NEW VW T-Cross review - better than a T-Roc? | What Car?

The VW T-Cross has been given some big updates for 2024, but how does it stack up against other small SUVs, including the Ford Puma and Volkswagen T-Roc? Watch our in-depth review of the new T-Cross to find out.
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Video chapters:
0:00 VW’s small SUV range
1:33 Facelift changes
2:27 Engine choices
3:15 Interior review
4:20 T-Cross tech
5:45 Visibility and storage
7:12 Rear seats
8:19 Boot space
9:41 Performance
11:10 Driving impressions
12:30 T-Cross over a T-Roc?
13:34 Rivals
13:59 Trim levels and VERDICT

[@mikadavies660]

SMALLEST..... Starting at £24,000 but actually £30,000 for the 1.5ltr that you are looking at...!! Does no-one see how mental these prices are.... A "jacked up" VW Polo for £30k! No wonder people are keeping their old cars for longer and NOT BUYING NEW CARS....

[@smitabhmoitra5726]

It's good that people are keeping old cars to be honest. Why change cars unless yours is starting to have serious issues? There are absurd amount of perfectly workable cars that are sat in dealerships. We talk about environmentalism, but changing cars so often means more manufacturing, which means : 1) much higher prices 2) the environment suffers Of course if you're wealthy, throw your money around how you like. Not many people are wealthy enough to really make a dent by buying a few cars.

[@msimomi]

I'm keeping my hybrid Lexus IS until it dies. It will probably outlive me though

[@cmartin_ok]

but you can't get the Polo with more than 94bhp in the UK. You have to pay a lot more for an Audi A1 if you want a VW or Audi supermini with over 100bhp

[@chrissimmonds3844]

@@cmartin_ok There's also the Seat Ibiza.

[@cmartin_ok]

@@chrissimmonds3844 Seems also limited to 94bhp in the UK

[@RasheedKhan-he6xx]

Just came back from a working holiday in Italy and had one for a week. Comfort is fine, 6 hours on Italian roads can get a bit rattly but I wasn't too creased up or creaky at the end of a day's driving. Power is fine. Judging by the 5 speed manual gearbox I must have had the base engine; not much acceleration but managed to reach and hold decent speed on the motorway. Maneuverability is fine. Threading through narrow streets in Tuscan villages was a doddle as was parking etc. Overall I would say I was grateful to this little car for keeping my journey uneventful and getting me wherever I needed to be in safety and comfort.

[@lewis02mc]

The size of those bezels around the infotainment display is just beyond laughable, same goes for the “upgraded” larger screen option. Can’t believe that in 2024, a new Dacia Duster has a nicer looking infotainment screen than a VW product! 🤣

[@vp272]

This actually looks good in lower spec match trim. Like the chunky styling but it is looking abit tired inside

[@OzgunDoganbaloglu]

You mentioned all important points. Thank you.for a good review.

[@alessandrohudson5221]

I have one thing to say (actually two). The first one: Your T-Cross is much better (and more cheaper) than our in Brazil. The second one is that I didn't like the rear lights, seems like the Jeep Renegade. In this color with turbo engine and sport wheels gets nice. Taigo in Brazil is named Nivus!!

[@andrewfordrey3560]

I bought the T cross style, I believe it’s the only one that comes with iq matix lights with bars front and back plus iq drive assist. I think iq matrix light are extra on other models at around £1000

[@MLife1972]

Super review. I'm a bit annoyed that the 1.5 litre isn't available in Australia as that size car with a zippy engine would be a hoot.

[@Brian-om2hh]

I looked at one of these a year or so ago, prior to trying a Skoda Kamiq. The Kamiq felt wider internally, had way more rear passenger leg room, due to it's 5 inch longer wheelbase, which also offers a longer rear load bed with the rear seats folded. The T Cross didn't just "gel" for me, so I chose the Skoda....

[@linkin543210]

Surely there is a price fixing going on by big manufacturers?

[@pierrejacobs5850]

By every single one of these auto-manufacturers, NOT EXCLUDING VW!

[@David-Dumont]

Glad they still offer the stick Id never buy anything but manual or an AT for daily driving

[@erics2147]

Does it have a spare wheel (essential until our roads are fixed) ?

