It was inevitable, wasn't it? The Volkswagen T-Roc International presentation took place in Portugal. More than 40 units of the SUV «made in Portugal» were waiting for us − and for more than a hundred journalists in the coming weeks − at Lisbon Airport, just over thirty minutes from the place that saw it “born”: the factory at Autoeuropa in Palmela.
We did more than 300 km behind the wheel of the T-Roc − 314 km to be more precise. Objective: Collect the first impressions left by Volkswagen's latest and smallest SUV. But let us leave you with two quick notes: it is not a “traditional” Volkswagen and it is cheaper than the Golf in equivalent versions.
Finally Volkswagen!
We don't know to what extent our country's landscapes, climate and good cuisine influenced the creativity of Volkswagen designers.
In the new Volkswagen T-Roc the German brand decided (and rightly…) to leave nothing out − if it wrote “too much” it wouldn't be exaggerating… − conservatism and risked something like we hadn't seen in the Wolfsburg brand for a long time.
The result is in sight. Bodywork in two-tone shades (for the first time at VW) and bolder lines than usual.
In all, we have 11 different colors for the bodywork and 4 different shades for the roof. Differentiated luminous signature (the position lights are also turn signals) and a brushed aluminum bar along the entire bodywork to reinforce the descending line of the roof − which tried to give the T-Roc the “feel” of a coupé.
In terms of proportions the Volkswagen T-Roc is also very well done. Look at it as the SUV version of the Golf, even though it's 30mm shorter than this one − 4.23 meters for the T-Roc against 4.26 meters for the Golf.
Colored inside and out
Inside, the emphasis is the same as in the exterior design. Various plastics on the dashboard can take on the colors of the bodywork, a solution similar to the one found in the Volkswagen Polo that has now arrived on the domestic market.
From Volkswagen Golf, infotainment systems and some technical solutions pass through − among them, the Active Info Display (100% digital instrument panel). What doesn't come from the Golf is the quality of the materials, especially in the upper part of the dashboard. Although the assembly is rigorous, we don't find the same “soft to the touch” plastics of the Golf.
“Why is the T-Roc not on par with the Golf in this aspect?” was the question we asked Manuel Barredo Sosa, product director for the Volkswagen T-Roc. The answer was straightforward, bluntly:
Manuel Barredo Sosa, Project Manager at VolkswagenFrom the very beginning, our goal has always been to launch the T-Roc at a competitive price. There was a great effort by the brand to achieve it − including by Autoeuropa − and we had to make choices. The materials are not the same as the Golf, but the T-Roc continues to display a typical Volkswagen quality and construction rigor. Nor could it be otherwise.
equipment and space
The Volkswagen T-Roc feels spacious in every way. Compared to the Golf (comparisons are inevitable, not least because the two models use the same MQB platform), we are seated in a 100 mm higher position. Typically SUV.
At the back, the space is once again on a par with the Golf despite the roof's descending line − only people taller than 1.80 m should experience head space problems. In the trunk, a new surprise, with the Volkswagen T-Roc offering us 445 liters of capacity and a flat loading surface − going back to comparisons with Golf, the T-Roc offers an additional 65 liters of capacity.
In terms of equipment, all versions have Lane Assist (lane maintenance assistant) and Front Assist (emergency braking). And speaking of equipment, we have three versions available: T-Roc, Style and Sport. The first is the base version, and the second is equivalent at the top of the range. Naturally, as we move up the range, the technologies on board will increase − and the price too, but we're off.
Active Info Display (screen 1)
Like the new Golf, the T-Roc can also come equipped with the German brand's Trafic Jam Assist system, a system that maintains the distance and direction of the car in traffic queues without driver intervention.
Engines, boxes and the like
If you want, you can now order the new Volkswagen T-Roc. The first units arrive on our market in the last week of November, but only in the 1.0 TSI version with 115 hp and 200 Nm of maximum torque. This is one of the engines that the brand most expects to sell in our country and which allows the «national SUV» to meet the traditional 0-100 km/h in just 10.1 seconds − the maximum speed is 187 km/h.
The 115 hp 1.6 TDI version only arrives in March − the order period starts in January. The Volkswagen T-Roc diesel engine range will also include the 2.0 TDI engine in the 150 and 190 hp versions. The latter are available with the DSG-7 box and 4Motion all-wheel drive system (both optional).
The more powerful gasoline versions line up on the same power level as the TDI versions, with the 1.5 TSI engine with 150 hp and the 2.0 TSI engine with 200 hp.
sensations behind the wheel
In this first contact, we only had the opportunity to test the T-Roc Style 2.0 TDI (150hp) version with 4Motion system and DSG-7 double clutch gearbox.
In town, the Volkswagen T-Roc stood out for the way it handled the potholes on the road in the Portuguese capital. The suspension tolerates deteriorated floors well without too much shaking the occupants.
We took the 25 de Abril bridge towards Palmela, where we were able to attest to the directional stability of this model on the highway. Despite the higher gravity center, the truth is that in this respect the T-Roc is equivalent to the Golf.
With the Serra da Arrábida so close, we couldn't resist and went to Portinho da Arrábida, with rain and wind welcoming us. These were not the ideal conditions for a dynamic test, but they allowed us to attest to the competence of the 4Motion system in situations of poor grip, where it really makes a difference. We teased the chassis and didn't miss a single horsepower. The final destination was Cascais.
In acoustic terms Volkswagen also did its homework. The cabin is well soundproofed. In short, despite being an SUV, it behaves like a hatchback. Even so, we will have to drive the front-wheel drive versions to take the “nines test”.
Volkswagen T-Roc cheaper than Golf
As we have already mentioned, at the end of November the first units arrive on national roads. The most affordable version is offered for 23 275 euros (T-Roc 1.0 TSI 115hp). A very competitive price, around 1000 euros less than the Golf with the same engine, and the T-Roc still has the Front Assist and Lane Assist systems as standard, unlike the Golf.
Further up, in terms of equipment and price, we have the Style version. This version adds items such as Adaptive Cruise Control, 17-inch wheels, Park Assist, Infotainment with navigation system, among others. In the Sport version, the emphasis is placed on behavior, adding items such as the adaptive chassis.
Complete equipment list
Those interested in the 115hp 1.6 TDI version will have to wait until March. Like the 1.0 TSI version, the T-Roc Diesel «base» version is cheaper than the equivalent Golf − the differential amounts to around 800 euros. From December the 1.5 TSI engine with 150 hp will be available (for €31,032) , exclusively associated with the Sport level and with DSG-7 box.
