Volkswagen T-Roc vs Ford Puma vs Toyota Yaris Cross: practicality
We see if a mid-life refresh has turned the T-Roc small SUV into a better buy than the award-winning Ford Puma or the super-frugal Toyota Yaris Cross...
Space and practicality
Front space, rear space, seating flexibility, boot
When it comes to space for those in the front, all three cars have plenty of head and leg room for six-footers, but the VW T-Roc is the most accommodating, with the most head and elbow room on offer. All provide cupholders and trays for storage of odds and ends, but the T-Roc also gives you a drawer beneath its driver’s seat.
The T-Roc extends its advantage to the back seats, with the most head, leg and elbow room. Despite having the largest hump in the floor, it’s also the best for a middle passenger. A couple of six-footers will fit in the back of the Ford Puma but the Toyota Yaris Cross edges it slightly with a little more head room. Its seat cushion is less inclined, too, elevating your bottom for a comfier posture.
All three cars have big boots with wide apertures that make it easy to load a family’s clobber. The Puma’s is the biggest overall, thanks to its underfloor storage box (dubbed Megabox). Not only is this handy for transporting tall items, but it can also swallow two carry-on suitcases, taking the boot’s overall tally to an impressive eight. Mind you, the T-Roc and Yaris Cross can still take seven carry-on suitcases below their load covers, despite the absence of underfloor storage.
The Yaris Cross has the biggest drop from its loading lip to the boot floor and is the trickiest to lift heavier items into. The other two have adjustable boot floors that can be raised to alleviate that drop. On the other hand, Design trim gives the Yaris Cross the most versatile rear seats of the bunch, with a 40/20/40 split. The Puma and T-Roc have more conventional 60/40 splits, although the T-Roc has a ski hatch so it can carry long, slim items while retaining space for a passenger on each side.
Boot space
Volkswagen T-Roc
Boot 445-1290 litres Suitcases 7
Ford Puma
Boot 456-1216 litres Suitcases 8
Toyota Yaris Cross
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