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VW T-Roc R Sports SUV 2023 review

Rob Fraser

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

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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:

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:

What is good?
  • Value based performance
  • Stylish design
  • excellent ride, dynamics and handling

What is not so good?

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:

Optional equipment:

Panoramic sunroof                        $2,000

Volkswagen T-Roc R

Standard equipment:

Options

Panoramic sunroof  $2,000
Black Style Package  $1,200
(Black roof paint finish, mirrors, roof rails and roofline decorative trim, C-pillar carbon-look trim and black surrounds for the interior air vents and audio)
Beats audio system $750
Lapiz Blue matte décor inlays   $250

* Plus on-road costs

VW T-Roc

Model   

VW T-Roc R
Model Price $63,490 MLP*
Engine 2.0L 4 Cylinder TSI Petrol Euro 6
Drivetrain Seven speed DSG 4MOTION AWD
Battery Capacity / type N/A
Power 221.0kW @ 5,3000 – 6,000rpm
Torque 400Nm @ 2,000 – 5,300 rpm
Range (WLTP) / ADR 809Km max /
Range on test 700km
Economy / efficiency 8.0 L/100k / 8.1L/100k on test
Fast Charge**/ Home N/A
Safety Not tested
CO2 Emissions 182g/km
0-100kmh/Top Speed 4.9 secs / 250km/h
Servicing 12mth / 15,000km service plan
Warranty 5yr/ Unlimited km
Roadside Assist 5Yr. conditional roadside assist

*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)

Overall Rating    

90/100
Behind the Wheel 9
Comfort 8
Equipment 9
Performance 10
Ride and Handling 9
Practicality 8
Fit for Purpose 9
Style / Appeal 8
Technology/connectivity 10
Value for Money 9

Dimensions

  
Overall Length 4236mm
Wheelbase 2595mm
Width 1819mm
Height 1575mm
Wheels 19×8.0 Alloy
Tyres 235/40 R19
Max ground clearance Up to 145mm
Wading Depth N/A
Approach N/A
Rampover N/A
Departure angle N/A
Turning Circle KTK 11.3m
Boot Min 392L
Boot Max 1237L
Kerb Weight 1590kg
Battery weight N/A
Payload (kg) 470kg
GVM (kg) 2060kg
GCM 3760kg
Towing Capacity 1700kg
Tow Ball rating 100kg

 

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