Name: Volkswagen T-Roc (2017 to 2025) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Volkswagen T-Roc
Rating: 63.0

Summary

The Volkswagen T-Roc was a compact SUV/crossover that sits between the larger Tiguan and smaller T-Cross in the Volkswagen SUV family.

It was unveiled in the summer of 2017 with the first cars arriving in the UK by Christmas the same year. It ended production in 2025, being replaced by an all-new model in early 2026.

There was also a high-performance model called the T-Roc R, and a convertible version of the T-Roc, called the T-Roc Cabriolet, which joined the line-up in 2020.

The T-Roc has received particular praise for its comfort and overall refinement. However, it was criticised for not maintaining the same sort of interior quality that the rest of the Volkswagen range offers, while top-spec models were relatively expensive compared to their rivals.

A T-Roc facelift arrived in the UK in Spring 2022, consisting minor of exterior styling tweaks and on-board tech updates.

As of February 2026, the first-generation Volkswagen T-Roc holds a Used Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 63%. It gets good grades for its low running cosyts and media review scores, but its other scores are average to poor.

Key specifications

Body style: Compact SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £27,045 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2017
Last updated: Spring 2022
Replacement due: Spring 2026

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“The Volkswagen T-Roc is a joy to drive, but lacks in material quality compared to other VW models.”

Score: 8.2 / 10

Read full review

The Car Expert

Andrew Charman

“It might not set pulses racing but we commend the Volkswagen T-Roc’s straightforward approach with a good range of powertrains, solid practicality and competitive pricing.”

Model reviewed: 2023 facelift

Score: 8 / 10

Auto Express

Alastair Crooks

More reviews

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen T-Roc Golf-based SUV is fun to drive, great to look at and family friendly – but cabin quality is most un-VW-like.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen T-Roc plays on the same riff as the Golf but adds a higher driving position and additional flexibility.”
Author: Catherine King
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Car

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“Some of the dashboard materials are iffy and you’ll have to be seriously careful with the options list to get the best value for money. Plus, it’s not what you’d call exciting to drive. But how many crossover buyers really care about that last point?”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual Design
Score: 8 / 10
“Interested in a Volkswagen T-Roc? Get this one. It’s a much more convincing package in this specification than the higher-performance cars we initially tested.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: Cabriolet range
Score: 7 / 10
“If you love the SUV styling and want a drop-top with a raised ride height, it’s this or a four-year-old Range Rover Evoque Convertible, which is worth noting is just about the same price. With decent-sized rear seats and a usable boot, you could happily use the T-Roc every day.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The Volkswagen T-Roc looks good, drives well and offers plenty of space, but it’s pricey and some rivals have a nicer interior.”
Author: Charlie Harvey
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Volkswagen T-Roc is a small, stylish SUV with a high-tech interior and a big boot, but alternatives are cheaper to buy and come with more space for back-seat passengers.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Design
“The likeable T-Roc could become a stand-out model in VW’s line-up.”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual Design
Score: 9 / 10
“It may not result in a dramatic conclusion, but there is actually very little about the Volkswagen T-Roc to fault. The 1.0 TSI petrol model on test felt light and agile, it offered decent performance and economy, it was refined and quiet, and it was a practical body style.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“There’s much to like about the Volkswagen T-Roc, most notably its refinement and comfort. It’s not the last word in excitement when it comes to driving, but it’s very capable nonetheless.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel
“This is a small Volkswagen that appeals more to the heart than many of its siblings and stands comparison with the class best.”
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Motoring Research

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Volkswagen T-Roc is like a Golf that’s grown in every direction. It looks more distinctive, too. It starts to look expensive once you’ve progressed through the range, and its engines are surprisingly vocal for a Volkswagen. Not that any of these grumbles will stop it from selling like hot (rock) cakes.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.8 / 10
“Good-looking and fun SUV that’s great to drive and packed with kit”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual
“Drivers should bear in mind the Volkswagen T-Roc skimps on the interior to look good where it matters- but once you get behind the wheel it’s a joy.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic R-Line
Score: 8 / 10
“A Golf with muscles and some dad jeans”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel manual SEL
Score: 6 / 10
“If you want a diesel family crossover this Volkswagen T-Roc is one of the more desirable options. However, there’s still no escaping that it has a high price and a small boot compared with its petrol-powered counterparts.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen T-Roc stands out in the crowded SUV market thanks to its funky styling and fun driving experience. It’s not as spacious as a Seat Ateca, and the quality of some of the interior plastics might not be as plush as you’d expect, but neither of those points are deal-breakers for what is a very good SUV indeed.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Just what the market ordered. Stylish crossover for people who don’t need family space. But don’t dig too deep beyond that.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2017
Date expired: January 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 96%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 79%
Safety assist: 71%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: 1.5 TSI OPF Petrol FWD Manual

Overall score: 2.5 stars
Date tested: April 2023
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 7.7 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 4.4 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 2.8 / 10

Reliability rating

As of February 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volkswagen T-Roc to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively from workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as we have sufficient data on the T-Roc, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	45 mpg	C
Diesel models	54 mpg	B

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	143 g/km	C
Diesel models	134 g/km	C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	23	B

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£169	B
Year 2	£472	B
Year 3	£778	B
Year 4	£1,023	B
Year 5	£1,374	B
Overall	£3,816	B

The Volkswagen T-Roc has a running cost report that’s mostly good. Insurance and road tax should be very cheap, as should scheduled servicing costs for the first five years.

However, fuel consumption – the biggest running cost – is not as good as you’d expect for this size of car. A score of ‘C’ for petrol versions is average, while diesel versions are good. But other small SUVs are better.