Say hello to…
…the VW T-Roc, the brand’s popular small family SUV, which was all new last year. The new model not only brings a new look and the latest engine line-up but VW has listened to customer feedback and given the interior a good helping of physical buttons so that not everything runs through the central touchscreen. There are two engines available, the 150hp 1.5-litre petrol TSI hybrid tested here and the same size engine but with 116hp. Both have near identical CO2 and mpg figures.
The T-Roc is available in three trim levels:
- Life
- Style
- R-line
Standard equipment on the Life includes 17-inch alloys, 8-inch digital driver’s display, black roof rails, a 12.9-inch infotainment system, LED headlights, wireless phone connection, keyless start, front and rear parking sensors and aircon.
Style adds 18-inch alloys, LED Plus headlights, rear tinted windows, satnav, keyless entry, climate control, park distance control, drive modes and massage front seats.
R-line adds R-line body styling, sports seats, sports suspension and black roof lining.
Is The VW T-Roc Suitable For My Fleet
While the T-Roc doesn’t offer a plug-in variant means the BIK tax band isn’t as low as some competitor vehicles, the strong residual means the lease rate is seriously competitive.
The T-Roc isn’t really that small either with plenty of room for four adults and a 425-litre boot, which means it’s a seriously practical car for those that aren’t quite ready or able to go for something plug-in.
Leasing A VW T-Roc
Gateway2lease is offering the VW T-roc in R-line 1.5 TSI DSG form for £382 a month on a 3+36 contract with 10,000 miles a year. Maintenance is forecast at £26 a month, according to Gensen Reports. Class 1A NIC comes in at £99 a month.
Driving A VW T-Roc
Volkswagen has got the fundamentals of the new T-Roc impressively right. Beneath the SUV body sits a chassis that feels genuinely well sorted, with precise steering and composed handling that inspires confidence on twistier roads. It’s more engaging to drive than many rivals in this class without sacrificing everyday usability.
The only downside in this areas is that the R-Line trim our test car was fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels which resulted in a hasher than expected ride quality. On smooth surfaces the ride is perfectly acceptable, but the poor condition of many British urban roads exposes an overly firm setup. Sharp-edged potholes and broken tarmac send noticeable jolts through the cabin, making this a trim level fleet buyers may want to think twice about.
Volkswagen has also listened to criticism of its recent interiors. The infotainment system is now among the best in class, with a responsive screen that powers up quickly and a logical menu structure. Crucially, frequently adjusted ADAS functions can be disabled with minimal fuss, while the return to physical steering wheel buttons is a welcome move after the unpopular touch-sensitive controls introduced by VW on the early Mk8 Golf.
Cabin quality is generally impressive, with solid build quality throughout, although there are a few harder plastics in areas you touch regularly, most noticeably around the redesigned interior door handle. They don’t feel quite as premium as the rest of the cabin.
Refinement is another strong point, with low levels of road and wind noise at almost any speed. The one notable weakness is the automatic gearbox. Driven with a very light throttle it’s smooth enough, but in normal driving it can become less polished. The downshifts are particularly noticeable when slowing to a stop, creating the sensation that the engine and gearbox are working against the brakes. It makes smooth progress harder than it should be and, frustratingly, selecting Eco, Normal or Sport mode does little to improve the behaviour.
FleetandLeasing.com Verdict On The VW T-Roc
Pick the right trim level and the VW T-Roc is a highly appealing option in the small-SUV market.
VW T-Roc
- Model: T-Roc R-Line 1.5 TSI 150 DSG
- Power: 150hp
- Torque: 250Nm
- Max speed: 132mph
- 0-62mph: 8.9seconds
- Official mpg: 50.2mpg
- Test mpg: 44.7mpg
- CO2 emissions: 128g/km
- BIK tax band 2024/25: 31%
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