First Drive: 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc
2020 has been a difficult year for everyone but it seems that this has not stopped Volkswagen from being busy. If it wasn’t the 190kW Amarok or Golf-e, then it was the highly anticipated reveal of the Golf 8 GTI. Of course, the year wouldn’t be over, if Volkswagen couldn’t squeeze in one more launch. Yes, the highly anticipated Volkswagen T-Roc has hit the home of Mzanzi. It has been one of the most talked-about compact SUV’s of the year. It made its worldwide debut in 2017, so seeing this premium compact SUV in person has been a long time coming. We headed over to the mother city to spend some time with this newcomer.
The T-Roc does join Volkswagen’s range of SUV’s, in fact, it sits just in between the T-Cross and the Tiguan. Much like the recent T-Cross, the T-Roc is aimed at attracting a younger market, with its premium styling and daring attitude being the focal point. In-person the T-Roc is quite a looker, it features a Tiguan-inspired front, muscular wheel arches, and lovely looking bi-coloured curving roofline. One of the other striking features on the T-Roc is its LED DRLs, it's seen surrounding the intakes on the bumper and can change from white to amber to double up as indicators. From first impressions, it’s easy to see that the T-Roc is closely related to the Audi Q2, with its advantage being its lower price tag. The T-Roc offers a range of stunning colours, it comes in 26 different colour options while the R-Line derivative gets offered in 21 different colour options.
The T-Roc consists of three derivatives, a 1.4-litre TSI Design model, a 2.0-litre TSI Design model and the range-topping 2.0-litre TSI R-Line. Although there are three derivatives, the T-Roc only gets offered in two engine variants. First is the 1.4-litre TSI engine that produces 110kw and 250 Nm of torque and comes paired with an 8-speed Tiptronic. Next, is the 2.0-litre TSI that produces a more powerful 140kw and 320 Nm of torque. It comes paired with a 7-speed DSG and uses a 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system. The obvious favourite was of course the TSI R-Line, simply because it offered more power and the addition of the R-Line kit.
Stepping inside the 1.4 TSI Design and 2.0 TSI Design models felt very much like stepping into a VW Golf. It comes with your basic features such as climatronic air conditioning, a Composition Media infotainment system that comes with connectivity via the We-Connect Go app as well as Voice Control. It also has a LED taillight cluster and Park Distance Control in both the front and rear. If you really want your T-Roc to have the premium treatment, then the R-Line is what you will be after. It comes standard with high-tech systems such as Front Assist area monitoring with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, and the lane-keeping system Lane Assist. There are also LED daytime running lights in the bumper and dynamic cornering lights, as well as the latest generation Active info display, Keyless entry, and luxurious Vienna leather seats.
The T-Roc’s safety features are of top class, even receiving a five-star safety rating. Doing exceptionally well in safety features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Park Distance Control, LED Headlights, Light and Vision Package, Blind Spot Monitor and Fatigue Detection. In addition to these safety features, I.Q Drive technologies also come on the T-Roc. The I.Q Drive technologies included in the T-Roc are Park Assist, Emergency Assist, Front Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist.
Pricing
T-Roc 1.4 TSI 110kW Tiptronic Design R489 400
T-Roc 2.0 TSI 140kW 4MOTION DSG Design R548 300
T-Roc 2.0 TSI 140kW 4MOTION DSG R-Line R593 600
Also worth a look: the Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen Touareg.
FAQ
Q: What does the 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc cost in South Africa?
The 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc starts from R449,500 for the 1.4 TSI Design, while the 2.0 TSI Design sits at R519,900 and the range-topping 2.0 TSI R-Line will set you back R589,900.
Q: Is the Volkswagen T-Roc better than the Audi Q2?
The T-Roc offers similar premium quality and features as the Q2 but comes with a significantly lower price tag, making it the smarter choice for buyers who want Audi-like luxury without the premium badge markup.
Q: What engine options are available in the T-Roc?
The T-Roc comes with two petrol engines: a 1.4-litre TSI producing 110kW and 250Nm, and a more powerful 2.0-litre TSI that delivers 140kW and 320Nm of torque.
Q: How does the T-Roc compare to other compact SUVs in South Africa?
The T-Roc sits perfectly between the smaller T-Cross and larger Tiguan, offering premium styling, 26 colour options, and distinctive LED DRLs that make it stand out against rivals like the BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA.
Q: Is the Volkswagen T-Roc worth buying in 2020?
The T-Roc is worth buying if you want a premium compact SUV with distinctive styling, solid build quality, and the latest tech, especially considering it undercuts German rivals while offering similar luxury credentials.
Should You Buy It?
The best premium compact SUV under R600,000 in SA is absolutely the 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc. Starting at R449,500 for the 1.4 TSI Design, it delivers Audi Q2 quality at a significantly lower price point. The striking bi-coloured roofline, clever LED DRLs, and 26 colour options make it the most stylish option in its class. While the R589,900 R-Line might stretch some budgets, the entry-level 1.4 TSI offers excellent value with its 110kW output and premium interior. If you're after a compact SUV that looks expensive but won't break the bank, the T-Roc is your answer. Just avoid it if you need serious off-road capability or maximum boot space.
