VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC
Attractive new subcompact SUV is Volkswagen’s new kid on the block.
2017 saw the arrival of the new Volkswagen T-Roc, a brand new subcompact SUV fresh out of the box. Volkswagen had already had big success with the Touareg and Tiguan SUVs in its range, so it unveiled the new T-Roc as another option for those looking for a fashionable, stylish SUV option.
The T-Roc is the smallest SUV in the Volkswagen family - a rival to the likes of the Nissan Juke, Fiat 500X, or Ford Ecosport. It’s a rather handsome little car too, with that clean Volkswagen face sat on a muscular, strong-looking body despite its compact proportions.
It’s built on the same platform as its stablemate, the Volkswagen Golf, which is also used for the Audi A3 as well as other small SUVs in the wider Volkswagen Group family – the Audi Q2 and Seat Arona. There’s currently a choice of four engines to pick from, but there is an anticipation that Volkwagen will offer more options in the future. The demand for diesel power is currently dropping away, so the T-Roc offers 3 petrol-powered options to the sole diesel choice. As the T-Roc is a relatively light car, it doesn’t need the torque of a diesel engine to help it get moving.
Of the engines on offer, the new 1.5-litre TSI ‘EVO’ is the standout choice. This is a powerful but efficient new petrol engine that pairs beautifully with the ‘DSG’ automatic gearbox and has already gone down a storm in Volkswagen’s most famous car – the Golf hatchback. As the T-Roc and Golf are so closely related, this looks to be a particularly good pairing for this model.
Despite its size, the T-Roc is full of equipment and safety features. There’s a high-definition information display behind the steering wheel where you’d usually find dials in other cars, features and options include a ‘Beats’ audio system, navigation, internet connectivity, voice control, emergency braking system, and the expected parking sensors, climate control, and Bluetooth functions found in all modern Volkswagens. In the event of a collision, the T-Roc is about as safe as can be, thanks to its 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, providing valuable peace of mind.
The new T-Roc might be at the apex of current motoring fashion, but it is also a capable, quality product that looks set to find homes on many driveways across the UK. Synergy lease customers seeking out a small SUV should certainly check it out.