Volkswagen T-Roc review

There is an argument that a Kinder Surprise egg is far less satisfying nowadays than it used to be back in the 1990s. OK, those in agreement might be showing their age, but the reason for this isn’t down to the outer chocolate shell; it’s because the toys inside used to be better made and far more desirable.

The Volkswagen T-Roc can relate. The original version was an immediate sales success, bringing the same aspirational energy to the small SUV class as the VW Golf does among family cars. The T-Roc's popularity came, though, despite its exterior being tastier than what lurked within.

However, to boost the appeal of this second generation model, VW is promising buyers a real treat when they prise the T-Roc open.

Indeed, this latest version is 122mm longer than before, bringing a bit more rear seat space and a slightly bigger boot. More importantly, there’s a greater focus on interior quality.

So what other cars is the T-Roc up against? Well, the cheaper versions compete with the likes of the sporty Ford Puma, the affordable Seat Arona and the spacious Skoda Kamiq. Pricier examples with fancier trims push into the premium territory of the Audi Q2, Lexus LBX and Range Rover Evoque.

The question is, should you choose the VW T-Roc over any of those rival small SUVs? What’s more, is it better than its Volkswagen stablemates, the Taigo and the T-Cross? Let's find out...

What’s new?

- November 2026 - All new, second generation model launches in the UK with mild hybrid petrol engines.

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How fast is it and which engine is best?

From launch, the VW T-Roc engine range consists of three mild hybrid petrol engines – including a pair of 1.5-litre eTSI units. Both of those are front-wheel drive and come with a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

The 114bhp entry-level version manages the 0-62mph sprint in 10.6sec and rarely struggles in everyday driving. There’s enough low-down shove and it’s keen to rev once you get going. The automatic gearbox helps by eagerly changing down a gear when you need a burst of acceleration. The Ford Puma 125 does offer a little more oomph (and has a sweet manual gearbox) for less money, but this should still be a good fit for most buyers.

The more powerful 148bhp eTSI 150 cuts the 0-62mph time to 8.9sec and has a higher mid-range punch that makes for easier overtaking. Even so, we don’t think it’s worth the extra investment.

If you want even more grunt, there’s a 201bhp 2.0-litre with four wheel drive, while the high-performance T-Roc R (with 329bhp) arrives in 2027. But before that, in 2026, a pair of full hybrid options will be added that combine the 1.5-litre petrol with an electric motor to produce either 134bhp or 168bhp. A plug-in hybrid version is not currently set to be offered. 

Is it agile and is the ride comfortable?

The previous model was among the very comfiest small SUVs, and the same is true of the new one. In entry-level Life trim with optional 18in alloy wheels, the T-Roc soaks up bumps exceptionally well, but is not so soft that it wallows vertically when driving along undulating roads, as the Toyota Yaris Cross sometimes does. We suspect the standard 16in wheels will make it even cushier.

We’ve also driven the top-level R-Line with optional adaptive suspension (called DCC) and an upgrade from the standard 18in wheels to a 20in set. But we’d avoid the latter, which thump over bumps. And while softening the suspension lessens the sting of potholes, it comes at the cost of body control over undulations, mildly jostling you as a result.

Back in the entry-level Life, the plush ride and light steering make the T-Roc a breeze to thread around town. On the open road, meanwhile, the steering responds more crisply than that of a Peugeot 2008, but it would feel more reassuring if it gained a little extra weight in corners. 

There's plenty of grip, though, and body lean is well contained, so the T-Roc is never less than safe and secure. The DCC suspension's firmest mode reduces body lean to a minimum, but it doesn't bring the T-Roc up to Ford Puma levels of agility or steering response.

Is it quiet and how easy is it to drive smoothly?

Compared with the similarly powerful three-cylinder engines of the 2008, Puma and Skoda Kamiq, the T-Roc's 1.5-litre units are smoother, with very little vibration. They also have a more linear power delivery than the Puma’s engines, and this helps them make driving relaxed.

Even when worked hard, the T-Roc's engines are never obtrusively loud, and that combined with low levels of road and wind noise, even at motorway speeds, makes it a quieter cruiser than the Puma. The DSG automatic gearbox shifts smoothly and, while the brake pedal response could be sharper, the progressive nature of the brakes make it easy to slow to a smooth halt. 

While the facility to run on electric power alone at low speeds makes hybrid rivals even quieter around town, the T-Roc remains one of the more hushed small SUVs around.

