Volkswagen T-Roc Road Test Review – Precisely German!

Well with us is the latest Volkswagen in town the T-Roc. This SUV has joined the VW lineup just few months back and we are here to find out whether it can live up to all its hype. Sit back & relax as we get you all the fine details on this gorgeous looking German SUV that now if Volkswagens most affordable SUV for India until the Taigun which arrives later next year.

Food for thought

Volkswagen unveiled the T-Roc as a concept at the 2014 Geneva Auto Show. The final production version made its Global entry in 2017. The T-Roc comes to India as a CBU (Full Import). The first batch of the T-Roc imports has been already sold out. The Volkswagen T-Roc shares its underpinnings with the Audi Q2, Skoda Karoq and also the VW Golf. There also is a Cabriolet version of the T-Roc that was launched in Germany this year.

Exteriors

Now first things first, being a CBU full import from Germany the T-Roc looks a notch or two extra classier and premium. It surely is a complete head turner with rich looking body panels and super fine paint job. With strong character lines on its body panels it gets that rugged SUV look. Upfront you get a premium looking face that comes with a wide grille that has neat looking honeycomb mesh design in it. A sweet looking chrome line runs all around this grille mating very neatly with the slim style flushed headlights. These headlights come with projector type white glow and also get auto leveling feature in them.

Coming to the front bumper, here you have a wide air dam again with honey comb mesh design grille, you get these neatly integrated slim type DRL’s that are flushed around honey comb mesh inserts on the bumper. The lower section of the front bumper is left unpainted and also on the list is the brushed silver skid plate.

Coming to the sides the first thing you notice is the sharp waistline, blacked out roof with roof rails, chrome beltline running on the top of the window sill that neatly mates just above the tail lights and fiber inserts along the wheel arches. The sides is also ornamented with 17 inch alloys and body cladding completing the brute SUV look.

At the rear the T-Roc looks very different to conventional SUV’s. Here you get a large spoiler finished in black, rear windshield placed at a sharp angle, sharp character lines running horizontally on the hip are of the boot lid and super neat looking wraparound LED tail lamps. The boot lid also adorns the smart looking T-ROC badging in chrome placed in the centre of the boot lid just below the VW logo. The rear book comes in dual tone with the lower section left unpainted. There is this neat looking slim chrome strip that runs across the edges of the middle of the bumper and flushed honey comb design inserts placed here.

The dualtone body color is available on all colors with a large sized panoramic electric sun roof on the package as standard. Over all the T-Roc looks very premium and oozes German build quality and styling on the outsides.

Interior

Stepping inside the T-Rocs cabin you will instantly feel at home if you are a Volkswagen lover. The dashboard come in neat looking dualtone finish that’s made up of some super premium looking and feeling material.  The T-Roc also uses some underpinnings from its elder brother the Tiguan inside the cabin. Everything feels premium and made of rock solid quality.

The instrument cluster is a classy looking 11.7 inch all digital virtual cockpit with active info display that can be customized as per the drivers need. The steering is a three spoke excellent looking and feeling leather wrapped flat bottom unit with MFD buttons on it. The centre dash gets a bright and crisp looking 10.25 inch touch screen AVN system. You get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on this system along with other connectivity features. We loved the champagne gold color inserts running around the dash. You also get dual zone climate control with a very satisfying feel to the control buttons that have been borrowed from the Tiguan.

Also on the list is the electronic parking brake with auto hold feature, six airbags, panoramic soon roof, TPMS or tyre pressure monitoring system, heated full electric wing mirrors and loads more. Unique safety features on the T-Roc include the lane change assist and head on collision warning. The seats get unique leather upholstery with the front seats getting manual adjust which is a slight let down for a car of this price and level. The front seats offer excellent comfort and support with near to perfect lumber support and under thigh support. The rear seats come with 40:60 split folding type and there is loads of head room shoulder room while the legroom is pretty ok. The In cabin comfort level is very premium and of top class that you can expect from a Made in Germany car. Everything here feels made of best of materials and built to last a lifetime.

The T-Roc boasts of a boot capacity of 445 liters with a wide loading area.

Engine – Transmission – Drive

Volkswagen T-Roc gets powered by an advanced 1.5L TSI EVO BS-6 Petrol engine. Now this engine makes 150PS of power and hits out 250Nm of torque. Transmission option on the T-Roc is the 7-speed DSG automatic shifter that is one of the best options from Volkswagen. This engine gets advanced feature called as ACT (Active Cylinder Technology) which automatically deactivates two cylinders as per your drive pattern and as a result increases fuel efficiency.

On the move the 1.5L TSI engine shines in its refinement levels, the power delivery is also top notch. The ride quality is brilliant with the T-Roc sailing over bad roads, pot holes etc with extra ease. Driving the T-Roc is fun and brings a wide smile to your face. The car loves pushed into the corners and gets you out of it always with precession. The ride quality is easily the best in class and so is the in cabin comfort on the move with perfect suspension tune in place. The steering feedback is also just rightly weighted offering loads of confidence at all speeds.

The DSG gear shifts are flawless and the if you further want to extend the fun factor you got the paddle shifters that put you in control of the shifts. Oh yes and you also have the Sport mode plus tip-tronic mode too.

Safety

The Volkswagen T-Roc being true to its brand comes loaded with safety features which include six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, Tyre pressure monitor, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, Auto hold, Electronic immobilizer, all wheel disc brakes, anti skid regulation etc.

Verdict

At Rs.20 Lakh the T-Roc may seem costly but what it gives you lot in return; it has a excellent package with it in terms of engine, transmission, ride, refinement and fun factor and yes it has all the typical German traits. Volkswagen T-Roc is a car that you would want if you are looking for a SUV that’s sized easy, comes with tons of safety features, and looks unique and European. It is a perfect car option if you want CBU build and refinement standards and want to stand out of the crown in the Mini SUV class.

Words – Ritesh Madhok
Photography & Video – Govind Gadekar