park Help
- Consolation sport entrance seats
- LED inside ambient lighting
- Carpet mats entrance, rear
- Chrome roof rails
Choices
Sound & Imaginative and prescient Bundle: $2200
- 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit
- 8.0-inch Uncover Media navigation system
- Wi-fi App-Join
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
- Wi-fi Android Auto
- Beats premium audio system
R-Line Bundle: $2600 (Type)
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- R-Line exterior styling
- R-Line inside styling
- Rear privateness glass
Is the Volkswagen T-Cross secure?
The Volkswagen T-Cross wears a five-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on Euro NCAP testing in 2019.
The T-Cross achieved 97 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 85 per cent for little one occupant safety, 81 per cent for susceptible highway customers, and 80 per cent for security help.
Normal security tools consists of:
- AEB with Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detection
- Driver fatigue detection
- Lane Help
- Lane departure warning
- Manoeuvre braking entrance, rear
- Parking sensors entrance, rear
- Reversing digicam
- Pace limiter
T-Cross 85TSI Type provides:
- Adaptive cruise management incl. cease/go
- Auto high-beam
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert had been faraway from local-spec automobiles as a consequence of element shortages. The ultimate run of T-Cross fashions heading into 2024 pre-facelift haven’t seen these options return.
Whereas the brand new T-Cross will doubtless carry over its predecessor’s security ranking except Volkswagen desires a redo, the facelift will convey much more help tech together with the corporate’s wonderful Journey Help semi-autonomous freeway mode and Matrix LED headlights.
Count on Aspect Help (blind-spot) and rear cross-traffic alert to return with the up to date vary within the third quarter of 2024.
How a lot does the Volkswagen T-Cross value to run?
The Volkswagen line-up in Australia is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
Scheduled upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres – whichever comes first.
You’ll be able to pay as you go, or purchase a Care Plan which covers your service prices for 3 or 5 years. The three-year plan within the T-Cross is priced at $1400 upfront, whereas the five-year package deal is $2450.
It’s additionally price calling out the T-Cross’s real-world effectivity. We managed an indicated 6.5L/100km in blended driving favouring day by day commuting to and from work – it’s not fairly Yaris Cross Hybrid good, but it surely’s about as environment friendly as any combustion-powered rival will get.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Volkswagen T-Cross
From launch the T-Cross has been the classier selection in a budget-focused section, although because the years have rolled on it has a misplaced a little bit of its shine.
With different fashions within the Volkswagen line-up – together with the Polo – getting in depth upgrades and extra rivals coming to the celebration, the ageing T-Cross does the basics properly however is beginning to really feel somewhat dated.
Add to that some irritating spec changes just like the elimination of choose help methods, and the T-Cross stays a noteworthy choice if not fairly the benchmark it as soon as was. Additionally, choice it like our take a look at automobile and it’s over $40,000 drive-away.
For comparable cash you may get into a bigger T-Roc or a Golf Life, each providing much more refinement, extra obtainable options and tech, in addition to higher efficiency from their punchier drivetrains. I’d additionally wager there’s higher badge cred.
To not point out $40,000 can purchase you loads of metallic within the mild and small SUV segments with comparable benefits to the aforementioned VW stablemates. It’d be price procuring round or bargaining laborious.
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BUY: Volkswagen T-Cross
MORE: All the pieces Volkswagen T-Cross
