SUVs have dominated the UK’s automotive space for more than a decade now and for years, the compact SUV space was firmly led by the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Ford Puma. In response to the situation, Volkswagen launched the T-Roc back in 2017 and the model has now gone on to be one of the brand’s very best-selling cars. Last year (2025), VW unveiled its all-new, second-generation T-Roc, offering more size, better tech and a slightly more premium approach than before. Order books opened at the start of 2026 but at a time when the SUV segment has never been more crowded, does the T-Roc still represent a sensible choice?
The updated Volkswagen T-Roc feels like a thoughtful evolution of its predecessor. It’s more spacious, better equipped and more comfortable than ever, while still offering the sort of everyday usability that families and commuters value most. It may not be thrilling to drive, but it ticks a lot of boxes in a competitive segment.
Jack is an experienced motoring journalist who has been covering the latest new-car releases for the last 10 years.
Read bioOrder books are now open for the new T-Roc and the bad news for customers is that prices have been increased slightly from the old car, which was already one of the pricier options in this segment. Prices for the entry-level ‘Life’ model get underway at £31,620, before a pretty significant leap to the mid-range ‘Style’ car which will set you back £36,240, according to VW’s online configurator tool. The sportier ‘R’ version, which sits on top of the range, pushes even closer to the £40,000 mark, with prices starting at £38,920. Obviously, on such a new model, there are no used options to be found yet, but the newest models of the outgoing car can be found for around £35,000, with three-year-old examples starting at around £15,000 on AA Cars. For anyone hunting for extra value, early examples get underway at less than £10,000, meaning there should be an option out there to suit most budgets.
Despite the automotive industry as a whole moving towards electrification, a full EV version of the T-Roc is not currently expected until 2028. In the meantime, the car remains available as a petrol-powered mild-hybrid. From launch, the model can be bought with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, teamed with a 48-volt battery in a mild-hybrid system. The system produces either 115 or 148 bhp depending on which spec you go for, with the more powerful car capable of going from 0–62mph in 8.9 seconds. Later on in the year, VW says that further powertrains will be added to the options list including a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol mild-hybrid and a 1.5-litre full hybrid. At the time of writing, the firm is currently aiming to offer engine choices – four with front-wheel drive and two with all-wheel drive – all of which will be equipped with automatic gearboxes.
Around town, the T-Roc feels easy to manoeuvre and smooth, especially in low-speed traffic. Its raised driving position offers excellent visibility, although quick darts are sometimes a struggle thanks to a lag in the mild-hybrid system which leaves acceleration feeling slightly hesitant. On the motorway, where the T-Roc has time to build up speed, this is less of an issue and the car becomes a very capable long-distance cruiser.
Modern VWs enjoy some of the best ride quality that money can buy so it is little surprise to find that the new T-Roc excels when it comes to comfort. The ride feels incredibly smooth compared to many of its rivals, especially higher trim cars which get excellent adaptive dampers to help absorb any bumps and potholes you may come across. Overall, the T-Roc is an outstanding option for going about your daily business but what if you want to have some fun? Well, unfortunately this is where the car does struggle somewhat. Driving the T-Roc it is clear to see that it has been set up for comfort rather than athleticism. On twisty roads the steering does feel secure but lacks a bit of feedback and is unlikely to get anybody’s juices flowing. That being said, this is a family SUV, not a sports car, and the majority of buyers will be more than pleased with its relaxed and refined approach.
Volkswagen has taken a major step forward with the cabin of the new T-Roc, replacing the vast majority of the cheaper, nastier plastics that were found in the old car. Straight away, everything feels more crisp than what came before, with the star of the show being the impressive 12.9-inch HD infotainment touchscreen, which dominates the dash. There is also an optional 10-inch fully digital driver’s display which only adds to a very modern feeling space. Elsewhere, the T-Roc makes history (if you’re into that sort of thing) by becoming the first VW car to come with a fabric dashboard and other soft-touch materials are on show throughout. There is also a clever use of physical controls – such as a central dial for volume and drive mode selection, which does help to reduce the reliance on the touchscreen. The only real downside that could be argued is that maybe the cockpit is a little more conservative than some of the other options, although this is helped by the ambient lighting settings which extend into the doors to bring a bit of atmosphere.
As a car pitched primarily at families, practicality has the potential to make or break the new T-Roc. The early signs are good, with the latest car offering an increased boot capacity of 475 litres, compared to 445 litres in the outgoing model. The space itself has an adjustable floor, which allows you to eradicate any load lip and make it easier to get bigger items in and out of the back. The boot also includes a couple of tie-down points and a 12-volt socket for extra practicality. Inside, there are plenty of storage solutions including several well-thought-out cubbies and cupholders, which offer the second-generation car greater everyday usability than its predecessor. Rear passengers also enjoy good headroom and decent knee room for this segment, making longer journeys more comfortable than in some smaller rivals.
As with most modern Volkswagens, the new T-Roc offers a good level of kit, with standard equipment typically including LED headlights and taillights, a digital cockpit display, a large central touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and adaptive cruise control which can even change lanes for you. As you move through the trim levels, you begin to see even more premium touches, including panoramic roofs, premium sound systems, heads-up displays and advanced driver aids.
The T-Roc is currently available in Life, Style and R-Line trim levels, which each offer varying levels of tech. However, with even the basic cars coming well-equipped it could be worth considering the Life edition, given the hefty price gap to the next trim level. Colour options include Canary Yellow, which is free, as well as Celestial Blue, Flame Red, Grenadilla Black and Wolf Grey which each cost between £830 and £990.
As you would expect on a car from a big German brand, the T-Roc offers a good level of safety equipment as standard. All cars get autonomous emergency braking, lane assist and adaptive cruise control. The car recently underwent safety testing at Euro NCAP, where it was awarded a five-star score. When it comes to reliability, VW has a strong reputation for high build quality and owners of the previous T-Roc have not reported too many issues. However, if things do go wrong, the firm has one of the most extensive dealer networks of any brand, meaning getting hold of parts should not be an issue.
Volkswagen claims that the 1.5-litre engine in the new T-Roc will return between 47 and 51 mpg, although real-world figures are likely to be in the low 40s with regular motorway miles. Meanwhile, CO2 emissions range between 125–137 g/km, placing it roughly in line with most of its competitors. Most versions are expected to attract a standard first-year Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rate, followed by the current flat annual road tax rate thereafter. While this means running costs are reasonable, company car drivers may want to wait for the full hybrid, which will attract better benefit-in-kind rates.
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