[@cmartin_ok]

VW now charge extra to supply a spare wheel and jack. Until fairly recently they used to be standard, one of the few car makers to have still done this. I won't buy a car unless it has a spare but I do object to having to pay extra. Now I can't afford to buy new, it's going to make buying a car much more difficult

[@aldeacristian4582]

Considering a Cupra Formentor starts from around 30k for base spec with the 1.5 TSI and a base spec Formentor already has a lot of kit on it, it just makes the T Cross, Taigo and T Rog look like bad value for money

[@twistsouth514]

Formentor is lush inside as well. Mate just bought one.

[@lionelfarres2846]

TSI 150 DSG is one of the best combo small 4 cylinders petrol engine and automated gear box, sharing the first place with the TCE 160 EDC 7 available on Renault Captur.

[@m80116]

Which is probably far more reliable than the VW.

[@mitchreeves1]

I like the 1.4T Suzuki boosterjet.

[@jaybal600]

Got the 1.5 with DSG in my Tiguan. Low rev power when pulling away is almost dangerous at fast junctions and roundabouts. Have to be conscious of this weakness when driving.

[@twistsouth514]

@@jaybal600put it in sport mode. These days “D” is eco mode and “E” is almost unusable. Sport gives you all the power available and doesn’t gimp the throttle curve.

[@JR-fw2jo]

The prices on these are insane

[@musiclistens12]

well its really cool but theres a problem the car inside is kinda soft and the seat is so flat and its kinda electric like tesla and well the engine kinda heated up and it need a cooler down so the tire suspension is kinda a bit problem its really refrencing from the cyber trucls suspension if that has been tried then how much is it?

[@alangordon3283]

Are you inebriated

[@jdmguy44]

Outclassed by the Peugeot 2008

[@shawkat1649]

The Nissan Juke is better compared to the T cross. More discounts available. Comes with a Lower Starting price and has a decent interior as well.

[@whatthe6532]

Still got the bouncy torsion beam rear end???

[@adams7405]

It has..most people won't ever notice any difference

[@joe80ss]

Ok, so tcross initial purchase is value for money, but what about servicing and parts and general running costs. Vw still one of the highest priced parts around.

[@aldeacristian4582]

TBH VAG cars are not terrible value for maintenance… plenty of good quality aftermarket parts, also most garages know how to work on them

[@graemetaylor629]

had to switch off before watching the vid after you said the price ! £30.000.00 ffs

[@beautyofnature4890]

Don't like still have manual hand break

[@CKGoldiing]

Brilliant review Will - as comprehensive as Einstein's Tinder profile

[@cowtc]

Not sure why but every time I come across a T cross on the road, it’s been driven aggressively. Same with majority of Nissan Jukes

[@aye3678]

Near where I am, T-cross drivers are old people.

[@jdmguy44]

​@@aye3678yeah that's what I see too. Always driven very sedately by oldies.

[@ivangalea8628]

So many errors! The R-Line doesn't have the front lower cornering lights unless you upgrade to the IQ Light LED Matrix Headlights.. Also, the 114hp engine is a DSG automatic, not a manual. And the yellow is actually called Rubber Ducky Yellow. But a nice car all the same!

[@stevenjones916]

Are you in the UK ?

[@kidfreejones]

For a that'll do little car, when we want slighty higher seating to match the rest of the road these days, this is a cool offering. Good for those who aren't "car" people but want to feel good about what they have.

[@toyotaprius79]

No wonder small cars have turned into unaffordable SUV mock ups with record.profit margins.

[@toyotaprius79]

🥱😒 that crossover lump. Anyone remember what cars have become?

[@Incoherent-excitement]

Think they removed blind spot detection on t-cross, which is a huge let down

[@johnlaine2654]

In Australia Blind Spot was removed after the Covid shutdown. Laughingly now that chip shortages are no longer an issue it still hasnt come back. I have a 2021 Style model ( here there is only the 1 Litre TSI with the 115 BHP engine and Auto Only) and the Blind Spot was standard . It’s good around town and a bit short of power at Highway speeds.We also get a 5 Year unlimited Klms Warranty. Over 2 years I have had Front Disc rotors and pads replaced due to warping ( twice).Funny thing is First set was covered under warranty,but the 2nd was denied as I changed the 17 inch Factory alloys to 17 inch after market ones( this was After the 1st replacement. VW. Blamed it on the alloys. So why did the 1st brakes fail? They wouldn’t say but told me I shouldn’t change from the Factory supplied Brand of tyres either?What? Actually the original tyres were put back on the new wheels.Anything to get out of a warranty claim. Won’t buy another VW… and I have had several.Customer Service stinks here in Australia.

