It seems that VW engineers got fed up with wrapping up the T-Cross, as a prototype of the small SUV was caught testing in Europe without disguise.
The T-Cross was originally introduced in 2018 as the smallest member of VW’s SUV range. A mid-lifecycle update is expected later this year, with prototypes making their spy debut in February 2023. The latest sighting however is the most revealing, exposing all of the styling updates.
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The redesigned face of the T-Cross makes it look more like the slightly larger T-Roc, thanks to the rounded bumper intakes and the wider grille with a single chrome bar in the middle. The lower bumper intake is also larger and is surrounded by aluminum-style trim reminiscent of a skid plate. Finally, the headlights have new LED graphics and appear to be smoked, inspired by the flagship Touareg.
The profile is carried over as with the majority of the rear end, although a closer look reveals the slightly redesigned bumper. There is black tape covering a portion of the taillights which are expected to gain fresh LED graphics, and the rear skid plate which will likely inherit a greater dose of aluminum-style trim mirroring the changes up front.
The dashboard of the prototype appears to be covered, hinting at interior updates. If VW wants to keep up with the fierce competition, they will probably improve the perceived quality of the materials which is one of the weaknesses of the current T-Cross, following the example of the facelifted T-Roc. It is also safe to assume that the SUV will get fresh infotainment software for its digital cockpit.
The powertrain lineup will most likely be carried over with minor updates. Options include the entry-level three-cylinder 1.0 TSI in two power outputs and the four-cylinder 1.5 TSI which will likely be upgraded to the Evo2 specification. VW could also add 48-Volt mild-hybrid technology to the petrol engines, something that is already happening in the rest of the lineup. All variants of the T-Cross will be FWD, with either a manual or a DSG automatic gearbox.
The fact that Volkswagen doesn’t bother camouflaging the facelifted T-Cross likely means that the official debut is just around the corner. Rivals in the B-SUV segment include the likes of the Skoda Kamiq, Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008, and Ford Puma, all of which are expected to return updated for 2024.
