WHEELS: VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC
The arrival of the stylish T-Roc adds a fourth option to Volkswagen’s T-range of SUVs. But is this a case of one musketeer too many?
Where does the T-Roc fit into Volkswagen’s range of SUVs? Does it fit in?
Volkswagen is a company rich in evolution, not revolution. They’re a conservative bunch who will spend years camped on the banks of the Rubicon, surveying its ebb and flow. But when they eventually do decide to cross, they do it with intent. While other automotive manufacturers jumped onto the sport utility (band)wagon almost immediately, Volkswagen spent two decades doing things systematically and carefully. The big, luxurious Touareg came first in 2002, followed by the family-friendly Tiguan in
#176 2007. Despite the fact that the mid-sized Tiguan was a hit (it’s the best-selling car in the whole VW range), the diminutive T-Cross only made its appearance 12 years later in 2019 – at the tail end of the small SUV market boom.
Touareg, Tiguan, T-Cross.
The positioning of these three musketeers makes perfect sense: The T-Cross is aimed at younger families looking for an entry-level SUV. Then, as the kids start going to school, the family can upgrade to the more spacious Tiguan. Once the bank balance has grown as much as the teens have, the Touareg becomes the last rung in this automotive ladder.
Now the T-Roc has joined the party and it has no place in this fairy tale. It was launched locally in 2020, only a few months after the T-Cross. It’s roughly the same size as its supposedly “smaller” sibling, but it costs about the same as the bigger and more practical Tiguan. Cynics might wonder what the bean counters had stuffed in their socks the day they smoked them and approved the T-Roc project, but as always, Volkswagen had a plan. To understand this car, you have to stop thinking of it as an SUV. Rather think of it as a bigger and higher version of the Golf hatchback – powerful and stylish – rather than a practical people-mover. It plays d’Artagnan in this fable – not a fully fledged musketeer, but also no mean swordsman on the road. In South Africa we can choose between two turbo-charged petrol engines – a 1.4-litre and the same 2.0-litre engine you’ll find in the Golf GTI. There are a variety of colour options and combinations to play with: The body can be one of eight colours and you can match that to one of four roof colours. Just because you and your neighbour
wear the same Guess jeans doesn’t mean your T-Rocs have to look the same!
The most expensive model is the R-Line, spruced up with LED daytime running lights, 19-inch alloy wheels, a hypermodern interior and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The car is a joy to drive and clings to corners like a tick with attachment issues. (Personally, I’d spec my car with 18-inch wheels for a more comfortable ride.)
One problem: This top T-Roc costs almost R600 000! And even though it reminds you of a higher and wider Golf, there are some hard plastic surfaces inside that don’t compare to the quality you’ll find in a GTI.
So, let’s recap: The T-Roc is neither a hatchback nor an SUV. But that’s okay, because Volkswagen have drilled into another rich vein – the rapidly growing “crossover” market, which bridges traditional automotive segments. It’s the surf-and-turf option on the menu, and it will definitely catch your eye.