Volkswagen is all set to go on a new product offensive in the coming years, with a slew of models based on a new India-specific derivative of its flexible MQB A0 platform. One of these models is the T-Cross. And while the T-Cross for India will differ from its European sibling due to a longer wheelbase, beefier styling and more powerful engines, we took a drive in the SUV for Europe to get a taste of what’s in store.
VW has struck a good balance with the SUV’s design. On one hand, it is neat and tidy, and on the other, it is also full of exciting details. And more importantly, VW’s designers have got the stance right. The high bonnet, upright cabin, and strong shoulder line — they all work extremely well because the wheels are just the right size. The skinning is also a bit more aggressive than standard fare, as Volkswagen is targeting a younger audience.
What helps complete the picture is the crisp detailing: the strong chin with the squared-out fog lights, and the horizontal LED strips in the headlights interlinked via a chrome strip that runs across the grille. Even at the rear, the interlinked tail-lights look cool.
The T-Cross isn’t very big — it is just 4.1m long and 1.58m tall. It is, however, quite roomy on the inside, because it is a substantial 1.78m wide, and VW has, quite smartly, used a high seating position. The driver sits almost 600mm above the road and passengers at the back are seated even higher. Space for the driver and passenger is also impressive, as the front axle is positioned as far from the front seats as possible.
The large and supportive front seats add to comfort levels, and what also helps the driver is that both the seat and steering-wheel adjust have a wide range of motion; and while legroom in the rear may not seem like much, it is actually pretty good. Headroom is sufficient too, even for six-foot-tall passengers. Boot space is 385 litres, but with the unique sliding back seats, it can go up to 455 litres.
What will delight Indian car buyers is that the T-Cross gets an Audi-like digital instrument panel. It can be configured to display navigation, information, traditional dials or various combinations of the three. The screen is super-sharp, very bright, even in direct sunlight; and so fluid that the dials look fantastic. What also amps up the cabin feel is the new steering wheel that is beautifully built, great to look at, and because of its flat base, is easy to drop low. VW, however, has gone a bit overboard designing the rest of the dash, especially with some of the more outlandish ones you can order. The T-Cross also has almost no soft-touch bits or padded sections, and this makes the cabin feel kind of basic. Fit, finish and quality of the plastics, though, are first-rate and the anodised metal highlights work extremely well too.
The level of kit offered though, makes up for the lack of premium feel. There’s inductive wireless charging, four USB ports, auto control for high and low beam, a 300W, eight-channel Beats audio system, active lane-keeping, radar-based cruise control and a degree of autonomous driving. But how many of these features will make it to India is anybody’s guess.
While the India-spec SUV will be powered by two petrol engines, including a 1.5-litre one, we have tested the 1.0-litre version. On paper, the 115hp, three-cylinder unit seems insufficient for the job, but this isn’t entirely true. Yes, there is a bit of lag below 2,000rpm, it lacks the mid-range punch of a larger capacity unit, and it does get ‘thrummy’ towards 6,000rpm. Still, in other areas, it does extremely well. Cross 1,800 or 2,000rpm, and it pulls fairly energetically all the way to the 6,500rpm redline. Power delivery is quite linear, and between 3,500 and 5,500rpm, it feels pretty peppy too. In fact, 0 to100kph, in fact, can be dispatched in 10.2sec, and as the 6-speed manual is light, precise and has a nice, ‘rubber-insulated’ feel, swapping cogs to extract the maximum from the gearbox is quite pleasing. There is even a DSG automatic on offer; it is quick, intuitive and loads of fun to use via the paddles.
The T-Cross rides well despite the 17-inch wheels. It is silent over bumps, the car doesn’t get tossed around too much, despite the 190mm clearance, and it even isolates you from the road well.
What adds immensely to the driving experience is the steering. Light, easy to twirl and blessed with an effortless ‘oily’ feel at low speed, it weights up nicely as speeds build; and the amazing bit is that there even is a fair amount of real road feel here, when you press on.
The T-Cross is even stable at high speeds and feels sure-footed entering corners at speed. This means you don’t need to really slow down and can confidently carry a lot of speed into corners. Manhandle it in tighter corners, hustle it around a bit, and it does roll; but keep it neat and tidy and you’ll be surprised just how much driving pleasure you can extract.
When the T-Cross comes to India in 2020-2021, it will be quite different from this SUV. More spacious, more comfortable, and bigger on the inside, it will give us Indian customers what we want. Yes, a diesel engine is unlikely and it won’t get all the tech we’ve experienced on this car. Still, what this T-Cross has shown us is that VW today is at the top of its game when it comes to SUVs, even compact ones. Attractive to look at, refined, comfortable, versatile, excellent to drive and with an all-round performance that smacks of deadly intent, this is a car that has huge potential. Get the price right — as VW says it will — and what you have is an SUV with the potential to be a winner.
