- The second-generation VW T-Roc was spotted during winter testing with light camouflage.
- The small SUV is expected to adopt the technical advancements of the facelifted Golf.
- The new T-Roc will arrive sometime in 2025, eight years after the debut of the original.
Europeans seem to have a collective crush on small and compact SUVs, which have successfully usurped hatchbacks as the reigning champions of urban streets and narrow parking spaces. Among the standout contenders in this booming segment, the Volkswagen T-Roc is preparing for its next chapter, a fully redesigned generation set to debut in 2025 to stay competitive in an increasingly crowded market.
Future Cars: What We Know About The 2026 VW T-Roc From Design To Drive
Despite its age (by car standards), the current T-Roc is far from a has-been, as it’s still printing money for VW. Between January and November 2024, it was the fourth best-selling vehicle in Europe, and there’s a good chance it’ll hold that spot through the end of the year. However, Volkswagen isn’t one to rest on its laurels. The German automaker is charging forward with the next-generation T-Roc, aiming to achieve even stronger sales with the revamped model.
A Tight Fit Between T-Cross and Tiguan
The T-Roc occupies a Goldilocks zone in VW’s lineup, slotting comfortably between the pint-sized T-Cross and the roomier Tiguan. That winning formula won’t change in the next generation. The T-Roc’s sights remain locked on similar-sized competitors like the funky Toyota C-HR and the slick Hyundai Kona.
Almost a year after the T-Roc was first spotted testing, VW is still keeping its cards close to the chest, well, as much as you can when your prototype is driving around Sweden. Recent spy shots from the icy north show a camouflaged prototype, complete with decoy headlights, fake taillight stickers, and cleverly disguised bumper designs.
SH Proshots
Familiar Lines, Subtle Tweaks
Judging by the prototype’s greenhouse and proportions, VW is going for evolution rather than revolution with this redesign. The silhouette feels familiar, and the changes appear to be measured rather than radical. Our exclusive rendering below provides a clearer picture of what to expect—think “baby Tiguan” with a dash of sleek refinement.
The outgoing T-Roc has been around since 2017, and despite receiving a facelift in 2021, it shares a lot with the Golf Mk7. The new generation is expected to benefit from the technical advancements introduced by the Golf Mk8.5 earlier this year, including the MQB Evo architecture and the latest electrified powertrains.
It will be interesting to see if VW will finally offer a plug-in hybrid version of the T-Roc, together with the mild-hybrids. As for the hot T-Roc R, if it makes a come back, it should share its powertrain with the Golf R.
Inside, expect VW to borrow heavily from the updated Golf, with a bigger, more user-friendly touchscreen topping out at 12.9 inches on higher trims. Materials will get a quality bump, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) will almost certainly take center stage in the features list.
The new T-Roc will likely debut sometime in 2025, completing the renewal of VW’s ICE-powered lineup together with the upcoming Polo facelift. VW had previously said that the T-Roc would be its final new combustion model, but it is not clear if this is still the case given the changes in its electrification plan.
