Volkswagen enters the SUV fray with a knockout T-cross
With the easing of Covid-19 lockdowns, Volkswagen New Zealand is able to introduce the T-cross, the brand’s smallest SUV yet.
T-cross measures just over four metres long, putting it on par with the popular compact SUV segment which is in growth mode at present.
Volkswagen New Zealand sees the T-cross as an essential addition to its model line-up, since the littlest SUV to bear the badge allows Volkswagen to play in one of the largest segments of the automotive sector. According to Volkswagen New Zealand, the T-cross has a lot to offer Kiwi customers.
Greg Leet, General Manager of Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles says, “it may be Volkswagen’s smallest SUV, but it has what it takes to become a great one. We are confident that this model has what it takes to become one of the best small SUVS in the country.”
T-cross comes to us as a fourmodel range: the Life, Style and 1st Edition variants are powered by a 1.0 TSI three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine generating 85 kw / 200Nm, while the top R-line model packs an extra punch with a 1.5 TSI four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 110 kw / 250Nm.
What really makes the T-cross appealing – particularly in the market segment it competes in, where affordability is the primary consideration as opposed to other aspects, is the value-formoney safety proposition.
Not that it is easy to put a dollar value on safety, but the T-cross is a five-star ANCAP safety rated vehicle, which means numerous driver assistance systems, which were previously reserved for higher vehicle classes, are standard across the four model line-up.
These systems include front assist ( autonomous emergency brake), pedestrian and cyclist monitoring system, lane assist (lane keeping system) and side assist (blind spot monitor and rear traffic alert).
In addition, the T-cross’ crash characteristics and exemplary occupant protection increases safety, reducing the risk of a collision and improves driving comfort.
And speaking to the subject of comfort, the T-cross accommodates five adults and offers versatility as well, with the rear seat having14cms of sliding adjustability and folds flat to transform the conventional 455 litres to 1281 litres.
Naturally, the T-cross offers modern connectivity as standard and has been highly regarded in this important area of automotive consideration.
By way of example, Smartphones may be charged inductively and the T-cross offers up to four USB charge-ports.
The T-cross product ranges starts from MRP $34,240 and, when teamed up with Volkswagen’s other range offerings in the SUV space – the T-roc, set to make its return to New Zealand later this year, the Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace and Touareg will make up five SUV formats across the Volkswagen brand.
Add an electric SUV at some time in the not-too-distant future, and Volkswagen can lay claim to having one of the world’s largest SUV ranges, with a vehicle for practically every category in the segment.