The Volkswagen T-Roc crossover is already well known to our regular site visitors. And the Volkswagen T-Roc crossover is well known to many Ukrainians: a popular model, which for some became the answer to the question “I want a Golf, but in a cross style.” This car is so important for Volkswagen in Ukraine that even the difficult times of a full-scale war could not stop it: meet the updated Volkswagen T-Roc crossover already in Ukraine! What has changed, what has improved, what has worsened? Now I will tell you – in the format of TOP-5 questions and answers.
How to distinguish the updated Volkswagen T-Roc from the outside?
At first glance, the changes are barely noticeable. But look closely – and you will find differences everywhere: front, side, back. Of course, with such updates, plastic parts and optics are usually changed during the life cycle: this is the easiest way, without the need to change expensive stamps for body parts. So this time – the updated Volkswagen T-Roc received a new front bumper, where the characteristic LED hexagons attract attention. A new bumper has also appeared behind, recognizable by the lower inserts and red reflectors. And when viewed from the side, the eye stops at the new 17-inch wheels.
However, there is one more feature of the updated Volkswagen T-Roc model that should be highlighted separately – these are the IQ.LIGHT headlights. One such headlight has 24 LEDs, each responsible for a specific functionality and lighting area. These headlights are able to automatically adjust their low/high beam depending on the surrounding conditions, guaranteeing improved illumination of the road and avoiding dazzling other drivers. Additional sections are also provided for extending lighting to the right/left. Such “advanced” headlights used to be usually found only on expensive “premium” cars, but the Volkswagen T-Roc crossover is one of the first (but to be fair, it is not the only one) to bring this technology to the mass “people’s” segment of compact C-crossovers. SUV.
Familiar profile, new details: the updated Volkswagen T-Roc crossover features a front bumper, revised hexagons, original rims, and rear bumper inserts. However, IQ.LIGHT headlights are of particular pride: “flexible” light control, additional sections for expanding the light flux, new direction indicators in the form of a horizontal strip. The light is really chic: soft for eye perception and powerful enough, when you turn on the fog lights mode, additional side sections work, increasing the angle of illumination.
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Frankly, the changes are not radical from the outside. What’s inside?
Inside there are several improvements, and one of them is the key – now the front panel is made of soft material and is pleasant to the touch. You can argue for a long time about the importance of this step (“when I drive, I don’t feel anything”), but the point is in the perception of the car. For example, for me personally, the Volkswagen T-Roc crossover was perceived in the style of “Golf 7 Plus” – and therefore it was very strange to see inside the front panel made of hard plastic, inferior in perception of tactile sensations to the same Golf.
Now this remark has been corrected, the panel has been changed – and along with the material, the shape has also been changed. The front panel has become flatter and more horizontal, and the touch screen is installed separately. In addition, another sensory element has appeared – this is the “climate” block. But it is already controversial. On the one hand, the temperature and fan speed can be controlled by sliding your finger (it’s easy and convenient), on the other hand, it’s almost impossible to do it “blindly” (and this is already a minus). That is, the solution is half-hearted. Although it looks attractive in terms of design: nevertheless, the “climate” sensor unit looks modern. Finally, the little things have changed – the design of the steering wheel, the shape of the DSG transmission lever, decorative inserts.
By the way, the latter are present only in front: on the front panel and doors. Behind the designer again lacked inspiration – just a sofa, just a seat, just door cards. Thank you, although the ergonomics experts did not let us down: a comfortable seat back tilt and ceiling height compensate for the limited legroom (just “enough”, but not a class leader), and the wide armrest has a pair of built-in cup holders with a convenient movable lock. In addition, it should be noted the presence of ventilation deflectors and a pair of USB ports. And it is also worth noting the trunk: really large, with a movable shelf-floor and an electric lid.
One of the key improvements to the car is the new front panel: both the shape and the material have changed. The soft surface used gives a pleasant impression, but even this is overshadowed by the combination trim seats – as in a business class car. The new “climate” block looks good, but raises questions about ease of use. Behind, everything is the other way around: you will not find bright design features here, but every detail has been worked out. Still less central tunnel and a little more legroom. I would even agree to move the second row of seats “in the minus” of the trunk: it is large enough (for a car of this class) and well thought out.
Everything is clear with the exterior and interior, but what’s under the hood? And how does the Volkswagen T-Roc ride?
