I have a new T Roc Style version and love it. Now thinking of upgrading to an R Grid edition. These T Rocs are such great cars - the perfect Goldilocks size - not too big, not too small - and very well engineered. Thanks Tom for another excellent review.
@Jock M He simply mentioned the fact that it's faster than Macan, without necessarily concluding that it's better on that basis. There's no need to be triggered.
I have the full R and I honestly don’t like the car. Yes, the drive and performance are excellent, but there are too many usability issues that really ruin a good thing. The haptic nonsense is really a day-to-day pain, I constantly press 2 or even 3 things when all I wanted was 1. The steering wheel haptics are even worse, just holding the thing normally turns the heater on. I actually really struggled to get comfortable in it, something about the seats just isn’t right. I get a “driver assistance unavailable” ping al the time, 3-7 times on a 15 minute school run. It’s a loud ping and quite disconcerting when you’re in traffic. The sound system (I didn’t get the Bose upgrade) is well below what id expect for the cost of the car. The boot is actually small, I struggle to get my golf clubs and buggy in there. And finally, for the price, the finishes are simply not good enough. All in all, I have to say that I regret buying this car. Especially considering the 67K drive away price… Perhaps the Grid is the sweet spot in terms of price and expectations. But the full R is not worth it in my opinion.
Different strokes, I have just bought the full spec R model and absolutely love it. But then again I don’t play golf and love driving outside of city confines.
fantastic roads around that area,,used to ride my motorbike around there often,,,that is a beast of a car,,and fuel economy was surprising,,running costs are a bit up there,,,great review,,cheers
@@wedgett1 i know someone with a mk7 R who is having to deal with it now, lots of waiting as apparently VW Australia doesn't have a pile of these waiting on shelves even though its a known issue....
@@unpluggedkiwi1063 With respect, someone can say that until one of those 'safety features' saves their life. Plenty of accidents have been avoided with those 'safety features', one just doesn't hear about them because only accidents are reported. Perhaps in other words, there were people that were against seatbelts and airbags when those came in because they had driven all their life without those 'safety features' too.
whats the difference between the grid edition and the standard R edition? it looks exactly the same to me (i don't think we get grid edition in the uk)
Please make the stats on the screen like 0 to 100kmph time at the bottom of the screen and keep it on for longer so we have time to read and process it. I was constantly rewinding to read it and it blocks the view. 400 NM is the same as a Non turbo 4 litre BA falcon. That is serious power with less weight.
Oh man. I'm so tempted, this looks like it would make an excellent replacement for my 370Z. I hate leather seats, get more space, 4 seats and don't have to give up the speed. $58k seems acceptable. Hmm. Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Really great cars! Got a 140kW model 4wd for my wife and she loves it. Would love to get a power upgrade so I can have some fun on the weekends....once she gets rid of those pesky green P plates!
These are even better value now given that Cupra have increased the price of the Ateca VZx by a couple of grand. Shame about the VW dealers still trying to price gouge on their existing stock, though. That boat can't dock soon enough...
shame about dieselgate and that vw still assembles cars in china coz it's quite good looking. don't get me wrong my first few cars were veedubs so this comment hurts me more than it hurts anyone else. they're just a no go for me sadly and i'm surprised at how ignorant people choose to be.
I was a victim of dieselgate with my 2012 golf. The last service I had due to being picked up for blowing smoke was $3k. VW offered me 3k for a tradein on a 3 year old Golf with under 40000 kms. I got 3k back from the class action for a total lemon. Bastards.
Honestly mate, I made a comment a few moons ago when you started out that your videos were a bit long and too detailed. Have noticed over the months/years that you’ve tightened things up. Still highly informative but in that 12-18 min time frame. Bravo! Really enjoying the videos. Glad things are on the up for your channel 👍👍
Anyone know if blind spot/cross-traffic system is something VW can install at a later date, or if you accept the chip shortage youre forever stuck without the functionality even once supply is recovered?
I test drove both the T Roc R and the Cupra Formentor VZ2 310 bhp, you get a lot more with the Formentor and it looks fabulous as it now sits on my drive.
Just like your mum Tom. My mom once said to me, many many decades ago: (you are only 5’6” tall, so be wise and don’t get into a fight with anyone much taller than 5’6”.) 😂😂😂 Great review as always, especially with Lake Mountain as the backdrops.👍
Volkswagen Australia always struggles to put up a good spec model that doesn’t eat in Audi sales. At lease this time it works in favour of the consumers.