"The first thing I noticed as soon as I started the engine was how smooth and quiet it was.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

What does the interior look like and is it well made?

Even in entry-level Life, you get a mix of padded fabric materials on the top half of the dash and on the doors. 

Top-tier R-Line trim uses a broader palette of materials on the same areas, with soft-touch plastic on the mid-level section of the dash, plus faux leather padding on the doors. You also get front sports seats and a black headliner; the latter makes it feel a bit darker overall. 

Indeed, it’s easy to find scratchy plastics lower down, but they still feel less brittle and nicer to touch than those in the Ford Puma and Renault Captur. For an even better interior, consider the Audi Q2, Lexus LBX or Range Rover Evoque.

Is the driving position comfortable and is it easy to see out?

You’ll like the VW T-Roc if you appreciate a raised driving position, because it places you higher above the road than the Seat Arona and Skoda Kamiq.

There's also plenty of adjustment for the steering wheel and the seat, including electric lumbar support on all versions, so it's easy to get comfy. R-Line trim gets sportier seats with additional bolstering for more support in corners, while those in mid-level Style get a massaging function. 

The only slight compromise is that the top of the 10in digital driver’s display is partially obscured when the steering wheel is set as low down as possible.

The T-Roc's lofty driving position helps to give you a great view of the road ahead. The windscreen pillars can obstruct slightly at junctions, but no more so than in most other small SUVs.

Rear visibility is more restricted (the Skoda Kamiq gives you a better view out of the back), but because you get front and rear parking sensors as standard, along with a rear-view camera, that's not a massive problem.

Automatic LED headlights are standard on all trim levels. Style models and above also gain a function that swivels the light in the direction you turn to help better illuminate corners.

Are the dashboard and infotainment system easy to use?

The dashboard is arranged in a sensible way, since its buttons are within easy reach. All versions also come with a clear 10in digital driver's display, with physical controls on the steering wheel for cycling through various screen setups. Go for Style and R-Line trim, and the screen offers a few more layouts, including one that shows a full-width map.

Every T-Roc gets the same 12.9in touchscreen infotainment system as you’ll find in the bigger Volkswagen Tiguan SUV; it’s sharp to look at and responds quickly to inputs. It does have a lot of sub-menus to sift through, but – thankfully – you can add up to five shortcuts to the top of the screen to help out. 

The T-Roc does adopt the Tiguan’s rotary controller on its lower centre console, but it’s a shame that adjusting the stereo volume and selecting your drive mode is all it's good for. Ideally, it would enable you to scroll through menus and select infotainment functions like the one in the Mazda CX-30; this would be far less distracting on the move than having to prod and swipe at the touchscreen.

One black mark is that instead of carrying over the individual climate control panel from the previous T-Roc, VW now forces you to rely on touch-sensitive sliders and small on-screen icons at the bottom of the infotainment screen. That makes it more fiddly to use than in rivals with more conventional physical controls, including the Renault Captur, Skoda Kamiq and Toyota Yaris Cross.

Sat-nav comes as standard, as well as wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring so you can use your preferred sat-nav app through the touchscreen. Wireless phone-charging is standard too, while two USB-C sockets in the front and in the rear should keep everyone’s devices topped up without any problems.

You’ll get a six-speaker sound system from the off, with a nine-speaker Harman Kardon upgrade available on Style and R-Line trims.

“The touch pads for the climate control to adjust the temperature are far from perfect, but at least it’s separate from the touchscreen - unlike in the Puma and 2008.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

How much space does it have for people?

The T-Roc's reputation as one of the most spacious small SUVs has been furthered still with this latest version. There’s even more interior room than before, including 30mm of extra rear leg room, beating the Ford Puma, Lexus LBX and Nissan Juke. You can stretch out a bit more in the Hyundai Kona and Skoda Kamiq, though. 

Even so, two pairs of six-footers can sit in comfort, with lots of space for feet under the front seats. Head room is generous, too, but the optional panoramic roof drastically lowers the ceiling; avoid it if you often drive tall folk around.

The middle-rear passenger gets a rawer deal than their neighbours; their section of the bench is raised, reducing head room, and they'll have to splay their legs around a sizable floor hump. A big plus is that the T-Roc has big rear door openings that make access – and fitting child seats – straightforward. 

