2025 Volkswagen T-Cross review

The VW T-Cross has just seen a pretty major update, with a revised exterior look, new interior finishes, and heaps of new equipment fitted as standard.

It might cost a little more than before but you're getting more for your money, and compared to some of the other cheap SUVs on the market, this one feels like it's playing in another league.

So, is there anything that isn't good about it? You bet, and you'll have to watch the full video to find out!

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BEST ALTERNATIVES:

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00:00 VW T-Cross
00:26 Is it the right price?
02:33 What are the best alternatives?
04:14 Is it the right size?
05:59 Interior
11:21 Under the bonnet
12:05 Driving
16:01 Efficiency
17:11 Is it safe?
18:09 Ownership
19:04 Verdict

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#volkswagen #tcross #review

[darrenprior]

Love these things. Wifey's owned Gen 1 R/Line for two years and 31, 000kms trouble free. I can't get over how gutsy the motor is. Can confirm it's capable of 209km/hr but driven more sensibly sucks as little as 4.5L/100km on a country run. The torque is amazing. Never feels gutless. Always amazes me that it's a 3 pot one litre donk. I've drive Japanese cars with double the capacity motor that feel breathless by comparison. And nothing beats this car for space utilisation inside. One of the best cars we've owned for what it is.

[carolclausen]

As a pensioner just starting out in the 70 year age, this is super, going for the Life model. Thanks for your review

[virtuososiu]

Have the first gen T-Cross with R-line package, digital display, adaptive cruise, in orange . Still loving it!

[juanitao]

I enjoyed driving this car in Netherlands for the last 2 weeks. It was comfortable and quick. I love the light blue colour

[kellielambert]

I just ordered the new T-Cross after test driving it, the Ford Puma and the Skoda Kamiq. The Puma was my second choice and then the Kamiq. I didn’t like the back windows on the Puma and the limited vision they provide. With regard to the Kamiq, I hated the interior from the moment I sat in the drivers seat, the all black specs were too dark and for me, the lighter colours in the VW was what I was after 😊

[rickb]

At the entry level you'd be mad not to go the related and recently updated Skoda Kamiq Select for $34, 990 driveaway...exact same drivetrain but 17" wheels not 16", better climate control panel, it has keyless entry and start plus still comes with LED headlights and digital instrument cluster but the kicker is .. the Skoda comes with a 7yr warranty not VW's stingier 5 yr warranty!

[familyaccount]

Matt, with a 18% price increase on the mid spec model, and a 55% increase on the 5 year maintenance plan, this vehicle cannot present great value. The Skoda Kamiq offers far greater value with a 7 year warranty. No mention of significant warranty issues with the DSG gearbox and premature brake pad wear. You have to be stupid to spend money on this car (thanks Mara).

[johnlaine]

Hey there, mate, I bought a 2021 T Cross Style with the Sound and vision pack and have only had a front brake problem in that time. In regard to the DSG Lag as you called it.Not a problem as my Mk 7.5 Golf had the same issue. I overcame this simply by nudging the T Bar into the Sport mode before taking off at lights or roundabouts. Then when mobile just flicked it back into Drive, this solved the lag. I use the extra space in the boot for carrying my wheeled walker(mobility issues), okay it means. One can use the rear seat but for me it’s not a problem. Great little car to drive and while not the most efficient around town due to the small engine and Turbo ( around 6.7 - 7.5), it actually can go almost to 4.5 litres per 100 klms on the highway.
I would consider this new model if I had a reason for doing so.

