Volkswagen T-Roc engines, driving and performance

The T-Roc feels safe and assured from behind the wheel – it has plenty of grip in corners and you can almost enjoy tackling a twisty B-road in it thanks to direct steering and little body roll as you tackle bends. But that’s not its true calling – it’s happiest trundling around town or bashing out motorway miles.

You bet. As well as plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel and driver’s seat, the T-Roc gives a decent view out over other traffic, and you sit noticeably higher than in a hatchback equivalent like the Golf. 

Comfort and refinement are as you’d expect from a Volkswagen – there’s not much wind or road noise when you’re up to 70mph, and the seats in all models feel supportive in all the right places. 

Likewise, the suspension delivers a good compromise between ironing out bumps and reducing body lean in corners, so although you will feel sharper bumps in the cabin, there’s no constant pitter-patter around town to get on your nerves.

Until the new hybrid engine arrives, your only choice is a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine. It's available in two power outputs: 116 and 150hp. Both are more than enough to get the T-Roc up to motorway speeds without any fuss, with the power coming in early thanks to the turbocharger and the small dribble of electrical assistance. There's no fuel economy penalty for choosing the higher-powered engine – you'll achieve up to 50mpg with either engine.

As the gear selector has moved to the steering column, there's no manual gearbox option any more.

VW is yet to confirm whether there'll be a powerful T-Roc R model this time around. For now, the 150hp petrol is the fastest option – unsurprisingly it's a bit quicker than the 116hp version. The 0-62mph sprint takes 8.9 and 10.6 seconds respectively. No one will mistake a T-Roc for a hot hatch or a sports car, but the acceleration is perfectly judged for normal driving.

The 116hp engine is more than capable of hustling on the German autobahn, given its lofty 122mph top speed. A driver in a 150hp version will pass you at 10mph more.