2025 Volkswagen T-Roc R-Line evaluate

As was the case in 2023, the Volkswagen T-Roc stays the German auto model’s best-selling automobile in Australia.

However to the tip of September 2024, the small SUV has fallen one spot down the general Volkswagen gross sales chart. It’s now runner-up to the brand new VW Amarok, although the dual-cab ute technically falls underneath the model’s industrial autos umbrella.

So though you may need thought the favored European model’s top-seller can be one thing just like the Golf, it merely isn’t the case anymore as purchaser demand shifts in direction of SUVs and utes. Whereas 1902 Golfs have discovered properties up to now this 12 months, that’s lots lower than 5979 T-Rocs and even 3639 Tiguans, even when all of them share the identical primary Volkswagen platform beneath.

The T-Roc remains to be drastically overshadowed by the MG ZS (16,907) in its section although, and ranks behind different small SUVs just like the Hyundai Kona at 13,352 and even the Subaru Crosstrek at 8765.

On check right here is the 2025 Volkswagen T-Roc R-Line, which sits one rung under the prime quality.

That range-topping variant is the hotted-up T-Roc R, however the R-Line nonetheless packs extra of a punch and brings nicer tools than the cheaper and lower-spec CityLife and Fashion variants.

It comes with the caveat of a dearer asking worth because it’s greater than $10,000 pricier than the most affordable T-Roc variant at the moment accessible.

Is it value stretching for a sooner small SUV just like the R-Line, or would you be higher off with a lesser model?

How does the Volkswagen T-Roc examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Volkswagen T-Roc in opposition to equally sized autos.

Volkswagen

T-Roc

How a lot does the Volkswagen T-Roc price?

The R-Line is the costliest T-Roc grade priced underneath $50,000, and it prices much more than both of the 2 variants under it, but in addition lots lower than the flagship R.

To see how the Volkswagen T-Roc stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device.

What’s the Volkswagen T-Roc like on the within?

Even when it’s been round since 2017, the T-Roc brings a top quality inside.

Hopping into the motive force’s seat and getting located takes however a second, and it’s laborious to argue with the presentation you’re greeted with. A lot of the key areas are nice to the touch, and there are a number of R-Line goodies to take a look at too.

The seats themselves are upholstered in leather-based with carbon-fibre-look accents distinctive to the R-Line, they usually do nicely to help the entrance passengers in side-to-side motion. Even when it’s a small SUV, having well-bolstered seats could make a automobile really feel way more confidence-inspiring, and the T-Roc is healthier for it.

Related supplies proceed as much as the steering wheel, which is massive and options beneficiant cut-outs at 9 and three o’clock. I’m a fan of Volkswagen steering wheels and that is no exception – the perforated leather-based and delicate R emblem are added reminders of the automobile’s sporty inclination.

The one actual grievance we’ve is that the wheel is proscribed in its adjustability. When the motive force’s seat was in a snug place for my common peak, the steering wheel wouldn’t tilt as little as I might’ve favored. It’s not the tip of the world, however does pressure a small compromise.

One other gripe is the supplies up entrance, as a result of the door playing cards and sprint are plastered in scratchy laborious plastic. When you gained’t be touching these areas too usually, it’s not the nicest factor to have in a automobile at this worth level.

On the subject of the steering wheel, it’s fitted with haptic contact controls reasonably than bodily buttons. The T-Roc is not at all the one Volkswagen product to have utilised such a setup, however it may be annoying to make use of.

As a result of you’ll be able to each contact and ‘press’ the controls, it’s generally tough to know precisely what you’re interacting with. By accident brushing a finger on the button floor can unintentionally alter one thing like the amount or info show, which could be irritating.

At the very least the buttons within the T-Roc are positioned far sufficient away from the skin of the wheel that your palms gained’t unintentionally press the buttons in regular driving, and also you’d nearly definitely haven’t any issues when you’ve had time to regulate to such controls.

It could nonetheless profit from bodily buttons as is extra typical, however general the driving controls are a neat bundle.

