Published:
15 January 2024Although it’s rare to find a crossover hatchback with what’s ostensibly a slightly detuned engine from a GTI hot hatchback – albeit a Volkswagen Polo GTI in this case rather than Golf – it’s not altogether surprising that VW should have built one.
The company tends to offer broader engine ranges than many of its volume-brand competitors and its semi-premium positioning also allows it to embrace the more powerful end of the combustive spectrum in a way that its rivals perhaps can’t.
As the entry engine for the T-Roc range, the 1.0-litre TSI comes with a conservative 107bhp and is exclusively available with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Even with an 11.0sec sprint from 0-62mph, this three-cylinder model is still punchy enough and is remarkably easy to drive. You'll struggle to find more power for the money, with the Ford Puma the only real competitor out there.
The 2.0 TSI is our pick of the range for the T-Roc. It performs with the strength and zest that puts much of the model's rivals to shame.
It's smooth and polished and is particularly quiet and well-mannered when cruising at low and high speeds. It's best matched to a smart, quick-shifting dual-clutch automatic gearbox that impresses in both automatic and paddle-shift manual modes.
