Volkswagen T-Roc variants
Total price
Monthly payment

Finance representative example (PCP)

Total cash price £18,499. Borrowing £16,649 with a £1,850 deposit at a representative APR of 7.9%.

48 monthly payments
£256.59
Fixed interest rate
7.9%
Total amount payable
£22,438.30
Cost of credit
£3,939.30
Optional final payment
£8,272.00
Purchase fee
£10.00
Annual mileage limit
6000 miles

Volkswagen T-Roc buying guide

Available with a selection of frugal petrol and diesel engines, the premium compact SUV combines low running costs with a spacious, versatile interior and raised ground clearance to make it a great alternative to VW’s default hatchback. But if you want more of a pose, how about the high-performance R model, or the trendy Cabriolet

What Volkswagen T-Roc trim levels are there?

The T-Roc is offered in various trims, including S, SE, Design, SEL, R-Line and R (though the Cabriolet restricts choice to Design or R-Line). Active and United are high-spec special editions, while the very latest T-Rocs are offered in Life, Shine and R-Line.

Highlights of entry-level S include 16-inch alloys, cloth upholstery and dual-zone climate control. SE steps up to 17-inch alloys, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, front and rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control, while Active equipment includes privacy glass, an electric tailgate, heated windscreen and washer jets, plus heated front seats.

Design trim is distinguished by coloured dashboard inserts and a contrast-coloured roof. SEL upgrades to sat nav, a digital instrument cluster, LED lights, front sports seats, and a choice of four driving modes for 4Motion all-wheel drive models. 

If you’re looking for a purposeful appearance with affordable running costs, check out the popular R-Line trim, which adds many of the sportier exterior and interior touches of the top-spec R model, but combines them with more frugal petrol and diesel engines.

R models are standalone high-performance variants, with uprated performance, suspension and braking. R standard equipment includes sportier body styling, 4Motion all-wheel drive, and front seats in ‘Race’ cloth with Alcantara bolsters. 

Volkswagen T-Roc interior and technology

The T-Roc is sometimes criticised for a plasticky interior, but that’s only really an issue if you’re paying new-car money. For a used car, it easily feels good enough – the build quality is strong, the design is smart and there are lots of buttons to play around with. SE models and above get a multi-function steering wheel, which looks good and is intuitive.

We’d recommend going for a version with smartphone mirroring, as it means you can use your phone’s apps for up-to-the-minute navigation as well as media playback. Meanwhile, the colourful dashboard offered on Design spec adds a more playful feel to the otherwise sensible T-Roc.

Volkswagen T-Roc engine range explained

(Most popular!) Volkswagen T-Roc 1.0 TSI petrol

With no hybrid or electric versions available, it’s a good job that the T-Roc’s petrol engines are economical. You can expect up to 47mpg from the 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine, while acceleration is decent if not breathtaking. Even with the small engine, the T-Roc has enough power for any daily driving situation.

Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 TSI petrol

The more powerful 150hp petrol engine is just as economical as the smaller engine, and it’s well worth a look if you’d like a little extra power or if you’re going to be driving on faster roads from time to time. Zero-to-62mph acceleration can be done in a brisk 8.5 seconds.

Volkswagen T-Roc 1.6 TDI diesel

Diesel still has a part to play in the VW T-Roc, and the 115hp diesel engine provides a good slug of power while keeping fuel bills low. Drive gently and you’ll get almost 65mpg.

Volkswagen T-Roc 2.0 TDI diesel

Above the 1.6-litre diesel is a 2.0-litre lump with 150hp. This is still supremely economical, achieving over 60mpg on long runs, but adds extra performance that’s nearly on a par with the equally powered petrol engine.

Volkswagen T-Roc R 2.0 TSI petrol

Topping the T-Roc range is a 2.0-litre petrol with a thumping 300hp. This engine is familiar from a range of cars including the Cupra Leon, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Audi S3. With standard four-wheel drive and so much power, the 0-62mph time drops to under five seconds – this a family car with fizz.

Your Volkswagen T-Roc questions answered

Most Volkswagen T-Rocs come in a pretty conventional five-door pseudo-SUV shape, often with roof rails and body cladding for a dose of rugged looks that you just don’t get with a Golf.

What about if you like the SUV lifestyle, but want the wind in your hair? Well, astonishingly, there is a car for you: the T-Roc Cabriolet. It replaces the old Golf convertible and is a unique proposition in the market – there are no other convertible SUVs on sale as we write this.

Given that the T-Roc is usefully more practical than the VW Golf it’s based on, you might be surprised to learn that the T-Roc is actually shorter than the Golf – although only about 5cm shorter. But the extra height of the T-Roc makes it feel more spacious inside than a Golf, and you get the bonuses of its higher ride height as well.

The 445-litre boot is 65 litres up on a petrol or diesel Golf – it’ll easily swallow the weekly shop, golf clubs or several big suitcases.

Core versions of the T-Roc are offered with either 1.0-litre or 1.5-litre turbo petrol engines, or 1.6 or 2.0 TDI turbodiesel engines, while the high-performance 2.0 TSI engine is reserved exclusively for the R. The Cabriolet is available with either the 1.0 TSI or 1.5 Evo petrol units. 

Both manual and dual-clutch automatic gearboxes are available, and there’s a choice of front-wheel drive or 4Motion all-wheel drive, depending on the engine variant. 

Most T-Roc models should be able to tow small-to-medium-sized caravans. We'd avoid the entry-level 1.0-litre TSI petrol as it can only pull a 1,300kg braked trailer, but the 1.5-litre TSI petrol and 1.6-litre TDI diesel can both pull 1,500kg.

The 2.0-litre petrol and diesel models are rated to tow up to 1,700kg. A trailer that heavy may exceed 85% of the tow vehicles gross weight, however, which isn't recommended unless you're an experienced tow-car driver.

Yes, the Volkswagen T-Roc is available with an openable panoramic sunroof, but it's not standard equipment and must be ordered as an option on all trims. As a nearly new buyer, that means you'll come across examples both with and without a sunroof.

Volkswagen does offer the T-Roc with four-wheel drive, but it's only available on the most powerful 2.0-litre petrol-powered models – the 2.0-litre TSI 190 and the high-performance T-Roc R 300.

The majority of T-Roc buyers won't really benefit from four-wheel drive, however, so it's probably not worth splashing the extra cash unless you really want one of these quicker models.

Front-wheel-drive T-Rocs can happily be used all year round, especially if you fit a set of winter tyres over the colder months, which will be much more beneficial than an extra pair of powered wheels.

The T-Roc generally scores middling results in reliability surveys, although T-Roc owners usually report very high satisfaction despite the occasional niggle.

Most of the car's parts and engines are widely used across the expansive VW-Group network, so availability of replacement parts shouldn't be a challenge.

Spec an extended warranty when you buy your T-Roc for protection against unexpected repair costs. This kicks in once the manufacturer's standard coverage expires and covers you in the event of an electrical or mechanical failure.