[@robertwalker1742]

Price is a lot when you compare to a XC40, that car is much better built.

[@sebastianstoica578]

Does anyone know why there is that cut in the headlights where the meet the bonnet? It's the same thing in the new Duster.

[@chasf3433]

Dated engines with not even mild hybrid tech let alone full hybrid. Cheap suspension but high prices. No thanks.

[@toyotaprius79]

E X A C T L Y

[@oliverlowe7137]

How do you miss that grape yellow was changed to rubber ducky yellow after a vote on social media!!!!

[@jimviv6030]

Just get a Kamiq.

[@Brian-om2hh]

I did......

[@jamesjames8174]

No rear air vents, boo!

[@zianeshkasparen4358]

Bummer. No mo Diesel.

[@roughsponge]

So should you buy a T-Cross?. My 2019 SEAT Ibiza with 15,000 km has the DSG micro switch failure with nagging idiot light, now out of warranty I find the cost of a $1 switch will cost me $462.55 NZ that doesn't include fitting and this has happened to thousands of VAG owners, I would never buy VAG group vehicles again. Scandalous!

[@kb8570]

Too expensive. Your better off buying a 2 year old Tesla for the same price.

[@simonp9075]

Boring and all VWs are so over priced. Will loose so many sales across Europe to the new sensibly priced Dacia Duster with great looks, good tech and is a full hybrid and and a real 4x4 all for cheaper money, that is why its already Europe's best selling SUV.

[@mitchreeves1]

I've driven loads of different small SUV's in recent moments (Captur, Juke, T-Cross, Puma, Duster, Kamiq and Vitara). For me, i thought the Vitara was the best. It's the only one that actually feels like an SUV. All the others feel like jacked up superminis (which they are). I drove the 1.4T SZ5 mild hybrid with Allgrip and a manual transmission. It works excellently. Whats strange is car reviews give it such an average score. Other cars in the competion may have more upmarket interiors, but they dont look nor feel like an SUV nor do they feel like they will last (apart from the Duster, that car is excellent for the money and feels like it will last). Only issue with the Vitara is the first years depreciation. It loses around £10k in 18 months but then holds onto its value well after that. Duster is by far the best new car here for the money conscious, especially the new one they're bringing out. The best all rounder by far was the Vitara. There's so much kit on the car and its very nice to drive and cheap to run, you get 7 years warranty with Dacia and Suzuki too.

[@jdmguy44]

Only thing that holds the Vitara back is the interior. A shame as it's otherwise a very good small SUV. The drivetrain in typical Suzuki/Japanese fashion is a highlight. A four cylinder turbo engine and mild hybrid tech as standard with the (unusual for this class) option of 4WD. I'd have one at the right price.

[@mitchreeves1]

@jdmguy44 I don't even think the interior is that bad. Everything you actually touch is of nice quality and it has a real robust feel to it all. The seats look and feel great. I was amazed at how refined it is inside. The infotainment system is good but it's looks is what let's the interior down, it looks like it's a Halfords aftermarket fit!

[@tim_ashton]

This is just a cosplay of a Ford interior

[@truthseeker9988]

👍👍

[@jordancarragher7752]

Probably one of the most boring interiors out there

[@PrevailingTruth0]

Why did you say that?

[@NicasiusDeVries]

VW getting uglier and uglier while Peugeot getting slicker and hotter

[@ozamosantuwe]

Lame titles as always😢

[@mert2mert]

You know what? It's OK for you to earn money thanks to other countries' viewers rather than yours but you don't give a damn about mentioning things like l/100km (or writing in paranthesis on the screen) etc. It's a real shame. Don't expect thumbs up, subs, notifications...

[@martinallinson1549]

Utter shi*e. I'd rather have a Dacia

[@jameswhiteside8696]

I suffer with terrible insomnia, but all these generic SUV type dullard machines, are great to fall asleep to😂😂

[@toyotaprius79]

They're even better for squeezing record profits to create record dividends and record inflation for everyone else.