2024 Volkswagen T-Roc R (inc. 0-100 & braking) review

If you’ve ever wanted a perfect mix between hot-hatch and SUV…this could be it. It’s the 2024 Volkswagen T-Roc R and Paul Maric has done a detailed review on it, along with a fang on our ride and handling track.
Hardness tester, noise and lane keeping results: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Read the full review: www.carexpert.com.au/volkswag...
Skip Ahead:
Intro: 00:00
Exterior 00:56
Interior 02:43
Infotainment 03:53
Safety tech 04:49
Practicality 05:22
On the road 08:34
Performance 14:42
Verdict 16:47
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#vw #troc #review

[@shirakabe]

Bought one of these new. Super practical and the performance matched with the ground clearance and storage is great. It’s very quick but practical so checks all the boxes for me.

[@DenisVujicic]

Upgraded from my old wrx to one of these and love this thing! Brakes are phenomenal, steering is sharp as, interior is a really lovely place to be. It could make a little more noise, but I guess I'll throw some mods at it soon. Interior is more practical then a golf r with more buttons, and only like 3kw less power so not even noticeable. It does have the gen4 ea888 engine with the bigger factory turbo (same as the mk8 golf r) so with a simple tune it gets 294kw+. 7 months into ownership and for me this was and still is the perfect, fun, practical, safe, daily driver. (And I have 3 kids too)

[@user-qc5vh7cb4o]

Awesome car, bought one for my wife as her daily driver, put it in eco drive mode for her to drive around town, funny when I get in on the weekend it is always in Race mode!!

[@andthen2123]

Same thing happens in my golfr..😅

[@jaydennafrica1749]

😂😂😂😂

[@AdamTSLA]

My wife had one and it never leaves race mode….

[@johnsembera2393]

😂😂😂

[@daviddemarco183]

Thanks Paul, haven’t driven mine in anger yet, now looking forward to it! Steering wheel buttons, you get used too them.

[@AgentAO7]

Great car! I fell in love with this the moment I first saw it on the road..

[@richardtgarcia]

Great review Mr Paul! Been using my 2023 T-roc R-Line for a year now and really impressed with it. I am thinking to upgrade to R but VW said it will release its new version on 2025 so I will just have to wait next year.

[@Mr_Frazza]

I was really keen on one of these being a VW Golf R owner previously however i ended up going with the sister car the Audi SQ2, mainly because of the interiour, i much prefer standard style buttons rather than the haptic touch buttons, i also found the Audi virtual cockpit to be vastly suprior to the VW, other small things is i prefer the suspension on the Audi, the non adjustable Sport suspension actually rides really well. Both are great cars and you will be happy with either choise, be great to see a current comparison between the two.

[@craigtheaker5044]

Absolutely love mine. Went fully optioned, and then added black Koya aftermarket wheels with sticky Michelin pilot sport 5 tyres, and slightly lowered with Eibach Coils to remove the top heavy SUV feels and body roll. All available power to the ground now and it’s an amazing and fun car😂

[@oggyoggy1299]

Should have got a Golf

[@yissibiiyte]

No offense, but if you didn't want the SUV feel why didn't you just get a Golf R?

[@craigtheaker5044]

Long wait for Golf 8 at the time, plus I liked the ergonomics of my little R. Sometimes it’s good to be different, but to each there own😂

[@derser541]

you bought a jacked up hatchback then lowered it... it instead of buying the better hatchback? oh my god.

[@craigtheaker5044]

@@derser541yeah the things you can do with money. Here’s a tip, work hard, save your money, and when you grow up you too can do what you want😂😂😂

[@goodarzian1349]

Hey! Great review as always! Will you recommend this car for light off road? Will you test it like the other cars you did ?

[@grandandroid6283]

I believe it's the most fun to drive in this segment.

[@Bacender]

I traded in my 2016 Golf R 6MT and bought a 2021 T-Roc R Line because I needed something my wife could drive. I've been happy with it and am currently itching to get the T-Roc R and give the regular one to my wife, but I can't get over the garbage steering wheel touch controls and the air conditioner controls that aren't illuminated at night. I'm patiently waiting for the T-Roc to receive physical buttons, at which point I'll instantly buy one. The lack of 360 camera is disappointing, but after test driving dozens of cars over the last few months I can't find anything that has such a compelling package of features, built quality, technology and performance. Eagerly awaiting the next T-Roc R with physical wheel controls.

