New entry T-Cross brings all those Volkswagen plusses
Volkswagen’s best-selling SUV with over 36,000 units shifted since its 2019 launch, the Spanish-built T-Cross was introduced to rival the likes of Ford’s Ecosport, the Mazda CX-3, Suzuki Vitara and a few others at the time.
But the market has moved on. Today the modern People’s Car must also face the Hyundai Venue, Honda Elevate, Toyota Starlet Cross and Suzuki Fronx. Never mind huge spec Chinamen a rung up the ladder swanning in this price bracket. The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, Haval Jolion and so forth now have the entry SUV niche hopping, shipping and jumping to react to the impending yellow peril.
A Volkswagen broadside on the Yellow Peril
To that end, Volkswagen in February added this baseline 70 kW TSI manual to last year’s facelift T-Cross range. Significantly, it keeps pricing below the crucial R400K mark to at least present a psychological defence to the Chinese. Sold and supported by a giant in the local car industry, T-Cross is still a solid little option in a booming market space.
Our significantly upgraded subtle hearing aid beige base model 70 kW T-Cross gains LED headlights in place of the old halogens. The LED treatment spreads to the taillight clusters, while a smart set of alloys bring a cheeky feel. It looks the part for sure. Chunky, a bit squared off, neat and simplistic. Both inside and out.
T-Cross stars with ample space front and rear, coupled to a handy boot size to make it a practical daily driver. Volkswagen’s much improved upgraded infotainment system and basic but sophisticated driver interface retain an edge over most price range counterparts. We found it all quite ergonomic and user friendly.
T-Cross has knobs and buttons. Hooray!
This entry 70 kW T-Cross retains the latest free-standing 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and impressive digital cockpit. They grace a rejigged soft-touch upholstered dash. Add the smart multi-function steering wheel, 8“Digital Cockpit, App-Connect and two front USB ports, and it’s now a far higher-quality space.
Crucially, this base model retains all its buttons and knobs versus those terrible sliders. And while it’s a base model, it still retains central locking with radio remote control, child lock rear doors, an air-conditioner, hill assist and tyre pressure monitoring for those alloy wheels.
There are a few challenges, however. I struggled to find the ideal driving position and was unable adjust the refreshed cloth trim chair to a setting I’d be most comfortable in. Ride is a touch on the stiff side and brakes could be a touch more responsive.
6-speed manual the better T-Cross option?
This slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox however eliminates throttle delay concerns we had on DSG T-Cross and Taigo versions in the past. And performance proved on par with class expectations, as our VBox data attests. Fuel economy is also good. We readily beat VW’s frugal claims in relatively mixed driving conditions.
The T-Cross is a crucial model for Volkswagen. It now faces far more competition from some cut price, or is that cut throat, new rivals in the South African market. To compete, Kariga has had to adapt this little critter, and in so doing, it has delivered a surprisingly adept entry family car.
It does the daily driver job well, looks good, is well equipped with the right stuff. We enjoyed tootling about with it for a week. Yes, there are cars that do a similar job for less money in the niche, while others may outperform, outsize and out-spec this base T-Cross at similar prices.
Most importantly… T-Cross is a Volkswagen
But T-Cross is a Volkswagen at the end of the day. And that alone should swing many a buyer. No matter how vivid any of its newfangled rivals’ smoke and mirrors may shine. — Michele Lupini Images & testing: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0 TSI 70kW
Engine: 70 kW 175 Nm 1-litre turbo petrol I3
Drive: 6-speed manual FWD
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 4.63 sec
0-100 km/h: 11.24 sec
0-120 km/h: 16.10 sec
400 m: 17.7 sec @ 128km/h
80-120 km/h: 8.43 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 189 km/h
Fuel: 5.9 l/100 km
CO2: 122 g/km
Range: 675 km
Warranty/Service: 3y 120K/3y 45K km
LIST PRICE: R399K
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