Autozine – Show driving: Volkswagen T-Cross

As befits an SUV, the T-Cross has a high profile, muscular shoulder line and a long off-road hood. However, the T-Cross is no more off-road than the Volkswagen Polo that has been released. So the T-Cross is definitely not a luxury off-roader for recreational use, but a family car with the proportions of a compact off-roader. To better express that character, the grille has now become more refined. Famous bumpers and bumpers have developed a smooth mesh pattern on the grille. The headlights are visually integrated with the panel running behind the large Volkswagen logo on the grille. The new paint color shown here adds a touch of fun “Grape Yellow” is available.

The room

Mainly because the T-Cross is intended as a low-slung SUV, the interior for the 2024 model year has been more Volkswagen-ish. The materials used are soft, smooth and very hard. Much-needed contrast comes from panels with a different texture, without accents in color. The soft material has been used in strategic areas like never before and that was witnessed as a huge improvement. To maintain the familiar character, the T-Cross still has a real mechanical parking brake and frequently used functions are operated by real buttons (not via a screen).

Front and rear space is average for a car of this size. The difference lies in the comfort of sitting. The seats are designed in a European style and that’s why the T-Cross sits better than many Asian competitors.

Equipment

Volkswagen had two reasons for renewing the T-Cross for the 2024 model year: the car has been on the market since 2019 and the European Union has set new safety requirements. The latter requires a major intervention in the electronics and that is why Volkswagen immediately redesigned the infotainment system. However, this is not an experience as modern, but only average. In addition, additional performance must be paid. For example, voice-controlled commands are processed only after a visit (payment) to the Volkswagen online store. The test car did not have online traffic information and therefore immediately sent the test driver into a long traffic queue.

“After a week of driving the T-Cross, the conclusion is: everything about this car is great.”

The new mandatory safety features are humiliating and annoying, just like all other cars from 2024 onwards. Volkswagen eases the pain somewhat by opting for modest sounds and a less critical system than usual.

Engine

The engines are unchanged for the 2024 model year. The T-Cross is still available with 1.0 and 1.5 liter petrol engines. The first offers a choice of 95 or 115 hp. The test car is equipped with a “1.0 TSI” with 115 hp and a seven-speed automatic clutch transmission. Thanks to the dual clutch, the automatic transmission shifts very quickly, which is why the T-Cross looks faster than it really is. As soon as the driver moves even slightly enthusiastically with the right foot, the automatic transmission shifts down and suddenly more power is available. So it looks like the driver is driving in sport mode, but in reality the T-Cross has no sport, eco or comfort mode. Even when the power source has to work hard, the sounds of the engine are normal. In practice, the sounds of tires and wind are always the most prominent.

The motorcycles do not have any kind of electrical assistance. In the city, the consumption is much higher than the same vehicles as the hybrid car. On the highway, hybrid influence is generally limited and the T-Cross is moderately economical with consumption of about 1:20. Over a week of driving, the consumption was 1 in 16.3. This makes the T-Cross more expensive than an electric car, to buy and use, and is clearly aimed at those who appreciate traditional technology.

Road behavior

In terms of equipment and vehicle, the T-Cross is older. The care, on the other hand, is still of excellent quality. Not only that: a conservative car is much lighter than an electric motor with a battery and that guarantees a dynamic behavior. It seems that the seat is high, but in fact the T-Cross is almost as stable and safe as the Polo it is taken from.

Conclusion

Can the Volkswagen T-Cross maintain its down-to-earth demeanor despite the obligatory electronic revitalization treatment? Indeed! The T-Cross has been updated in terms of luxury and infotainment, but this has not been a driving computer. Mandatory safety features offer valuable opportunities and are less intrusive than usual thanks to a carefully selected tone. The appearance and decoration have become more sophisticated, which distinguishes the T-Cross more clearly from the fashion dolls and future racing cars.

The engines haven’t been updated since 2019. That could be seen as a weakness or a strong point. Relatively high CO2 emissions and relatively high consumption mean the T-Cross is more expensive to buy and run than an electric car (especially when the luxury version is selected). At the same time, T-Cross serves buyers who are not interested in new technology and feel more comfortable with the old lineage.

After a week of driving the T-Cross, the conclusion is: everything about this car is great. However, because the T-Cross is not special or innovative in any way, nothing is better than average. So the Volkswagen T-Cross has been updated for the 2024 model year and is still as popular as ever.