New Volkswagen T-Roc facelift turns up the tech
The VW T-Roc SUV has been updated for 2022 with a new dashboard and infotainment, while the Cabriolet and hot R versions are still included in the line-up
The Volkswagen T-Roc has been given a mid-life update. A refreshed version of the Golf-sized SUV will go on sale in the UK in spring 2022, with prices starting from around £22,500. What’s more, the T-Roc Cabriolet and hot T-Roc R versions will remain.
The T-Roc has proved a popular model for Volkswagen, with more than one million examples sold globally since its launch in 2017. The company hopes this facelifted model will continue that trend, especially now that it’s competing with fresher rivals such as the all-new Honda HR-V and the Toyota Yaris Cross.
The exterior design has been updated with new bumpers front and rear, revised headlights with a new LED lighting strip running across the grille, plus darker tail-lights with dynamic indicators. There’s also a new selection of paint options, along with a choice of refreshed alloy wheel designs ranging from 17 to 19 inches in diameter.
The subtle exterior changes contrast with the updates inside, as the T-Roc has received an entirely new dashboard and switchgear layout. There’s a new steering wheel, too, behind which sits a fully digital gauge cluster that’s now standard across the range.
A 6.5, 8.0 or 9.2-inch infotainment screen will be available depending on spec, but the UK line-up is likely to receive the latter two systems only. The screen is also now housed in a new “floating” mount, with horizontal air vents integrated beneath. The climate control switchgear has also been replaced with touch-sensitive sliders, as found in the Golf.
The surface of the dashboard is now made of foam cushion, replacing the soft-touch plastics seen previously. In the T-Roc R this is colour-coded in the performance division’s trademark blue shade.
New tech includes IQ.Drive Travel Assist – Volkswagen’s latest driver-assistance system. It can take control of the car’s steering, throttle and brakes on the motorway at speeds of up to 130mph, providing the driver supervises and keeps hold of the steering wheel.
Volkswagen’s Front Assist and Lane Assist systems are fitted as standard, while predictive adaptive cruise control, enhanced Side Assist and Park Assist are optionally available, with improved functionality.
The standard T-Roc will be available with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines, but no plug-in hybrid. The range opens with a 108bhp turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit, moving up to a 148bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder and a 187bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder.
The two diesel engines are both based on the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit, and are offered in outputs of either 113bhp or 148bhp. Depending on the model, buyers also get a choice of either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
The T-Roc Cabriolet is available with the 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre petrols, while the hot T-Roc R continues with a 296bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol and four-wheel drive.
New Volkswagen T-Roc: trim-levels and equipment
Including the sporty R specification, the T-Roc’s European range is separated into five models. We’re expecting Volkswagen to make some minor changes for the UK market, but specifications for the car should be broadly similar.
The cheapest variant (simply called “T-Roc”) comes with 16-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, matte black interior trim, a multifunction steering wheel and the aforementioned safety technology and an eight-inch digital instrument cluster.
Above that, there’s the T-Roc Life, which is where the UK line-up or an equivalent model is likely to start. This gets 16-inch alloy wheels, puddle lighting, a leather steering wheel and centre armrests. The T-Roc Style builds on this specification with 17-inch alloys, two-tone paint, and some extra chrome trim for the radiator grille and rear bumper.
The Style model also comes with new LED headlights with main beam assist, adaptive cruise control, a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and an eight-inch infotainment system.
The Volkswagen T-Roc R-Line gets a sporty body kit inspired by the T-Roc R, along with 17-inch R-badged alloy wheels, a sports steering wheel, aluminium pedals and sports seats, which are trimmed in Volkswagen R upholstery.
Style and R-Line cars can also be specified with Volkswagen’s Black Style design package, which swaps the roof rails, mirror caps, radiator grille trim and side skirt trim for black replacements. The R-Line version also gets black tailpipe finishers.
The range-topping T-Roc R looks similar to the R-Line variant, albeit with larger 18-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, premium sports seats trimmed in ArtVelours and Piano Black trim for the dashboard. There’s also a quad-exit exhaust system to set the model apart from its peers.
What does the new Volkswagen T-Roc have to beat? Check out our list of the best SUVs on sale now…