Shifting your consideration to the centre of the cabin begins to disclose some points. When you do get a properly sized gear selector, there’s a bit an excessive amount of gloss-black plastic round it for our liking.

The starter button and drive mode selector are each positioned in a sea of gloss-black, which invitations fingerprints and scratches. Above that’s the local weather management system, which appears extra sophisticated than it ought to be.

To its profit it’s positioned on a devoted panel, however once more that panel is completed in gloss-black. All of the controls listed below are touch-operated too, which could be fiddly on the transfer.

Sliding your finger to regulate temperature or fan velocity is a bit alien at first, and repeatedly tapping both finish of the sliders doesn’t really feel proper.

The button to regulate the fan path isn’t clear both, and it’s once more a contact button on the highest row of the show. There weren’t any actual points with the best way the system functioned in our week with the automobile, however it’s only a bit extra tedious than we’d prefer it to be.

Above the local weather management system is one other number of buttons to toggle auto cease/begin and parking sensors, although they appear poorly made. The entire plastic piece they’re situated on can wobble round, and every button has plenty of side-to-side motion.

Luckily, you gained’t be urgent these buttons an excessive amount of (until you’re strongly in opposition to auto cease/begin), however given how sturdy the remainder of the cabin is we’d count on higher right here.

Additional up once more is the infotainment system, which is starting to look dated. It’s clear sufficient and works nicely, however its show appears small even when it’s the bigger of the 2 screens provided throughout the T-Roc vary.

It’s good to have shortcut buttons on both aspect of the display, and the 2 bodily knobs make it simpler for passenger DJs to work together with the system. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay is an added bonus too, and except for some hiccups within the varied black spots round Melbourne it labored with out challenge.

Storage up entrance is stable, however not excellent. Within the centre of the automobile is a set of cupholders, which is organized with two holders for bigger cups and one small holder within the center.

The bigger choices are squared-off, which implies they gained’t maintain bigger cups as cosy as they might. Its association additionally means in case you have a smaller cup within the center, usability elsewhere will probably be restricted.

Behind that may be a properly sized centre console field, and alongside is a slot that matches the automobile’s key fob properly. Forward of the gear selector is a cubby that’ll comfortably match most telephones, and there’s a wi-fi charging pad in there too.

It really works nicely, however my telephone did get sizzling after spending longer durations of time charging. You even have the choice of charging your telephone by way of both of the USB-C ports above or the 12V outlet close by.

Different storage choices embrace a regular passenger-side glovebox and bottle holders within the doorways.

The rear seats characteristic the identical carbon-fibre accented leather-based upholstery as up entrance, and there’s loads of room to get snug. There’s the capability for 3 folks to take a seat right here, however foot area for passengers within the center is compromised by the AWD driveline tunnel.

Passengers within the again are catered for by the inclusion of twin USB-C charging ports, in addition to air vents on the again of the centre console.

There’s extra of that scratchy plastic right here too, which takes away from the nicer environment created by the black upholstery and huge panoramic sunroof.

Storage can be restricted to cupholders on the fold-down centre armrest and bottle holders within the doorways, and there’s sufficient head- and leg room for many rear passengers to remain snug.

Boot area is compromised vertically, however the load ground is lengthy sufficient to suit a regular suitcase simply. There’s a passthrough into the again seats too, which implies you’ll be capable of match longer objects and retain use of the outboard seats on the similar time.

Your entire rear row also can fold flat for max capability.

There’s a drop from the boot entrance to the ground, which implies you’ll have to elevate objects up and over as an alternative of sliding them in. There’s a space-saver spare underneath that giant loading ground too, which gives a little bit of added safety must you run into any troubles.

Volkswagen offers some tie-down factors to safe masses as nicely, and there’s a sturdy privateness cowl on high to maintain issues hidden. It’s a wonderfully sensible boot, and it ranks nicely in opposition to the Crosstrek (291L) and equal Kona (407L).

