When you come from a large family, you sometimes have to be imaginative to stand out. And at Volkswagen, it’s no exaggeration to say that SUVs constitute a large family: Touareg, Tiguan, T-Roc, Taigo, as well as ID.4 and ID.5 within the electric reconstituted family. In the face of this pack, the T-Cross has therefore had to elbow its way to make its mark for 4 years now.
If it promises to be vivid, will the new version unveiled by Volkswagen allow it to nibble on some market shares? Initial answers at the end of a test that took us from the gorges of the Hérault to the salines of the Camargue.
Where does the T-Cross stand in the Volkswagen range?
With 120,225 registrations in 2023, Volkswagen recorded its best market share in France for 7 years (at 6.8%, +0.4 pt over a year). In this context, the German firm is approaching 2024 with ambition, setting a goal to exceed 130,000 registrations. It will be able to count on several major launches, starting with the new Golf, but also the return of the Passat, the new generation of the Tiguan, the 6-seat and GTX versions of the ID.Buzz… and thus, the new T-Cross.
On paper, this small SUV is not necessarily the most popular. Yet, with 1.2 million customers in 4 years, including 63,500 in France since its launch, it has managed to carve its own path. With its urban, clever, and family-oriented profile, it has thus found its place alongside the brand’s two other compact SUVs: the versatile and premium T-Roc, and the Taigo, which is more dynamic and accessible.
If it is the shortest of the three, the T-Cross is certainly not the least attractive. Especially since the new features of the 2024 version are numerous… and clever!
What are the advantages of the T-Cross?
The meeting is set in Montpellier to discover the new generation of the T-Cross. And even before daring to make a comparison with its predecessor, one thing stands out: the color. Rather than the usual white, black, or shades of gray, Volkswagen has opted for 3 new free colors: light blue, king red, or as for our test model, grape yellow.
Rather than a simple flirtation, this audacity can be seen as a way to assert the car’s character… and allow it to stand out from the competition. Moreover, in terms of aesthetics, the new design touches are plentiful on this T-Cross. While its size remains generally unchanged (only 27 mm longer, at 4.14m), its face is now more expressive. The daytime running lights have been redesigned in a more vertical fashion, while the lower part of the bumper adopts a honeycomb insert on our finish.
But it’s mainly the distinctive lighting that changes the look of the T-Cross with the presence of IQ.Light – Matrix LED headlights and a light strip that crosses the entire grille. Harmonious, the SUV incorporates these same features at the rear with, again, a honeycomb pattern and reworked optics.
Inside, the perceived quality level is sharply higher. The 8-inch infotainment screen is now independent from the dashboard and more pleasant to use. Even if it may seem unimportant, the dashboard and padded inserts also give an impression of great comfort. And on the winding roads of the Hérault Gorges, between the devil’s bridge of Aniane and Causse-de-la-Selle, comfort was essential!
Under its hood, the new T-Cross features a new 1.5 TSI 150 horsepower engine, but it’s with the small 1.0 115 horsepower, coupled with a DSG gearbox, that we set out to tackle the Hérault curves. Small on paper, but efficient and effective, especially since the vehicle exhibits dynamism and agility in curves. And even when it’s taken out of its comfort zone on the muddy trails of the Aigues-Mortes salt marshes, the SUV still manages to move with vigor, living up to its T-Cross name… At the end of this eventful 200-kilometer journey, fuel consumption remained limited to 6.5l/100km. We’ll have to see how the vehicle performs under more typical conditions, but everything suggests that the 5.8l/100km from the WLTP cycle are easily attainable.
In summary, our review of the new Volkswagen T-Cross SUV
The look of a car may well be something subjective, but this T-Cross knows how to stand out. In this regard, one can only applaud Volkswagen’s choice to offer three brilliant shades among its free bodies… even if this lemon grape yellow will not undoubtedly please everyone.
Despite its small size, the T-Cross remains a functional and practical SUV for everyday use. Its rear bench seat sliding across 14 cm contributes to its spaciousness, while the trunk volume of 385 to 455l (and even 1281l with the bench folded down) places it among the best in its category.
To make things even better, the overall level of equipment is also one of the strengths of this compact SUV. Semi-autonomous driving Travel Assist, App-Connect (wireless CarPlay, Android Auto), ACC cruise control, digital cockpit and front/rear parking assistance are thus offered as standard from the first trim level. Volkswagen also takes advantage of the launch of its vehicle to offer a special VW Edition series with a customer advantage of 2200€ (tinted windows, 17″ rims, keyless entry…), for a starting price set at 25 790€ or 259€/month for leasing.
Our trial version 1.0 TSI 115 DSG R-Line is priced at €32,410 while the 1.5 150 horsepower model sits at the top of the range at €34,210 (barely more expensive than a Peugeot 2008 GT 1.2 Puretech 130).
Well-equipped, agile, versatile, this new T-Cross is thus a proposition that makes sense in this ultra-competitive segment of compact SUVs. And above all, a proposition that does not lack style or color!
