2019 Volkswagen T-Cross price, specs and release date

On sale Early 2019 Price from £17,000 (est)

Volkswagen is preparing a new SUV to sit below the recently launched T-Roc in its line-up. Named the T-Cross, it's pitched as a rival to small SUVs including the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur.

The T-Cross is based on the Arona from VW Group sister brand Seat – our reigning Small SUV of the Year, in fact – and its design is inspired by the T-Cross Breeze convertible concept revealed at last year's Geneva motor show. The T-Cross's underpinnings are shared with several VW Group hatchbacks, including the latest Polo and the Seat Ibiza.

Engines are likely to be sourced from the Arona as well as the T-Cross's hatchback siblings, with an emphasis on small turbocharged petrols. The T-Cross Breeze concept was powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine producing 110bhp, allowing it to reach 62mph in 10.3sec while emitting 115g/km of CO2. Four-wheel drive won't be offered in the T-Cross, while gearbox options are expected to include a seven-speed automatic and a six-speed manual. No hybrid or plug-in hybrid versions are planned.

While the T-Cross will be important in VW's SUV range in Europe, it's especially crucial to the company in China and South America, where small, competitively priced SUVs are big business.

Inside, expect to see a similar dashboard layout to the larger T-Roc. VW says the car's rear seats can be slid forward and backwards to prioritise either leg room or boot space. Standard safety technology includes a lane-departure warning system and automatic emergency braking.

Although no official pricing has been revealed, a starting price of around £17,000 would place the T-Cross comfortably between the Arona and the T-Roc, but would make it more expensive than the Juke and Captur.

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The best used small SUVs

Can't wait for the T-Cross to arrive? Well, our round-up of the best used small SUVs should help you find your next car at a great price. In this next story, we name our favourite used small SUVs and tell you which ones to avoid.