Summary
The Volkswagen T-Cross is a small SUV/crossover based on the Polo supermini hatchback. It is the smallest model in Volkswagen’s SUV range, sitting just below the slightly larger T-Roc.
The T-Cross has received good to very good reviews from the UK motoring media since its launch in early 2019, with particular praise for its comfort, practicality and driving dynamics.
However, it has been marked down for providing less value than some cheaper rivals, as well as being less economical as well. The interior quality is also considered disappointing compared to other Volkswagen models.
As of January 2025, it has a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 71%.
Key specifications
Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £23,470 on-road
Launched: Spring 2019
Last updated: Autumn 2023
Next update due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual SEL
“The little Volkswagen T-Cross looks like being another successful SUV for VW. It blends style and practicality into a package that’s perfect for the city.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Volkswagen T-Cross is a competent small SUV, but it’s relatively expensive and lacks pizzazz.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The small Volkswagen T-Cross SUV turns on the style in new Black Edition trim.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol 115 TSI R-Line
Score: 8 / 10
“Volkswagen’s baby crossover is small but well packaged, and makes for an appealing addition to the firm’s burgeoning range of SUVs.”
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Car
Model reviewed: TDI
Score: 8 / 10
“Volkswagen has a knack at churning out cars that aren’t the most inspiring, but are very, very good – and this T-Cross is a fantastic example.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen T-Cross is entirely unexciting and brings little new to the field, but its appeal is clear.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Volkswagen T-Cross is one of the class leaders in the small SUV sector.” (Andy Goodwin)
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The VW T-Cross is a small-on-the-outside, big-on-the-inside SUV that’s loaded with plenty of equipment as standard. It’s not as comfy as alternatives to ride in, though, and its design is on the conservative side.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual SEL
Score: 7.9 / 10
“The Volkswagen T-Cross makes sense on paper for emissions and running costs, and it is a good-looking small crossover that offers practicality as well as style.”
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Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual SEL
Score: 6 / 10
“If you slip inside the Volkswagen T-Cross, you’ll immediately see why many people will choose this over the cheaper Polo.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“Comfortable and easy to drive.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“The T-Cross is Volkswagen’s answer to the Nissan Juke and in-house SEAT Arona.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol automatic 115 TSI
“A few minor criticisms, but nothing even approaching a damnation. This is a good looking, quite classy, reasonably priced little SUV that is exactly what a lot of people want. It’ll sell like hoT-Cross buns.”
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Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen T-Cross is based on the Polo supermini, but is longer and taller, with a suitably pumped-up look.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 9 / 10
“An enticingly competent choice among so-so small crossovers”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual
“Volkswagen’s latest venture into the SUV market does not break down any new barriers, but it is good at what it intends to be.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual
Score: 8 / 10
“This decent looking and commodious baby SUV/crossover from the VW stable beats rivals hands down in ride comfort and body control, but the three-cylinder engines are a lot less economical than their NEDC figures, the manual gearboxes aren’t great and the cabin trim is cheap.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic R-Line
Score: 5 / 10
“This is pretty much the same Volkswagen T-Cross we know and don’t really love. Sorry VW. You see, the problem with making so many crossovers is eventually there’s always going to be an idea-bereft forgotten child, and that’s the T-Cross.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 7 / 10
“Happily VW’s mini-SUV is a bit more than just a jacked-up Polo.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: May 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 97%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 81%
Safety assist: 80%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of January 2025, the Volkswagen T-Cross has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
If the T-Cross is put through the Green NCAP lab testing programme, we will publish the results here.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volkswagen T-Cross to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusive from extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as we have sufficient data on the T-Cross, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 47 mpg | C | 44 – 49 mpg | C – C |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 135 g/km | A | 130 – 150 g/km | A – B |
Diesel models | 141 g/km | B | 136 – 145 g/km | B – B |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 12 | A | 2 – 17 | A – A |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £156 | A |
Year 2 | £448 | A |
Year 3 | £736 | A |
Year 4 | £976 | A |
Year 5 | £1,315 | A |
Overall | £3,631 | A |
The Volkswagen T-Cross has a running cost report that’s mostly good. Insurance and road tax should be very cheap, as should scheduled servicing costs for the first five years.
The only disappointment is the biggest running cost of all – fuel consumption. A score of ‘C’ is average, which is disappointing for a supermini-based SUV/crossover.
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Volkswagen T-Cross at The Car Expert
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Volkswagen T-Cross, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën C3 Aircross | Dacia Duster | Fiat 500X | Ford EcoSport | Ford Puma | Honda HR-V | Hyundai Kona | Jeep Renegade | Kia Stonic | Mazda CX-3 | MG ZS | Mitsubishi ASX | Nissan Juke | Peugeot 2008 | Renault Captur | SEAT Arona | Skoda Kamiq | SsangYong Tivoli | Suzuki Vitara | Toyota Yaris Cross | Vauxhall Crossland | Vauxhall Mokka | Volkswagen T-Roc
Buy a Volkswagen T-Cross
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Lease a Volkswagen T-Cross
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