New 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc Test Drive: The Modernized Millionaire

It was an in-between, clearly related to the SUV category, which sailed between city models of about 4.10 meters long and those called “compacts”.

In 2017, a 4.23 meter long T-Roc was therefore a daring proposition… but widely acclaimed by customers: Volkswagen produced it over a million and sold 71,000 in Francedespite an interior finish that we considered disappointing.

Today, while its Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008 type rivals have come up to speed with increased lengths, the German, second best-selling Volkswagen in France in 2021, is subtly modernized to make people talk about it again.

Its attributes lengthen it by two small millimeters, but it does not change recipe or look: only a few aesthetic details distinguish the novelty, such as the grille pattern, the latter also adopting a light strip on versions fitted with the new matrix headlights. Of what?

These optional headlamps (€775) allow you to drive constantly with “full headlights”, reducing when necessary the beams oriented towards other users from the road, so as not to dazzle them.

They are among the technological novelties of the T-Roc 2022, which also benefits from We Connect Plus on versions with GPS. This device is linked to an app capable, for example when you lend your vehicle, of alert you if the driving speed exceeds 130 km/h.

The German also has a remodeled dashboard now covered with a more flattering material. The central 8” touch screen supplied as standard (9”2 optional) has been repositioned while the air conditioning is now activated via a touch pad. Like in a Golf. But better since here, at night, the whole thing is backlit.

The redesigned steering wheel has also become “capacitive”, to detect the presence of a hand, and the front doors are covered in fabric or, depending on the finish, imitation leather. But none of that on the back, where they’re molded in one piece from some plastic.

The T-Roc has retained its talent with regard to its size/habitability ratio: it generates a very suitable place at the rear and offers one of the largest trunks in its segment. As a bonus, it has a removable floor to provide a flat surface when the 2/3-1/3 seatbacks are folded.

For the captain, nothing changes. This T-Roc, whose male clientele accounts for three out of four sales in France, always benefit from digital instrumentationwhich goes from 8” to 10”25 inches from the Style finish.

To make the false needles move, the German relies on petrol engines of 110, 150 or 300 hp, and diesels of 115 or 150 hp. The latter, still interesting for large rollers when the price of diesel remains acceptable, is quite discreet and can benefit from all-wheel drive.

He also knows how to associate himself with a DSG7 gearbox that you must not try, otherwise you will not be able to do without it. If it tends to hesitate too much during maneuvers, this 7-speed robotic transmission offers remarkable pleasure.

And for more pleasure, its Sport mode is perfectly suited to driving on a winding road, offering a more lively response without pushing the gears too much, and therefore without falling into caricature or influencing consumption too much.

A “consumption” established at 6.6 l/100 km on our routes, but easily maintained at 5.6 l/100 km on a suburban route. The chassis, derived from that of the Golf, retains a rigid rear axle on engines up to 150 hp, the multi-link train being therefore reserved for the R version. But road holding does not suffer.

On the other hand, we will regret the firmness of the dampingin particular on our test model, with the sports chassis of the R-Line finish and optional 19-inch rims (670 €) which we would gladly do without.

Volkswagen T-Roc test – our opinion:

At the heart of a wide range among small SUVs, also made up of the Taigo and T-Cross, the T-Roc is modernizing enough to stay in the game. But it changes little aesthetically and perseveres with high prices.

WE love

• Well modernized equipment
• Improved presentation
• Size/habitability ratio
• Wide mechanical range

We love less

• Quite high prices
• Few stylistic changes
• Firm comfort (in R-Line)

Specifications (Volkswagen T-Roc 2.0 TDI 150 DSG7)

• Combustion engine: front, transverse, 4-cylinder, diesel, 1,968 cc³FAP
• Transmission: traction, robotized double clutch, 7 speeds
• Power (hp @ rpm): 150 @ 4,000
• Torque (Nm at rpm): 360 at 1,600
• Curb weight (kg): 1,455
• Long.xlarg.xhaut. (m) : 4,24×1,82×1,58
• Wheelbase (m): 2.59
• Turning circle (m): 10.9
• Max speed (km/h): 205
• 0 to 100 km/h (s): 8.6
• Standard tires : 215/50 R 18
• Test tires: 225/40 R 19 – Bridgestone Potenza S001
• Cons. Mixed WLTP (l/100 km): 4.9 to 5.5
• Cons. during the test (l/100 km): 6.6
• CO₂ (g/km): 128 to 145
• Penalty: 50 to 540 €
• 5/2 chest (l): 445/1,290
• Front/rear elbow width (cm): 151/149
• Rear legroom (cm): 69
• Tank (l): 50
• Country of manufacture: Portugal
• Warranty: 2 years/unlimited mileage
• Fiscal horsepower: 8 HP
• Tarif de base : 36 470 € (2.0 TDI 150 DSG7 Life)
• Price of the tested version: €42,820 (2.0 TDI 150 DSG7 R-Line)

SUGGESTED RANGE (Volkswagen T-Roc)
Gasoline, from 110 to 300 hp, from €27,990 to €51,490
Diesel, from 115 to 150 hp, from €32,260 to €45,610

RECOMMENDED OPTIONS

• Space-saving spare wheel: €120
• Removable hitch: €860
• Heated steering wheel and front seats: €550

MAIN COMPETITORS

• Peugeot 2008, BlueHDi 130 hp Automatic, from €30,950
• Citroën C3 Aircross, BlueHDi 120 hp Automatic, from €27,750
• Hyundai Kona, 1.6 CRDi 136 hp DCT, from €27,550

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