To my knowledge, the only R with 2 fake pipes was the Golf 7 R wagon. Others are valved except the 7.5 R wagon where the 4 pipes are not valved, possibly the best sounding of all. Wagons have 2 mufflers not one.
I ask never having driven these, is it worth spending extra on a Cupra Formentor VZx or, say, a 2020 BMW M235I, or just go with the T-Roc? I realise the M235i GC is not a natural competitor but I am genuinely in the market for a fast, compact four door with AWD.
The 2 Series Gran Coupé is a bit of an average drive. Unexpectedly strong torque steer. Formentor worth a close look but the VZx makes the most sense at $67K DA or thereabouts. T-Roc R clearly also a good thing.
I’d go with the Formentor. The Formentor is essentially a cheaper Macan without the RWD and Porsche logo. In other words, it is purpose built. The T-Roc R is still based off of a volume-seller SUV. Forget about the M235i. Of course, it is up to you. The T-Roc R is compelling value, while the Formentor is a purpose built SUV with greater prestige.
Hold on Marnus - it’s important to get that advice right, because what you’ve said is not correct. The Formentor is not related to the Macan. It is on the Golf (low-riding) subvariant of the MQB Evo platform, whereas the T-Roc/Tiguan/Q3 are on the slightly higher-riding subvariant of MQB. The Macan is on an entirely different platform, MLB, with totally different hard points, engine orientation, suspension, steering etc. The Formentor is much, much more similar to a T-Roc or Golf than it is to a Macan. They’re all good cars, but the Cupra isn’t in the Porsche’s mechanical league.
I test drove both the T Roc R and the Cupra Formentor VZ2 310 bhp, you get a lot more with the Formentor and it looks fabulous as it now sits on my drive.
10% cheaper, a little slower (4.87 vs 4.72), very different tuning and feel. T-Roc feels more solid and grippy vs Formentor which feels a bit lighter and make playful, if not quite as vault-like
$61,000 is a LOT of money . The fuel consumption is not good enough in my opinion and 98 Octane fuel will end up costing way more over the years . Plus manual boot at this price point is skimping and no blind spot monitoring ? . I’m not parting with 61 k of my very hard earned for this , nope, thanks . Good review though , informative and to the point .
98 is always recommended with these German cars for ‘optimal performance’ but not compulsory, 95 octane acceptable, don’t know why car reviewers imply this..
It would be good if all the car reviewers (from different organizations) were pitted against each other to see who is the best driver. Perhaps its already known who is quickest as I am sure they all know each other :-)
@@chasingcars I get that...and I wasnt having a dig. I do think you all know each other though and I assume you all get along and I think it would be great to see you all putting in laps. Its a small community of reviewers. Watching you and Richard Berry's reviews back to back gave me the idea. I often ,when embargo's are up , get 5 or 6 reviews of the one car appear at the same time :-)
@@chasingcars, an extended warranty could solve that concern (buy it before the original 4-year warranty runs out). Definitely way less cargo space, but the fun and uniqueness factor goes up a few notches.
Unlike the Hyundai Kona N, the T-Roc R is available in Romania. Oh wait, while the Kona N and T-Roc R are similar size, they are relatively different cars, considering that the T-Roc R is more expensive than the Kona N, considering that AWD adds cost to the car, and the T-Roc R is faster.
horrid hard ride anarchy gearbox that dident know what to do,we tryd one,verry verry nasty,the jag was superb[its got the bmw box]verry smooth,and you can change manualy up and down,the crap dsg does what it wants,the lexus is nice to if you dont rev to hard,thank go vw has sacked it chief designer,you know the guy who ruined the golf,and as for id i see one for every 100 tester mg Hyundai polestar,ect why the hell did they get seven year old children to design that interim ,NO CLASS AT ALL,CHEAP
I have a new T Roc Style version and love it. Now thinking of upgrading to an R Grid edition. These T Rocs are such great cars - the perfect Goldilocks size - not too big, not too small - and very well engineered. Thanks Tom for another excellent review.
Worth mentioning that this $60k little SUV is a whole second faster than the Macan… 😂😅
Quite true. Closer to the Macan S than the Macan T in terms of 0-100km/h, as tested.
Porsche is under VW
@@yslee1401 no s$&* sherlock…
@Jock M He simply mentioned the fact that it's faster than Macan, without necessarily concluding that it's better on that basis. There's no need to be triggered.
@@uberboiz true that...
