First Drive

VW T-Cross Review: A Compact SUV With Big Appeal?

The VW T-Cross is a subcompact SUV that offers a stylish and practical option for city dwellers and small families.

  • by: Samkeliso Maseko
  • July 1 2024
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T-Cross

2024 VW T-Cross Specs

  • Base Price

    $70,900 USD (SZL 1,028,220)

  • PowerTrain

    3.0-liter twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid | 8-speed dual-clutch automatic | rear-wheel drive

  • Horsepower | Kilowatts

    410 hp | 302 kW

  • Torque

    513lb-ft @2,250-7,000 rpm | 700 Nm @2,250-7,000 rpm

  • Seating Capacity

    7

  • Curb Weight

    3,3,303 pounds | 1503 kg

  • Cargo Volume

    12.57 cu ft (356 L) behind third row, 41.5 cu ft (1179 L) behind second row, 65.5 cu ft (1856 L) with seats folded

  • Top Speed

    140 mph (225 kph)

  • Fuel Economy

    25 mpg combined (9.4 L/100km)

  • Quick Take

    Impressive safety features and a serene driving experience

  • Design Score

    7/10

  • Handling Score

    6/10

Verdict - Is VW T-Cross A Good Car?

T-cross

What AutoTrends Thinks

A Well-Rounded Small SUV: The VW T-Cross

The Volkswagen T-Cross emerges as a compelling option in the crowded small SUV segment. It delivers a blend of comfort, practicality, and safety that makes it a strong contender for your daily driver. Let's delve into the details that make the T-Cross a good car.

Firstly, the T-Cross prioritizes a smooth and pleasant ride experience. The suspension effectively absorbs bumps and road imperfections, creating a sense of tranquility for both driver and passengers. This translates well to stop-and-go city traffic and highway cruising alike. Complementing the ride is a well-insulated cabin that minimizes wind noise and engine sounds, further enhancing the sense of refinement.

Beyond comfort, the T-Cross shines in its practicality. The interior boasts ample space for both passengers and cargo. The rear seats offer good headroom and legroom, even for taller individuals. Furthermore, the innovative sliding rear bench allows for adjusting legroom or cargo capacity depending on your needs. The well-designed cabin also provides numerous storage solutions, including a large glove box, handy door bins, and cleverly integrated cubbies, perfect for keeping your belongings organized on the go. Safety is another strong suit of the T-Cross. Volkswagen equips it with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features as standard. These include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring, providing peace of mind on every journey. The T-Cross also boasts a strong safety rating, earning high marks in collision tests.

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How Does It Hold Itself Against The Competition

The T-Cross in the Arena: A Look at the Competition

The VW T-Cross finds itself in a bustling segment of small SUVs, each vying for your attention. Honda's HR-V, Hyundai's Kona, and Kia's Seltos are all worthy competitors, offering a compelling blend of features and performance that closely mirror the T-Cross. Let's explore how these rivals stack up against the T-Cross.

A key battleground for these small SUVs is cargo space. If you prioritize maximizing your storage capacity, the Honda HR-V takes the crown. It boasts a larger cargo area than the T-Cross, offering more flexibility for hauling groceries, luggage, or outdoor gear. This advantage could be crucial for those who frequently transport larger items or regularly embark on road trips with plenty of supplies. However, the T-Cross counters with its innovative sliding rear seat. This allows you to adjust the balance between passenger legroom and cargo space depending on your needs. So, while the HR-V might offer the most overall cargo capacity, the T-Cross provides greater adaptability.

When it comes to raw power, the Hyundai Kona steps into the spotlight. It boasts a more powerful engine option compared to the T-Cross. This translates to quicker acceleration and a more spirited driving experience, particularly appealing to those who desire a more dynamic SUV. However, the T-Cross prioritizes a smooth and fuel-efficient ride. Its engine delivers adequate power for everyday driving, while also achieving better fuel economy than the Kona. So, the choice between these two contenders hinges on your driving priorities: sporty performance or a balance of comfort and efficiency.

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Running Cost - What are The running cost of the T-Cross?

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How Is Like Living With It?

Living on a Budget with the Volkswagen T-Cross

The Volkswagen T-Cross is a compelling choice for drivers who prioritize affordability without sacrificing quality. Let's delve into the two key factors that contribute to the T-Cross's budget-friendly ownership experience: fuel efficiency and maintenance costs.

Fuel Efficiency You Can Rely On:

The T-Cross stands out in its class with impressive fuel economy. According to EPA estimates, it can achieve up to 35 miles per gallon in combined driving conditions. This translates to significant savings at the pump, especially for drivers who commute regularly or embark on frequent road trips. The T-Cross's fuel efficiency is likely due to its combination of a lightweight design and a technologically advanced engine. This means you can enjoy the thrill of the drive without breaking the bank on gas.

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Maintanace Cost

Maintenance Costs that Won't Break the Bank:

While ownership costs can vary depending on factors like driving habits and location, Volkswagen maintenance costs generally fall around the average for similar cars in the compact SUV segment. This predictability allows you to budget for routine maintenance with ease. Additionally, Volkswagen dealerships often offer competitive service packages that can further reduce the long-term cost of ownership. The T-Cross's reliability also plays a role in keeping maintenance costs down. By prioritizing preventative maintenance and taking advantage of dealership service programs, you can ensure your T-Cross stays on the road for years to come, without unexpected repair bills.

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interior and comfort - Is The T-Cross comfortable?