Storage space is impressive too. The T-Roc has a large 5.5-litre centre cubby under the front armrest, long door pockets and a big glovebox. There are a few storage pockets on the back of the front seats and space for a drinks bottle in each rear door. You also get a centre armrest with a pair of built-in cupholders, which is not particularly common among small SUVs.

How much room does it have for luggage?

At 475 litres, the T-Roc’s boot space is slightly larger than the Audi Q2, Lexus LBX and Seat Arona. We managed to fit seven carry-on suitcases into the rear of the old T-Roc, and if this new generation equals it, that is more than what the Arona managed and a match for the Toyota Yaris Cross. However, the Ford Puma can fit eight suitcases.

All versions come with a useful height-adjustable boot floor as standard. In its highest position, it removes the load lip at the entrance and ensures that there’s no step up to the rear seats when they’re folded flat. At its lowest setting, there’s a big step down to the boot floor but you still get a small storage well underneath.

While the rear seats nominally split and fold 60/40, the tall ski hatch makes them almost as versatile as the 40/20/40 arrangement you get in the Q2, the Kona and the Ranger Rover Evoque. 

The T-Roc’s rear seats don’t recline or slide, like they do in the Renault Captur or smaller VW T-Cross, to allow you to set a balance between rear leg room and luggage space. Most other small SUVs don't do any of those things either, mind.

A small bonus is that the front passenger seat is also able to fold down to make it easier to thread longer items through from the boot.

“I like that the T-Roc’s ski hatch isn’t just a small cutout behind the centre armrest, the whole top section folds down with it meaning it’s easier to thread items through." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

How much does it cost and what equipment do you get?

Prices have yet to be announced, but the entry-level VW T-Roc Life is expected to cost slightly more than the Lexus LBX, Peugeot 2008 or Toyota Yaris Cross, while being much costlier than the Ford Puma and Skoda Kamiq. 

Running costs for cheaper T-Rocs look sensible. Both the 1.5 eTSIs officially achieve a fuel economy figure of around 50mpg.

Both engines also produce a similar CO2 output, but as a company car, the T-Roc’s higher P11D will cost slightly more in BIK tax than a Puma - even if the difference won’t be huge. The hybrid versions due to arrive next year should reduce running costs, but until then, the Lexus LBX and Toyota Yaris Cross will cost less in BIK tax. An electric SUV will be cheaper still.

Life is our chosen trim for the T-Roc because it keeps costs down but still comes with plenty of standard gear. From entry, it includes 16in alloys wheels, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, automatic wipers, two-zone climate control and adaptive cruise control.

Style trim is the next step on the T-Roc ladder and adds 17in alloy wheels, illuminated exterior VW logos, keyless entry, heated front seats, switchable driving profiles and three-zone climate control.

Top-spec R-Line brings a sportier appearance, with 18in wheels, slightly different bumpers, rear privacy glass and silver pedals.

Is it reliable, and how long is the warranty?

We’ll have to wait to find out how the T-Roc fares in the What Car? Reliability Survey. Its predecessor achieved a middling result when compared with other small SUVs. As a brand, Volkswagen finished in a disappointing 24th place out of 30 car makers featured in our latest survey. That’s not great – matching Ford, but sitting below Hyundai, Mazda, Renault and Skoda.

A three-year warranty, limited to 60,000 miles, comes as standard. Hyundai provides a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and Kia covers its cars for seven years or 100,000 miles.

How safe is it, and is it easy to steal?

The R-Roc is yet to be crash tested by safety experts, Euro NCAP. However, all T-Rocs come with nine airbags as standard, Isofix mounting points on the front passenger and outer rear seats. 

In terms of driver assistance tech, the T-Roc includes an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system that can detect pedestrians and cyclists as well as other cars. There’s also lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition (that displays the speed limit) and rear cross traffic alert (to warn of approaching vehicles when you’re reversing).

It’s a shame that you need to aim for Style trim in order to get an alarm.

“The higher trim levels get more equipment as standard, but I like that most can be added to Life trim as an option, so you can pick and choose which ones you really want” – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

Buy it if...

- You want a a small SUV that’s a bit more relaxing to drive

- Has a good amount of space for four adults

- Has the ability to carry lots of luggage

Don’t buy it if…

- You want fuel-efficiency that matches a hybrid rival - yet

- An interior that equals the plushness of the Evoque

- You’re after something that’s fun to drive

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