Everything you need to know about the Volkswagen T-Cross

South Africans love the Volkswagen brand, and they love compact SUVs. No wonder that Volkswagen’s smallest SUV is such a hit with local buyers, then! We take a closer look at the Volkswagen T-Cross, identify its strong suits, and see which competitors it faces in the marketplace.

Martin Pretorius

15 Sep 2021 · 06:15Buying a Car

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In this article:

Who is the Volkswagen T-Cross a good car for?

What is the Volkswagen T-Cross like to drive?

Tech features in the Volkswagen T-Cross

Volkswagen T-Cross prices

Similar cars to the Volkswagen T-Cross

Is the Volkswagen T-Cross a good car?

Built on the same platform as the latest Golf and Polo, the Volkswagen T-Cross combines the strong suits of these popular models with the raised ride height of an SUV-crossover to create a great all-rounder. It is also very practical, looks good, offers a decent selection of engines, and has plenty of available in-car toys.

Who is the Volkswagen T-Cross a good car for?

Young families, city-bound commuters and long-distance travellers will all find something to appreciate in the Volkswagen T-Cross. It’s still an on-road-biased car, so don’t expect any serious bundu-bashing abilities, but in most other respects, it offers the same appeal as a larger VW SUV – but in a more-compact package.

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Equipped with plenty of modern electronic driver aids and power steering across the board, the T-Cross is just about as easy to drive as a compact SUV could be. Its tall-ish, squared-off shape also gives good outward visibility, and standard-fit parking sensors on both ends across the range should help avoid low-speed collisions.

Is the Volkswagen T-Cross a good family car?

It’s not the sleekest of compact crossovers, but its relatively boxy body gives a surprising amount of passenger- and utility space. It’s also versatile enough to suit many different needs, and won’t struggle with family-car duties (especially if the family members are on the smaller side) – you’ll really only need anything bigger if your family has more than its fair share of tall members.

Is there a hybrid Volkswagen T-Cross?

Despite Volkswagen’s current commitment to electrification, there are no all-electric or hybrid drivetrain options in the T-Cross range as yet – and neither is there any diesel alternative available in South Africa. It’s petrol or nothing, with a choice between two 1.0-litre turbo 3-cylinder engines or a higher-powered 1.5-litre 4-cylinder.

View the latest new and used Volkswagen T-Crosses for sale in South Africa here.

What’s it like to drive?

If you’re familiar with the latest-generation of Volkswagen products, you’ll feel right at home in the T-Cross. Driving dynamics are vice-free and sure-footed, and all the engine options benefit from healthy doses of turbo-boosted torque. If you didn’t pay attention when you got in, you might easily mistake it for a Polo behind the wheel, and that’s definitely not a bad thing.

Reviewer's opinion

“With great safety features and loads of usable space and technology, this friendly little crossover means that you won't regret your (buying) decision.” – Chad Lückhoff, AutoTrader

Read the full Volkswagen T-Cross review here, or watch our video review here.

What does it look like?

Exterior

Interior

What is the Volkswagen T-Cross like inside?

Very much like any other contemporary VW product, really: easy-to-understand ergonomics and an uncluttered cabin gives instant familiarity and a classy ambience. The infotainment is the usual VW fare, with a clearly-legible colour touchscreen infotainment system, and secondary controls for the air conditioner and other car functions are clearly marked. Trim quality is very good for this segment, although some hard plastics are evident in places. Finally, there’s enough cabin space to accommodate 4 large-ish adults in comfort.

Style

The interior design is simple and unpretentious, but nice detailing in the trim pieces, good-quality materials, and some funky upholstery options lift the T-Cross’s cabin above the mundane. It’s not quite as plush as the latest Tiguan, but it does come surprisingly close to its larger sibling in both appearance and execution.

Tech features

VW colour touchscreen infotainment system with at least 6 speakers
Smartphone mirroring
Digital instrument cluster
USB-C data- and charging sockets
Keyless entry with push-button start
Parking sensors front and rear
Reverse camera
Cruise control with speed limiter
LED headlamps
Blind spot monitoring
Lane departure warning

* Features are dependent on trim level and selected options/option packs.

Price and specs

Which is the cheapest Volkswagen T-Cross?

The cheapest Volkswagen T-Cross is the entry-level 70 kW Comfortline trim with a manual gearbox, with prices starting from R 352 300 before options.

Search the latest new and used Volkswagen T-Cross deals in South Africa.

How much does it cost?

Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0TSI 70 kW Comfortline	R 352 300
Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0TSI 70 kW Comfortline R-Line	R 372 400
Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0TSI 85 kW Comfortline	R 393 000
Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0TSI 85 kW Comfortline R-Line	R 413 100
Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0TSI 85 kW Highline	R 428 200
Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0TSI 85 kW Highline R-Line	R 448 300
Volkswagen T-Cross 1.5TSI 110 kW R-Line	R 464 900

Vehicles are sold with a 3 year/120 000 km warranty, and a 3 year/45 000 km service plan as standard. The latter can be extended or upgraded to a full maintenance plan at extra cost.

* Pricing was accurate at the time of publication, but are subject to change without prior notice. Base prices excluding options.