The Volkswagen T-Cross proves that good things come in small packages.

Walk into a Volkswagen showroom nowadays with the intention of buying an SUV, and you’ll be met with more choice than ever before. The German brand, by its own admission, was a little late in jumping on the bandwagon but it has quickly caught up and now offers something for almost everybody. But it has one model in particular that sits right in the Goldilocks zone. You see, the Volkswagen Touareg is too large. The Volkswagen Tiguan is a little too dull. But the Volkswagen T-Cross is just right. 

Yes, the T-Cross is the smallest of Volkswagen’s SUVs and is the least off-road of them all, but then how many people will actually venture up the side of a mountain in these things anyway? Straight away it ticks the kerbside appeal box, especially if you opt for one fo the more vibrant colours, and you should, because there are far too many black, grey and silver cars already on the road. Other nice styling touches include a light bar that stretches across the boot lid. There’s no question that it does look its best in this sportier R-Line trim, which adds unique bumpers and badging. 

Even though it might seem like nothing more than a Volkswagen Polo with some taller suspension and plastic trim stuck onto the outside, it is more than that once you start driving it. It does use many of the same mechanical underpinnings as the Polo including the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, yet its a surprisingly engaging car to drive. That engine may only produce 113bhp, but it’s peppy and is happy to rev. Three-cylinder engines have a raspy nature to them, and this Volkswagen TSI unit is no different. Add to that the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and it makes for a winning combo. 

Even being raised a few more inches, the T-Cross doesn’t lose any of its charms at speed, and it is as comfortable cruising at motorway speeds as it is nipping through traffic in a busy city centre. The light electrically-assisted steering is accurate, while the relatively compact dimensions mean it’s a cinch to squeeze it into a parking space or navigate multi-storey car parks. The Volkswagen feels quicker at pulling away from the traffic lights than the 10.2 seconds it takes to reach 62mph suggests. 

There is the choice of a 1.6-litre diesel engine — useful if you do lots of long-distance driving — and there’s also a more powerful 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine that produces 148bhp. However, it’s not necessary if you’re mostly sticking to urban driving. Away from town, it remains a composed car that provides occupants with decent levels of comfort and refinement. Only the Ford Puma and Peugeot 2008 give it a real run for its money these stakes, with the Ford comfortably ruling the roost on driving dynamics alone. Looks are always subjective, but you will need to splash out for the sportier R Line version if you want the T-Cross to look the part. 

That means a starting price of almost £25,000, so it’s not what you’d call cheap. Still, you do get 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch Active info display in place of traditional analogue instrument dials, dual-zone climate control and a three-year subscription to Volkswagen’s Car-Net system. However, costs can quickly rack up. Adding any other colour than the standard Pure White will add between £575 and £730, while other options such as heated seats are available as part of a choice of bundle packs that do represent more value. 

Practically speaking the Volkswagen T-Cross gets 385 litres of boot space and this can increase up to 1,281 litres when you tip the rear seats forward. That is less space than many of its rivals, including the roomy Skoda Kamiq, but in general, there is plenty of space for the average user. Due to its slightly boxy silhouette, the rear passenger space is quite good, and even taller folks won’t feel too hemmed in sitting in the back. 

Up front, the R-Line sports seats look great and offer plenty of support without feeling like you’re strapped into a pocket rocket. The part-leather upholstery contrasts nicely with the fabric inserts, and there’s even the R-Line logo stitched into the seatbacks. Around the cabin there is some hard plastics, but nicer touches of gloss black around the centre console and the 8-inch touchscreen lift the interior. You get two USB charge ports, and the Composition infotainment system includes smartphone connectivity and mirroring for Apple and Android devices. There are several driver assistance systems when you plumb for the top-spec R-Line model. These include adaptive cruise control, hill start assist, city emergency braking, rain-sensing wipers and parking sensors, though a reversing camera will set you back a further £265. 

Spend even a short amount of time in the Volkswagen T-Cross and you’ll appreciate just what a likeable car it is. That 1.0-litre petrol engine is a peach and is put to great work in this setup, especially with the DSG transmission. You could be kept busy looking through the plethora of compacts SUVs that are now on the market, but you’ll save yourself some time by sticking this car straight on your shortlist. 

Model: Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0 TSI DSG R-Line 

Price: £27,505

Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol

Power: 113bhp

Torque: 200Nm

0-62mph: 10.2 seconds

Max speed: 120mph

MPG: 43.9 mpg combined

CO2: 146g/km 

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