I have the full R and I honestly don’t like the car. Yes, the drive and performance are excellent, but there are too many usability issues that really ruin a good thing. The haptic nonsense is really a day-to-day pain, I constantly press 2 or even 3 things when all I wanted was 1. The steering wheel haptics are even worse, just holding the thing normally turns the heater on. I actually really struggled to get comfortable in it, something about the seats just isn’t right. I get a “driver assistance unavailable” ping al the time, 3-7 times on a 15 minute school run. It’s a loud ping and quite disconcerting when you’re in traffic. The sound system (I didn’t get the Bose upgrade) is well below what id expect for the cost of the car. The boot is actually small, I struggle to get my golf clubs and buggy in there. And finally, for the price, the finishes are simply not good enough. All in all, I have to say that I regret buying this car. Especially considering the 67K drive away price… Perhaps the Grid is the sweet spot in terms of price and expectations. But the full R is not worth it in my opinion.
Caveat Emptor.
First thing I do when buying a car is assess will the golf clubs and buggy fit.
IS350 is a 'comfortable' fit but a fit nonetheless.
Different strokes, I have just bought the full spec R model and absolutely love it. But then again I don’t play golf and love driving outside of city confines.
fantastic roads around that area,,used to ride my motorbike around there often,,,that is a beast of a car,,and fuel economy was surprising,,running costs are a bit up there,,,great review,,cheers
Great roads indeed.
Sadly they still can't fix the water pump issue for the ea888 after all this time...
Just hope it gives out in the warranty period!
@@wedgett1 i know someone with a mk7 R who is having to deal with it now, lots of waiting as apparently VW Australia doesn't have a pile of these waiting on shelves even though its a known issue....
Just check out Car Ninja, the German Car specialist from Kansas. One will probably never buy a German Vehicle, new or used thereafter
Personally I would wait until the computer chip shortage is no longer a problem. You need all the safety features you can get.
The safety features missing here are blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert (they are combined)
I am 66 years old and have driven all my life without those 'safety features', without any issues at all.
I am 58 and could not agree more@@unpluggedkiwi1063
@@unpluggedkiwi1063 With respect, someone can say that until one of those 'safety features' saves their life. Plenty of accidents have been avoided with those 'safety features', one just doesn't hear about them because only accidents are reported.
Perhaps in other words, there were people that were against seatbelts and airbags when those came in because they had driven all their life without those 'safety features' too.
I’m pretty sure the T-rocs we get are built in Portugal. Can you confirm?
Yep that is true
Another top review Tom. I especially like the smoke machine effects coming in at about 12:30.😁
Nice review and a great road. I've done Lake Mountain a couple of times in my Mk8 Fiesta ST and it's a hoot 😅
whats the difference between the grid edition and the standard R edition? it looks exactly the same to me (i don't think we get grid edition in the uk)
Please make the stats on the screen like 0 to 100kmph time at the bottom of the screen and keep it on for longer so we have time to read and process it. I was constantly rewinding to read it and it blocks the view. 400 NM is the same as a Non turbo 4 litre BA falcon. That is serious power with less weight.
Yes, and this car is so much quicker than the NA Falcon
Hi Tom, thanks for the review. I have one of those 1000 "Full Fat" T-Roc R's on the boat, on order. Should be a great car. : - )
Enjoy the heated seats!
@@chasingcars Yes, couldn't go without all the options. Can't wait.
How’s it look and feel? When driving at night?
Oh man. I'm so tempted, this looks like it would make an excellent replacement for my 370Z. I hate leather seats, get more space, 4 seats and don't have to give up the speed. $58k seems acceptable. Hmm. Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Really great cars! Got a 140kW model 4wd for my wife and she loves it. Would love to get a power upgrade so I can have some fun on the weekends....once she gets rid of those pesky green P plates!
These are even better value now given that Cupra have increased the price of the Ateca VZx by a couple of grand. Shame about the VW dealers still trying to price gouge on their existing stock, though. That boat can't dock soon enough...
shame about dieselgate and that vw still assembles cars in china coz it's quite good looking. don't get me wrong my first few cars were veedubs so this comment hurts me more than it hurts anyone else. they're just a no go for me sadly and i'm surprised at how ignorant people choose to be.
I was a victim of dieselgate with my 2012 golf. The last service I had due to being picked up for blowing smoke was $3k. VW offered me 3k for a tradein on a 3 year old Golf with under 40000 kms. I got 3k back from the class action for a total lemon. Bastards.
ouch
Honestly mate, I made a comment a few moons ago when you started out that your videos were a bit long and too detailed.