Interior

Stepping Inside the VW T-Cross: Comfort and Practicality

The VW T-Cross prioritizes comfort within its well-built cabin. Stepping inside, you'll be greeted by soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door panels, giving a premium feel that surpasses expectations for a subcompact SUV. These surfaces are complemented by supportive seats that offer good bolstering for long drives and a commanding driving position thanks to the raised ride height. While some rivals might prioritize a more adventurous aesthetic with bold colors or textures, the T-Cross interior focuses on a clean and sophisticated design that fosters a sense of calm and control.

T-Cross

How Much Interior Space?

Sizing Up the T-Cross: Spacious Enough for Most

When it comes to passenger space, the T-Cross strikes a good balance between compact dimensions and practical usability. While not the most cavernous offering in the subcompact SUV segment, it provides ample headroom and legroom for four adults to sit comfortably on most journeys. The rear bench seat folds down in a split configuration, allowing you to tailor the cargo space to your needs. For everyday errands, you'll have a good 385 liters (13.6 cubic feet) of cargo capacity behind the rear seats. Folding the seats down expands that capacity to a maximum of 1,281 liters (45.2 cubic feet), offering surprising versatility for such a compact vehicle. This flexibility makes the T-Cross a great choice for active individuals or small families who need to occasionally transport larger items.

Is a Third Passenger in the Back a Squeeze?

The T-Cross comfortably seats four adults, but rear passenger comfort can be impacted by adding a third person in the back. While headroom remains ample for all three passengers, legroom becomes a bit tight, especially on longer trips. The center seat also doesn't offer the same level of comfort as the two outboard seats due to a slightly firmer cushion and the presence of a small hump in the floor. If you frequently carry three passengers in the back, then it's worth considering a larger SUV that offers more dedicated space for a third person. However, for most everyday use cases involving couples, small families, or friends, the T-Cross provides a comfortable and practical interior that punches above its weight in terms of passenger and cargo space for a subcompact SUV.

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Practicality And Booot Space- Is The VW T-Cross Practical?

Practicality

T-Cross: A Practical Choice for Everyday Adventures

The Volkswagen T-Cross might be compact in size, but it punches above its weight when it comes to practicality. This little SUV excels at adapting to your daily needs. The thoughtfully designed cabin offers numerous storage solutions for all your everyday essentials. Cupholders, door pockets, and a handy center console keep drinks, snacks, and smaller items organized and within easy reach. But the T-Cross's functionality extends beyond clever compartments. The rear seats fold down completely flat, creating a spacious cargo area. This is perfect for when your shopping trip results in a bigger haul than anticipated, or when you need to transport larger items like luggage or sporting equipment.

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Boot Space

Flexible Cargo Space for Every Occasion

Don't let the T-Cross's compact dimensions fool you – it boasts an impressive amount of cargo space. With the rear seats upright, you'll have 12.3 cubic feet (349 liters) of cargo space behind them. This is ample room for groceries, weekend travel essentials, or even a stroller. But when you need to maximize cargo capacity, the 60/40 split-fold rear seats come to the rescue. Folding down just one section allows you to carry longer items while still accommodating passengers. Need to transport a bike or camping gear? Simply fold down both rear seats and unlock a cavernous 45.9 cubic feet (1,309 liters) of cargo space. This impressive capacity makes the T-Cross a versatile companion for your daily errands, weekend getaways, or even larger adventures.

T-Cross: Big on Functionality, Small on Footprint

The T-Cross strikes a perfect balance between functionality and maneuverability. Its compact size makes navigating tight city streets and parking a breeze. Yet, thanks to its clever design and flexible cargo space, it offers surprising practicality for its size. Whether you're tackling your weekly shopping list, embarking on a weekend trip, or hauling gear for your favorite hobby, the T-Cross has the space and versatility to handle it all.

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Reliabilty And Safety - Is The VW T-Cross Reliable?

Reliabilty

Reassurance on the Road: Reliability and Safety of the VW T-Cross

While the VW T-Cross is a relatively new model, there's promising news on the reliability front. Volkswagen, the brand behind the T-Cross, has a history of building dependable vehicles. Additionally, the T-Cross shares many components with other well-regarded VW models that have a proven track record for reliability. This shared engineering means you can expect similar sturdiness and dependability from the T-Cross. While J.D. Power and other major reliability sources haven't yet assessed the T-Cross specifically, Volkswagen's reputation combined with the T-Cross's shared lineage suggests you can look forward to a trouble-free ownership experience.

Safety First: Advanced Features and Top Crash Test Ratings

The VW T-Cross prioritizes your peace of mind on the road with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features. Automatic emergency braking (AEB) is a cornerstone of this system. AEB can detect potential collisions with vehicles ahead and automatically apply the brakes to help mitigate or avoid an accident. Blind-spot monitoring is another valuable feature, keeping you informed of cars in your blind zone – a common cause of lane-change accidents. Rear cross-traffic alert provides an extra layer of protection when reversing out of parking spaces, especially in busy areas. These are just some of the intelligent safety technologies that come standard on the T-Cross.

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Safety

Exceeding Safety Standards: Top Marks from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

The VW T-Cross doesn't just boast a list of impressive safety features; it has also earned top ratings in crash testing conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA subjects vehicles to rigorous evaluations to assess their ability to protect occupants in a collision. The T-Cross's performance in these tests is a testament to its exceptional safety engineering. With both a comprehensive suite of active safety features and top marks from a leading safety institution, the VW T-Cross inspires confidence on every drive.

Trim Power
LX 150KW | 201HP
(2.0-liter)
LUX 150KW | 201HP
(2.0-liter)
GT 155KW | 209HP
(2.0-liter)
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