Quick overview
- Comfortable
- Good to drive
- Good practicality
- Some cheap cabin plastics,
- Ford Puma is sharper to drive
- Higher trims not worth the cost
The T-Cross is what happens when Volkswagen applies its considerable talents to creating a compact SUV equivalent of the Polo. It’s no surprise the Volkswagen T-Cross is based on the Polo, so it occupies a relatively small amount of road space. This makes it ideal for town driving as it’s a doddle to park and manoeuvre through congested streets. As you’d expect of a VW, all of the controls are light and work with an easy flowing motion, so the T-Cross comes over as a car that has been very well thought through. IT’s not as keen to drive as a Ford Puma, but for the vast majority of small SUV drivers the VW will be spot on thanks to its good comfort and refinement.
The engine range for the Volkswagen T-Cross has been pruned back to just three petrol motors, two of them based on the three-cylinder 1.0-litre TSI motor that works so well in the Polo. In 95- and 110hp forms, it does just as good a job in the T-Cross, but you probably want to steer towards the 110hp motor if you drive on a variety of roads and not just about town. This engine is also offered with VW’s seven-speed DSG twin-clutch automatic transmission whereas the 95hp motor only comes with a manual gearbox. The other motor on offer is the 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 150hp for the R-Line trim. It delivers good performance, but it's harder to justify this option when you could have the more engaging drive of the T-Roc for the same sort of money. Volkswagen doesn’t offer a hybrid or electric version of the T-Cross, so rivals like the Peugeot 2008 and Vauxhall Mokka have an edge here.
Yet, the Volkswagen T-Cross remains a sound choice as it has a roomy cabin filled with a decent amount of standard equipment. It’s also more versatile than most rivals thanks to a sliding rear bench being used in every model of T-Cross, which very few of its rivals can match. With boot space on a par with a Golf, the T-Cross could easily function as a family’s only car.
Infotainment, comfort and practicality
Imagine sitting on a big, plump cushion in a Volkswagen Polo and that’s pretty much what you get in the T-Cross compact SUV. It raises the driver up higher than in the likes of the Ford Puma or Peugeot 2008, so it has that all-important SUV feel. You also get a lot of adjustment in the seating position, so it’s easy to modify it suit drivers of different statures. There’s height adjustment in the seat and the steering wheel moves for reach and rake, so again it adds to the over adjustability of the T-Cross’ seating. The view out for the driver is good to the front and sides, but those thick rear pillars can make it tricky to reverse into a parking spot. Luckily, all but the base SE model come with front and rear parking sensors to keep the T-Cross’ bumpers away from hazards.
Most Volkswagen T-Cross trims come with the standard analogue main instruments, and there’s nothing wrong with that. They are clear and uncluttered, and the small digital display in the middle offers the usual onboard information for you to scroll through using the steering wheel buttons. The R-Line model comes with VW’s 10.3-inch Digital Cockpit that replaces the standard dials with a screen representation of dials. It can be changed to suit your tastes and show a sat-nav screen if needed.
In the centre of the dash, VW sticks with physical twist dials for the air conditioning and ventilation. This makes it very simple to adjust the air flow and temperature on the move, unlike in some other VW models that operate the heating through the infotainment screen. All Volkswagen T-Cross models come with an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen for the infotainment and it uses large on-screen icons to make it easy to select the function or radio station of your choice. It’s also quick to react to inputs and easy to read on the move, making it one of the better systems in this class,
Take a seat in the back of the Volkswagen T-Cross and you’ll find it offers more space than most in this sector. It provides more than enough head, knee and leg room for a couple of adults to travel comfortably in here on longer trips. Fitting three adults in here is a bit of an ask as the T-Cross is quite narrow across its beam, so you might be better off with a T-Roc or Tiguan for this kind of work. However, three kids will happily while away a journey and there are three-point seat belts for all of them, or you can use the two Isofix child seat mounts on the outer seats.
Volkswagen provides a sliding rear bench in all T-Cross models, so you can move the seat back and forth to mix and match passenger space with load capacity. When the seat is set to its rear-most setting, the T-Cross offers a boot capacity of 455-litres, placing it well ahead of most of the competition. Fold the 60-40 split and tip rear seat down and you can free up a maximum of 1281-litres of space, which is very useful and the boot floor sits flush with the load floor to make it simple when heaving heavy bags in and out.
2018 Volkswagen T-Cross engines: how does it drive?
Volkswagen has dropped the diesel engines from the T-Cross line-up, like many car makers have. This leave a trio of turbo petrol motors to pick from, and VW does not offer any hybrid or EV power in the T-Cross. For some, that will be a missed opportunity, but there’s still something to suit most drivers looking to this class amid the VW’s range. This gets started with the 95hp 1.0-litre TSI engine that is only available with a five-speed manual gearbox. Nothing wrong with that as it’s a light, accurate ’box to use and the ratios are well chosen to make this T-Cross version perfectly at home around town. Given this engine is also happy to work away quietly on the motorway and only takes 0.8 seconds longer to cover the 0-62mph dash than the more powerful 110hp engine, it’s the one to have unless you really are convinced of the need for that extra urge.
In most instances, you simply won’t notice the added power of the 110hp engine or the extra gear in its six-speed manual ’box. What might make you turn to the 110hp engine is the option of the seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. It shifts with barely any interruption to the progress of the T-Cross and makes town driving very relaxed. It’s also happy on the motorway, but for country roads there’s still something more engaging about the standard manual gearboxes in this VW. The other engine in the line-up, the 150hp 1.5-litre TSI, has a good bit more power and is noticeably quicker off the mark and when overtaking. However, given the added expense of choosing this engine as it’s only offered in the SE L and R-Line models, you really would have to be wedded to the idea of it to part with the extra cash.