At the heart of the car is still the MQB platform, and under the hood is still a TSI gasoline engine paired with a DSG transmission. Therefore, the updated Volkswagen T-Roc crossover rides about the same as the previous ones. However, this is such a high level that many competitors still can only strive for it! And best of all, the Volkswagen T-Roc crossover is revealed precisely on a standard chassis – without adjustable DCC shock absorbers, without a sports suspension.
Indeed, in this case, you will find a light steering wheel with optimal sharpness (2.5-2.7 turns between the stops) and quick responses of the car to a turn. You are waiting for a neutral behavior and moderate rolls on a fast arc in turns. At the same time, good comfort awaits you: the car can hardly be called a “feather bed”, however, its chassis carefully tries to hide small and medium bumps and pits, and carefully smooths out large ones – only a barely noticeable push remains. And all this happens almost silently: a quiet suspension.
As for the engine and transmission, they immediately show a dual character. Usually in D-mode (Drive), the box tends to shift to a higher gear as early as possible to save fuel. Just scored 2-2.3 thousand revolutions – and already switching. Therefore, it is not easy to immediately understand the power of this engine. But one has only to choose the S-mode (Sport) and everything immediately becomes more interesting! The range of 2.5-4 thousand is more often used, shifts occur closer to 3.5-4 thousand or even higher, if you do not regret pressing the accelerator pedal – and this entire medium-speed zone is full of maximum torque. Of course, the level is 150 liters. and 250 Nm does not mean pressing into the back of the seats. However, it means more than enough acceleration for a clear “techno sound” from under the hood – the updated Volkswagen T-Roc is still listed as one of the most powerful and dynamic cars in the class. And if you add to this the ease and clarity of control and the universal suspension, then the car seems to excite you to fast movement and active maneuvering. Despite the middle of the life cycle and the planned update, the Volkswagen T-Roc crossover is “young in spirit”!
Under the hood – a familiar 1.5-liter TSI engine, in partners – a familiar 7-speed DSG transmission. That’s why the sensations are familiar: smoothness and slowness in D-mode, pleasant dynamics in S-mode; both switch between themselves with a quick “click” of the lever. Frankly, given the balanced chassis and optimal power of the Volkswagen T-Roc, you can not ask for more: a good option for every day. However, at least I didn’t ruin it at the gas station …
A few words about fuel consumption. In the city, a car usually consumes about 8 liters per 100 kilometers. Consider another 0.5-1 liter in plus / minus mode in case of traffic jams and a dynamic drive or empty roads. In total, the minimum can be kept within 7 liters, the maximum is about 9 liters, but usually the level of fuel consumption will fluctuate around the mark of 8 liters per 100 km. On the highway “hundred” you need about 5.5 liters of fuel.
By the way, what else was remembered on the track was the firmness and comfort of the car at high speeds (of course, which are allowed in Ukraine). So, the updated Volkswagen T-Roc demonstrates stability and good sound insulation – the level of not a compact crossover, but a solid passenger car with good aerodynamics. It is at such moments that you feel the whole “Volkswagen engineering school”, which taught the car to drive well.
Maxim Solovyov, founder of Drivivo : “The Volkswagen T-Roc crossover presented in the article is an updated version of the popular car, which we received among the first in Ukraine. After all, for our auto subscription service, the Volkswagen T-Roc crossover is one of the most popular and in demand among customers: men and women, individuals and companies choose it, take it for a certain period of use or redeem it as a whole. Why is that? Because in the form of the Volkswagen T-Roc, we have a real “golden mean”: this car attracts with a well-known brand, brand quality, safety, driving performance, and an optimal ratio of equipment and cost.”
What is the cost of a Volkswagen T-Roc NEW? And what versions are available?
Even during its European debut, the Volkswagen T-Roc crossover received many engine and transmission modifications: gasoline or diesel (power range 110-190 hp), DSG “mechanics” or “automatic”, front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. After, already at the release of the model, a version with an open roof was added, featuring an increased (+40 mm) wheelbase. The most powerful and sporty version of the Volkswagen T-Roc R was also added, featuring its own design, sporty interior, large wheels, and a 300-horsepower engine.