[@kingjulian1549]

The Cupra VZX will solve some of those issues and give you a bigger cabin as well. We love ours. You can easily change the air con temp from the screen.

[@stuartmckenzie6919]

Cupra doesn’t have physical aircon/fan dials at all, it’s in the infotainment. Instantly ruled it out for me. You’ll be sad to hear the Mk8.5 Golf R will keep the haptic buttons, so it’s likely the T-Roc R will keep them too. It put me off for so long as well, but I but the bullet and bought one. No regrets, you get used to the steering wheel very quickly. I love it, you won’t look back!

[@smoothcall01]

The air conditioner buttons are lit in the T-Roc. It has a different system to the Golf.

[@yissibiiyte]

Agreed, but unfortunately it looks like Volkswagen will stick with the capacitive BS for R models. The regular T-roc might get physical buttons like the Golf facelift.

[@erasmus9627]

Totally agree. I would upgrade my T Roc Style for the R, but won't do so until VW replaces that ridiculous shiny touch control steering wheel. It has always dumbfounded me that the cheaper versions of the T Roc (like the Style) have much better steering wheels with tactile physical buttons.

[@suemcpherson1119]

Paul. I have followed your reviews for a long time. I love the way you provide all the info in your review. I am 66 yrs old and feel I should lean towards something with more safety stuff and sits a little higher. I have a Jazz at present and have always loved it(10 yrs old) but I feel as I get Older, something a little bit higher to physically get into might be the go. Puma might me the go I really love its looks and safety features.

[@sonjawicaksono4598]

Bought one of this and i love it, i was confuse buying this or used scirocco before

[@jonnyjones1292]

When are you getting your hands on the 5 door Jimny?

[@mikephan893]

Loved mine T-Roc R so much, got used to the steering wheel buttons. Just the wireless charging getting your phone hot. Will get it tuned after the warranty expired, that would be awesome.!

[@NTF-fk8en]

Why wait 5 years, tune it now man and have fun!

[@razvanciurez]

2024 Volkswagen T-Roc R Gobsmacked edition, I love it!

[@shafst1d723]

I watch a lot of your videos and think that a nice addition to safety tech would be how many airbags the car has. Awesome car. Was on the verge of buying one but settled on the Formentor instead. Mainly due to better overall cabin feel and finance offers. Do miss the physical climate control buttons though.

[@eddiet4435]

Hi Paul, 3 months ago u had review the new crv petrol version, is there any chance that u can review the crv hybrid version, ur review on the car always said more details than any others chanel, always love ur review chanel, hopefully will see U review the 2024 crv hybrid, cheers Eddie.

[@CarExpertAus]

Will try get our hands on one.

[@Stevegrande1]

The lack of 360 cameras, the seat material is shocking after only a short time, it crinkles everywhere is the reason we have held off buying one. Hopefully an updated version soon. We also like it for the fact it at least has a space saver spare unlike our current merc which relies on run flats. Merc I must say has been faultless for the last 4 years.

[@clintsecombe4641]

I got one!!!! I love it!!!! If you get a stage one tune. That's when it comes really alive!?!

[@deleted.6743]

It’s a must! 25% power increase

[@Pagelfini]

Through who?

[@CockatooMadness]

I found it a bit gutless so I bought a TDI box from the UK which added a quick 50kw which woke it up nicely. The good thing is that its untraceable when you unplug it because it basically lies to to ECU.

[@79boricuarage]

And goodbye to your warranty. Unless it's apr tune

[@clintsecombe4641]

@@79boricuarage only the best.

[@goodarzian1349]

Hey! Will you ever test off-road capabilities of this car?

