New Volkswagen T-Cross 2019 review

Sport utility vehicles are everywhere – and that means they can come across a bit boring. Not the T-Cross, though. No, Volkswagen is brightening up the sector with this little jacked-up Polo.

It’s not a VW Polo of course, but it’s as compact – and that makes it a top urban runabout. Perfect for the school runs.

A decent amount of room has been shoehorned into this smart-looking SUV – with 385 litres in the boot alone. That’s more than enough space for the kids’ school satchels and some shopping. You’d get a folded-up buggy in there, too. But this is with the sliding rear seat slid back. Push it forward and cargo capacity balloons to 455 litres.

Good news, right? Well, yes, but there is a downside. Sliding the rear seat forwards means there is not much legroom left in the cabin. Leave the rear seats as they are and the T-Cross is more ‘real-world’, helped by a high roofline that means passengers – little and large – should be comfortable.

The 115PS, 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo petrol engine in the VW T-Cross model I tested is zesty enough around town – and more than capable for family outings further afield. Zero to 62mph takes 10.2 seconds, and the top speed is 120mph. What’s more, the car absorbs pothole-peppered roads well – and the light steering and sweet-shifting six-speed gearbox make driving effortless.

Some would say the hard plastics throughout the cabin look cheap. But these are perfect for wiping any sticky little finger marks away. Any motorist knows this kind of practicality in a family-focused car makes life easier!

The T-Cross is safe, too – with lane assist, emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. And if you’re worried about running costs, don’t be – you’ll be getting mid-40s mpg out of this VW, while only emitting 112g/km of CO2.

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