Volkswagen T-Roc R review

From Cain and Abel to Liam and Noel, sibling rivalries can get seriously heated – and in the world of hot SUVs, the Volkswagen T-Roc R is in a fight that fits that tradition.

You see, the T-Roc R sports SUV competes with three other closely related VW Group models: the Audi SQ2 and top-spec versions of the Cupra Ateca and Cupra Formentor. They all share the same four-wheel-drive system, automatic gearbox and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, and get around 300bhp.

So does the T-Roc R make the best use of those mechanicals and put a bigger smile on your face than those rivals, while remaining usable for the everyday grind?

That’s what we’ll be considering in this review, as we put the VW T-Roc R to the test against the best sports SUV rivals. Or if you're interested in the regular, small SUV version of the model, you can read all about that in our VW T-Roc review.

After a brief pause while its turbocharger spins up, the VW T-Roc R accelerates with the kind of ferocity that would put many sports cars to shame. Maximum pull is available from 2,000rpm to 5,200rpm, so its seven-speed dual-clutch auto gearbox doesn’t need to shift up or down that often for you to make rapid progress.

Volkswagen quotes a 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds, and we managed 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds using the T-Roc R's standard-fit launch-control system, which is designed to get you off the line with the minimum of wheelspin.

True, the Audi SQ2, the Cupra Ateca 2.0 TSI 300 and the Cupra Formentor 2.0 TSI 333 are similarly fast, but a T-Roc R fitted with the optional Akrapovic sports exhaust system sounds more exciting. It's just a shame it's such an expensive extra.

The standard exhaust still pops and crackles when you lift off the accelerator after hard acceleration, but doesn't have anything like the depth of sound you get with the Akrapovic.

The T-Roc R’s most decisive advantage over rivals is in the way it handles. From its quicker-reacting steering and tighter body control to its vice-like grip on the road, it feels more like a hot hatch than a sports SUV and will leave the other VW Group models behind on a winding road.

What’s more, that grip is spread evenly front to rear, and you can really feel the power being sent to the back wheels when exiting corners, helping to prevent the nose from running wide.

We've only been able to test the T-Roc R with optional adaptive suspension (which allows you to stiffen or soften the suspension on demand). But no matter which mode you’re in, you get less body lean than you do in an Audi SQ2 or Cupra Ateca.

The penalty for its composure is a constant patter – although the ride isn't harsh in the way it is in a BMW X2 M35i. 

The T-Roc R's engine fades into the background at a steady motorway cruise, and wind noise is well controlled, but you do have to put up with a fair bit of road noise.

“With its composed handling balance and four-wheel-drive traction, the T-Roc R is devastatingly fast point-to-point. You could embarrass an unsuspecting Golf GTI driver on a country road.” – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

To match its status as a sports SUV, the VW T-Roc R's interior features a flat-bottomed steering wheel, a smattering of R emblems and two figure-hugging front sports seats.

Those seats hold you in place really well during hard cornering. Plus they remain comfortable even after hours in the saddle, partly thanks to the wide range of adjustment they offer, including for lumbar support. The T-Roc R's slender windscreen pillars and raised driving position mean you have a good view of the road ahead – although you sit higher up in a Cupra Ateca.

Wide rear pillars restrict your view out of the rear window, but you get front and rear parking sensors as standard to get round that. There’s the option of a rear-view camera to make manoeuvring even easier, while bright LED headlights are standard and provide great illumination at night.

The one big disappointment when the T-Roc R first came out was the quality of the materials inside. However, in a mid-life facelift it gained a soft-touch upper dashboard and a piano-black climate-control panel. There are still some scratchy plastics, but they’re better hidden.

The T-Roc R’s infotainment touchscreen is easy to use, because its menus are logically laid out, there’s a rotary knob for scrolling up and down lists, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring are standard.

The system is augmented by a large digital driver's display in place of analogue dials. It's highly configurable and able to show you lots of useful information, including sat-nav mapping, the audio menus and trip computer.

“It’s a shame the flappy paddles on the back of the T-Roc R's steering wheel are made of plastic rather than metal, but the same is true for the majority of sports SUV rivals.” – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

Even tall adults will have no issues with head or leg room when sitting in the front of the VW T-Roc R. The door bins are wide and there are useful storage cubbies dotted around the driver.

The rear is much less roomy than in a Cupra Ateca so two 6ft back-seat passengers will have their knees touching the seats in front. You get a bit more rear head room in the T-Roc R than you do in the Cupra Formentor. While it's a bit of a squeeze to seat three people across the rear bench, it is at least wider than the Audi SQ2.

Like any VW T-Roc with four-wheel drive, the T-Roc R has a 392-litre boot. That was enough for us to fit in five carry-on suitcases when we tested it for practicality. An equivalent Ateca took six cases in our test.

The rear bench folds in a 60/40 split, but there’s no option to slide or recline the rear seat, or to upgrade it to a more useful 40/20/40 split.

“While it's based on a small SUV, the T-Roc R has plenty of space in the back, and certainly more than you get in a Ford Puma ST or Cupra Formentor.” – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

The VW T-Roc R has a higher list price than an equivalent Cupra Ateca but we're not talking a significant difference, and it's slightly cheaper than the Audi SQ2 and Cupra Formentor.

With four-wheel drive and nearly 300bhp under the bonnet, emissions are unsurprisingly high enough to put the T-Roc R in the top 37% BIK tax bracket for company car drivers. And although official fuel economy is as healthy as 33.2mpg, you’ll have to drive pretty sensibly to get near that.

More positively, standard equipment is generous, with a list that includes 19in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, ambient interior lighting and adaptive cruise control. We wouldn't stop you stepping up to Black Edition trim, because for a relatively small outlay you also get 19in alloy wheels, a rear-view camera, a panoramic roof, a hands-free tailgate, a winter pack and various styling features.

In addition, Euro NCAP awarded the regular VW T-Roc five stars out of five for safety. An in-depth look at the results shows that it was found to be better at protecting adult occupants, child occupants and pedestrians than the Audi SQ2 and Cupra Ateca. The Cupra Formentor was awarded five stars too, despite being put through a more recent – and more challenging – version of the test.

The T-Roc R comes with plenty of safety kit, including lane-keeping assistance, road-sign recognition and an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system that can detect pedestrians as well as cars.

As a brand, Volkswagen finished in a mediocre 18th place out of 31 car makers featured in our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey. That’s not great, and Hyundai, Mini, Mazda, Skoda and Seat all did better. However, the T-Roc itself performed much finishing in 6th out of 23 small SUVs.

“The T-Roc R isn’t cheap, but then again it’s essentially three cars in one: a hot hatch, a practical small SUV and a GT car.” – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

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