Volkswagen T-Cross

It’s no joke that the car has been ranked number one in the imported SUV category for three consecutive years in terms of registered units.

According to VW, SUVs remain popular in the current domestic market, and by body size, the number of registered C and B segment vehicles has been increasing in recent years. Considering the recent rise in fuel costs, it makes sense that the popularity is concentrated in the B to C segment, which offers an advantage in terms of fuel efficiency.

The VW T-Cross is a car that perfectly captures these recent trends. With a width of 1760mm, it’s the perfect body size for Japan, an adorable exterior design, and, above all, a wallet-friendly price tag that’s unusual for an imported car. It’s no wonder that it has maintained the number one registration number in the imported SUV category for three consecutive years, from 2020, when it was first released in Japan, to 2022.

Now, this popular T-Cross has undergone a minor change that makes it even more appealing. What’s impressive is that the body size remains almost the same as before the minor change. Although the overall length has grown by about 25mm, the overall width remains the same as the previous model at 1760mm (1785mm for the R-Line). You know the key points, don’t you?

The infotainment system has undergone a major evolution

The exterior has been given a more modern look with new lighting and bumper designs. Three new vivid colors have been added – Grape Yellow, Clear Blue Metallic, and King Red Metallic – as if to counter the current monotone-dominated import car market, bringing the lineup to eight colors in total, which is also a good thing. Many people who buy imported cars likely see their car as a part of their lifestyle. That’s why it’s so nice to be able to choose from a wide variety of colorful colors.

Inside, the car has been given a new digital cluster meter and a large tablet-type display, making it a more luxurious interior. It’s also nice that heated seats are now standard equipment.

The test car was the top-of-the-line R-Line, equipped with LED matrix headlights “IQ. Light” and the latest ADAS. When I got in, I was surprised to find that the handbrake was still manual, not electric, but I guess it’s just a matter of getting used to it.

Pricing that gives a glimpse of VW’s seriousness

I immediately got on the highway and checked out the ride. The suspension isn’t particularly flexible, but the high body rigidity allows it to absorb the unevenness of the road surface well, making for an extremely comfortable ride. The engine is a 1.0-liter inline 3-cylinder turbo, but it produces 200Nm of torque from just 2000rpm, so merging onto the highway is a breeze.

The T-Cross offers just the right body size, a comfortable ride, and a large luggage compartment. It’s sure to sell. One last thing: the new T-Cross “R-Line” is priced at a whopping 103,000 yen less than the pre-facelift R-Line. This gives us a glimpse of VW’s seriousness.

REPORT / Ryohei Ishikawa

PHOTO / Satoshi KAMIMURA

MAGAZINE / GENROQ December 2024 issue

SPECIFICATIONS

Volkswagen T-Cross R-Line

Body size: Length 4135, Width 1785, Height 1580mm

Wheelbase: 2550mm

Engine: Inline 3-cylinder DOHC turbo

Total displacement: 999cc

Maximum output: 85kW (116PS) / 5500rpm

Maximum torque: 200Nm (20.4kgm) / 2000-3500rpm

Transmission: 7-speed DCT

Drive system: FWD

Suspension type: Front MacPherson strut, rear trailing arm

Brakes: Front ventilated disc, rear disc

Fuel consumption rate: 17.0km/L (WLTC)

Vehicle price: 3,895,000 yen

[Inquiries]

Volkswagen Customer Center

TEL 0120-993-199
https://www.volkswagen.co.jp/

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