Have noticed over the months/years that you’ve tightened things up. Still highly informative but in that 12-18 min time frame.
Bravo! Really enjoying the videos. Glad things are on the up for your channel 👍👍
Top review ✅ Getting one. T Cross is a Fun Buggy as well. Switching from a WRX.
cringing at the amount of piano black in the interior! 😂
Anyone know if blind spot/cross-traffic system is something VW can install at a later date, or if you accept the chip shortage youre forever stuck without the functionality even once supply is recovered?
Which is more dynamic , i30n sedan or this?
I test drove one today and it was great
Who what’s drift mode, at $500 a tire ?
super distracted by the bad stitching on the dash
Tom, when are you reviewing the Type R?
Hasn't yet launched in Australia, but that is happening around the end of this month - the embargo for local reviews is 10 April.
@@chasingcars thanks I was after the embargo date
Interested to understand how much boot / carrying capacity there is relative to a Gti or Tiguan Monochrome please.
At 392L, it's slightly better than a Golf GTI (381L) but well short of a Tiguan (615L)
I test drove both the T Roc R and the Cupra Formentor VZ2 310 bhp, you get a lot more with the Formentor and it looks fabulous as it now sits on my drive.
Quite different cars in execution, and the VZx is $7k more than the T-Roc R Grid. For this money you’re getting an FWD Formentor VZ here in Australia.
Troc is better to drive
@@mharro88 Odd as I found the opposite, the T Roc also looks bland compared to the Formentor.
@Richard True, all coming from the infotainment system, the niggles just take the edge off what is a great car.
Now this is a car that the USA needs… but no, we get the Taos and they claim it’s “sporty enough”. For the same price I’d grab this immediately.
How would you compare the dynamics of this to a formentor? V and also the VZx?
More solid-feeling, refined and grippy; the Formentor feels lighter and even more chuckable. Both good.
Just like your mum Tom.
My mom once said to me, many many decades ago: (you are only 5’6” tall, so be wise and don’t get into a fight with anyone much taller than 5’6”.) 😂😂😂
Great review as always, especially with Lake Mountain as the backdrops.👍
Volkswagen Australia always struggles to put up a good spec model that doesn’t eat in Audi sales. At lease this time it works in favour of the consumers.
Have driven a Cupra Leon VZx How does acceleration compare with the Troc R ??
It's noticeably quicker than the Leon VZx thanks to the additional traction from AWD. T-Roc R 4.87sec, Leon VZx 5.65sec
Huh......Spanish engineering 😅
I guess with the quad tailpipes only two are in use akin to older vw's...
To my knowledge, the only R with 2 fake pipes was the Golf 7 R wagon. Others are valved except the 7.5 R wagon where the 4 pipes are not valved, possibly the best sounding of all. Wagons have 2 mufflers not one.
I ask never having driven these, is it worth spending extra on a Cupra Formentor VZx or, say, a 2020 BMW M235I, or just go with the T-Roc? I realise the M235i GC is not a natural competitor but I am genuinely in the market for a fast, compact four door with AWD.
The 2 Series Gran Coupé is a bit of an average drive. Unexpectedly strong torque steer. Formentor worth a close look but the VZx makes the most sense at $67K DA or thereabouts. T-Roc R clearly also a good thing.
I’d go with the Formentor. The Formentor is essentially a cheaper Macan without the RWD and Porsche logo. In other words, it is purpose built. The T-Roc R is still based off of a volume-seller SUV. Forget about the M235i. Of course, it is up to you. The T-Roc R is compelling value, while the Formentor is a purpose built SUV with greater prestige.
@@chasingcars Thank you
@@marnuscoreyempanadaslooseb6760 Thank you
Hold on Marnus - it’s important to get that advice right, because what you’ve said is not correct. The Formentor is not related to the Macan. It is on the Golf (low-riding) subvariant of the MQB Evo platform, whereas the T-Roc/Tiguan/Q3 are on the slightly higher-riding subvariant of MQB. The Macan is on an entirely different platform, MLB, with totally different hard points, engine orientation, suspension, steering etc. The Formentor is much, much more similar to a T-Roc or Golf than it is to a Macan. They’re all good cars, but the Cupra isn’t in the Porsche’s mechanical league.
Wait only the R has the "older" version of VW interior or all the TRoc models?
All T-Roc models
If I had to have a SUV this would be it!
No leather seats. No seat warming. No rear cross traffic. No blind spot monitoring. No electric seat adjustment. No HUD. No thanks.
find me a sub 5 second suv for this price then new?
😂 imagine being without.
