2025 Volkswagen T-Cross evaluate | CarExpert

The Volkswagen T-Cross is the model’s smallest SUV, but it surely has all the time felt extra mature than a number of the rivals within the mild SUV class.

Having served as the premise of the VW SUV vary for 4 years now, the T-Cross has lengthy been seen as a classy and sensible mannequin for these on a tighter finances.

However with this latest replace, the pricing has crept as much as new ranges, leaving the T-Cross in a quizzical place in relation to the ‘metallic on your cash’ mindset.

Fortunately for VW, although, measurement isn’t every thing. That is nonetheless one of many cleverest compact crossover fashions available on the market, and on this evaluate you’ll discover out what’s modified, what’s good about it, and what could possibly be higher.

How does the Volkswagen T-Cross examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Volkswagen T-Cross towards equally sized automobiles.

Volkswagen

T-Cross

How a lot does the Volkswagen T-Cross value?

There are three variants within the up to date T-Cross vary, with the R-Line now a standalone mannequin quite than an possibility bundle on the Model.

To see how the T-Cross compares to its rivals, take a look at our comparability instrument.

What’s the Volkswagen T-Cross like on the within?

There have been some adjustments to the inside design and finishes to the T-Cross’s cabin, but it surely’s nonetheless among the best and most ergonomically pleasing small SUVs available on the market.

There have been some new trim finishes utilized inside, and the Model grade is the one which stands out most, with its denim trimmed seats and light-weight, tender finishes on the sprint.

It’s paying homage to the Hyundai Venue’s inside in some methods, and there’s additionally the anticipated leather-lined steering wheel, and plush touches like auto-up/down home windows for all.

What isn’t as spectacular for the bottom grade is the turn-key ignition, which – when you’ve had keyless entry and push-button begin – mightn’t be palatable. Mother and father will know it may be a godsend.

Now, VW Australia has referred to as this a ‘nice first new automobile’, or maybe extra soberingly, a ‘terrific final new automobile’. With that in thoughts, right here’s a bit extra information on the ergonomics.

There may be ample adjustment to the seats, and there’s rake and attain adjustment for the steering wheel, too.

However one factor that some patrons might discover to be an issue is the size of the seat base. My mum is a shorty at 4’11 and she will’t get cozy. The steering wheel is on the plump facet, too.

However for many patrons it’ll be candy, and fortunately the controls within the cabin all fall simply at hand for probably the most half. The brand new ambient lighting strip throughout the sprint provides some wow issue at night time as properly.

The 8.0-inch touchscreen media system that’s normal on all grades could be smaller than others, but it surely’s easier and smarter in most situations.

There are tuning and quantity knobs, which is a win, and the Model and R-Line fashions include wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in addition to built-in navigation. The Life has wired smartphone mirroring, and no nav.

The controls for the display screen are seemingly straightforward sufficient to study, and there’s a secondary panel beneath for dual-zone local weather management within the Model and R-Line fashions – the Life grade will get knobs for its handbook air-con. That contact panel in greater fashions is vulnerable to fingerprints, and it may be straightforward to bump the mistaken factor when you’re driving.

Talking of, there are correct buttons on the steering wheel quite than haptic controls, and the stalks and switches are all easy to become familiar with.

Storage up entrance features a small coated centre console bin, small cup holders between the seats, a storage tray in entrance of the shifter which in all grades incorporates a wi-fi cellphone charger. There are additionally huge door pockets, however they’re not lined – so issues can rattle round.

The most important draw back concerning the inside is the shortage of directional air vents within the second row, that means these within the again might not get as a lot air as they need for. The arduous plastic armrests on the doorways aren’t nice, both.

However the second row additionally performs host to the T-Cross’s large social gathering trick – a sliding seat base that means that you can considerably enhance the quantity of boot house when you don’t want rear-seat legroom, or if passenger house is the precedence you may shrink the boot.

Now, for rear seat house, I set the motive force’s seat to my 182cm/6’0 place and located I had a great hole in entrance of my knees, and a good quantity of foot room. Headroom can also be nice for a automobile of this measurement due to its boxy design.

Three adults throughout the again is feasible however received’t be excellent for the center rider, as there’s a giant transmission tunnel intrusion.

With that intelligent seat slid ahead, I might straddle the seat forward with my knees squished. So, it could be fantastic you probably have a toddler within the again, however not good for hauling large items and a load of stuff within the boot.

