Higher Quality & Still Good To Drive (Volkswagen T-Roc 2023 review)

Volkswagen listened to complaints and has increased interior quality in its T-Roc small SUV for 2023, but the engines for Australia remain the same - but a new T-Roc R version is available.

Time codes:
0:00 - Intro
1:10 - Design
2:04 - Boot
2:47 - Interior & Tech
5:28 - Back Seats
6:41 - Running Costs
7:18 - Driving
15:23 - Verdict

The T-Roc is available in a 110TSI Style grade with a 1.4-litre 110kW/250Nm engine or as tested in 140TSI R-Line guise with a 2.0-litre AWD 140kW/320Nm motor. There is also a T-Roc R with 221kW/400Nm and AWD now!

Rivals to the T-Roc include the Skoda Karoq, Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Honda HR-V and other small SUVs.

As always, we don’t accept advertising from car manufacturers, and we’re powered by Budget Direct - so this is an independent, honest review of the Volkswagen T-Roc.

Chasing Cars is Australia's most independent source of new car reviews, car industry news, comparisons and car guides. We give you a critical look at every new car you should consider!

[clintsecombe]

I came from a 2021 sonata nline and I just took delivery of a fully optioned “style”. Now I know the troc isn’t as power as the sonata, but that’s where the negativities stop with this car. It’s amazing to drive it quiet the tech in the car is amazing. I couldn’t be anymore happier with the troc style.

[maximumthrusts]

Rumour has it John is still doing laps of the Canberra roundabouts, desperately hoping to find the exit back to Sydney 😂

[michaelcross]

Got the 140 R Line on order. Test drive the R & wow! The Grid Edition was so tempting but I’ve stuck to the 140 R. Decided to add Nappa + Black pack but no sun roof. Gets here in Nov. no electric tailgate option though!

[PH-klqq]

Sounds petty but one of my reasons for going Kamiq over T Roc was electric seat adjustment...just didn't understand why a 45-50k didn't have electric seats haha. Good you can get it now but $4000 extra 🙄

[erasmus]

I prefer the Style version because it has proper tactile physical buttons on the steering wheel, and less shiny gloss black on the dashboard.

Whereas the more expensive R line version has horrible haptic feedback buttons and too much glossy black, which generate reflections and attract fingerprints. Also, the front grill of the Style version looks cleaner and more elegant than the R version, which looks like a giant dog bone has been attached to the lower grill.

[andrewnaghi]

We always have loved V W.
GOOD TASTE IN DESIGN AND TRADITION. Is not all. We should expect more from VW. An ergonomic design. The doors need a leap at the top otherwise you hit the head when get in the car. This issue is not only for VW. FOR ALL GERMAN CARS, FOR US CARS, FOR JAPANESE CARS TOO.
WEAK UP GUYS. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

[martingifford]

It's easier to judge a car if you start with the base model, which is the one that most people buy anyway.

[isaiahjimeno]

I have a 2021 T Roc R Line. Very happy with it, there are things on it that had to be included when I purchased the option pack such as the Sun roof, which I don't use/ don't like. I like how that is now an option on it's own. However, I do like my electric tailgate, shame you have to pay extra for that now. My version has leather nappa seats but seats are manually adjustable, that to me was never okay, however, I could not do anything about it. Our old family car which was a 2005 Toyota Camry had electrically adjustable seats and that car was no where near in price than my car now. That was one bad thing. All in all, very happy with mine, there are a few things that I personally don't like which have been rectified in this 2022 version. Would I repurchase the R line at the price they go for now? NO WAY. I'd either keep the 2021 I have or I might as well go all the way and buy the T Roc R.

[rayzor]

Here in Namibia, I put in an order for the 2.0 TSi Design model (Pyrite silver) about 4 months ago and should be arriving by the end of this month, with 17inch rims, lane keeping assist with adaptive cruise control and a reverse camera. I have opted for the cloth, alcantara type seating and that is all I ever need and it has physical buttons on the steering wheel! I believe the electric tailgate is a standard option for us in Africa. The leather seats are not nearly as expensive as mentioned in this video for us and it is electrically operated (About 1000 AUD = 12000 NAD).
I did not want to go with the R-line package for the simple reasons that I hate the touch capacitive buttons on the steering wheel, the glossy black panel on the dash and the 19 inch rims as I would not be able to live with that everyday. I went more for comfort than style as I had the pre-facelifted R-line T Roc and the hard ride was not for me.
Quite excited and can't wait for it to arrive.

[Chriseezer]

I bought the 110tsi style with every extra you could get. It was 53, 000 drive away in Canberra. Very expensive

[brissiegeoff]

Just bought a 2022 140kw R line. Love the car and it’s so easy and responsive to drive. A bit browned off that for a $45k car it doesn’t have blind spot monitors in the side mirrors. If they can fit a space saver tyre in, why not just put a full size spare in there? Surely it does save that much weight.

[whatthe]

Yep 100% ditch the leather. So over rated. Has to be heated and cooled to reach comfort level of good fabric seats.

[hueyh]

Get rid of the kick to open, that’s probably the most useful option. Have you ever tried loading a boot with a pram or a box in your arms

[geenev]

That R line AWD sounds more like the ideal.

[malcolmscott]

2 litre turbo with 140kw only seems low but appreciate understressed nature surging around on the torque - I’d want the R version I think without the naff vinyl c pillar - not sure why it’s not yet based on newer mk8 golf architecture as styling also looks a little dated too now and for the price the new A3 with same engine is tempting - ok yes I don’t like so called SUVs as marketing BS

[zaamuro]

Price premium is a bit ridiculous. Shame they don't bring the Kamiq with this engine. I feel like with 140kw, AWD is not essential. Guess it's the premium to be on the MQB A1 platform.

[MissGoggles]

why doesn't Australia import manual models?

[scollyutube]

The Formentor comparitive variants are better than this inside, outside and in pricing.
The 300hp version has a better ride too. The TRoc R is choppy, just like it's Tiguen R brother.
In this motor guise I'd prefer a Karoq Sportline too.

[Gamgamn]

bring back the golf alltrack. No one should even need or own a suv. Wagons have way more space, better handling and way more practical!

[brockhoffer]

nice review, but the camera editing moving all the time got me seasick..