The Volkswagen T-Cross may look dated today, but its do-anything spirit still charms drivers.
If you’re scratching your head wondering what’s new with this facelift, don’t worry, you’re not alone. The updates are subtle, but Volkswagen insists they’re there.
Launched back in 2019, the T-Cross is essentially a beefed-up Polo; built on the same MQB platform, sharing engines, and hailing from the same Spanish factory.
It’s a cheerful little crossover that managed to carve out its own identity, and has been a hot seller ever since. I mean, 1.2 million units sold worldwide sounds decent, don’t you think?
So what’s new?
The Volkswagen T-Cross now sports new bumpers front and back, adding 21mm to its overall length. These tweaks, as VW claims, are meant to give the T-Cross a bit of a family resemblance to its bigger sibling, the Touareg.
Both light signatures fore and aft get new designs too, alongside a splash of silver underbody protection, and a few more vibrant exterior colours to brighten things up.
One standout shade ‘Rubber Ducky Yellow’ was actually named by VW’s social media fans. Shame this same shade is called “Grape Yellow” here.
Compact chugger
No fancy hybrid tech in sight here. At the heart of the T-Cross is a 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine, a familiar sight in the VW Group lineup.
Is it any good in the T-Cross? Well, yes and no. If you punch it, it’s got just enough grunt to get you moving. But, this also gives the engine a pretty grouchy demeanour.
This isn’t helped by the 7-speed DSG gearbox. For some reason, it feels like it’s been programmed with an almost obsessive desire to shift up early and hold on for dear life, putting you out of the bandwidth for optimal acceleration.
But hey, this is a dual-clutch transmission after all. The shifts are smooth, and if you’re itching for a bit more control, there are paddles on the steering wheel that respond promptly.
How does it handles corners?
The T-Cross gets brownie points for its driving position. It’s suitably elevated, giving you that “SUV” feel without making you feel like you’re wobbling on stilts.
Sure, there’s a bit of body roll around corners, and the steering doesn’t exactly encourage any spirited driving, but owners of the T-Cross aren’t entering corners the same way Golfs and Siroccos do.
The chassis handles bends without much fuss, keeping things mostly stable and surefooted.
Ride comfort is a little on the firm side, but nothing that will make you wince. It actually handles bumps rather well for a car of its size and type, likely because it’s fairly light. That lightness also translates into confident braking performance.
For long-distance cruising, the T-Cross isn’t half bad. The suspension, combined with the soft seats, makes for a pleasant ride, although the firmness does mean you’ll notice a bit more road and wind noise, especially from those large wing mirrors.
The steering could also use a bit more weight to improve road stability, but overall, the T-Cross is a solid enough performer for its segment. It may not set your pulse racing, but it is well-rounded and sensible, getting the job done with minimal fuss.
Subtle updates on the inside
It’s no secret that the pre-facelift VW T-Cross had an interior that left much to be desired. Step inside, and you were greeted by an overwhelming amount of scratchy, hard plastics; not what you’d expect if you were used to the more polished confines of a Golf or Polo.
But with the facelift, Volkswagen clearly got the memo. The interior has been given a proper once-over, with the dash now sporting softer materials and a more prominent infotainment setup.
Spring for the R-Line trim like the one in the photos, and you’ll find more of that soft-touch goodness on the doors as well. And, thankfully, they’ve kept a separate climate control panel.
The 8.0-inch infotainment screen is small by today’s standards, but graphics are crisp and navigating the system is fairly straightforward. The digital instrument cluster is clear and concise too, exactly what you want for an effortless driving experience.
Despite sharing the same wheelbase as the Polo, the T-Cross offers a bit more breathing room inside thanks to its bigger body. You’ll notice this especially in the back seats; adults up to about six-foot-something can sit comfortably without feeling like they’re being squeezed into a shoebox.
There’s decent knee and headroom, though fitting a third person in the middle seat will quickly turn into a game of elbow wars.
Storage space is respectable too. With the rear seats upright, the T-Cross offers 385 litres of boot space. Fold the seats flat, and that figure jumps to 1,281 litres. If you need even more room, the rear bench slides forward by 140mm, upping the boot space to a solid 455 litres.
What about competition?
Oh, there’s plenty. You’ve got the likes of the Toyota Yaris Cross, Lexus LBX, Peugeot 2008, Kia Niro, and the Hyundai Kona.
While it is practical enough, the engine is where the T-Cross loses out most. Without a full hybrid setup, it loses the economy race almost immediately. But…
It’s still a ray of sunshine
And kudos to Volkswagen for doing more than just the bare minimum with the T-Cross. It could have easily been another half-hearted attempt at a facelift, but to their credit, they’ve gone beyond that.
It might not be cutting-edge by today’s standards, but the T-Cross still holds onto that no-nonsense charm. It’s a solid choice for those who just want a simple, sensible ride that does the job without too much fuss.
Technical Specifications
2024 Volkswagen T-Cross R-Line
Engine: 999cc 3-cylinder turbocharged
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Power: 114bhp
Torque: 200Nm
Gearbox: 7-speed DSG
0-100km/h: 10.3 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 192 km/h
Fuel Economy: 15.9 km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$169,900 (Style), S$174,900 (R-Line), both with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Volkswagen Singapore
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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