Volkswagen T-Roc 2022 review

Fresh-faced and fancier inside

As a compact SUV, the Volkswagen T-Roc has no shortage of rivals, but the German firm has still managed to sell more than a million of them worldwide, so the car clearly has enough appeal to compete. Even so, the car has just been given a facelift for 2022, in order to make that appeal even stronger.

The exterior styling has been tweaked slightly, but the bigger upgrades have been reserved for the interior, with a redesigned dashboard, higher-quality materials and enhanced equipment levels. Buyers still choose between SUV and Cabriolet body styles, and they also choose between six engines, two diesels and four petrols, the petrol range topping out with the fire-breathing 300 horsepower T-Roc R.

In this CarGurus UK video review, Chris Knapman has a go in the new T-Roc to see what kind of a difference the enhancements have made.

Written review:

Pros
Roomy boot on front-wheel-drive models
Comfortable ride
Engaging handling

Cons
Lacklustre interior quality on pre-facelift cars
Rear seats lack flexibility
Reduced boot space in 4Motion models

The CarGurus verdict

The Volkswagen T-Roc is one of the best small SUVs you can buy, whether you are looking at a brand new car or a used example. The cabin is roomy, the ride is comfortable and all trim levels are reasonably well equipped. The engines balance performance and economy, and the T-Roc is satisfying to drive.

We reckon the SE specification offers the best value for money. The high-spec models are tempting, but considerably more expensive considering that SE comes with everything you really need.

The biggest disappointment is the interior finish in pre-facelift cars. Like the smaller T-Cross, a used T-Roc can be disappointingly cheap-looking inside, with unappealing hard plastics. If you want even more interior space and practicality, a Skoda Karoq offers more room for passengers and luggage for a similar price. And if you can manage with a little less space, the Ford Puma is more rewarding to drive. As an all-rounder, though, the T-Roc is close to the top of the small SUV class.

Let CarGurus help you find your next car:

▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
00:00 – 2022 VW T-Roc introduction
01:49 – Boot space
02:20 – Back seats
03:27 – Interior and infotainment
05:14 – Driving impressions
08:12 – Verdict

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#cargurusuk #2022vwtroc #vwtroc

[auralstudent]

Hi, suggestion for you - instead of showing yourself most of the time, please show the cockpit / dashboard area. I think most viewers would prefer to see more of the car than the presenter. Otherwise, good video. Thanks !

[AyoBrownKid]

This is what the car should have looked like at launch. This facelift was needed & it looks great.

[tartanspear]

Have VAG solved the problem it had with the 1.5tsi engine, with it’s kangarooing etc? This was a problem from 2019.

[Olliebobalong]

If people are still talking about dieselgate as a reason to not buy anything from VAG, they really need to get a life. I do feel like its a sense of envy and jealousy, because VAG make fantastic products.

[lash]

We get the Taos in North America. Looks similar but I believe it’s on a different platform.

[olgierdxyz]

I've got a Golf 7.5 and a few weeks ago my brother bought T-Roc and he showed me how it drives. The first impression is it has much better (regular) suspension than the Golf. Nothing creaks what has been the case in my Golf from the very beginning and absorbing works a way better too. I wonder how manual gearbox works because in my Golf it sucks from the very beginning too. Overall, after a few minutes of city ride it made a very positive impression. What I didn't like was the cheap plastic smell I felt. I hope it will gone. If it didn't it would be a deal breaker for me. Air conditioning with sliders is always a bad idea and it's really hard to understand why manufactures try so hard to use them. Some kind of vendetta against its own customers?

[jpch]

This car looks amazing, is selling like hot cakes even before the facelift. Now, it's so desirable.

[PenFriends]

I feel this t-cross looks very much like a golf 7.5. The infotainment system looks a bit out dated graphically, but it’s a great car over all!

[comicssneakers]

Went for the black edition r-line, which arrived today. Can't wait to collect it next week 😬

[shakers]

Can anyone answer this question? Is there a noticeable difference in road noise between the 17 inch 215/55 Johannesburg wheels and the Portimao 18 inch 215/50 wheels.

[DannyH-xx]

Ordered mine today! Gone for the 1.5 DSG

[leekennedy]

Does the led light bar come as stand on the 2 litre 4motion?

[danielmeadows]

Could someone please tell me the difference between the 1.5L European model and the 1.4L Australian model, thank you.

[markatkins]

A really super SUV, but with CO2 emissions of 136 g/km for the 110ps, and 141 g/km for the 150ps, that is looking, uncomfortably, if not questionably high, these electrified days. The Yaris Cross, though smaller, has set a benchmark figure for small SUVs of just 100 g/km.

VW is driving forward with electric cars, and from a corporate point of view, overall ‘fleet’ emissions kind-of average out - but they need to remember that the individual buyer of the T-Roc, would probably like to feel a good deal better about the environmental impact of their new and understandably prized purchase.

[chrisward]

I have one of these r-line spec 1.5tsi dsg in kings red with optional matrix headlights so I could have the light bar, there are slight differences to the bodywork which I like since the 2019 model I had one being the bottoms of the doors are colour coded further down which looks a lot better now, the buttons on the steering wheel are touch sensitive but once you get used to it its fine you can actually press them like standard buttons too, interior is nice I opted for the sportier front seat option, and keyless and must say Me and my girlfriend are loving it I was given an 8 month wait time but 2 months later it was here even with the options I ordered. no quirks so far.

[davidpollard]

Why no mild hybrid or plug in electric version ? Poor by VW. This is 2022 after all.

[simonbpalmer]

Collecting one on Saturday..it’s in black..😎

[danprice]

Just ordered one of these. 7 months until delivery plus extra time on a waiting list. Used car prices are insane right now so that is not an option

Edit: cancelled order and went second hand PCP

[rayfordham]

After on going problems with a VAG group diesel in the past so much so
my wife almost refused to ride in it and would only do so for short journeys
I would not entertain the thought of buying a VAG group car again, but having
said that a good well balanced review once again sir but I think the company
has run out of steam and are trying to recoup the losses suffered through
diesel gate.

[marley]

This would be even better if it was a hybrid! I like the new interior too, it’s much better than the old one with them stupid colours or that awful grey Dashboard. I’d definitely like a look at one in the flesh! I was looking at a Tiguan r-line hybrid but not sure if it’ll fit in the garage even tho the garage is a bigger than normal garage.