Volkswagen T-Roc R 2022 first drive

As with other less powerful Volkswagen T-Roc models, the T-Roc R doesn’t receive a power hike with this mid-life facelift, but it does benefit from a series of exterior styling changes and upgrades to its interior, which combine to give it a more contemporary look and more premium feel than before.

It remains delightfully urgent, with a raspy exhaust note that pops and crackles on the overrun in Race driving mode to give you the full aural performance car experience when you so desire.

The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine displays some lag as the induction begins to build at lower end of the dial. Still, it's very determined and also quite smooth through the mid-range, where it's very responsive and willing.

Volkswagen’s seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG) gearbox is quick and smoother than ever before. It delivers rapid upshifts in automatic mode and is every bit as eager when you operate it in manual mode via the R-specific steering-wheel-mounted paddles.

Drive is sent to all four wheels via a fifth-generation version of Volkswagen’s 4Motion four-wheel drive system. It's not as advanced as the system used by the latest Volkswagen Golf R, but its ability to vary the amount of power sent to the front and rear wheels provides the T-Roc R with excellent traction.

You can deploy the 296bhp and 295lb ft with great confidence, both in wet and dry conditions. Predictably given the lack of any significant mechanical upgrades, the 0-62mph time is the same as before, at 4.9sec, as is the limited 155mph top speed. Don’t let that put you off, though. The all-season performance remains at a very high level.  

When you dial it back, there are flexible qualities to the engine in either Eco, Comfort or Normal mode. This makes for relatively relaxed and refined driving traits, both around town and at typical motorway cruising speeds in taller gears.

The 1560kg T-Roc R is assured over more challenging roads. The progressive steering, which alters the amount of assistance dependent on speed, is characteristically light and devoid of much communication. However, it gets a high-geared ratio, imbuing the car with brisk turn in and pleasing all-round agility, if little in the way of true feel.

The MacPherson strut front and four-link rear suspension is lowered by 20mm and stiffened quite appreciably over other T-Roc models to improve body control, erring towards firm in Race mode. It's fine on smooth surfaces but tends to contribute to quite a bit of vertical movement and bump thump over rougher roads.