The Volkswagen T-Roc has been a crowd favorite for years, a compact SUV that looks like it just rolled out of a trendy Berlin coffee shop. But let’s be honest: the current generation, cruising around since 2017, is starting to feel like that one friend still clinging to a Nokia 3310. Time for a refresh, and Volkswagen gets it. The second-generation T-Roc is poised to steal the show, and I’ve got a hunch it’s going to do it with flair.
Let’s start with the looks, because that’s where this car grabs your attention first. The new T-Roc isn’t a revolution but an evolution of an already solid recipe. Think of a fresh haircut: same vibe, just sharper. The fin-shaped C-pillar stays, but now it seems to slant a bit more, as if the car’s been hitting a sporty yoga retreat. The nose is sleeker, inspired by the new Passat and Tiguan, with sharper headlights connected by an LED strip across the entire width. It’s like the T-Roc hit the gym and is now flexing a six-pack. The open-worked bumper with a honeycomb pattern and integrated daytime running lights adds a dash of swagger without being over-the-top. This isn’t a loud Hyundai Kona or an overly stylized Nissan Juke. No, this is a Volkswagen: tough, but with class.
Inside, the interior has always been a bit of a sore spot. The current T-Roc’s dashboard feels a tad like a cheap plastic lunchbox, but Volkswagen has listened. The 2022 facelift already brought some soft-touch materials and a more modern infotainment system, but the new generation takes it up a notch. Expect a digital instrument cluster that looks like it belongs in a spaceship, with a central screen that can stretch up to 9.2 inches. Gone are the physical buttons, replaced by touch controls with haptic feedback for the climate system and steering wheel. It’s a bit like driving a tablet instead of a car, but hey, that’s the future. And for the gadget lovers: Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are now wireless, so no more fumbling with cables while trying to cue up your Spotify playlist.
Under the hood, Volkswagen stays true to its roots. The T-Roc still shares a lot with the previous-generation Golf, which means a wide range of engine options: petrol, diesel, and who knows what else. The sporty T-Roc R, with its 300-hp four-cylinder and all-wheel drive, remains a beast that rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. But let’s be real: most buyers will go for the sensible 1.0 TSI or the frugal 2.0 TDI, which can cover more miles on a tank than your patience in a traffic jam. The convertible version, once a bold gamble, doesn’t seem to be making a comeback. Apparently, a fabric roof on an SUV was a bit too quirky, even for Volkswagen. No tears shed, though, as a panoramic sunroof still gives you that open-air vibe without messing up your hair.
When it comes to driving, the T-Roc has always been a joy. It feels more like a raised Golf than a lumbering SUV, with a driving position that gives you the confidence of a rally driver. The suspension is firm enough to tackle corners but smooth enough to keep you from bouncing over speed bumps. And with optional DCC dampers, you can switch between comfy cruising and sporty cornering. The T-Roc R takes it to another level, with a chassis tuned on the Nürburgring. Yes, you read that right: Volkswagen took an SUV to the track and made sure it doesn’t roll over like an overexcited puppy chasing a ball.
But let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the price. The current T-Roc starts at around €23,495 in Germany, but add a few options, and you’re quickly looking at figures that make you consider selling a kidney. The new generation probably won’t be cheaper, especially with all that fancy tech on board. Still, the T-Roc remains a smart pick in a market where compact SUVs sell like hotcakes. It’s practical, with a 445-liter boot (65 liters more than a Golf, for those keeping score), and it’s got enough space for the family, a few suitcases, and that impulsive IKEA purchase.
The new T-Roc’s reveal is slated for later this year, possibly at the IAA in Munich, with sales kicking off soon after in Europe and the US. If you can’t wait, leaked images already give a good sense of what’s coming. This isn’t a car that reinvents the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. The T-Roc was already a hit, and this new version looks set to knock the Golf off its perch as Volkswagen’s most popular model.
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