Volkswagen T-Cross drive by Steve Rogers
Volkswagen was slow out of the blocks when the SUV race started but has made up for it.
Now it has a garage full of all shapes and sizes. Shapes might be stretching it
as all are similar, apart from size, and on the subject of size let’s have a look at the smallest.
T-Cross
is based on the Polo but as an SUV is a bit bigger and more practical with a
boot a handbag larger than a Golf which is impressive. And the ride height has
been jacked up more than most of its rivals making it easy to slide in and out,
so perfect for us older folk or anyone with mobility problems.
Then
we have the sliding back seats, rare in a car this size, which produces an
extra 70 litres of luggage space which is not to be sneezed at, but only leaves
enough legroom for young children or adults with very short legs.
The
small SUV sector is bursting at the seams so the stakes are high given the
quality of the opposition, think of Ford Puma, Renault Captur, Seat Arona,
Toyota Yaris Cross, I could go on and on but this T-Cross is giving rather a
good account of itself.
Germanic
styling is often criticised for being too conservative and while T-Cross hasn’t the flare of a Captur or
Yaris Cross it is not without merit and there are even splashes of pizzaz. Pick
the right model and the inside is positively blazing with striking coloured
inserts along the dashboard, steering wheel and gearstick housing.
Volkswagen
trades on its reputation for quality rather than value for money but has thrown
in a reasonably priced entry S model although the spec sheet looks a bit too
spartan so I would go for this SE which has more kit and there are options
packages.
My
big gripe with SE is that it has no parking sensors let alone a rear camera and
if ever a car needed a bit of help for parking this is it because rear vision
is compromised by a thick rear pillar. Fitting both as extras costs a hefty £785. Ouch!
A
navigation, streaming and internet package is another £920 and while efficient and easy to use
you can get away without it because the car has smartphone connectivity so
mobile phone apps can be linked to the touchscreen which is perfect for Google
maps and, my favourite, Waze mapping.
Driving
T-Cross is a joy. Finding the best driving position is easy with plenty of
steering wheel movement and the seatback can be adjusted with a wheel rather
than a lever so you can be spot on.
The
steering is light but nicely weighted giving the driver a good feel for what’s going on with the front drive
wheels. The suspension does a good job of cushioning poor road surfaces and the
three-cylinder petrol engine is perky enough with ample overtaking
acceleration. It should also be good for mid fifties to the gallon.
T-Cross
might be small but is still a good, practical family car with room in the back
for leggy teens and quick slot in connections for child seats. It is not too
badly off for cubby space either while the door bins are huge.
Build
quality is solid, typically Volkswagen, yet the hard plastic along the
dashboard and door cappings is not what we normally get from a VW. Smacks of
saving the pennies.
My
top small SUV is still a Toyota Yaris Cross but T-Cross has been a pleasant
surprise and makes my top five coming in at number four behind the Ford Puma
which is great to drive and the Skoda Kamiq.
Fast
facts
T-Cross
SE
£22,905 (£25,825 tested)
1-litre
petrol; 108bhp
0-62mph
10.8secs; 117mph
49.6mpg
combined
130g/km.
1st tax £190
Insurance
group 9
Boot: 385-1281 litres
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