I MUST admit that the most excited person in my household when the Volkswagen T-Roc test drive arrived was my wife!

In fact after the week’s evaluation of this tidy Volkswagen offering, she has made a pledge to buy the vehicle one day. In truth, it is very easy to see why she is, and remains, so enthused.

The T-Roc is one of the manufacturer’s most reliable products that remains a popular and well-rounded small sports utility vehicle despite its recent facelift.

When the T-Roc launched, it was Volkswagen’s fourth SUV. The model now sits between the Taigo and Tiguan in a nine-strong SUV family, with more models in the pipeline.


Meanwhile the latest edition of the T-Roc has a premium-feel interior, redesigned with updated tech and using soft touch materials.

The Volkswagen T-Roc is now more competitive than ever before, and should be high on your small SUV shortlist

The aforementioned facelift sees a redesigned dashboard with a classier finish and an improved eight-inch infotainment display, as well as an eight-inch digital instrument cluster.

The T-Roc now has bigger front air intakes, LED headlights as standard and an LED light bar on higher-spec models that runs the width of the front grille. The T-Roc’s D-shaped daytime running lights with integrated indicators are now standard-fit equipment. Previously reserved for the Design trim upwards, these distinctive lights are instantly recognisable and unique to the family of models.

There are five engine options available across the standard T-Roc range, with power ranging from 110 PS to 
190 PS, in both petrol and diesel formats. The extra ability of Volkswagen’s much vaunted 4MOTION all-wheel drive system is available on the highest-powered models 


My evaluation vehicle – the 1.5 TSI 150 in stunning Kings Red metallic – provides 148bhp and gets to 0-60mph in 8.5sec, making it easier to make your move despite the infamous London traffic.

When you can actually put your foot down a little, this impressive vehicle is well-weighted and responsive with plenty of grip and balance so you feel confident with what you are handling.

The Volkswagen T-Roc has a higher driving position than a lot of small SUVs, giving you a good view of your surroundings. It’s also got a softer suspension setup than many, which helps on bumpy road surfaces, which you will certainly encounter on the capital’s roads.

Every T-Roc is fitted with a Digital Cockpit (8.0-inch or 10.25-inch, specification depending), as well as 
an extensive suite of Driver Assistance Systems.


Additional optional equipment on my evaluation vehicle included rear view camera (£290), towbar – removable and lockage, with 13-pin electrics (£745), Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) – variable suspension settings; sport, comfort, normal and individual (£1,105), space and weight saving spare wheel (£105), 
Black design pack with 18-inch ‘Arlo Black’ 7J x 18 alloy wheels, with 215/50 R18 tyres (£680), keyless entry – including start/stop button on centre console (£390) and wireless smartphone charger (£375). 


On the practicality front, the vehicle has a spacious interior, meaning you could use the T-Roc as your main family car. The boot is more than a decent size and there is impressive headroom for rear-seat passengers. For the anoraks amongst you the boot volume is actually 445 litres to be precise!


The Volkswagen T-Roc is now more competitive than ever before, and should be high on your small SUV shortlist.

Practicality, performance, design, value, technology and dependability are all among the T-Roc’s key traits.


Since its initial launch in 2017 the model has sold more than one million units worldwide. There will no doubt be millions more sales including one pretty close to home!

Price as tested: £39,615