The new Volkswagen T-Roc corrects its youthful flaws to finally justify the standing of its coat of arms. More rewarding in the cabin and still pleasant to drive in the 150 hp 1.5 TSI version, the German SUV still zaps hybridization.
Car tested: Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 TSI EVO 150 hp R-Line DSG7
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From€38,910
360 € penalty
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Unknown in 2017 when it was launched, the Volkswagen T-Roc has become familiar in the automotive landscape. It must be said that 1 has passed million copies, including 71,000 on the French market. If it has found its audience to the point of being Volkswagen’s second best seller in France behind the city car Polo, all has not been rosy for the small German SUV. The main customer sticking point since launch was the hard plastics in the cabin. A development unworthy of the standing of Volkswagen, which corrects the shooting on the occasion of the restyling of the T-Roc in this month of March 2022.
On the outside, the restyage takes the form of new shields and revised light signatures, including the LED strip in the grille. The R-Line finish (tested model) is the one that changes the most by taking up the aesthetic codes of the sports version R. Just that. It is obviously in the passenger compartment that the adjustments are most expected, and the correction is obvious. The dashboard cover is now padded and enhanced with topstitching on all versions. The contact surfaces at the level of the door panels also benefit from a more pleasant touch but, too bad, the hard plastic remains in place on the top of the storm doors. This does not prevent the perceived quality from progressing. The change is also to be credited to the new digital controls of the air conditioning unit and the central touch screen installed higher up.
2022 Volkswagen T-Roc price
If all the engines of the old range are renewed (TSI 110, 150, 300 hp and TDI 150 hp), the price of access to the T-Roc (27,990 € with TSI 110) is up since Volkswagen has increased the standard equipment from the first trim level, now called Life. Thus, all versions have the digital cockpit, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly, hands-free access, Park Assist and capacitive steering wheel. (see full equipment details on page 2). Our test model is the top of the petrol range (apart from the R version) with a 1.5 engine 150 hp TSI, DSG7 gearbox and R-Line finish. Presentation and staffing are rewarding, but the price then becomes excessive, €38,910, and a penalty of up to €3,331 must be added when all the options are checked.
Driving
Among the changes, note also the arrival of the new steering wheel from the compact Golf 8. The latter is equipped with the very useful capacitive function when the adaptive cruise control with lane keeping is engaged: the steering wheel detects the heat of the skin, and it is therefore useless to apply a movement to continue its journey. On the other hand, the sensitive keys are less convincing because they are too sensitive, and the voice function of the GPS still “bugs”. At each roundabout, it indicates to do “half-hole” even when you have to go straight; an anomaly which will finally be rectified on all Volkswagens in production from June 2022. For models in circulation, the correction will be made via the update of the GPS cartography.
From the first kilometers, we find with pleasure the driving position of the T-Roc. It has retained a well-studied ergonomics with readable and easy-to-grasp controls as offered by the Golf 7. A point that the Golf 8 has neglected by switching to all-touch. The chassis does not benefit from any modification during the restyling. Driving always gives pride of place to both ease and efficiency. The smooth steering takes a well-guided front axle, and the T-Roc can spin at a steady pace without stumbling at the first turn. Comfort is ensured by the very good front seats, but the suspension proves dry at low speed in connection with the 18-inch rims delivered as standard on the R-Line, and even more so with the optional 19-inch rims. We slipped behind the wheel of a Style version with the rims of 17 inches in series. The contact is softer with the bitumen and, for people sensitive to comfort, this will be the preferred version.
The 150 hp and 250 Nm four-cylinder petrol engine is an engine that suits the standing of the T-Roc well. Silent and torquey, it brings enough reserve to face vigorously all road conditions. And he can even be nervous if you have a heavy foot. But the DSG7 box does not always manage to keep pace with dynamic driving because of too much passivity at low revs in favor of consumption. To remedy this, simply switch the gear lever backwards to engage the Sport mode of the DSG7. This allows you to be in the correct range of use of the engine and to benefit from better responsiveness.
Good news: the Sport mode has nothing caricatural in its operation and does not seek high revs in normal driving. On the consumption side, after a 220 km road journey without eco-driving, the flow rate of the T-Roc 1.5 TSI was set at 7 l/100 km according to the on-board computer. Reasonable but nothing extraordinary either for this SUV which could have done better with simple hybrid technology. But Volkswagen refuses it to its models, although it is more and more sought after…
On board
Competetion
It is certainly very well equipped and its fittings make it desirable, but our test T-Roc is really comfortable in terms of price compared to the competition. Its €38,910 is indeed to be compared to the €34,650 of a Peugeot 2008 PureTech 155 EAT8 GT Pack and even to the €32,150 of a Ford Puma EcoBoost 155 mHEV ST-Line X Powershift. Not given the small Volkswagen SUV!
Find the results of the test, the technical sheet, the prices and the standard equipment on the following page.
