T-Roc rocks road manners
THERE’S a myriad of options for people looking to get behind the wheel of a new car and as buyers leave traditional saloon cars in droves for more SUV-type vehicles, manufacturers have obviously stepped up their variations on the theme to cover every niche within that market.
As the world’s largest automaker, Volkswagen has covered that segment well – too well according to some commentators, including the T-Roc 2.0 4Motion R line on test here.
The T-Roc sits between the hugely popular T-Cross and the Tiguan and has two engine variations with a 1.4litre turbo-petrol and the 2.0-litre turbocharged one we drove which is a “detuned” version of the one found in the GTI, delivering 140kW and 320Nm to all four wheels with VW’s 4Motion set-up via a seven-speed DSG transmission.
It’s an eye-catcher, to be sure, and a showcase for modern design and in R line guise 19-inch Suzuka alloys, “R” badges strategically placed and chrome detailing around the grille and rear bumper, a variety of paint finishings and LED daytime running lights deliver a good dollop of street cred.
Inside it’s very much the same with Vienna leather seats, optional 11.4-inch high-resolution Active info Display digital cluster, leather wrapped multi-function steering wheel, and an easy to reach and operate switchgear. The white contoured seats and pin stripes in the door panels round off a pleasant place to spend time. If there’s one criticism, though, it’s the hard plastics on the door panel and dash that don’t do the almost R600 000 price tag justice.
While the loadspace is pegged at 392 litres and 1 237 litres with the rear seats down, rear passenger space is rather limited. I had the driver’s seat set forward enough for me to be comfortable enough and asked my son, a strapping 17-year old, to sit behind me on the way home from school. A 30km drive he said was okay but any long road trip would be decidedly uncomfortable, especially if there was another passenger.
The T-Roc’s road manners are a pleasure thanks in part to a ground clearance of 158mm that does limit your ability to go too far off the black stuff, but I doubt that potential owners have much more in mind than the occasional trip to a game farm.
There’s virtually no turbo lag with a brisk take-off and the engine invites vigorous driving especially when using the paddles in its sportier mode and because of its lower centre of gravity it corners deceptively well with minimal body roll. Steering is direct and on point aided well by the all-wheel drive system and while the suspension is on the firm side it will gladly even out slight road imperfections but the 19-inch alloys with low-profile tyres make potholes and corrugation on smooth dirt rather harsh.
During highway driving the T-Roc cruises along effortlessly, the DSG transmission moving up and down without the slightest effort and thanks to the low down torque passing slower traffic is a cinch.
The list of standard features and safety specifications is what you’ve come to expect from a premium VW product including adaptive cruise control which I think is probably the best invention since the internal combustion engine.
Overall, the T-Roc 2.0 4Motion R line is an outstanding package but it’s somewhat limited by rear passenger space if you want to cart a family along and while the all-wheel-drive and 2.0litre engine add a sense of excitement and dynamic driving I wonder whether the 1.4-litre TSI front wheel drive isn’t the more sensible option.
It comes with a three-year/120 000km warranty five-year/90 000km service plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty.
Pricing
T-Roc 1.4 110 kW Tiptronic Design:
R489 900
T-Roc 2.0 140 kW 4Motion DSG Design:
R548 300
T-Roc 2.0 140 kW 4Motion DSG R-Line:
R593 600