[@Albert-gj1is]

Could you please test drive the SKODA fabia monte carlo 150 thanks

[@livingrickroll1576]

Was not expecting that from the t-roc hope they do more things like this and I also hope the Arteon gets improvements

[@dschonsie]

sorry, but the new arteon is cancelled

[@dschonsie]

sorry, but the new arteon is cancelled

[@dschonsie]

sorry, but the new arteon is cancelled

[@charleschin2612]

Even th earlier model ones was very fast and this one is the same 👍👍

[@EastWood2004]

Bought a Cupra Formentor instead because the troc R was built on eqb platform while the Formentor is built on eqb evo. The Cupra has hard-wired gear selector like Porsche 911 and the chassis control is more advanced. This T-roc R reminds me of golf R 7.5 which is old and outdated.

[@user-pu9fh7uz6n]

Had the golf mark 8 r but was taken out by a 4wd. But test drove this and wow it is fun to drive but not like the golf as hard center console for arm rest, the stereo was rubbish and wasnt lound at all, and road noise was crazy and felt a bit dated inside well it was the same price as a golf so ended up walking away as couldnt do it.

[@Oleksandr-snk]

I am driving Audi a3 2.0 2015. I like dynamics but I lack little off-road capabilities and higher ground clearance (since roads in Ukraine are bad). T roc is what I need now😂

[@rjblue42]

The buttons on the steering wheel are easy to live with once you've had the car for a couple of days.

[@oliver_mendi]

Great car... If you expect more than there is the RSQ3... or the cupra

[@deleted.6743]

The cupra is quite a step backwards. It’s marketed as a high end car but it’s closer to a Skoda with less features. All have the same drivetrain so this is the better car

[@coreyw427]

The brakes on this feel way better than the Cupra. Cupra looks great but also has heaps of fake engine sounds and stuff like that, which I’m not a fan of.

[@larrybremmer8147]

I like that small VW my price range thanks Paul for the content bye

[@SrikanthKodandaram]

Hey Paul, appreciate your videos. Which is the better performance vehicle? Audi SQ2 or VW T-ROC R?

[@deleted.6743]

The are the same vehicle.

[@mrevoix1]

TROC is a little more spacious in the back but the sq2 feels more premium

[@daviddemarco183]

I looked at SQ2 before I bought mine, the SQ2 is a generation tech ago inside! Totally put me off the car!

[@user-qc5vh7cb4o]

Same, plus no spare, no rear air vents, plus a few other things😢

[@sheeshman9713]

​@@daviddemarco183That older Audi interior is some of the best interiors ever made. The tech is also better than this new VW garbage with the touch sensitive buttons. Audi SQ2 over the T-Roc any day of the week.

[@mattayc]

Disappointing there was no inset capture of the dashboard on the hot lap of the track so we could see what driveline was doing.

[@arnoldmusingi6954]

Please review the volkswagen atlas

[@swedishbob_7315]

I would get the Tiguan R

[@supertaufiqr]

This or Formentor?

[@Rediffrom]

Hello, can you please bring the Mk8 Golf R on the show. Thanks :-)

[@Stig4997]

So no mention of the dangerous heating controls

[@AdonisMahasol]

Volkswagen is awesome ❤️

[@wheely90]

awesome orange peelinng paint??

[@notagain2856]

Why so many comments sounded suspiciously from bots praising vw?

[@AdonisMahasol]

Bot?haha

[@wheely90]

​@AdonisMahasol it's a thing bot account that posts comments on vids

[@tobybrowne7906]

Why don’t we get to see the speed anymore when your doing your hot lap?

[@martinzazvonil]

Despite the comment about it not being beaten in the segment, I'd actually argue the Formentor VZx is a better package. More unique styling, nicer interior (along with physical buttons on the steering wheel) and a larger interior. Plus same engine with slightly better outputs (228kW).

[@coreyw427]

Worse feeling brakes and fake engine sounds on the downside, otherwise agree

[@EastWood2004]

The Formentor was based on the eqb evo like Golf R 8 , which offers better damping control, driving mode button on the wheel. It was actually cheaper than the Portuguese built suv. To me, it was no brainer to choose the Formentor over this.

[@martinzazvonil]

@@coreyw427yeh all Cupra models could benefit with some exhaust sound.

