Name: Volkswagen T-Cross Review
Item: Volkswagen T-Cross
Author: Gumtree.com

One of the newest vehicles in the Volkswagen line-up, the T-Cross was first launched in 2019. It’s also the smallest SUV that the German manufacturer produces, but it’s pleasingly roomy inside. The car has a great blend of driving pleasure and practicality, and it’s relatively affordable for what it offers. These savings become even more notable if you factor in the T-Cross’s range of fuel-efficient engines. Take a look if you’re in the market for a safe, convenient family car and you don’t need too much power or luxury in your driving experience.

Check out our available Volkswagen T-Cross models and learn more.

What we think about the Volkswagen T-Cross

The T-Cross is a safe, practical compact SUV that’s also pleasant to drive.

Pros

Smooth handling, with a great driving position

Efficient engines

Extremely high safety rating

Solid design

Great infotainment system

Cons

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Lack of features

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Engines are quite weak

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Not up to the usual VW interior standard

The entry-level engine on the 2020 version of this seven-seater compact SUV is a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol unit. It has a claimed fuel efficiency of around 47 mpg. Two other petrol engines are also available, as well as a diesel unit. The car’s basic trim is S, which can be upgraded to SE, United, or SEL. The range-topper is the R trim.

Driving performance of the Volkswagen T Cross

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

One of the most appealing aspects of the T-Cross for drivers is its great visibility, with a raised seating position and large windows giving you a clear view that makes moving the vehicle around a lot easier. The steering is also very light and responsive, making for an even smoother experience. The T-Cross has suspension that’s tuned to offer a decent amount of comfort when you’re taking on country roads, and there’s minimal body lean when you’re cornering on city streets.

Safety and reliability of the Volkswagen T Cross

Our Safety Rating9 / 10

The Volkswagen T-Cross was crash-tested by Euro NCAP most recently in 2019, and it achieved the full five-star rating for safety. It received an impressive 97% score for how well it protected drivers, as well as 86% for the protection of children on board. A tyre pressure loss warning system, city emergency braking system, and predictive pedestrian protection all come as standard with the T-Cross. If you upgrade to a higher trim, you can also get adaptive cruise control.

Under the bonnet of the Volkswagen T Cross

Our Engine Rating6 / 10

The entry-level engine on the T-Cross is a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder unit that provides up to 96 bhp. This sluggish engine will get you to 60 mph from standing in around 11.5 seconds. It’s tough to recommend this, particularly when there’s another 1.0-litre petrol engine that can provide around 115 bhp, with a slightly better 0-60 time of 10.2 seconds. If you can afford to shell out a little extra, the 1.5-litre petrol engine, providing up to 148 bhp, is definitely the one to go for. A 1.5-litre diesel is as slow as the smaller petrol engines, without much better efficiency.

What you'll find in the Volkswagen T Cross

Our Design Rating7 / 10

The T-Cross isn’t going to turn heads when you take it around town, but it’s definitely got a sturdy, well-built charm to it. Volkswagen has also added a few subtle features, like the side creases, to give it an extra touch of character. If you want an SUV that stands out from the crowd a little more, it might be worth upgrading to get one of the funkier optional paint jobs, which include an orange and a turquoise colour.

Comfort and interiors in the Volkswagen T Cross

Our Comfort Rating7 / 10

Inside the cabin of the T-Cross, you’ll find VW’s solid interior construction, although some of the materials are low-quality, scratchy plastics. It’s a relatively bland design, with mostly grey colours, but the steering wheel is quite aesthetically pleasing, and you can always upgrade if you want a little more flair. The dashboard is satisfyingly large and clearly laid out. In terms of space, you’ll have little trouble getting five adults in, and they’ll have a bit more legroom than they would in some rival SUVs.

What features you'll find in the Volkswagen T Cross

Our Features Rating6 / 10

The T-Cross comes with an infotainment system that can be accessed via an eight-inch touchscreen, which is one of the best on the market. Bluetooth connectivity comes as standard, as do Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone connectivity. In terms of media, the only downside is the audio. Sound quality is relatively poor, even if you upgrade to get the more powerful eight-speaker Beats system. Satnav is only available as an extra on the higher trims, and full leather upholstery isn’t available at all for the T-Cross, though you can upgrade to get metal pedal trims.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Volkswagen T Cross

Our Fuel Consumption Rating7 / 10

If fuel efficiency is something that you’re looking for, you could do a lot worse than the T-Cross, although its diesel option is a little disappointing. It will give you around 54 mpg, but this is only slightly better than the 1.0-litre petrol engine, which can get you up to 48 mpg. Opting for a more powerful petrol doesn’t affect your fuel economy figures too much. You’ll be able to get as much as 47 mpg from the 1.5-litre petrol, according to the manufacturer’s data. Lowest CO2 emissions are from the entry-level petrol, which kicks out around 134 g/km.

Running costs of the Volkswagen T Cross

Our Cost Rating6 / 10

The Volkswagen T-Cross shouldn’t be too expensive to run in the long term. Besides its decent fuel efficiency, the car’s insurance premiums are unlikely to be too high, and road tax is about standard. Volkswagen’s standard three-year/60,000 miles warranty isn’t going to save you all that much, but this is about average for the industry. However, with Kia and Hyundai both offering similarly-priced competitors to the T-Cross, it might be worth bearing in mind that these manufacturers offer much better coverage.

Our verdict of the Volkswagen T Cross

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

For buyers who need a compact SUV they can rely on, the T-Cross is a solid choice, and it also offers a surprisingly smooth ride.

Volkswagen T-Cross Review