2017 Volkswagen T-Roc 1.6L TDI 6MT (116 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Volkswagen stepped up its game in the crossover segment in 2017 when it introduced the T-Roc as an alternative for those looking for a Golf with a higher ground clearance.

The SUV and Crossover segment was rising in Europe, and Volkswagen tried to keep up with customers’ demands. Other automakers supplied them with adapted or improved versions that could satisfy them. On the other hand, Volkswagen didn’t want to play light, so it developed a crossover from the ground up to make its buyers happy. Even though the new model was based on the same platform as the seventh generation of the Golf, it was difficult to find any similarities between these two distinct-looking models. The new vehicle, named T-Roc, took its “T” letter from the Tiguan and the Touareg, while the Roc came from “Rock.” While at first sight, it was just a jacked-up hatchback, the automaker said that it was more than that; it was a car ready for adventure.

The T-Roc tried to look tough With a front fascia resembling the Touareg with its broad upper black grille. Its headlights were fitted as standard with halogen bulbs, while the upper trim levels were available with LEDs. The bumper integrated the daytime running lights that doubled as turn signals for the upper trim levels, while the base models featured DRLs and separate blinkers. Lower, on the apron, Volkswagen added fog lamps that flanked a wide air intake that was adorned at its lower side by a trim that looked like an aluminum skid plate.

Volkswagen adorned the car’s profile with black moldings around the wheel arches and the side sills to create the illusion of a vehicle with a high ground clearance. Still, the real value was 18 cm (7.1 inches), which was way better for crawling over curbs than the one offered by any regular hatchback on the market. The automaker offered the car in two grades: Style and Sport. Both were provided with 17-inch alloy wheels but with a different design. At the back, the car featured a raked-forward tailgate, while on the lower side of the bumper, Volkswagen installed a black trim adorned by fake side exhausts and an underbody shield.

Inside, the T-Roc greeted its customers with fabric upholstery on the bolstered front bucket seats. The driver fronted an analog instrument cluster filled with four dials while a display was on the options list. Between the front seats, the automaker installed a center console that housed the gear stick or the gear selector depending on the options, a storage area under the center armrest, the button for the parking brake, and a rotary dial that controlled driving programs. In the back, there was room enough for three passengers on the split-folding (60/40) bench seat. Still, the middle-seated one’s legroom was limited due to the transmission tunnel. The car’s trunk provided 445 liters (15.7 cu-ft.) with the rear seats up, but it could expand to 1,290 liters (45.6 cu-ft.) by folding down the rear bench seat’s backrest completely.

Under the hood, the automaker installed a wide choice of diesel and gasoline engines ranging between 115 PS (113 hp) and 190 PS (187 hp). Customers could get the car with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed (dual-clutch) automatic, with front- or all-wheel drive systems.