2024 Volkswagen T-Roc review

The VW T-Roc is a great small SUV.
If you are looking for an alternative to the Toyota Corolla Cross, Hyundai Kona, Nissan Qashqai, Kia Seltos or MG ZST, then it could be a walk-up start.
That's because it's really well packaged, so long as you don't need excessive second-row space, and it comes decently priced, too. There's a range of models available, including a super speedy VW T-Roc R model, which is the most affordable way into the R lifestyle in Australia these days.
With four variants to choose from, decent tech and safety, nice driving manners and smart styling, there's good reason that Volkswagen has seen the T-Roc compact SUV shoot to the top of its sales charts in Australia in 2023.
So, should you look at one? Yep, I reckon so! Check out my review to see why.
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00:00 Intro
00:35 Is it the right price?
02:21 What are the best alternatives?
03:58 Is it the right size?
05:14 Interior
08:32 Under the bonnet
09:32 Driving
13:33 Efficiency
14:54 Is it safe?
15:44 Ownership
16:26 Verdict
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Hyundai Kona review: • Hyundai Kona 2024 revi...
Toyota Corolla Cross review: • Fuel efficient and fam...
Nissan Qashqai review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZm1faafaKqLis0
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#volkswagen #suv #review

[@williamross7897]

thanks for the great review - really hate the reviewers that only review the expensive top spec models (eg Paul M) you're my go to guy when sorting out my up coming purchase

[@b.deslashdriver5249]

Hey Matt, great road test of the VW. What I really liked was you showing its direct competition with your analogy of their pros and cons. Keep it up. Rgds BD

[@therightcar]

Thank you mate! I try and keep it relevant and help people out with alternatives. I know people tend to research a bunch, shortlist a few, and test drive one or two. That’s the reason I offer “also considers” in my reviews.

[@meerkat_jimny]

Recently bought the 1.4TSI for my wife and she managed to get 16,3Km/L aka 6.13L/100Km on a 45kilometer round trip. And the engine only had 534Km on the clock. She stated that she didn’t drive it slow and maintained normal highway and traffic flow speeds. Really great for a car that’s still new.

[@MarthaStam76]

Nice video. I just bought this version with 110HP. Very nice car. I'm happy with my choice. It's really a beautiful car, very economical and reliable.

[@MrMrRobot]

Great Review. I just took delivery of an R-Line - my first Volkswagen and the smallest car I have owned for 40 years. So far, no complaints. It is a little rocket with all the bells and whistles - can't imagine why you would need the full R apart from the status. No way you could use 220kw in my view.

[@greenchutneyman]

Can I put regular unleaded into this? Or do I have to go with premium?

[@Sh.aqrabawi1]

I bought my tiguan 2014 in 2013 and it's still doing great.. t roc will be my next car.. i dont really get how vw cars are being compared to Toyota or Nissan cars !

[@351tgv]

Matt, great review even if I have no interest in the actual vehicle being reviewed.

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate!

[@glenncoreyjp6854]

Great review Matt. I note that VW are currently offering the CityLife at $36,990 drive away with good finance deals. That appears very good value compared to MRRP and against its competitors. Your thoughts at this driveway price? As a commuter car, this or an MG4? Thanks for your channel.

[@therightcar]

No worries mate. Glad you enjoyed the video. I think if you are set up for electric and willing to deal with the inconveniences that currently exist with it - as in, if you have home charging capability and aren’t likely to do big road trips - then MG4 makes sense. A lot of sense. But if you aren’t sure about the change to EV, and you want a more conventional drive, the T-Roc is huge value.

[@ericchang9959]

Hi Matt, thanks for your excellent demo of the VW T-Roc. Can you please suggest, if going with Skoda, which one would be worthwhile in line with VW T-Roc, KAMIQ could be? Also which one would you recommend me of small/medium SUV for myself, Semi-retired, enjoy playing Golf so I will need to carry two set of Golf bags & buggies. I am not a big fan of ultra modern tech, but in favour of reliability and safety in mind.