There are ISOFIX factors on the window seats and three high tether factors, too, and whereas there are large door pockets and map pockets on the seat backs, there is no such thing as a drop-down armrest with cupholders.

The official cargo capability specs are the identical as earlier than – 385 litres when the again seat is within the conventional place, which expands to 455 litres with the seat slid ahead.

These numbers are for the adjustable boot ground being set within the lowest place, and you will want to be aware that you probably have the false ground lowered, there’s a giant step as much as the seatbacks.

However you probably have the false ground in play, and the seats slid all the best way again, you’ve acquired an enormous cupboard space of 1255L. There are gap-flaps to maintain issues from falling down within the crevice, too.

The cargo space additionally options a few buying bag hooks and a few cargo tie-downs. Plus, there’s a space-saver spare wheel underneath the ground of the boot – very useful.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The T-Cross vary is solely supplied with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine in Australia, known as 85TSI by Volkswagen – as you might have deduced, it gives 85kW of energy and 200Nm of torque.

Energy output is decrease than some rivals, however the torque is among the many finest in school. It comes as normal with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto (DSG), and the T-Cross is front-wheel drive solely.

The T-Cross quotes a powerful official gas use determine of simply 5.4 litres per 100km, with a 40-litre gas tank capability and the strict requirement for 95 RON premium unleaded petrol. To assist it save gas it has idle start-stop expertise too, and there’s a button to show it off simply close to the gear selector.

Now, the testing I did mightn’t be consultant of what you do each day, however I noticed a displayed return – averaged throughout three completely different automobiles, pushed by three completely different drivers – of seven.2 litres per 100km. However hey, we did Mount Wonderful and Mount Nebo, which mightn’t be the way you drive your T-Cross.

In truth, within the earlier mannequin I did loads of freeway commuting and was commonly seeing within the fours for that sort of driving.

In case you’re considering you may not be capable to tow with such a tiny jigger, you’re mistaken/ It has an unbraked towing capability of 630kg, and braked towing is rated to 1100kg.

How does the Volkswagen T-Cross drive?

There haven’t been adjustments to the drive expertise, and that’s completely fantastic.

I say that as a result of the T-Cross was already among the best little crossovers to drive, and that is still the case with this up to date model.

The three-pot turbo petrol engine is a corker. It has heaps of torque, that means it feels tremendous thrusty whenever you need it to, and it’s backed up by the intelligent seven-speed DSG auto which is snappy with its shifts underneath arduous throttle and easy whenever you’re simply tootling alongside.

It isn’t afraid to make use of the excessive gears at low speeds, both, and permit the engine’s torque to do the work if that’s probably the most environment friendly path ahead.

However for the fanatic, there are additionally paddle-shifters and a handbook shift mode for the stick, too, which is a little bit of enjoyable in the appropriate state of affairs. There’s additionally a Sport mode when you simply need it to carry revs longer and shift extra assertively.

I’ll simply say that, just like the final mannequin, in stop-start conditions you would possibly discover there may be some lag whenever you’re getting shifting.

The mix of the small turbo engine, DSG and start-stop system can imply it has a little bit of that ‘lag and lurch’ sensation – anybody who’s acquainted with type of powertrain will know that you would be able to largely drive round it, however for the uninitiated, it may appear a bit unusual.

Now, it’s removed from a efficiency SUV, and I wouldn’t say it’s sporty to drive. However it’s a heap of enjoyable.

A lot of that comes all the way down to the chassis tune, which is good – it has fairly an extended wheelbase for the dimensions of the automobile, and which means it has a fantastic stance and highway really feel with a squared-off drive expertise that makes it really feel like there’s a wheel at every nook.

Round city it means a reasonably well-sorted trip, although you may really feel sharp jolts often if the floor isn’t good. However when it’s good, or at the very least near good, it’s a terrific trip.

I drove each the Model – which wears 17-inch wheels with in 205/55 R17 Hankook Ventus Prime3 rubber – and the Life grade which has, ahem, chubby 205/60 R16 Giti GitiSynergy E1 tyres. These Giti tyres aren’t as grippy because the Hankooks, however they do supply a bit extra sidewall cushioning over smaller inconsistencies.

The steering has a terrific steadiness of weighting and directness that makes it extra partaking than most rivals. It’s a hoot to push this little jigger by way of corners sooner than you would possibly suppose is feasible, and like they are saying it’s extra enjoyable to drive a sluggish automobile quick than a quick automobile sluggish.

