Will the new Volkswagen T-Cross cross the Ts?

Over a 1000 customers have already put down the deposits for the T

If you ask me, the compact SUV segment has become one of the most interesting and exciting segments around. It is loved by the consumer, has become very popular and my guess is because if you can’t afford large SUV then compact is the way to go. This week was Volkswagen’s turn to launch their version in the new T-Cross.

The T-Cross was revealed for the first time in South Africa at the 2019 Wesbank Festival of Motoring where it was announced that already 1000 customers had put down a deposit for purchase without having seen or touched this car, talk about a grand entrance. VW really went in on this launch. We arrived in PE (eBhayi) early in the morning for what they had promised to be an adventure on this odyssey and adventurous it was. Available at launch was the T-Cross 1.0-litre TSI Highline DSG for our drive along the majestic Garden route. First things first, what a beauty! The car too. The 1.0-litre TSI produces a reasonable 85kW, so you will not be lazing about the road, well with that many speed traps you might have to anyway. The 1.5-litre TSI engine with 110kW will only be available in the first quarter of 2020 while the entry level 70kW follows suit in the second quarter.

The 1.0-litre offers enough power to overtake without getting old while doing it and commands attention with its youthful, pulsating looks. The T-Cross measures 182 millimeters longer than the Polo and 1584 millimeters taller, so you get a little more space and a little more height and let’s face it, who doesn’t want to feel a little bit high up when driving? The 16-inch wheels come standard while 17 and 18-inch alloy wheels are available as optional. The T-Cross comes in nine vibrant colours or selections of coloured rims, and this looks very cool especially in that energetic orange.

The interior is spacious, comfortable and the design package offers 3D décor for the dash pad which is also pretty in orange, and orange is not my favourite colour at all. Your passengers will love you for the 4 USB ports, also available as optional the inductive wireless charging. IMPORTANT: a T-Cross fitted with the Beats sound system is also available as an option.

Safety first? The VW T-Cross comes standard with Driver Alert system whilst optional equipment include Front Assist area monitoring system, Lane keeping assist, Hill start Assists, the proactive occupant protection system , automatic adaptive cruise control, Park Assist, the Blind spot detection lane change assist system with the integrated Rear traffic Alert.

What do I think of the T-Cross? I think it is a practical compact that caters to almost everybody, a city male/female, a young couple, a young family, an older couple buying down… maybe..

If your goal was the Tiguan and the bank didn’t agree, the next best option is definitely the T-Cross. The T-Cross is entering a segment where fellow giant brands are playing, I’m talking here of the likes of Ford Eco-sport, Renault Duster and Opel Crossland X. These have been tried and tested, so let’s wait and see how the T-Cross would tackle them. Would I choose the T-Cross given the options above? A solid YES.