VW T-Roc R Sports SUV 2023 review

VW T-Roc R joins the growing list of smaller sports SUVs from the VW stable. This includes those from Cupra as well. First released in early 2022, the T-Roc R brings a blend of style, performance and safety to the segment. 

TO LISTEN TO THE VW T-Roc R RADIO REVIEW, CLICK BELOW

What does the VW T-Roc R look like

Its stylish in a conservative way. Forsaking overt sporty styling for a more subtle, reserved appearance.

It seems to get the proportions right.

Outside the T-Roc R features:

• Estoril 19-inch alloy wheels
• an illuminated grille strip with R logo and anodized aluminium trim,
• matte chrome mirrors,
• lowered ride height,
• an exhaust with quad tailpipes,
• roof spoiler and
• gloss black rear diffuser.

All colours are standard, including Pure White, Lapiz Blue Premium Metallic, Kings Red Premium Metallic, Pyrite Silver Metallic, Indium Grey Metallic and Deep Black Pearl Effect.

An optional ($1,200) Black Style package tailors an individual sporty look with a black roof paint finish, mirrors, roof rails and roofline decorative trim, plus C-pillar carbon-look trim and black surrounds for the interior air vents and audio.

The only other options include a panoramic sunroof ($2,000), a 300W, 6 speaker + subwoofer Beats audio system ($750) and Lapiz Blue matte décor inlays ($250).

What is the VW T-Roc R like inside

First impressions is reserved sport styling.

The Sports front seats are particularly comfortable with Nappa leather and  seat heating. The drivers seat is electrically adjustable.

In front of the driver is a compact sports leather multi-function steering wheel with gearshift paddles. The 10.25 inch digital driver instrument binnacle is configurable and provides excellent information. Twin outer dial with middle MFD.

Featured is a newly designed soft-touch dashboard, with a stylish new fascia incorporating a new dual-zone climate control panel and piano-black décor inlays.

I’m never a fan of the Piano black inlays, they always seem to show smudges and are a nightmare to take photos of. However many buyers love it.

Central touch screen

With a new 9.2 inch central touch screen, the user interface provides good functionality mostly. Sometimes having functionality like volume control as poart of the menu is a step backwards. It has excellent resolution and the reverse camera works a treat.

One change is the new sleek climate console that is now a touch panel. You need to be familiar with the controls so its not distracting to use while driving. Under this is a neat tray for wireless charging of smart phones. Oh and the T-Roc R comes with wireless connectivity as well as two USB-C ports.

Rear seats are tight, as you would expect for this size vehicle. They are sculptured to provide comfort for two occupants at best. The third seat is best left for using the arm rest.

Access is satisfactory though, especially for shorter people. With my 190cm frame in the front seat, its restricted back there.

Boot space is ample, but there is only a tyre repair kit unfortunately. There is  an electric tailgate with Easy Open and Close function are also standard.

In car storage comes in the form of door bottle holders, two cup holders in the centre console, in front of the storage bin. Rear doors have bottle holders as well.

Engine and drivetrain

A 2.0-litre turbocharged TSI petrol engine delivers a full 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque, mated to a 7 speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) with 0-100km/h acceleration in just 4.9 seconds. Sub 5.0 seconds is impressive, especially at this price.

For the T-Roc, those ‘R genes’ extend  to standard 4MOTION all-wheel drive, adaptive chassis control with Race mode, and progressive steering, all in the finest traditions of the iconic Golf R.

Do not mistake this for an all road SUV. Its clearly not.

What is it like to drive?

I was going to say surprisingly good, but the VW group is the master of the sports SUV.

Around town it will happily potter around, the only reminder of just how quick it is is the slightly firmer ride and raspy exhaust.

Head to the open road and it will quickly get to legal cruising speed and sit there all day on a Motorway.

But the T-Roc R starts to come into its own on those sublime undulating winding back roads. Here the level of driver engagement is first class.

The combination of sophisticated 4MOTION AWD, tuned suspension and Adaptive Chassis Control with Race mode and responsive progressive steering all add up to massive FUN.

I’m not really a big fan of DSG transmissions, but it works especially well in the T-Roc R.  Its not jerky like many similar transmission are.

This combined with the low torque delivery of the 2.0L TSI engine from 2,000 rpm allows most control on the drivers right foot.

Turn hard into a corner and you will notice some body roll. It is after all an SUV, not a low slung hatch. But most drivers will never, or shouldn’t, explore the limits of handling the T-Roc R provides.

Its not a track car, its meant for open road touring.

Switch to race mode and the exhaust takes on a deeper note, steering tune and accelerator response all sharpen up. Here the DSG transmission comes to life.

Did I mention its huge FUN!

Two little niggles. One is the low profile tyres sometimes are a little harsh in road feedback. Second there is a lot of road noise, again possibly form the tyres.

Safety features

The T-Roc  comes with an ANCAP five star safety rating. The T-Roc R isn’t covered by the same rating unfortunately.

Safety highlights of the Volkswagen IQ.DRIVE system include:

• Travel Assist,
• Active Cruise Control,
• Lane Assist,
• Side Assist,
• Park Assist and
• Rear View Camera –
• plus IQ.LIGHT matrix LED headlights with Dynamic Light Assist.

Instead of the VW T ROC R buyers could look at:  

Smaller sports SUVs are popular.

Buyers could look at  Hyundai Kona N, Audi SQ2.  Cupra Leon VZx,

Looking slightly further buyers could look at : Honda Civic Type R, Toyota GR Corolla, Subaru WRX Sportswagon,  or even the  Renault Megane RS,

VW T-Roc R final thoughts

All up the VW T-Roc R is a heap of fun.

Its easy to drive around town, practical as an SUV. But when asked it will lift its skirt and run hard.

This is exactly what sports SUVs should be like.

VW T-Roc R Model Walk

Volkswagen T-Roc R Grid Edition 

Standard equipment:

• 2.0 litre 4-cylinder TSI 221kW/400Nm; 7-speed DSG; 4MOTION
• 19-inch Pretoria graphite alloys (space saver spare)
• Black Roof Rails
• Adaptive Chassis Control with Race mode
• Progressive steering
• R exterior and interior styling
• Performance LED headlights with automatic high-beam
• Exterior ambient lighting
• Premium Metallic paint
• Keyless Access
• 9.2″ Discover Pro navigation system with voice and gesture control
• Digital Cockpit Pro
• App-Connect including wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless phone charging
• Electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory
• IQ.DRIVE with Travel Assist, Active Cruise Control, Lane Assist, Park Assist and Rear View Camera

Optional equipment:

Panoramic sunroof                        $2,000

Volkswagen T-Roc R

Standard equipment:

• 2.0 litre 4-cylinder TSI 221kW/400Nm; 7-speed DSG; 4MOTION
• 19-inch Estoril alloys (space saver spare)
• Adaptive Chassis Control with Race mode
• Progressive steering
• R exterior and interior styling
• Premium LED tail lights with dynamic indicators
• Exterior ambient lighting
• Premium Metallic paint
• Keyless Access
• Electric tailgate with Easy Open and Close functions
• 9.2″ Discover Pro navigation system with voice and gesture control
• Digital Cockpit Pro
• App-Connect including wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless phone charging
• Nappa leather appointed upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory
• IQ.DRIVE with with Travel Assist, Active Cruise Control, Lane Assist, Side Assist, Park Assist and Rear View Camera
• IQ.LIGHT matrix LED headlights with Dynamic Light Assist

Options

* Plus on-road costs

*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)