[@therightcar]

Thanks so much mate. I think if you're looking for a bit more space, then the Karoq is the one you want. It even has removable second-row seats if you need more room! I think you could also take a look at the Honda ZR-V. Could be just right for you. Cheers Matt

[@csxtamas]

What exact color it is? Is it the Indium gray or another kind of grey?

[@iEnofadov]

Cheers for the review Matt! I was really looking forward to seeing this, as I was originally tossing up between the Volkswagen T-Roc CityLife 110TSI and the Skoda Karoq Style 110TSI. I would've been happy to go with the T-Roc CityLife as it has a pretty good standard list of features for a base spec car, a decent engine and drivetrain and the roof isn't black! It's also a nice looking thing too! The Drive Away price, I think, is good in todays market. If COVID hadn't happened, this would probably sit around the $32K mark. I bought the Karoq Style over the T-Roc CityLife for a few reasons and some of them were the size of the boot, the versatility of the rear seats, it has a few more standard features over the T-Roc CityLife and I do like the more conservate style of the Karoq overall. I took delivery of it last week and I'm really enjoying it! The road noise on some road surfaces is also a thing in the Karoq, but I'm still pretty happy with it.

[@therightcar]

Thanks for the comment mate, and great to hear your feedback. No bad choices between those two SUVs, and so long as it fits your needs, you're on to a winner!

[@Phoebuszie]

Great review to me the cx-30 is a good one to compare. Kinda practicality (VW) vs style( Mazda), if you ask me. What would your pick be?

[@therightcar]

I’d go the VW. More refined. Updated CX-30 review coming next year.

[@grandazzo]

Of course the T- Roc. More room, more power and not a flat windscreen

[@AhmedFahmin]

Any plans on reviewing the new hybrid Kona?? It's impossible to get a new hybrid corolla cross. Petrol one is in the market but with the increase in fuel price, hybrid sounds good

[@therightcar]

Yep, I do plan to review hybrid Kona. Be a few weeks before I get one though. Stay tuned. Have you called dealers outside of your area for Corolla Cross? Shop around - even interstate. You never know.

[@AhmedFahmin]

@@therightcar No luck. Tried 3 dealerships. They just show me a spreadsheet and throw some numbers. What do you think about Lexus LBX hybrid?

[@therightcar]

Bugger, that's a shame@@AhmedFahmin -- where are you based? And where did you call? I haven't driven LBX yet, but it seems an interesting package. It builds upon the Yaris Cross, which isn't the most refined hybrid (check out my review), but in high spec Urban guise, maybe a Yaris Cross could be a good alternative?

[@AhmedFahmin]

@@therightcar I went to Chadstone Toyota, Brighton Toyota (they own 2 dealerships), and Melbourne City Toyota (they own 4 dealerships). I think I need to try something far from the city (probably in the west). Meanwhile, I've already put a deposit down for the Kona hybrid (subject to a test drive). Let's see how that goes.

[@user-wh8pe8sk1n]

Between VW T-Cross Style and T-Roc CityLife, which one do you recommend?

[@therightcar]

If you just want a really small SUV, buy the T-Cross. But the T-Roc is a more accomplished feeling thing in terms of size, space and refinement.

[@atan5207]

For your money Matt which one would you prefer VW T Roc, Hyundai Kona, Nissan Qashi, Kia Seltos, corolla cross or Honda HRV? Since you have driven them all.

[@therightcar]

Hey mate My preference (no budget specified) would be: 1 - Toyota Corolla Cross (must be hybrid) 2 - Nissan Qashqai 3 - Honda HR-V (but only if you can live with four seats?) 4 - VW T-Roc 5 - Hyundai Kona - because annoying tech 6 - Kia Seltos - because annoying tech Now, that’s assuming the budget is good. It may change if you’re only looking at base models.

[@user-bu8gb1yd1j]

@@therightcar Why is the Corolla in first place? It is very simple and does not evoke emotions

[@cellardyke100]

IO have read that they are not cheap to maintain and only like the premium fuel...this could all equate to costly small vehicle ????

[@GlowingTube]

Yes, they cost a bit more to maintain and they do use 95 RON, but are highly efficient. For me, I saved $6K buying this over a Japanese or Korean SUV. That buys a lot of maintenance and repairs. So far, mine has been perfect and is very well built.

