2024 Volkswagen T-Cross review: Facelift, fruity new colour keep it fresh

SOMEONE at Volkswagen doesn’t believe in Jesus handles. You know, those hand grips above the doors that passengers cling to in moments of terror when the driver is cornering at speeds that test the faith of everyone on board. They’re a small comfort that the new T-Cross doesn’t offer, which is one example of its pared-down feel.

But having just emerged from the plastic surgeon’s clinic, the baby sport utility vehicle (SUV) is worth a look if you’re in the market for something practical, compact and relatively affordable.

A facelift sharpens up its design with a revamped front bumper and standard LED Matrix headlights, which cast light at a terrific distance but automatically adjust to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers. The front grille now features a light bar that stretches across it, too, which is fully intended to dazzle, but only in an aesthetic sense.

Chunky new taillights with an X-shaped motif give the rear a nice bit of presence. The T-Cross also comes in stylish new colours like the Grape Yellow you see here, which would be my pick because there’s nothing like a bright, fruity colour for raisin the spirits.

If you’re wondering how much juice the VW packs, it has an efficient 1.0-litre turbocharged engine that sends 115 horsepower to the front wheels through a seven-speed gearbox. That’s your only powertrain option, but you can have a T-Cross in two variants: Style and R-Line, priced at S$174,400 and S$179,400 respectively with Certificate of Entitlement.

The Style version is plainer, with 17-inch wheels and a more clean-cut look. The R-Line has a sportier character, thanks to its 18-inch alloy wheels, mesh grilles and R-Line badging.

There are differences inside, too. The R-Line features brushed stainless steel pedals and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with gearshift paddles. It also steps up the audio game with a Beats sound system that includes a subwoofer.

It’s not all frivolous add-ons. The R-Line comes with Travel Assist, which includes adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance; both those systems can take over much of the driving when you’re crawling in heavy traffic.

When you zoom out to take a proper look though, the T-Cross does skip quite a few niceties you might expect in a modern SUV. There are no grocery hooks in the boot, and the rear seats don’t tilt or slide to let you add cargo room.

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No centre armrest in the back, either, and forget about rear air-con vents or powered seat adjustment. Ambient lighting? That’s a no-show, as well. Cloth upholstery rounds off the interior, which is functional but far from fancy.

On the plus side, the dashboard’s plastics are pretty high quality, and both versions have features that matter: blind spot monitors, two-zone climate control, proper three-point seatbelts for everyone in the back and parking sensors all around, although there’s no 360-degree monitor.

And though the T-Cross isn’t fast, it’s respectably eager for its class, and comes off as surprisingly engaging to drive. The handling is nippy, and the engine doesn’t mind revving hard. It vibrates a bit, but it doesn’t come off as buzzy.

Ultimately, it’s easy to see how the T-Cross should particularly appeal to those who want a small, affordable car from a recognised brand but prefer it in SUV packaging. It offers the elevated driving position and space that have made the breed so popular, but avoids the bulk and high running costs of a big off-roader.

It also shies away from the newfangledness of electric cars, which just aren’t for everyone. In fact, I really liked how the T-Cross persists with physical buttons for key features, and how the air-con controls have their own panel instead of being buried in a touchscreen menu. For that and the fruity new colour, I will always be grapeful.

Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0 TSI R-Line Engine 999 cc, turbocharged inline-3 Power 115 hp at 5,500 rpm Torque 200 Nm from 2,000 to 3,500 rpm Gearbox Seven-speed twin-clutch automatic  0-100 kmh 10.3 seconds Top speed 192 kmh Fuel efficiency 6.3 L/100 km Agent Volkswagen Group Singapore Price S$179,400 with COE Available Now