Name: Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet
Rating: 58

Summary

The Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet is the two-door soft-top version of the regular T-Roc SUV that arrived on UK roads in Summer 2020 – nearly three years after the standard T-Roc model.

As a convertible SUV, the T-Roc Cabriolet is essentially in a market segment of one – it’s only really directly comparable to the more upmarket Range Rover Evoque Convertible, which Land Rover ditched in 2018 when the original Evoque ended production.

In the current marketplace, its closest competitors are more conventional soft-top models like the Mini Convertible. It’s also effectively (but not very effectively) a replacement for the long-dead Golf Cabriolet in the Volkswagen line-up

The Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet line-up consists of two trim levels, with only petrol engines available. While What Car? declares these engines to be both “punchy” and “economical”, Parkers argues that the lack of diesel engine options is a misstep.

The Cabriolet’s boot is markedly smaller than the standard SUV, and Volkswagen has had to make this convertible version heavier in an effort to reinforce the body structure with the hard-top roof missing – a body structure that Which? still calls “somewhat compromised”.

Which? adds that the folding fabric roof, which takes 11 seconds to raise, “simply doesn’t work very well”, and that the rear seats are more cramped than the regular T-Roc, in order to make room for the roof mechanism.

While some reviewers clearly dislike the T-Roc Cabriolet – Autocar asserts that the convertible SUV has “tepid performance” and is a “clunky ride” – many outlets conceed that it will appeal to customers who are intrigued by the idea of a raised ride height and wind-in-the-hair driving in one reasonably affordable package, regardless of its flaws.

As Top Gear concludes, “It doesn’t create a new must-have niche, or take itself too seriously, and neither should you.”

As of January 2024, the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet holds an Expert Rating of 58% based on 15 different UK reviews, making it the lowest-scoring Volkswagen model in our Expert Rating Index.

T-Roc Cabriolet highlights

Peppy but economical engines
Plenty of equipment as standard
Decent practicality by cabriolet standards
Attractive exterior styling
Wind-in-the-hair driving

T-Roc Cabriolet lowlights

Only seats four
Not much boot space
Interior is cheap and cramped in places
Only petrol-powered models available
More conventional convertibles are more fun

Key specifications

Body style: Compact convertible SUV
Engines: petrol
Price: From £31,495 on-road

Launched: Summer 2020
Last updated: Spring 2022
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The updates haven’t changed much to the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet experience, so if you were one of the 5% of T-Roc buyers interested before, there’s still much to like. It’s not engaging or quick to drive, but the folding roof adds a sense of fun. If you want to go for this left-field choice, we’d stick with the entry-level model – things get pricey higher up the range.” (Alex Ingram)
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5.6 / 10
“It would be unfair to criticise the T-Roc Cabriolet for being style over content when that will be a key motivation for buying it – that can’t gloss over some very real practical and dynamic compromises, though.”
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Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“If the T-Roc Cabriolet were an experiment in a researcher’s laboratory or a chef’s kitchen, it wouldn’t avoid the dustbin for very long.”
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Car+

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“For soaking up a few rays and enjoying the view on which ever day it is that summer falls, the T-Roc Cabriolet ticks all the boxes. Ask any more of it, however, and its shortcomings in relation to the standard car all to readily surface.”
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Car Keys+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual R-Line
Score: 7 / 10
“With decent-sized rear seats and a usable boot, you could happily use the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet every day, and enjoy just how easy and relaxed it is to drive. That’s why it’s worth considering if you’re looking for something a bit different.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.6 / 10
“The Volkswagen T-Roc Cabrio is heavier, less economical and more expensive than the standard T-Roc.”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“Love it or hate it, it was only a matter of time. The family SUV is the new new family hatchback, and hence the open-top family SUV was always on the cards.”
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Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“As a convertible SUV, the T-Roc Cabriolet ticks a lot of boxes. Volkswagen deserves great credit for successfully lowering and raising the roof of a car designed to be a tin-top SUV. It’s just too compromised for it to earn top marks.”
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Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The only convertible SUV you can buy new – exclusivity is guaranteed, excellent level of standard equipment, guaranteed to turn heads especially with the roof down.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“It’s the drop-top for those who don’t want to compromise their comfort or convenience – in essence, it’s a normal car that you can take the roof off.”
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The Sun+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“It is comfy, clean-cut, cool and classless. I can’t even grumble about the price.”
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“the T-Roc Cabriolet is a cruiser, through and through.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Doesn’t create a new must-have niche, or take itself too seriously, and neither should you.”
Read review

What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“With a lofty driving position, comfortable ride and the fact that it offers more rear-seat space than rivals, it can just about combine family living with wind-in-your-hair excitement. For real convertible thrills, though, the Mini Convertible is a much more enjoyable prospect.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of January 2024, the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP.

The hard-top Volkswagen T-Roc was awarded a full five-star crash test rating back in 2017, but this rating does not include the T-Roc Cabriolet, as this drop top version has been structurally altered as a result of taking the roof off.

This means the the T-Roc Cabriolet is heavier than the standard model, and while it has the same safety features, we cannot say that it would have the same crash test results.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2024, the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

If and when the T-Roc Cabriolet is tested by Green NCAP, we’ll publish the results here.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet 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-Roc Cabriolet, 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	42 mpg	D	40 – 45 mpg	C – D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	143 g/km	B	141 – 159 g/km	B – C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	23	B	13 – 50	A – F

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£157	A
Year 2	£456	A
Year 3	£750	A
Year 4	£998	A
Year 5	£1,343	A
Overall	£3,704	A

The Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

While its fuel consumption is higher than the average new petrol car, the Cabriolet has pretty low insurance premiums and its maintenance and servicing costs over the first five years of ownership should be excellent.