Based on the Volkswagen Polo, the T-Cross has all the fundamentals to provide stiff competition in the compact crossover segment. Among its many attributes are a practical cabin with a sliding rear bench seat, and a strong engine line-up, which provides enough performance and decent fuel-efficiency.
Many of the T-Cross’ rivals are much more eye-catching, however. The VW is rather plain inside and out and as a result lacks the fun factor most alternatives offer. It’s as refined as you’d expect of a VW, although the T-Cross isn’t the most exciting behind the wheel.
It’s a similar story on price, with the best of the VW’s rivals undercutting it. So, overall, while the T-Cross is one of the strongest competitors in the small SUV category, it’s not quite capable of hitting the top of the class.
About the VW T-Cross
The T-Cross started from a rather left-field concept called the Breeze at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The Breeze looked pretty much identical to the production-spec T-Cross, aside from not having a roof. The T-Roc Convertible filled VW’s drop-top SUV niche a few years later, however, and the T-Cross took on the popular small SUV segment, first going on sale in March 2019.
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Rivals include the Citroen C3 Aircross, Renault Captur and Nissan Juke as well as the other similarly sized models within the Volkswagen Group: the Seat Arona and Skoda Kamiq. The higher-spec SE L and R-Line versions of the T-Cross are even priced as rivals to the Audi Q2. The T-Cross is the smallest of the six SUVs in Volkswagen’s range, sitting below the Taigo, T-Roc, Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace and Touareg.
When the T-Cross was launched in 2019, we tested it against the SEAT Arona and Citroen C3 Aircross, with the VW taking the victory thanks to its practicality, refinement, equipment levels and efficiency.
The VW T-Cross is powered by either a 1.0 or 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine, with 94bhp and 113bhp, respectively. A single diesel was available – a 1.6 TDI unit with 94bhp.
The usual Volkswagen trim line-up is on offer. VW dropped the original entry-level S model, so the range starts with the SE for around £22,535. This brings a decent, but by no means exceptional, level of standard equipment, with 17-inch alloys, chrome exterior trim, cloth upholstery, manual seat adjustment and an eight-inch infotainment system with DAB radio and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Manual air-conditioning, all-round electric windows and start-stop are also included, as is Volkswagen Connect – the German brand’s connectivity system that allows the monitoring of various car functions via a phone app, plus 24-hour access to a customer service helpline. You also get Lane Assist, Hill Start Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Driver Attention Alert and City Emergency Braking, plus rain-sensing wipers and adaptive cruise control as standard.
For around £550 extra, you can get the Black Edition, which was launched in 2021 as a more style-orientated offering. You get LED headlights, parking sensors front and rear, tinted window, and diamond-cut wheels.
The SEL trim costs around £2,700 more and adds slightly more supportive seats, different 17-inch alloys, silver roof rails, two-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, plus an uprated infotainment system with sat-nav.
For around £2,000 more, the range-topping R-Line is yours. This adds 18-inch alloys, a host of interior and exterior styling upgrades and a standard 10.3-inch Active Info Display digital instrument system.
For an alternative review of the Volkswagen T-Cross, visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk…