The R-Line sits on 18-inch alloy wheels, which are bigger than those of any other T-Cross trim. It means the sporty R-Line looks good, but it’s less able to deal with ruts and juts in the road as ably as the rest of the range. Every other T-Cross offers a supple and cushioned ride that means you can cover ground in laid back ease. There’s also good high speed refinement from wind, road and engine noise, making the T-Cross a genuine contender as your only car for all occasions. On country roads, the VW handles in a safe, undemanding way that Ford Puma drivers might find underwhelming, but most will appreciate the VW’s unfussed nature.
Volkswagen does not offer four-wheel drive with the T-Cross, so don’t think this compact SUV will drag you out of a snowed in remote holiday cottage location. It just won’t, but it will look after you well thanks to plenty of standard safety kit that runs to include automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and forward collision mitigation tech in all models.
Value for money: how much does a 2018 Volkswagen T-Cross cost to buy and run?
The Volkswagen T-Cross takes off with the SE trim with the 95hp 1.0-litre engine that costs from £22,370. Upgrading to the 110hp engine in this model brings a price of £23,145 and gets you a six-speed manual gearbox in place of the five-speeder in the 95hp car. Upgrading to the automatic DSG transmission comes with a premium of just over £1500. Next in line is the Black Edition that starts at £22,920 for the 95hp model, with the 110hp version priced at £23,695 and the auto attracting the same premium as with the SE. Move up to the SE L and prices begin at £25,590 for the 110hp manual or £27,115 for the auto, while the 1.5 TSI Evo with DSG automatic gearbox comes in at £28,490. At the top of the range sits the R-Line model costing from £27,560 for the 110hp manual and the DSG version for that same £1500 premium as other models. This trim is also available with the 1.5-litre engine, which costs £30,460. Some diligent research when buying a new T-Cross could save you up to £1800, depending on the trim and engine choice, while a nearly new T-Cross with fewer than 5000 miles under its wheels could be yours from £20,000. A 30,000-mile, three-year old T-Cross will cost from £15,300.
Trims for the Volkswagen T-Cross start with the SE that comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, balck roof rails, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, driver fatigue alert, and blind spot monitor. Inside, there are six airbags, plus air conditioning, cloth upholstery, and an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen for the infotainment. The Black Edition improves on this with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the infotainment system, and you also get front and rear parking sensors. The Black Edition also has rear privacy glass and black-painted door mirror caps. Move to the SE L and there’s silver roof rails, front sports seats and Hexalink cloth upholstery. In the R-Line, you have the 10.3-inch Digital Cockpit in place of the standard dash instruments, plus Carbon Flag upholstery and front sports seats. On the outside, there are 18-inch alloy wheels and unique R-Line bumpers and side skirts.
While the 95hp 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine may be the least powerful, it offers 49.6mpg combined fuel economy and 130g/km carbon dioxide emissions with its five-speed manual gearbox. Opt for the 110hp version of this engine with its six-speed manual transmission and it offers identical economy and emissions figures. Choose the automatic ’box with the 110hp motor and those figures become 45.6mpg and 141g/km. For the 1.5-litre 150hp motor, it comes with an auto transmission as standard and delivers 47.1mpg and 137g/km. This outs this engine into the 32% bracket for company car Benefit in Kind taxation, while the more efficient T-Corss models sit in the 30% band. For insurance, the T-Cross is spread between groups 8 to 17 depending on engine and trim.
Verdict: Should I buy a 2018 Volkswagen T-Cross?
It’s easy to understand why many compact SUV buyers choose the Volkswagen T-Cross. For starters, it drives very smoothly and makes light work of getting about town or heading down the motorway. It’s not as much fun to drive as a Ford Puma, but the VW’s comfort and cabin versatility make it a sound choice for many.
Volkswagen doesn’t offer a hybrid or electric version of the T-Cross, and nor does it provide a diesel engine option anymore. However, the turbo petrol engines are good to use and the entry-point 95hp motor makes the most sense for the widest number of drivers, which means you don’t have to spend much to enjoy the best of the Volkswagen T-Cross line-up.
What could I buy instead of a 2018 Volkswagen T-Cross?
Ford Puma
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The Puma has become the class act of this segment and the car everyone is aiming to beat. No wonder Ford cannot build the Puma fast enough as demand is very strong. So it should be as this car is great to drive in all situations, from humming through town to zipping down motorways, it feels a class act with its refinement, handling, and comfort. Ford also offers a variety of power options, including a hybrid, so you can use the Puma in town with a clearer conscience. Throw in superb practicality and lots of kit, and the Puma is the benchmark.
Nissan Juke
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There are few more striking cars to look at in the small SUV class than the Nissan Juke. It’s more well-stocked handsome than its predecessor while still retaining a distinct look, while inside the Juke now offers plenty of space and lots of safety equipment included with every model. There’s a hybrid model to broaden the engine line-up, but the Juke has a firm ride that means it’s only average for the class when it comes to driving pleasure and comfort. Still, Nissan has priced the Juke very temptingly.
Hyundai Kona
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Distinctive looks set the Hyundai Kona apart from most of the others in the small SUV sector, and it also comes with a long list of standard equipment. As well making the Kona a comfortable and interesting car to live with, the amount of kit also makes it good value. Added to this is Hyundai’s excellent five-year, unlimited mileage warranty. Kona customers have a choice of petrol, electric or hybrid power, and the Kona is good to drive. It’s a pity the cabin doesn’t provide as much space for passengers as some others in the class, and the ride and handling are only average for the sector.
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