To see how the Volkswagen T-Roc stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The R-Line variant is all-wheel drive and powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. Its outputs are up 30kW and 70Nm from the 1.4-litre CityLife and Fashion, however down 81kW and 80Nm on the two.0-litre R.

To see how the Volkswagen T-Roc stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device.

How does the Volkswagen T-Roc drive?

Even earlier than getting behind the wheel of the T-Roc R-Line, I used to be wanting to see what it was all about.

The tickled-up engine within the R-Line was the principle drawcard for me, and on that entrance it delivered. Because it’s a small automobile, so the two.0-litre engine doesn’t should work laborious to get issues shifting – in truth it’s surprisingly quick.

Put your foot down from a standstill and there’s a slight hesitation because the gears transfer about and interact, however as soon as it’s rolling it pulls very like a efficiency hatch. That isn’t a shock given it shares its bones with the Golf, however you don’t essentially count on one thing like that from a small SUV just like the T-Roc.

Efficiency is noticeably dulled if the automobile’s stuffed with passengers and cargo, however that also gained’t be sufficient to make it really feel gradual. As an all-rounder, it advantages from that juiced-up powertrain, which is an efficient center floor for somebody who needs one thing peppy and succesful with out going excessive.

If you wish to be extra concerned with the driving expertise, you’ll be able to flick the shifter into Sport mode and make use of the paddles behind the wheel. It’s not as conscious of paddle inputs as we’d like, however it does simply sufficient to remind you it’s meant to be a hotter model of the usual T-Roc.

Because it’s a reasonably typical Volkswagen mannequin, you’d be proper to count on energy to be despatched to the wheels by means of a dual-clutch automated transmission.

In contrast to plenty of different twin-clutch setups although, the gearbox within the R-Line is a easy and comfy unit. Shifts are buttery and constant, to the purpose the place they’re nearly imperceptible past third gear.

You do get a little bit of the everyday low-speed stumble when setting off from a standstill, however it’s not at all insufferable.

The variety of gears means you even have loads of functionality for various driving conditions; RPM stays low on the freeway, it’s hardly ever caught within the unsuitable gear for a fast getaway, and it holds gears on hills with out challenge.

Even when it does must seize a decrease gear, it’ll kick down with out hesitation to verify the engine and turbo are of their ultimate window for max energy. All-wheel drive is a bonus which means the automobile by no means has any hassle gripping up both.

The sporty efficiency is supported by the trip. It’s snug on lengthy drives and does nicely to deal with tough nation roads, and the actual fact they’re adaptive offers you a variety of functionality.

In twisty sections you’ll be able to stiffen the suspension proper up, providing you with a well-composed trip because the physique stays flat. That permits you to carry velocity by means of turns with out falling over, setting it other than different lower-end SUVs.

Calling the T-Roc an SUV nearly doesn’t really feel proper in consequence, because it behaves way more like a hatchback regardless of its jacked-up stance. The default setting is on the firmer aspect and may put on on rear seat passengers particularly, however using within the entrance could be fairly enjoyable.

The one factor that caught us off guard was the brake really feel, which could be sensitive when you’re not used to it. Alternatively, a profit is that it stops shortly and persistently.

Aiding the driving expertise is a variety of tech, together with adaptive cruise management and lane centring. Each labored flawlessly in our week with automobile, even on tighter nation roads with slender lanes and surprising bends.

To that time, we had no points with any of the protection tech whereas on the street. Issues just like the lane departure warning pipe up when you start to float over the road, however gained’t aggressively hinder you if you might want to dodge hazards like potholes or bumps.

Its driver consideration monitoring additionally labored precisely because it ought to. It didn’t ping us for checking the aspect mirrors, and it wasn’t overly delicate to head-checks or infotainment changes.

The T-Roc brings a powerful bundle, and it’s all the time reassuring to know the automobile can again itself with a variety of security tech that’s well-calibrated and straightforward to dwell with.

Whereas the T-Roc is a stable automobile to drive, there’s just one actual grievance. That’s the street noise, because the R-Line rides on bigger wheels with lower-profile tyres than its cheaper siblings.

