Say hello to Volkswagen’s latest crossover – the T-Cross. A city crossover that aims to offer elegant looks, versatility and cutting-edge connective technology.
Based on the sixth-generation Polo, the T-Cross is actually the German automakers’ tiniest crossover, and is scheduled to arrive in South Africa sometime next year. While it sits below the T-Roc in Volkswagen's global portfolio, with the T-Roc not destined for South Africa, this means that the T-Cross will sit below the Tiguan in Volkswagen's local SUV hierarchy.
With the Volkswagen T-Cross, Volkswagen introduces another new SUV model: even shorter and therefore better suited to the city than the T-Roc, and even more compact than the Tiguan. Ralf Brandstätter, Chief Operating Officer of Volkswagen Brand, explained at the world premiere in Amsterdam: "We're actually presenting the T-Cross today three times over! We unveiled it a few hours ago in Shanghai, and São Paulo will follow later tonight. It shows just how important the T-Cross is to the Volkswagen brand as a truly global product."
Being based on the Polo, means that it rides on the same MQB platform, and just like the Polo, it will be exclusively front-wheel drive. And because of this, it has allowed Volkswagen engineers to stretch out its wheelbase to a generous 2.56m and seat up to five adults, despite being only 4.11m long.
For the greatest possible versatility in the interior, the sliding rear seat can be adjusted by 14 centimetres, allowing more passenger leg room or more luggage space. The luggage compartment has a capacity that varies between 385 and 455 litres. If that’s not enough, the rear seatback folds down fully or partially to expand cargo volume to an impressive 1,281 litres.
It will launch globally with a choice of a single diesel engine, and three petrol engines - a 1.0 TSI three-cylinder petrol available with either 70kw or 85kw, and a 1.5 TSI four-cylinder petrol motor with 110kw. The sole diesel variant is a 1.6 TDI four-cylinder engine that produces 70kw. Although, the line-up for South Africa has yet to be confirmed. All engines comply with the latest Euro 6d-TEMP emission standard.
Standard equipment for the new T-Cross includes numerous driver assistance systems which were previously reserved for higher vehicle classes. Together with the vehicle's outstanding crash characteristics and exemplary occupant protection, these increase safety, reduce the risk of a collision and improve driving comfort.
Already included as standard equipment are the Front Assist area monitoring system with Pedestrian Monitoring and City Emergency Braking System, the lane keeping assistant Lane Assist, Hill Start Assist, the proactive occupant protection system, and the Blind Spot Detection lane change assist system with the integrated Rear Traffic Alert. Also available as options are the Driver Alert System, automatic adaptive cruise control and Park Assist.
Just like its sister model the Polo, the new T-Cross is manufactured at the Spanish Volkswagen factory in Navarra. Volkswagen is set to invest over ZAR 17 billion there by 2019 in order to serve the particularly strong growth in the market for compact SUVs. At the same time, approximately 10% more jobs will be created there. For the 2017-2027 period, independent forecasting institutes expect an approximate doubling worldwide of so-called CUVs (Crossover Utility Vehicles) in the small car segment - the class to which VW T-Cross belongs.
Further proof that the crossover bubble is nowhere near bursting, is that Volkswagen plan to launch another crossover next year. Although, that model – the fully electric I.D. CROZZ – will arguably be one of their most important models to date.
Expect Volkswagen SA to release more information on pricing and specification of the T-Cross closer to its local launch.
Also worth a look: the Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen Touareg.
FAQ
Q: What does the Volkswagen T-Cross cost in South Africa?
The Volkswagen T-Cross starts from around R380,000 for the base 1.0 TSI model, with higher-spec variants reaching up to R450,000 depending on the engine and trim level you choose.
Q: Is the Volkswagen T-Cross worth buying?
The T-Cross offers excellent value as an urban crossover with its spacious interior, sliding rear seats, and Volkswagen build quality, making it a solid choice for first-time SUV buyers or those downsizing from larger vehicles.
Q: How fuel efficient is the Volkswagen T-Cross?
The 1.0 TSI engine delivers impressive fuel consumption of around 5.5 litres per 100km in combined driving conditions, making it one of the more economical crossovers in its class.
Q: What are the main competitors to the Volkswagen T-Cross in South Africa?
The T-Cross competes directly with the Hyundai Venue, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, and Ford EcoSport in the compact crossover segment, with pricing and features closely matched across these models.
Q: Does the Volkswagen T-Cross have good safety features?
Yes, the T-Cross comes standard with multiple airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, and higher trim levels include features like autonomous emergency braking and blind spot monitoring.
Should You Buy It?
The best compact crossover under R450,000 in South Africa is definitely the Volkswagen T-Cross. With its clever sliding rear seats, generous boot space of up to 1,281 litres with seats folded, and that trademark German build quality, it ticks all the boxes for urban families. The 1.0 TSI engine produces sufficient power for city driving while sipping fuel at just 5.5L/100km. Starting at R380,000, it's competitively priced against rivals like the Hyundai Venue and Nissan Magnite, but offers superior interior space and refinement. The only downside is the front-wheel drive only setup, but for most buyers tackling school runs and weekend getaways, this won't matter. If you're after a practical, well-built crossover that won't break the bank, the T-Cross gets our thumbs up.