[iEnofadov]

While the updated Volkswagen T-Cross is a huge improvement, and I do like the car, it's just simply outclassed by the updated Skoda Kamiq! The Skoda Kamiq 85TSI Select ($33, 990 Drive Away) is not only $1, 000 cheaper than the Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI Life ($34, 990 Drive Away), it's also better value, when you compare what you get in the Kamiq over the T-Cross! And then when you add the optional 'Signature Pack' to the Kamiq 85TSI Select, which brings with it even more niceties for an extra $4, 200, it's still some $1, 800 cheaper than the next trim level up in the T-Cross range, the T-Cross Style! At $39, 990 Drive Away for the T-Cross Style, it's only $1, 000 cheaper than the larger and recently updated Skoda Karoq 110TSI Select, at $40, 990 Drive Away! Then throw in Skoda's better new car warranty (7 Years/Unlimited km) over Volkswagens (5 Years/Unlimited km) and the fact the Kamiq is actually cheaper to service and own compared to the T-Cross, you really would be bonkers to pick the T-Cross over the Kamiq or the Karoq!

When it comes to replacing our 2021 Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Comfortline in the next 12 months, we'll be taking a very good look at the Skoda Kamiq 85TSI Select with the Signature Pack.

[vespucciph]

How is the noise level compared to rivals like the Toyota Yaris Cross?

[danielmaglione]

Great review Matt. I have seen pictures of the new VW T-Cross overseas, with the R-line model overseas, having heated seats and the bigger 9.2 inch screen is there a reason why Australia does not get those features. Also do you know why we don't get the bigger 1.5L engine like in european markets.

[StoychoBalchev]

mid display facing the rear pasangers is a nice touch ... very driver focus

[JF-dinr]

I’d say the Ford Puma was the best in this segment. Too bad ford Australia doesn’t know what to do with its portfolio.

[goldfools]

I am a ice engine kind of guy. Diesel is my poison.
Battery EV’s are making a lot of sense. The R&D is being spent that way. I don’t think you can block out the EV tide just because it doesn’t fit your narrative at this time.
It’s changing and it’s changing fast.

[BoggyPasso]

Have a R line and have done 60K in 4 years country driving
DSG are better if you stick your foot into it😁
Had the Nissan in France recently not nice particularly if you are on fast county roads
We average 4.9 klm per 100 k’s
98 is our std fuel

[beograd]

nice review as always, and it just confirmed my preference to Škoda Kamiq over T-Cross. One thing that popped in my mind during this review is when you mention stop start feature. My question may be silly but I will ask anyways. How does stop start system affects turbo? Shouldn't you run your engine around 30 - 60 seconds after you stopped your car to give it time to cool it down? Some traffic lights will take longer to change than others. So does it shorten the life of turbo (stop start system)? And if does why have them together by design. And can you permanently disable stop start or have to do it every time you turn on the ignition?

[atan]

How this VW T-Cross to Skoda Kamiq. Which one would you choose Matt???

[mvnorsel]

Predictable, comfortable and agile, no mention on reliability.

[Jaramat]

The touch AC control panel is absolutely horrible. It looks bad, leaves fingerprints, and is NOT easy to use. I keep activating heated seats by accident. The picture indicating airflow direction is so tiny I can't see it. I curse it, missing classic rotary dials every single time I want to adjust the AC.

The bigger driver's display is a must have if you don't want the classic analog one. The smaller display is awful. Can't even fit speedometer next to the rev counter, you can only have one at a time and settle for a digital speed readout. Swapping additional information, such as coolant temp (not visible by default, wtf) is a pain in the arse.

The steering wheel is pretty nice but Skoda makes better to be honest. And I'm grateful VW didn't replace the rotary headlight switch for the terrible touch one they have in some models.

All in all, I'm considering selling my 2023 T-Cross and getting the Kamiq in a lower spec. It'll save me lots of money and I might even get the 1.5L 4 banger in there. They even offer it in a manual, which they don't in the Fabia.

[mindfreeze]

There are two cars you looked over, the Hyundai Venue🤮 or the Suzuki Vitara. The Vitara is a better choice than this because the boot is slightly better capacity wise(dont use litres use a tape measure), the turbo has more power and torque over this but the NA engine isnt a slouch either and you get a proper auto and not a DSG thats going to blow up a couple years down the line. Yes its not a plush inside but its more practical and has harder wearing matireals that will last alot longer (and ive seen 2015 models that still look good) and the bottle holders can take a 2l soda bottle, name another car that can do that. With that said Suzuki should start giving you more of thier cars to review.