The Volkswagen T-Roc has been redesigned with a larger body, a higher quality interior and, to start off with, a pair of mild-hybrid powertrains.
Stylistically the new T-Roc gains Volkswagen’s latest corporate face and lighting signatures, but retains the original’s signature C-pillar treatment, although it has grown half a size.
Up front there are rounded headlights linked by a light bar with an illuminated VW badge in the centre. In the R-Line model pictured here it’s underscored by a large full-width gloss black grille, while less sporty versions use dark grey plastic with some body colour highlights.
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The second-gen T-Roc’s interior has a much more premium look with faux metal accents capping the sides of the upper dashboard, which has a soft padded material covered in fabric that’s said to reduce glare onto the windscreen.
The shelf-like section underneath is finished a contrasting colour that flows into the door panels. At night there’s soft ambient lighting, as well as illuminated patterns in the door cards.
Per the company’s earlier promise, the T-Roc’s steering wheel features physical buttons. Behind this is a larger 10.0-inch digital instrument cluster, while in the centre of the dashboard is a touchscreen measuring 10.4 or 12.9 inches depending on the trim level.
The infotainment system is Volkswagen’s latest MIB4 setup that features a favourites bar at the top and a permanent strip of on-screen buttons along the bottom for the climate control system. The voice assistant also includes ChatGPT integration.
With the gear shifter mounted behind the steering wheel, the centre tunnel is sparsely populated with a pair of USB-C ports, a fan-cooled smartphone wireless charging pad, and cupholders. In the middle there’s an oversized multi-function knob flanked by the engine stop/start button, and a flick switch for the electronic parking brake.
Optional features include a head-up display, remote control parking via a smartphone app, driverless automated parking, highway lane change assistance, a Harman/Kardon sound system, and massaging front seats.
Adaptive cruise control can be activated after purchase on lower-spec models, while wheel sizes go all the way up to 20 inches.
At its launch in Europe, the T-Roc will be available with solely with a mild-hybrid 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder Miller Cycle petrol engine in either 85kW/220Nm or 110kW/250Nm tunes.
For both engine specs, the 1.5-litre engine is paired with a seven-speed automated dual-clutch transmission driving the front wheels. They also include a mild-hybrid setup that incorporates a 48V lithium-ion battery and a belt-driven starter alternator, and which is able to provide up to 14kW and 56Nm for short periods of time.
These will be followed by a newly developed full hybrid drivetrain with the same 1.5-litre engine, and a larger battery pack under the rear seats.
This will be Volkswagen’s first full hybrid – i.e. not mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid – since the 2010s when the brand employed this technology in the Jetta and Touareg.
There will also be a more powerful all-wheel drive model equipped with a mild-hybrid 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder. Both the 1.5-litre hybrid and 2.0-litre turbo are due by the end of 2026 in Europe. A performance R model has been confirmed too.
The new T-Roc is 4373mm long, 1828mm wide, 1562mm tall, with a 2631mm wheelbase. That means it’s 122mm longer overall, 9mm wider, and 9mm taller the current model, and rides a 28mm longer wheelbase.
As a result, boot space grows from 30L to 475L.
Most of the extra length has been used for improved passenger comfort, with Volkswagen claiming a 1.85m tall passenger can comfortably sit behind a person of similar stature up front.
Despite its larger footprint, the new T-Roc is 10 per cent more aerodynamic than today’s car, with a drag coefficient of 0.29.
Six paint options are available: Pure White solid, Wolf Grey metallic, Canary Yellow solid, Flamed Red metallic, Celestial Blue metallic and Grenadilla Black metallic. A contrasting black roof is available as an optional extra.
Since its launch in 2017, Volkswagen has sold more than 2 million T-Roc models across the world, and it’s now the company’s second most popular SUV after the larger Tiguan.