Name: Volkswagen T-Roc R (2019) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Volkswagen T-Roc R
Rating: 62

Summary

The Volkswagen T-Roc R is a high-performance compact SUV that sits at the top of the T-Roc range. It’s the smallest performance SUV that Volkswagen offers as part of its ‘R’ family, below the larger Tiguan R.

Just one specification has been available since the car’s arrival in 2019, powered by the same 300hp 2.0-litre petrol engine that you will find in the similarly-sized Golf R hatchback and estate. Many reviewers outline this drivetrain as a real highlight, like Ted Welford of Car Keys, who praises the ‘hot SUV’ for its “rapid performance” above all else.

That said, T-Roc R’s most decisive advantage over its competitors is in the way it handles. As the What Car? team explains, “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.”

The majority of motoring outlets still regard the Golf R as the better option overall, Alex Ingram of Auto Express concluding that the hatchback “offers more performance and excitement while making more financial sense.”

While it isn’t as popular with reviewers, the Cupra Ateca is slightly cheaper than the T-Roc R, and you can currently pick up a larger Tiguan R or a Porsche Macan for a few thousand more. As of January 2024, the Volkswagen T-Roc R holds an Expert Rating of 62%.

T-Roc highlights

Strong performance
Agile handling
Practical family-friendly cabin

T-Roc lowlights

Firm ride comfort
Expensive when compared to the regular T-Roc
Rivals offer more interior quality

Key specifications

Body style: Compact SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol
Price: From £42,285 on-road

Launched: Spring 2019
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: Facelift model
Score: 7 / 10
“As before, the Volkswagen T-Roc R is a very effective point-to-point performance car, offering up great straight-line speed and strong grip. It’s not the most thrilling car to drive though, and the Golf R offers more performance and excitement while making more financial sense.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Volkswagen T-Roc R ticks all the boxes on paper, sharing its underpinnings and chassis with the talented Golf R hot hatch, but packed inside a fashionably taller silhouette.”
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The T-Roc R is a likeable crossover with the sort of performance, dynamics and features to make it a convincing alternative to traditional hot hatches and newer altogether more brutish breed of hyper hatches.” (Greg Kable)
Read review

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“High-riding T-Roc R offers impressive pace and poise and is arguably the best performance crossover yet.” (Simon Davis)
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“Super quick, deft handling qualities and plenty of kit in a trendy crossover package.” (Jake Groves)
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Car Keys+

Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen T-Roc R is undoubtedly one of the best performance crossovers to date. It corners, steers and responds in an impressive fashion, but at the same time it’s comfortable and practical. It’s only the price that could prove to be a sticking point.”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Big, fast SUVs are nothing new, but the VW T-Roc R is still one of the first compact crossovers that aim to offer hot-hatch thrills in a more upright, family-focused package.” (Mat Watson)
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Evo+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The T-Roc R’s shortcoming against a Golf, or any hot hatch for that matter, is that it feels like you’re sat on the car rather than in it. It means you never feel confident to push as hard as you would in a hatch because you feel a step removed from what’s happening beneath you.” (Antony Ingram)
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“It offers bags of performance, handling and features and is a genuinely interesting alternative to more traditional hot hatches. It’s a good small family car, with a decent boot and reasonable room for a young family.” (Keith Adams)
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The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: R-Line 1.5 TSI Evo DSG
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s a tall Golf.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s an extremely confident, quick and grippy thing, although the noise and clinical interior might make it difficult to fall in love with. The Golf R is a cooler car, but if you’ve really got your heart set on a crossover then the T-Roc R should make any shortlist.”
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What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen T-Roc R blends the decent practicality of the regular T-Roc with bombastic performance and stunning agility. It’s a lot more fun than most similarly priced sports SUVs.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2017
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 96%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 79%
Safety assist: 71%

The Volkswagen T-Roc R has not been specifically tested by safety body Euro NCAP, but this performance-enhanced crossover does share the standard T-Roc’s five-star crash test rating which was awarded in 2017.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

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

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 R to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the T-Roc R, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	194 g/km	D	194 – 201 g/km	D – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	33	C	25 – 34	B – C

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£234	B
Year 2	£624	B
Year 3	£1,035	B
Year 4	£1,307	C
Year 5	£1,777	C
Overall	£4,977	C

The Volkswagen T-Roc R is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to running costs, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Insurance costs for the ‘hot’ SUV are pretty average, and service and maintenance costs are predicted by be fairly affordable for the first five years of ownership.