The Polo sized SUV is popular (300 000 units produced yearly) with young, eccentric buyers and VW is not intent on just that but wants more and it has given the model a refresh. We attended its unveil at the WesBank Festival of Motoring.
From the outside, the updated T-Cross is immediately recognisable by the new design of its front with revised designs for the front bumper. There are new integrated LED headlights and LED daytime running lights with the latter placed on the side air intakes of the bumper. The LED strip that connects both headlights has been installed on the new T-Cross bringing it in line with recent VW designs. Lower down in the bumper, there is an under-ride protection is silver.
The IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights are a completely new Volkswagen development and are offered for the first time on the T-Cross. There is also an animated wiping turn signal. Three new, fresh colours have been added to the model range: the solid colour Grape Yellow (a crisp, sporty yellow), Clear Blue Metallic (an elegant and friendly light blue) and Kings Red Metallic (a vivid, striking red).
There are new alloys varying in size from 16 inch (Nottingham design for the Life) to 17 inches (Manila design for Style) with the R-Design getting unique sporty Valencia design) alloys. 18 inch "Misano" Black, Diamond-turned alloys are offered as an option. Privacy glass for higher spec models is also retained with roof rails for the adventure buyer. No mention is made of the sunroof which locally is not available as an option.
At the rear, there is a new bumper but the most obvious change with the new model getting LED taillight clusters.
The central element in the interior of the new T-Cross is the free-standing infotainment display. The standard touchscreen measures eight inches (Life gets Comp color) whilst the top-of-the-range version has a 9.2-inch display with a diagonal of 23.4 cm. The 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro is offered on Style models upwards with the Life getting a Digital Cockpit cluster. A manual air conditioning system is on board as standard on Life models, and the 2 Zone Climatronic automatic air conditioner with back-lit touch sliders is standard on Style and R Line models. PDC (Front and rear), Cruise control, App Connect is standard on all models with the Style to R-Line getting Wireless charging as standard.
In addition, Style versions get standard sports seats whilst the R-Line gets R badged seats. The dash panel in the T-Cross has also undergone a complete redesign: as in larger VW models, the dash panel features soft-upholstered and significantly higher-quality surface materials. The same applies to the front door trims of the Style and R-Line versions.
The new T-Cross impresses with its proven operating concept, well-arranged space for up to five people, a rear bench seat that can be moved by 140 mm and an extremely flexible luggage compartment.
When all the seats are occupied, the T-Cross offers a luggage compartment capacity of between 385 and up to 455 litres when loaded up to the height of the rear bench seat. When the rear bench seat is folded down (60:40 split), this creates a flat load area with a stowage volume of up to 1,281 litres (loaded up to the height of the front seat backrests).
VW has retained its trusted TSI engine line up meaning the 1.0 Turbo 3 cylinder engine in either 70kW or 86kW tune. At local launch, there will be the 85kW version with the 70kW version scheduled for launch in 2025. The DSG auto is the only available transmission for now as it's linked to the 86kW motor. This launch model accelerates to 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds, has a top speed of up to 193 km/h, and achieves a fuel economy of 5.6 liters per 100 km. It is mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission. The top spec 111kW 1.5 Turbo 4 cylinder which is also retained linked to the DSG transmission will also be added to the line up in 2025. The DSG transmission has 7 speeds. All models drive the front wheels. The R-Line also gets a Driving profile selection (Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual).
Safety and convenience are prioritised with an array of driver assistance systems such as Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Cornering Assist, Lane Assist, and Emergency Assist, all part of the semi-automated Travel Assist package. The vehicle also includes Adaptive Cruise Control with stop & go functionality, Autonomous Emergency Braking with Front Assist, and Pedestrian Monitoring, ensuring a safe and effortless driving experience in various conditions.
Prices (VAT and emissions tax included)
T-Cross Life 1.0 TSI 85kW DSG R462 200
T-Cross Style 1.0 TSI 85kW DSG R501 300
T-Cross R-Line 1.0 TSI 85kW DSG R533 100