Any idea if VW dealers have a light-duty tow hitch avaliable? Just for carrying a couple bikes..?
Good question. This vehicle is rated to tow (1700kg).
None at the dealers, but aftermarket options are available.
How does this stack up vs the Cupra Forementor VZx?
I test drove both the T Roc R and the Cupra Formentor VZ2 310 bhp, you get a lot more with the Formentor and it looks fabulous as it now sits on my drive.
10% cheaper, a little slower (4.87 vs 4.72), very different tuning and feel. T-Roc feels more solid and grippy vs Formentor which feels a bit lighter and make playful, if not quite as vault-like
Could the difference in grip be linked to tyres? The turanzas on the Cupra are more for touring than high performance driving
When’s the Honda civic type r review coming?
Edit: someone already asked embargo date is 10th of April for local reviewers
Embargo 10 April, yes
5:43 👀 what happen?
I’d have one.
$61,000 is a LOT of money . The fuel consumption is not good enough in my opinion and 98 Octane fuel will end up costing way more over the years . Plus manual boot at this price point is skimping and no blind spot monitoring ? . I’m not parting with 61 k of my very hard earned for this , nope, thanks . Good review though , informative and to the point .
98 is always recommended with these German cars for ‘optimal performance’ but not compulsory, 95 octane acceptable, don’t know why car reviewers imply this..
Sir How Much Rupees Do You Charge to Export Volkswagen T Roc R Line Car to India?
Watching from Ireland
I think you nailed it with the second car comment. Have the family car the boss drives and have this as the second.
boss?
pretty good
Top Top!
It would be good if all the car reviewers (from different organizations) were pitted against each other to see who is the best driver. Perhaps its already known who is quickest as I am sure they all know each other :-)
I don't aim to be the quickest. Just there to be smooth, enjoy the drive and clearly explain the difference between cars for you guys.
@@chasingcars I get that...and I wasnt having a dig. I do think you all know each other though and I assume you all get along and I think it would be great to see you all putting in laps. Its a small community of reviewers. Watching you and Richard Berry's reviews back to back gave me the idea. I often ,when embargo's are up , get 5 or 6 reviews of the one car appear at the same time :-)
Get a few years old Audi TTS instead. Way more unique and will cost less. Still AWD and hatch.
Interesting alternative, though obviously considerably less practical and it’d be out of warranty.
@@chasingcars, an extended warranty could solve that concern (buy it before the original 4-year warranty runs out). Definitely way less cargo space, but the fun and uniqueness factor goes up a few notches.
You are suggesting a 2 door coupe for a small suv. Were you drunken?
We ever going to see a proper Outback XT review?
Big Outback XT vs Outback NA comparo coming shortly!
@@chasingcars glorious!
ooo an suv! how exciting! or the other one
Yeah, it is a pretty exciting one
Carexpert tested this. They found the Ford Ranger to be better.
If that’s a joke it’s quite a funny one
Unlike the Hyundai Kona N, the T-Roc R is available in Romania.
Oh wait, while the Kona N and T-Roc R are similar size, they are relatively different cars, considering that the T-Roc R is more expensive than the Kona N, considering that AWD adds cost to the car, and the T-Roc R is faster.
They're definitely close competitors. One does have AWD and one doesn't, but the idea is the same: pumped up hot hatch
This or Hyundai Kona N?. 🤔
I prefer this - the Kona N is a bit too stiff for my tastes, but may will like that about it
@@chasingcars -Ok.
Not for tall families...interior space is terrible
Seat are a lot better in the grid edition…
I liked them. Wouldn't mind heating. But it was 6 degrees, which is quite cold.
VW? No way Jose. They will be endless money pits
On what time scale? Very few things in life can be boiled down to such certainties.
it aint no bargain lol
Very desirable.
Worth mentioning that this little SUV IS OVER $73000 with sunroof ($71000 without). 😮😂😂😂😂
No, that's not true on the Grid Edition, which is about $59K without sunroof, or $61K with sunroof.
horrid hard ride anarchy gearbox that dident know what to do,we tryd one,verry verry nasty,the jag was superb[its got the bmw box]verry smooth,and you can change manualy up and down,the crap dsg does what it wants,the lexus is nice to if you dont rev to hard,thank go vw has sacked it chief designer,you know the guy who ruined the golf,and as for id i see one for every 100 tester mg Hyundai polestar,ect why the hell did they get seven year old children to design that interim ,NO CLASS AT ALL,CHEAP
did your spacebar break?
On my short list
On my short list