Americans miss out on Volkswagen’s smallest SUV, the T-Cross, but over in the Europe, the lineup has been expanded to include a more powerful engine option.
The new range-topping VW T-Cross is launched in Germany with a price from €25,690 ($28,445), almost €7,000 ($7,751) more than the base model, powered by a 1.5-liter TSI with 150 PS (148 hp / 110 kW) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque and paired exclusively to a 7-speed DSG.
Volkswagen T-Cross Review: Time To Say Goodbye To Your Small Hatchback?
The range-topping T-Cross is hardly a GTI or an R, but performance is very decent for a SUV of this size. 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) takes 8.5 seconds, and flat out, it will do 200 km/h (124 mph).
In addition to the new powertrain, which was announced at the car’s launch more than a year ago, the T-Cross also gets plenty of kit, including a wireless charging pad for compatible smartphones and four USB ports, whereas for the digital instrument cluster you will have to pay more as it’s an extra.
Rear legroom can be improved thanks to the sliding back seat, which leaves between 385 and 455 liters (13.6-16.1 cu-ft) of space in the boot. Fold the rear seats down and you will get an impressive 1,281 liters (45.2 cu-ft).
Elsewhere, the T-Cross comes bundled with a range of driving assistance systems that used to be reserved for vehicles in the upper classes. Thus, it boasts Front Assist Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring and City Emergency Braking, Lane Assist, Blind Spot Monitor with integrated Rear Traffic Alert and Hill Start Assist.