[@coreyw427]

@@martinzazvonil It’s the fake sound which really put me off. In race mode it’s just a joke, embarrassing except to those that are so daft they believe it’s real

[@jjolla6391]

not a fan of the raised centre display panel - much preferred the original panel that didn't stick up above the natural flow of the dashboard.

[@lextaylor5661]

The reason you are seeing the DSG differences between performance vs no performance variants is that the former use a wet clutch vs the latter dry clutch. Chalk and cheese mate.

[@tonestar0183]

Awesome car but would never own a VW outside of the warranty period.

[@neshnesh4633]

Paul

[@BaleshGerd-qr5kh]

Incredible ❤🎉

[@Server1957-cx5ec]

👍

[@tomy8339]

Worst sounding horn ever! It sounded like a former Eastern block car horn. 😅

[@paultyler7535]

Volkswagen is former eastern block

[@user-fp1vm5ev1u]

VW reliability and longevity aside, this is bonkers quick for a 2.0 liter engine.

[@andret4652]

Price is insane

[@Robert_N]

As insane expensive or insane cheap?

[@danielcave7065]

I test drove one in December and honestly wasn’t blown away at all. Actually somewhat disappointed. These late model turbo dsg auto things are just fart rockets. The TRoc R was lacking the character and grin inducing fun that my mk 7 GTi had. That was a much much better car imo and although slower on paper, didn’t feel any slower to me from behind the wheel. Much prefer my current ride which is a stock and original MY05 WRX. Slower on paper than the TRoc R but it’s old school laggy turbo manual fun and that’s what I love. I doubt any VW dsg product will make me smile and giggle when you pin the throttle the way a turbo boxer four does in first and second gear. What’s next? I can’t decide between a 19-21 STI, brand new VB series WRX with mods or a Civic Type R

[@user-zn3jw8fi4q]

[@Chrizzaah]

Wouldn't it make more sense to just get a Golf R? Slight ride height increase surely doesn't give enought lift for an SUV feel. T-Roc seems to look significantly cheaper on the interior than a Golf.

[@stuartmckenzie6919]

New Golf R is significantly more expensive than this, by a long shot. T-Roc R feels low to the ground, it’s terrific. And soooo fun.

[@oggyoggy1299]

@@stuartmckenzie6919 How much is a Golf R?

[@DenisVujicic]

This also has a more practical interior, more buttons, etc.

[@EastWood2004]

Check Cupra Formentor. The interior is better than this T-roc R. And it is more fun.

[@stuartmckenzie6919]

@@EastWood2004 I tried both and went with the T-Roc R. Couldn’t do the all-touchscreen on the Formenter (it’s like the Mk8 Golf or a Tesla where you have to dive into the infotainment screen to turn the fan down - it’s ridiculous). Fun car though, but so is the T-Roc R. Very bloody fun, in fact 😁👌🏼

[@interceptor7905]

Finally review of the legendary shitebox

[@moe_1886]

Ripper of a little hot souva... sorry hot SUV / hatch! (mmm... lamb souvlaki!!)

[@jjolla6391]

space-saver spare??? eww - i was forced to drive from Coffs to Sydney at 80kph once - what happens to the boot if you replace that with a real 5th wheel?

[@vsboy2577]

Finally a fun car . No glorified electric junk. A car with a real engine.

[@stuartchappell5209]

Its a shame that reliability is pretty poor but thats the norm for cars from Europe these days 🧐🤔😎

[@42cuba]

What reliability issues?

[@djm8027]

​@@42cubaMy 2020 Tiguan had rattles and vibration in the drive line after 5000k, Sold if after 12 months before things got worse.

[@daweigo6851]

​@@42cuba do some googling....lots of info

[@42cuba]

​@@djm8027No warranty?

[@djm8027]

@@42cuba No joy there ,said it was normal , certainly wasn't, also after living with the car for a few months realized how super cheap the carpet and nasty hard plastics were. Wife's Hyundai had better quality fit out at half the price.Dont get me wrong , I wish VW were better and really wanted to buy a Arteon shooting brake or Tiguan R but after having a Subaru RB for 18 years without a single issue I have unrealistic expectations from any VW products.

