Volkswagen should score a double whammy when it comes to sales of this car – given the popularity of crossovers and fast motors.
It’s is a high performance SUV that fits the bill nicely, hitting two bullseyes in one. But can the T-Roc roll over its rivals?
To create the car Volkswagen went to the stores and dug out the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and the rest of the drivetrain it used in the Golf R, including 4Motion four-wheel drive and a DSG seven-speed gearbox.
The Golf R is no longer on sale, but there’ll be another one based on the Mk8 Golf in showrooms soon. Meanwhile, I reckon VW can bank on the T-Roc R selling nicely even though it’s not cheap.
The on-the-road price for our test car is £36,905 without options. That’s similar money to Seat’s Cupra Ateca and Audi’s SQ2, both with the same 2.0-litre turbocharged engine as the T-Roc R.
The vital numbers for this hot T-Roc are 296bhp, 155mph and 0-62mph in 4.8sec.
The car looks cool from the outside. Ours is Lapiz blue metallic, unique to the R and not available on lesser T-Rocs. Worth having as people will realise you’re driving the fast one.
The quad exhaust tailpipes also give the game away, as does the rear diffuser. Standard wheels are 19inch ‘Pretoria’ alloys. They also look cool and classy – shame the same description does not apply inside.
Acres of hard scratchy plastics are forgiveable in an entry-level car in the low 20 grands, but for a £36k high-performance version the lack of quality is a bit off-putting, even with a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Our car also has optional leather at £2,155 and some tasteless blue trim inserts at £115. Don’t bother with either.
The gadgetry is up to scratch though – VW’s user friendly 8-inch touchscreen is fitted. Best of all, the heating is controlled by knobs. The whole lot’s finished off with a 12.5-inch digital instrument pack.
Despite being very quick, the car is sure-footed and comfy to drive. Ours had the £695 Dynamic Chassis Control system, a worthwhile option.
In Comfort mode the T-Roc R is impressively smooth over town bumps. Race gets rid of almost all body roll, but Normal is the best setting, even on twisty country roads.
The engine has bags of shove and the DSG gearbox is excellent. The four-wheel drive system often sends most of the torque to the front wheels and the result is extremely stable handling.
It’s not as fun to drive as a Golf R because it’s heavier and taller, but it’s not far off. Big brakes come from the Golf R’s optional performance package and are well up to the job.
The T-Roc R is a relative latecomer to the hot compact SUV club but it’s one of the most fun to drive.
More cars of this type will follow with Ford no doubt readying a hot ST version of its new Puma.
If you’re a crossover fan, need a practical family car but want a lot of performance, this is a good choice.
Whether it beats the Audi SQ2 or Cupra Ateca for you will depend upon your styling preferences.
THE FACTS
Volkswagen T-Roc R five-door compact SUV
Price: £36,905
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder, 296bhp
0-62mph: 4.8sec
Fuel consumption: 33.8mpg
Co2 emissions: 176g/km
THE RIVALS
Audi SQ2
Shares all the mechanicals with the VW so your choice is mainly down to badge and styling.
Jaguar E-Pace P250 R-Dynamic
Jag’s smallest SUV. Stylish and with 245bhp on tap but disappointing to drive.
Cupra Ateca
Very similar offering to the T-Roc R from Seat’s performance brand.