In case you’re extra involved about how it’s to park, you’ll be joyful to know that it’s one of many best little automobiles on the highway in that regard – with entrance and rear parking sensors and a reversing digital camera, plus good visibility from the motive force’s seat, it’s fairly easy to pilot right into a spot.

However when you’re not assured, there’s a regular semi-autonomous parking system. Which may even be extra helpful than a surround-view digital camera for some patrons, however I nonetheless suppose a extra superior digital camera system could be welcome right here.

It has terrific braking response, with a extremely constructive really feel by way of the pedal. But additionally, in some conditions within the automobile I used to be driving, I might hear noise from the brakes in stop-start site visitors, which can simply come all the way down to the brakes of the near-new T-Cross I used to be driving having not bedded in utterly.

There’s a little bit of highway noise intrusion to deal with too, notably on coarse-chip roads at greater speeds.

Actually my solely large criticism of the drive expertise is that – whereas the three-cylinder is a corker – it’s not as easy refined, highly effective or easy because the 110kW 1.5 TSI supplied within the sister product from Skoda, the Kamiq Sportline.

What do you get?

The usual tools stakes have been bettered by the facelifted model of the T-Cross, which has a variety of extra options – and some vital new security gadgets, detailed within the subsequent part.

T-Cross 85TSI Life highlights:

• 16-inch ‘Nottingham’ alloy wheels
• LED headlights – reflector sort (NEW)
• Computerized high-beam (NEW)
• Energy-folding door mirrors
• Encompass lighting with mild projection (NEW)
• Roof rails
• Leather-based multi-function steering wheel with paddle shifters
• 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster (NEW)
• 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• Wi-fi smartphone charger
• Handbook local weather controls

T-Cross 85TSI Model provides: 

• 17-inch ‘Manila’ alloy wheels
• IQ.Mild Matrix LED headlights (NEW)
• Adaptive high-beam (NEW)
• Illuminated daytime working mild grille strip (NEW)
• Chrome roof rails
• Keyless entry
• Twin-zone local weather management
• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster 
• Satellite tv for pc navigation (NEW)
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto (NEW)
• Voice management (NEW)

T-Cross 85TSI R-Line provides:

• 18-inch ‘Misano’ alloy wheels
• R-Line inside trim finishes and variations
• R-Line exterior bundle
• R-Line exterior badging
• Rear privateness glass
• A number of drive modes
• Beats sound system

Is the Volkswagen T-Cross protected?

A five-star ANCAP security score was awarded to the T-Cross in 2020, primarily based on checks performed in 2019.

The VW scored 97 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 85 per cent for baby occupant safety, 81 per cent for susceptible highway consumer safety and 80 per cent for its security help techniques.

Customary security tools contains:

• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Bike owner detection
• Adaptive cruise management with cease and go
• Blind-spot monitoring (NEW)
• Rear cross-traffic alert (NEW)
• Parking help (NEW)
• Proactive passenger safety system (activated if an imminent collision is detected, NEW)
  • Home windows and sliding roof closed to a small hole
  • Entrance seat belts tightened
  • Hazard lights activated
• Reversing digital camera
• Journey Help
  • Adaptive cruise + lane centring

And what’s nice concerning the tech? None of it’s incessantly interrupting the drive expertise like some newer rivals.

How a lot does the Volkswagen T-Cross value to run?

VW backs its mannequin vary with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee in Australia.

Servicing is due each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever happens first. The smarter alternative could be to go for a pay as you go service plan, or Care Plan as VW calls them. That approach you may roll your upkeep prices into your finance repayments, and escape the dreaded invoice shock.

In case you determine to do this, the price for a three-year/45,000km plan is $1500 (a saving of $199), and the five-year/75,000km plan is $2850 (saving you $571).

Past that, VW additionally gives the choice of a assured future worth for the car on the finish of your mortgage time period, which could be engaging for these involved about resale values.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Volkswagen T-Cross

There isn’t any doubt on this reviewer’s thoughts the brand new Volkswagen T-Cross stands head and shoulders above a number of the bigger low cost SUVs available on the market from China.

It mightn’t be as sharply priced as these, however you’re feeling like you might be getting greater than your cash’s price – particularly within the mid-level 85TSI Model, which stands out because the choose of the pack when you can justify the price.

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