On coarse roads in rural Victoria it might probably grow to be annoying, and can usually require you to crank up the music quantity to drown it out.

The firmer suspension doesn’t assistance on that entrance both, however at the least you’ve some concept of what you’re moving into with the R-Line badging on the skin.

It’s not at all a brand new drawback for European vehicles like this one and isn’t purpose to push it to the aspect, as the remainder of the bundle is neatly put collectively and delivers a stable, high-quality on-road expertise.

To see how the Volkswagen T-Roc stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device.

What do you get?

There are 4 distinct grades of T-Roc, and the R-Line is second from the prime quality behind the full-fat R.

The CityLife contains the next options as normal:

• Reflector LED headlights
• Computerized headlights
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Six-speaker sound system
• Keyless entry and begin
• Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• DAB+ digital radio
• Wi-fi telephone charger
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• Paddle shifters
• Roof rails
• Material upholstery
• 2 x entrance and rear cup holders
• 2 x entrance and rear USB-C charging ports

The Fashion provides:

• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Black exterior rear-view mirrors
• 18-inch Grange Hill alloy wheels
• Titanium Black-Anthracite upholstery
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Digital Cockpit Professional
• Handbook driver and passenger lumber adjustment
• Rain-sensing wipers

The R-Line provides:

• Nappa leather-based upholstery
• Heated entrance seats
• Energy-adjustable driver’s seat with reminiscence
• 18-inch Nevada alloy wheels
• R-Line exterior styling
• R-Line inside styling
• Sports activities suspension
• Progressive steering
• Entrance sport seats
• Leather-based-wrapped sports activities steering wheel
• Paddle shifters

Is the Volkswagen T-Roc protected?

The Volkswagen T-Roc achieved a five-star ANCAP security score primarily based on testing carried out in 2017, however that has now expired. It’s due to this fact unrated.

Normal security options on the T-Roc vary embrace:

• Autonomous emergency braking (ahead and reverse)
• Six airbags
• Lane-keep help
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• Reversing digicam
• Lane departure warning
• Driver consideration detection
• Collision warning
• Journey Help
  • Adaptive lane centring
  • Adaptive cruise management

Fashion provides:

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert

How a lot does the Volkswagen T-Roc price to run?

The Volkswagen T-Roc is roofed by Volkswagen’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Volkswagen doesn’t quote capped worth servicing, as an alternative outlining ‘Assured Value Servicing’ for the primary 5 visits. The model has a disclaimer that claims the service pricing indicated on its worth information is just present for the day it’s obtained, so costs are prone to change.

To see how the Volkswagen T-Roc stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Volkswagen T-Roc R-Line

The T-Roc is a superb automobile even in entry-level kind, and the R-Line provides that bit of additional spice on high.

If you need a heat small SUV that’s nonetheless versatile sufficient for the day by day run-around, it is a robust contender. Good efficiency, sporty but compliant dealing with, and a well-appointed inside are key drawcards right here.

The supplies within the entrance of the cabin depart a bit to be desired, however that isn’t a deal-breaker. On the street, you hardly discover the cabin’s much less polished components anyway, as you’re more likely to be targeted on the enthusiastic approach it drives.

R-Line-specific seats assist right here, as does the properly proportioned steering wheel and powerful visibility throughout.

The one challenge is the worth, as a result of whilst you do get a higher-output engine and a few nicer bits, there’s no getting across the reality it’s nicely above the T-Roc’s CityLife entry worth level.

In the event you actually need further efficiency out of your small SUV and may justify the worth, you’ll love being behind the wheel of a T-Roc R-Line.

These with small households will discover it a snug match too, and the warmed-over T-Roc exhibits you don’t should go for a boring, gradual automobile when you want one thing to move children, pets, and groceries.

The compact proportions will go well with many individuals too, particularly these dwelling in built-up areas. Practicality and cargo area isn’t compromised both, in truth it out-does plenty of its competitors.

May you get by with a less expensive T-Roc? Positive, however it’s laborious to beat the spicier R-Line bundle.

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