[@pierreduplessis8041]

And I'm not a bigot after driving an Audi TTRS, Scirocco R, Tiguan Executive R-Line 4Motion and a BMW M2 Comp coupe in the last 12 years. And then my trusty 2019 Hilux 2.8 GDI6 auto to still cart the KTM 250 ECX and CF mountain bikes around!

[@pierreduplessis8041]

Save yourself a bag full of Aussie dollars mate. Go and buy/drive a Hyundai Kona N Performance. Better cameras, digital cluster and all the safety systems you need, including a sunroof as standard. No quirky haptic German stuff here. Heated and cooled front seats, both electrically adjustable. Lane keep assist and distance cruise control. Engage N mode, launch control and hit the NGS button and you will have similar 4.9s 0-100 performance. Mine produces 216KW and another 10KW with NGS. It is also shod with 19" Pirelli P Zero's which handle like a dream... BTW - there are no option boxes to tick that pushes the price up on the South African spec.

[@coreyw427]

AWD?

[@coreyw427]

Maybe I’m missing something but 0-100 is listed at 5.5 seconds and when tested by Paul was 5.88 seconds

[@pierreduplessis8041]

@@coreyw427 Forgot to mention. It has a mapped RaceChip RS tucked under the hood...

[@coreyw427]

@@pierreduplessis8041 Lol. Then you may as well compare to mapped T Roc R which will have 300+ kW with no hardware changes

[@pierreduplessis8041]

@@coreyw427 But mine is a cheap toy 😀 The RaceChip RS was only ZAR 8495 and took 10 minutes to install. Sure worth it for an extra 31KW and loads more torque…

[@mharro88]

That interior is shocking. Cheap as hell.

[@mrevoix1]

Really would have considered buying this car if they had updated the interior. It’s become dated and bland

[@Steven-zp8hf]

Interior does not look like a $60K+ car

[@anthonyabdo5364]

Only look for JDM cars haha anyway XL jimny please or even Scross....

[@pierreduplessis8041]

Forgot to mention. 5-year Maintenace plan and 7-year warrantee :=)

[@pepi1966]

Let me drive the cars around the track. I will show you at 240 km how it feels

[@danielahenze8094]

Car ( english language ) - Auto ( deutsche Sprache ) - Bil ( svenska språk )

[@galaga8834]

My daughter bought the city life model late last year and already is having problems with the electrics. This car is crap and VW continues the tradition of unreliability. I warned her too.

[@brandon-hh7jf]

VW....great cars for the first 5 years then along come the faults and expensive repairs. Seems to plague the VW range so not confident the T-Roc will be any different.

[@SuperBos5]

I wish my friend, ican, who currently lives in Sydney can afford this car

[@dandandan3515]

The nearly 69K driveway is too much for a small SUV. For the same price, you can get Lexus Ux F sport which is bigger and more luxury than T RoC

[@daweigo6851]

Would not have the performance thou, very different cars

[@dandandan3515]

That is SUV, really not much performance , still bad on the corner@@daweigo6851

[@Robert_N]

60K driveaway not 69K

[@bruceburns1672]

Does anybody else find Volkswagen styling so monotonously boring it could be used for people that are suffering from sleep deprivation therapy, send a patient home from the doctors with a picture of any Volkswagen with instructions to just stare at the picture until mission accomplished, which means you won't remember it happening but wake up refreshed from a good night's sleep.

[@coreyw427]

Thought that’s what Toyota’s were for (with a few exceptions)

[@bruceburns1672]

@@coreyw427 Yes they once were as boring as Volkswagen, but most of their range has some individuality and styling.

[@coreyw427]

@@bruceburns1672 definitely less bad than they used to be, still the ultimate fridges on wheels generally speaking. On the other hand, Volkswagens often have subdued styling but also deliver far more performance than the visual would suggest, just like the T Roc R. Great chassis, great engine, great transmission, great brakes and so on. Pretty cool if you ask me!

[@livingrickroll1576]

Was not expecting that from the t-roc hope they do more things like this and I also hope the Arteon gets improvements