About Volkswagen T-Roc
The T-Roc arrived in 2017 as Volkswagen’s third SUV, sitting beneath the Tiguan and flagship Touareg. Rivalling the Nissan Qashqai and Mini Countryman, the T-Roc offers buyers a stylish chunky-looking SUV, plenty of scope for personalisation and a decent driving experience. A wide range of petrol and diesels are offered, along with a good selection of trim levels too.But alongside the standard SUV derivative, Volkswagen has introduced both the racier ‘R’ model, as well as the unusual Cabriolet version. Now Volkswagen’s only drop-top, it's the only convertible SUV on the market, and follows on from where Range Rover’s Evoque Convertible left off.
Why buy a used T-Roc?
Many will be drawn to the T-Roc purely for the way it looks, and it’s true that this is one of the most stylish cars in its class. With a chunky design thanks to its raised ride height and thick plastic cladding, it will really appeal to those wanting something that looks a bit more rugged. There’s plenty of scope for personalisation, both inside and out, while neat features like big, circular indicators that double up as daytime running lights and a bi-tone body colour really add to the T-Roc’s image.If you want something that’s good to drive, the T-Roc is also among one of the best cars in its segment too. Despite appearing quite top-heavy, it’s surprisingly nimble and doesn’t offer much in the way of body roll, while a generous amount of grip inspires confidence. It certainly bodes well for the flagship R performance model, which is a bit of a rarity in this class. Using the same turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that you get in the Golf R hot hatchback, it puts out 296bhp, allowing this SUV to reach 0-60mph in just 4.5 seconds, which is ridiculously quick for a car of this type. Four-wheel-drive helps deliver that power in all conditions, too.
The sheer number of trim levels and engines on offer is a big draw here, too, from affordable entry-level versions (which still get a decent amount of equipment) to fully kitted-out models, there’s likely a trim to suit most. A broad range of petrol and diesel engines, again offering a big differentiation in power and performance, are also available. Though there is no hybrid or electric version available, you can still get very low running costs from the diesels – Volkswagen claiming up to 60mpg, with CO2 emissions of just 123g/km.
T-Roc updates
Here’s a short history of the Volkswagen T-Roc, which dates back to 2014.- Volkswagen first showed off the T-Roc in concept form in 2014, with a funky convertible concept then being shown in 2016.
- The T-Roc eventually made its production premiere in August 2017, bringing a bold design, plenty of customisation and rugged styling to Volkswagen’s range.
- For 2018 the T-Roc range expanded to include a sportier-looking R-Line model, which also brought additional standard equipment to the line-up.
- In 2019 the range grew again to include a powerful T-Roc R model. Bringing the same 296bhp engine as the Golf R, it offers exceptional performance for a model in this class.
- In 2021 came the wackiest T-Roc of them all, the Cabriolet. Though shown as a concept many years earlier, few expected it to actually materialise, but customers could get behind the wheel of the only drop-top SUV on the market at the time.
- For 2022, the T-Roc line-up was given a mid-life update, with key changes including new technology, a more premium-feeling interior and greater driver assistance features.
Which used T-Roc should I buy?
Volkswagen offers a range of trim levels on the T-Roc, with equipment highlights as follows.
Volkswagen T-Roc Active
17-inch diamond-turned alloy wheels, black roof rails, LED rear lights, privacy glass, leather steering wheel, LED interior lighting, automatic lights and wipers, 8-inch touchscreen, DAB radio, Bluetooth, wireless smartphone mirroring, climate control, heated front seats, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, adaptive cruise control, electric parking brake, front assist, lane assist front and rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition.
Volkswagen T-Roc Black Edition
Privacy glass gloss lack roof rails, 18-inch black alloy wheels, stealthier styling pack, LED headlights, upgraded satellite navigation.
Volkswagen T-Roc Design
17-inch alloy wheels, white ambient lighting, driver alert system.
Volkswagen T-Roc R-Line
19-inch alloy wheels, R-Line sports styling kit, heated windscreen, darkened LED rear lights, part microfibre ‘Carbon flag’ comfort sports seats, stainless steel pedals, R-Line door sill protectors, digital co*ckpit, sports suspension, driver profile select.
Volkswagen T-Roc R
Upgraded 19-inch alloy wheels, quad-exit sports exhaust system, matt chrome styling elements, Alcantara sports seats, all-wheel-drive.
What should I look for when buying a used T-Roc?
- Versions fitted with the largest alloy wheels are quite susceptible to kerb damage, which can be costly to repair.
- The 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol has been a bit problematic for some owners, so check it’s running smoothly on any test drives.
- Some of the interior quality isn’t up to Volkswagen’s usual quality, so look out for any signs of damage.
