Volkswagen T-Cross Review: Long Term Introduction

The 2019 Volkswagen T-Cross has officially entered the TWFLD long-term vehicle fleet. Volkswagen completely discarded the rules when coming up with the T-Cross for the 2019 model year, so we’ve snagged one to start a month-long test. The new, small Volkswagen compact crossover left quite an impression on us when we drove it for the first time. So much so, we had to have it again.

For starters, the T-Cross uses the same MQB A0 platform that the Polo, we’ve come to love. The T-Cross measures in 2.55 metres long. It may not sound like the biggest SUV out there, but VW have somehow added some voodoo that give the ride a “surprising amount of room” inside.

Volkswagen did it by starting with a proven platform. Both the Polo and T-Cross share the same basic underpinnings, which means that even though the Polo is much shorter than the T-Cross, it has the same wheelbase. That translates to a frankly incredible amount of room for both passengers and baggage.

What We Got

Volkswagen offers the T-Cross in three different trim levels, and we got the mid entry TSI Highline DSG kitted to its best self. This means all the tech and luxury goodies are on-board, but it also means a R365 000 base price before the extras charge is tacked on. Design Package in Energetic Orange, Beats sound system, Discover Media (includes Navigation), Active Info Display, Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control (includes Blind Spot Monitor, Foldable Mirrors, Lane Assist and Front Assist) and Keyless Entry, nudged our car’s final price to almost an additional R50 000.

As we mentioned, our T-Cross comes with the 1.0-liter boxer three-cylinder. It makes a whopping 70kW and 85kW of power. Only on the open road does it feel quick and at home, but it’s not painfully slow in the city either. However, we’re afraid to see what might happen with a full load of people and gear on a weekend getaway. Look out for updates on that one.

As for the standard features we get with the Highline trim, there are many as additional standard features to the Comfortline which include Comfort Sports Seats, Inductive Wireless Mobile Charging, Driving Profile Selection, Climatronic Aircon, LED Headlights, Composition Media with App-Connect and 18-inch ‘Cologne‘ alloy wheels. How nice.

Why we got it

The compact crossover segment is hotter than it ever has been. That sentence was applicable for a long while before this story, and likely will be for a long while after it. Car companies are positively flooding the market with crossovers, and the T-Cross continues the fight against the Hyundai Venue, Kia Seltos, Ford Ecosport, etc. This newest entry is designed to have more mass appeal than anything before it, and Volkswagen is on a roll – consider last year’s sales figures proof. An attachment to this article. Volkswagen is moving a staggering amount of cars off lots these days, especially in our markets where standard front-wheel drive counts for a lot.

We want to know if the T-Cross is the right crossover to continue that success. After just a short time with the car, we’ve discovered a superbly comfortable ride and a ton of space for people and gear. The huge windows also make for excellent visibility, something lacking in many new compact crossovers.

Make sure to follow along throughout our month with the T-Cross to see what we think of this exciting model that Volkswagen has introduced. And yes, there will be dogs.

Photography is by Harmonix

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#Ford #Ford EcoSport #T-Cross #Volkswagen #Volkswagen T-cross

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Papi Mabele

Papi Mabele has a marketing background, he is a digital marketing expert with extensive experience in launching and building global brands in the emerging markets. Papi is also an avid tech writer, enthusiast and all round tech junkie. As a freelance writer and analyst he has been numerously published in Popular Mechanics (SA), GQ South Africa, Premier Magazine, Driven Magazine, Bloem News, Courant, The Weekly, Enthooze Magazine and PiE magazine amongst others.