Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0 TSI manual (2025) Review

The VW T-Cross has been one of SA's favourite compact SUVs for some time, launching in 2019 when the segment wasn't quite as cutthroat. In 2025, however, the horizon looks much more crowded. The Chinese have since introduced a wide selection of cars that local buyers find irresistibly priced and specified. Does the VW T-Cross still have a leg to stand on?

Search for new and used T-Cross models here.

The T-Cross enjoying an outing to a friend's farm in Stanford.

We sampled the brand new base model at R399 900.

Sell your old car instantly here.

Styling

Apart from the empty fog lamp housings, nothing on the T-Cross alludes to its base model status.

The T-Cross exterior doesn't say 'poverty spec'. Base models have 16-inch steel wheels, but VW added some alloys for presence. The rest comes standard: LED lighting in the front and back with separate LED DRLs (daytime running lamps), body-coloured bumpers, door handles, and exterior mirrors. The glass is the standard heat-insulating variety. It's a fetching little SUV that is a Volkswagen through and through.

Interior

Here, it's evident that cost-cutting played a role. As always, VW does build quality right, but given what the T-Cross's competitors now offer at a lower price point, the T-Cross interior is starting to look a little bare. However, quality touches such as the 8.0-inch Digital Cockpit and Radio Composition Colour make you feel better, as well as 2 USB ports up front and a multi-function steering wheel.

Neat, organised and unfussy.

Sadly, the basic, two-speaker audio setup reminds you that your budget was limited. My 16-year-old wasn't perturbed; he had his large JBL party speaker with him at all times and streamed music from his phone when we drove to neighbouring towns.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both available.

Manual air-conditioning works well, even if it's less convenient than climate control.

Space and Comfort

The T-Cross Base delivers precisely what you'd expect from a compact SUV: more or less the same room as a hatchback without the bulk of a larger SUV. 

Up front, the seats offer height adjustment and lumbar support, which is more than you'd get in many budget cars. Yes, you're looking at cloth trim throughout, and there's no centre armrest between the front seats, but the materials feel reasonably durable rather than cheap.

Some specs are a bonus, such as dual height adjustment for the seats up front.

Rear passengers have proper head restraints and adequate legroom for most adults, though taller passengers might wish for a few more centimetres. The passenger in the rear-middle seat must be slim and not too tall. All rear passengers have 3-point seatbelts; seatbelt reminders will ping for all five seats.

The boot space is respectable at 385 litres with all seats up, expanding to 455 litres if you slide the rear bench forward. This clever engineering gives you options depending on whether you prioritise legroom or suitcases. The adjustable boot floor lets you create extra depth when needed.

The boot can be extended slightly if you slide the second row forward.

The drawer under the passenger seat is an unexpected bonus for storing smaller items.

The Drive

VW's dependable, predictable driving experience hasn't changed; we are grateful for this. While the interior may be a bit bland, at least you can always count on a slick gearbox that's easy to operate and a no-brainer clutch action, with ride comfort that is well-judged for South African conditions, soaking up the worst of our road surfaces. In contrast, easy steering makes city or rural driving a stress-free affair. The 188 mm of ground clearance helps with good visibility and soft-roading through the countryside's rain-battered roads. Also, cruise control is a standard feature.

Related: Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Review (2025)

You can always count on a VW manual gearbox!

Performance

Don't let the modest 70kW figure fool you into thinking this engine struggles; it delivers perfectly usable performance for everyday driving and feels quite lively. The official 11.5-second sprint to 100km/h might not set pulses racing, but it's honest and reflects what you'll experience rather than some optimistic marketing figure. 

Come rain or shine, the T-Cross is ready for your next adventure.

The three-cylinder layout is surprisingly refined, without the harsh vibrations you might expect from fewer cylinders. And if something eventually goes wrong with a manual gearbox, your repair bill won't make you question your life choices like it might with a DSG transmission.

Performance
0-100km/h	11.5 seconds
Top Speed	180km/h
Fuel Consumption	5.9L/100km (claimed average)
CO2 Emissions	133g/km
Fuel Tank	40 litres
Range	675km (theoretical)

Buying used? Read our Kia Seltos Review from 2023 as we head off into the Karoo.

Did you know that under-inflated tyres can impact fuel economy? Luckily, even the base model has a tyre-pressure sensor to monitor this!

Safety

For budget-conscious families, it's reassuring that Volkswagen didn't skimp on the stuff that saves lives. You now get six airbags as standard, plus the electronic aids you need: stability control, traction control, and hill-start assist. I missed the convenience of a rear-view camera, but rear-park distance control and the aforementioned tyre pressure sensor are standard.

This little crossover's five-star Euro NCAP rating and near-perfect 97% adult protection score set it apart. That's premium car territory for base model money.

Related: Kia Sonet SX vs Haval Jolion Pro S

A 5-star safety rating sets the T-Cross apart from many of its contemporaries.

Read our review of the 2023 T-Cross 1.0TSI 70kW Comfortline model here.

Price

As for competitors, it's hard to ignore the Koreans and the Chinese. For around the same amount of money as the entry-level model, you can get a pretty well-specified Kia Sonet or a bigger, all-automatic Kia Seltos.

Then, there's a R425k competitor from Omoda (a Chery sub-brand) which certainly has the X-factor, namely the C5 1.5T 230T Lux X. Omoda has worked on its suspension and gearbox calibration, and it's much better than the entry-level C5. Its 115 kW of power doesn't hurt either.

If you prefer naturally-aspirated reliability, you can add R14k to the price of the entry-level T-Cross and buy a Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Xi instead. 

Buying used? Read our 2021 Review of the T-Cross 1.0TSI 70kW manual Comfortline R-Line here.

The Verdict

I wish I could say with all my heart that the T-Cross is the best you can get for your R400 000, but there are so many other smooth and sophisticated players in the segment now that offer more space and tech.

LED lighting ensures good visibility to other drivers; it is also a standard feature across the board.

What I can say, however, is that the T-Cross's safety features are genuinely impressive. Should the worst happen, you'll know you're in good hands. And we all know you can't put a price on your health.

Chad drove the 85kW DSG version - read his T-Cross review here (2025)