The fine detail of exactly what this kind of crossover SUV gives you in terms of available passenger comfort and cargo space over and above a regular hatchback always tends to underwhelm a little when written down in black and white.
That’s partly because the way we measure leg room and head room for an Autocar road test can’t fully reflect the benefits to comfort, convenience and visibility that a raised hip point affords. When you sit less recumbently in a car than you might otherwise (with hips at a higher point relative to your heels), your legs naturally take up less space in front of you, which makes the same amount of measurable leg room feel greater.
That’s why the measurements for the new T-Roc’s passenger quarters are actually very similar to those of the last Golf hatchback we tested (a Golf e-Hybrid, in 2024). The car presents an only slightly raised driving and seating position as you slide in from the kerb. Although measured leg room, compared with the Golf, doesn’t seem particularly expansive in either row on paper, the car does consistently offer more head room than the Golf, and it does still feel like a roomier car – wherever you’re sitting.
In the front, the standard ‘Comfort’ seats have plenty of manual cushion height adjustment range, electric lumbar support and decent under-thigh support. In the rear, there’s some space for passengers’ feet under the front seats, and appropriate accommodation for average-height adults as well as younger ones.
Buyers of this size of crossover SUV are typically estimated to be more interested in extra cargo space than passenger space in any case. The T-Roc’s 475-litre boot is 25% bigger by volume than that of a Golf Mk8 hatchback (381 litres), and bigger also than some key rivals (Toyota C-HR, Mazda CX-30, Ford Kuga) – although not the same size as in the class’s bigger and more bluff competitors (Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage).
More widely, Volkswagen insiders have claimed that this car moves back towards its old values in terms of solid, understated, tactile material cabin quality, intuitive functionality and straightforward usability. In other words, it represents a clean break with what is widely considered as the most costly and punishing era in the company’s corporate history, between the outset of the Dieselgate scandal in 2015 and the eventual departure of chairman Herbert Diess in 2022.
It’s a lot of weight to put on any vehicle’s shoulders. But there is a sense of tactility, simplicity and ungarnished, non-chintzy quality about this interior. Smudgy, high-gloss plastics are very little used, and the switchgear is solid-feeling and uncomplicated.
Our base-grade test car came with Soul Black upholstery, which was a little dour and conservative. But the fabric-covered dashboard does lend a cosy, lounge-like ambience that – while Volkswagen should probably credit rival Peugeot for popularising the idea in recent years – certainly makes you feel at home.
Multimedia – 3.5 stars
Our test car came with VW’s bottom-rung equipment offering for in-car digital technology. That encompasses an 8in digital instrument display ahead of the driver; a 12.9in free-standing infotainment touchscreen in the middle of the fascia; a six-speaker audio system with full wireless smartphone mirroring compatibility; an inductive device charging pad; and two USB-C device charging ports in each row of seats.
A factory navigation system is not included as standard, although you do get a month’s free trial, which you can activate at a time of your choice. Customers who want one are then expected to pay for it via subscription, or to buy VW’s £1065 Discover Navigation system, which brings with it a ChatGPT-powered, networked voice assistant.
Apple CarPlay certainly works very simply and reliably, so we expect few people to feel the need to upgrade. The multimedia screen has good, customisable toolbars top and bottom and responds fairly quickly. However, we would still prefer fixed physical heating and ventilation controls to the firm’s contentious ‘touch slider’ bar, which doesn’t always seem to work as you intend at the first time of asking.