[@arjun.paliath]

What do you reckon the service costs will be and will it last? I have been in the market for a AWD SUV for a while and while I initially considered the T-Roc a lot of people told me to avoid German cars outright since they are expensive to maintain and service. I have since then started looking at Japanese or Korean. Do you think this is better than the outgoing variant?

[@acde9355]

Volkswagen has its comprehensive capped price service plan, which you can include in your car's finance package. It comes with $2450 as I just searched it, which is not cheap. The reliability is not a problem within its warranty period, not to mention that the reliability of new Volkswagen cars is good enough for city driving.

[@djizzah]

Any German car is poorly built and will not last, any Toyota or Honda is well built, Toyota being a bit cheaper to maintain and purchase with a better resale, 6-8 years would be an extraordinary long time to own VW without a slew of issues whilst a Toyota will be at least 15 years plus maintain resale value

[@tomsoleymanbik3266]

​@@acde9355are you serious? Wait till the 5 yr warranty runs out and the labour required to fix overly complicated VW cars especially with Australian labour charge rates. Do yourself a favour if you want a small SUV of this size get a Mazda CX30 with 2.5 ltr naturally aspirated. Thank me later goes better, better luxury, cheaper servicing. And it will last no shitty small displacement turbo engine and no CVT.

[@acde9355]

@@tomsoleymanbik3266 First, I'm a Mazda owner. As I said, the $2450 servicing cost of such a small car is insanely expensive, so I didn't buy any of the Volkswagen. However, being expensive to maintain is probably the only problem that stops someone from buying a Volkswagen.

[@acde9355]

​@@djizzah 6-8 years is a long enough time to own a car. Unlike Americans, Australians tend to buy new vehicles when newer ones are available. I do notice that there are a lot of old used cars, which are owned mainly by new younger people, some of them are students or new immigrants. Cars need to flow within the country from a new car market to a used car market. In other words, most owners would not hold a car for more than 7 years, and they also shouldn't hold that car for such long because poorer people are waiting for your old car to be their first car.​

[@GlowingTube]

It’s excellent value. It’s a shame the rear seat legroom is so tight. The other possible negatives are a minimum of 95RON, brakes like cardboard that will cost around $1,500 every 40,000kms or so, expensive servicing, crumbly plastics after 4 years or so, plastic water pump that dies regularly, lots of under bonnet plastics that die young and a host of other VW maintenance and reliability delights. Tempting, but no.

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate. Get to Repco and get on the tools and do the pads yourself 😎

[@GlowingTube]

@@therightcar I wish I could

[@GlowingTube]

@@therightcarMatt, I had a look at one and the rear legroom is ok. It is excellent value.

[@GlowingTube]

I ended up buying a City Life, the price and immediate delivery was just too tempting. Fingers crossed on reliability and I'm ok with the higher running costs given that I'm around $6K ahead of it's logical competitors.

[@williamross7897]

just found out the T Roc has a timing belt instead of the more reliable timing chain - thats a no purchase for me

[@therightcar]

Good on you. Due diligence pays off!

[@7135HOLLY]

Sadly VW isn’t bringing this car to the US.

[@therightcar]

Wouldn’t it be too small?

[@buncha5651]

Only positive for me is the conventional 8 speed auto it's a shame it's not in the R version. Negatives are no Android auto? Expensive service, road noise,

[@351tgv]

it has "wired" Android Auto, Matt forgot to mention it. 8-speed torque converter with paddle shifting option is great with the minor downside extra fuel consumption as its the heavy ZF based transmission in this spec.

[@acde9355]

I don't appreciate an 8-speed torque convertor gearbox, but I don't hate it either. Of course, this technology is not the best for driving dynamics and fuel efficiency. And even worse, the Autohold function is absent on the 8-speed model.

[@therightcar]

Sorry yeah Android Auto is available, but I forget there are people who haven't seen the light so always talk about Apple :D

[@buncha5651]

There's a lot of us that aren't deciples of Steve Jobs.

[@PH-kl5qq]

My biggest dislike of this car was all the hard scratchy plastic.

[@therightcar]

Truly?

[@PH-kl5qq]

@@therightcar I swear!