Updates came immediately for the entire Volkswagen T-Roc family: the main model, convertible, R-version. Which of these is available in Ukraine? Let’s put it this way: only one engine / transmission version is available to Ukrainian buyers (as a test car – 1.5 TSI and DSG plus front-wheel drive) as the most optimal one. But there is a choice of trim levels: Style, Sport, R-Line (white car in the photo). Please note that now it is the Style package that opens the Volkswagen T-Roc model range – earlier it was average. And this means that now when buying even a “basic” Volkswagen T-Roc crossover, the buyer can count on a good package…
After all, even the Volkswagen T-Roc Style offers the following: Digital Cockpit, Ready to Discovery multimedia with 8-inch display (new generation MIB 3), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support (even wireless technology – depending on the smartphone), launch engine button and keyless entry, 2-zone climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, full LED headlights (low / high beam), front distance control Front Assist, lane control Line Assist, space control Side Assist, reversing camera, light alloy 16-inch wheels. The cost of Volkswagen T-Roc Style is from UAH 1.12 million. or $27 thousand.
The next step is the Volkswagen T-Roc Sport version. Let me remind you: before such a car really had a sports package – a stiffer suspension, a “short” rail and a sports steering wheel, red stitching and metal pedals. There were both appliances and decor. And now we get a complete set – after all, the Volkswagen T-Roc Sport car, in addition to the Style version, offers: sports and comfortable seats, ArtVelours upholstery, LED Plus headlights, light-alloy 17-inch wheels, background interior lighting. The cost of the Volkswagen T-Roc Sport is from UAH 1.22 million. or $29 thousand.
The change in the positioning of the Sport version may also have happened because from now on the model line has a special flagship – the Volkswagen T-Roc R-Line: the original front bumper, sports steering wheel with touch buttons, R-Line seats, special 17-inch wheels. The cost of the Volkswagen T-Roc R-Line is from UAH 1.29 million. or $31 thousand.
The test car was presented in the Sport package: IQ.LIGHT headlights and custom 17-inch wheels, seats with a nice combination trim, decorative lighting in the cabin. At the same time: a digital instrument panel and a touchscreen display of the multimedia system, a variety of driver assistance systems, a rear-view camera (unfortunately, the picture is of average quality), climate control and an adaptive cruise – from now on, all this is even in the starting configuration.
So what are the takeaways from the Volkswagen T-Roc FL test drive?
I started the article with the words “what has changed, what has improved, what has worsened?” – but now I can not find a single answer to the last question. You can reduce the conversation to the cost of the car, to which I will answer: just look at the equipment. You can cry for a long time that in Ukraine there is no diesel, all-wheel drive, R-version. Unfortunately, this is true – the update did not bring an expansion of the range of available modifications. But so it was before.
As a result, if you remove these comments (which, I repeat, have been going on since the debut of the model in Ukraine), then in other matters the Volkswagen T-Roc has only become better. First of all, he received a better interior, now meeting the expectations of the Volkswagen brand. And also improved in the “little things”: IQ.LIGHT headlights with adaptive light, an updated multimedia system, advanced equipment. At the same time, the car still demonstrates the balance of comfort and controllability, the coherence of the engine and the “machine”, practicality in the cabin and trunk. Symbolically, the test car was presented in gray with a gray interior. After all, he seems to be hinting: in order to be chosen, now you don’t need to attract too much attention and catch your eye. It is already “ripe”, but not outdated, and is fully confident in its key advantages.
Specifications Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 TSI DSG
Body – crossover, 5 doors, 5 seats
Dimensions – 4.23 x 1.82 x 1.57 m
Wheelbase – 2.59 m
Clearance – 161 mm
Trunk – from 445 liters (5 seats) to 1290 liters (2 seats)
Load capacity – 510 kg
Minimum curb weight – 1350 kg
Engine – petrol, turbo R4 1.5l
Power – 150 hp at 5000-6400 rpm.
Torque – 250 Nm at 1500-3500 rpm.
Specific power and torque – 111 hp per 1 t, 185 Nm per 1 t
Drive – front drive
Transmission – 7-st. “automatic” DSG (dual clutch robotic transmission)
Dynamics 0-100 km/h. – 8.4 seconds
Maximum speed – 205 km / h
Test vehicle tires – Hankook Ventus Prime 3 215/55R17
The minimum price of a car is from UAH 1.12 million. or $27 thousand.
