2022 Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI Life review

The Volkswagen T-Cross probably isn't the first VW model people think of, but it started 2022 as the German carmaker's biggest seller in Australia.

Sales figures are likely skewed by supply issues facing its popular siblings such as the Golf, Tiguan and Amarok, but there is plenty to like about the VW's Polo-based light SUV to keep it hovering around the top of the table once imports return to normal.

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Pricing and Features

It should be noted our pictured test vehicle is actually the limited edition T-Cross CityLife of which only 1000 were available. Now sold out, it was based on the entry-level T-Cross Life but, for an extra $2000, brought a bunch of extras including keyless entry with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, 'comfort' sports seats and power-folding door mirrors.

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It also came with standard blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, which on the Life are optional features as part of the $1200 Driver Assistance pack.

So, getting down to basics, T-Cross Life pricing starts at $29,850 before on-road costs or $31,990 drive-away.

It has a generous standard features list that includes manual air-conditioning, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors with manoeuvre braking, cruise control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, driver fatigue detection, foglights, halogen headlights, lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, hill-start assist, fabric seats, leather-trimmed steering wheel, gearshift paddles, tyre pressure monitor, remote central locking, roof rails, seat belt warnings and 16-inch alloy wheels.

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Paddleshifters, power-folding side mirrors, and DAB+ digital radio were added to the 2022 model.

Options include the aforementioned Driver Assistance Pack, which for $1200 adds adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, proactive occupant protection system and park assist, which steers the T-Cross into parking spots.

Then there's the $2100 Sound & Vision package that brings a 300-watt Beats premium sound system, the 'Digital Cockpit' gauge cluster (pictured below), Discover Media 8.0-inch navigation system with gesture and voice control, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.

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The T-Cross Life comes in eight colours, including Ascot Grey and Pure White for no extra cost. The other six hues, including our test car's Metallic Energetic Orange, attract a $600 premium.

Service intervals are 15,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first. The first service costs $392, with the rest priced at $579, $494, $927 and $494 respectively.

If you want to save some money on servicing, Volkswagen has a 'Care Plan' that lets you pay upfront for five or three years of servicing. The five-year plan costs $2250 and will save you $798 over the duration, while the $1300 three-year plan will save $171.

The Volkswagen T-Cross is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and one year of complimentary roadside assistance.

Space and Comfort

The T-Cross is a well equipped little SUV for the price but you'll notice a few trade-offs when you step inside, such as hard plastic surfaces on the dashboard and door skins. That said, there are soft-touch surfaces where it matters such as the armrests on the doors.

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It's a sharp-looking interior, though it could do with a little more colour to bring additional visual interest to the monochrome decor.

The compact centre console features a small tub beneath the armrest, with the midsection taken up by two cup holders, and a park-brake handle, which is something you don't see too often in new cars these days.

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There is a bit more storage in front of the gear shifter, where you'll find the wireless phone charger and a couple of USB sockets.

If you need more storage space, there are decent-sized door bins, a nifty little drawer below the driver's seat and a spot under the driver's seat to store the driver's manual to free up room in the glovebox.

The fabric seats are a little firm but shaped well to provide good comfort for front and rear occupants.

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The rear seats sit high to offer good front and side vision, which children will appreciate. Width-wise, the rear pew will seat two adults in comfort, though it does lack a centre armrest to lean on.

On the plus side, there is surprisingly ample legroom that puts some bigger SUVs to shame and there is excellent headroom throughout.

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Rear-seat passengers benefit from two USB-C sockets, map pockets on the back of the front seats and door bins. The Life variant lacks air vents that come with the range-topping T-Cross Style, but Volkswagen left the housing in place, which doubles as a handy storage nook.

The rear bench can slide back and forth, which stretches the boot length from 630mm to 780mm and increases volume from 385 to 455 litres, making it one of the more practical light SUVs on the market.

Lift the boot floor and you'll find a space-saver spare wheel and tools.

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On the Road

As well as sharing underpinnings with the Polo, the T-Cross has also adopted the hatchback's 1.0-litre, three-cylinder 85kW/200Nm turbocharged petrol engine.

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As we experienced with the Polo, it's a good little unit, but loses some of its lustre in the slightly heavier T-Cross, though you're rarely left wanting for oomph even at highway speeds.

Power is sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This can be quite laggy on take-off, the delay made worse by the fuel-saving start/stop engine function that can thankfully be turned off.

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There is a Sport driving mode that changes the engine mapping so it reaches peak power quicker, but I can't say it made too much of a difference.

Paddleshifters give the T-Cross the ability to offer some hands-on driving, but it's not exactly sporty. Push it on a twisty road and you'll encounter some body roll through bends.

To be fair, with 10.2-second 0-100km/h acceleration, the T-Cross isn't trying to be a performance car; if chasing apexes is high on your mission list you're best sticking with the Polo.

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This is an SUV that is very much in its element around town, where it's zippy enough and the light but responsive steering makes negotiating tight streets and parking spaces a doddle.

Ride comfort feels composed on most surfaces and road and engine noise are very low, which lessens fatigue in heavy traffic.

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With the way petrol prices are going in 2022, owners would appreciate the three-pot engine's frugal performance. Its official combined fuel consumption is just 5.4L/100km and just 6.0L/100km in urban situations, though it does require pricier 95 RON Premium Unleaded.

Safety

The T-Cross has a five-star ANCAP rating and comes standard with a bunch of driver assistance features including front and rear parking sensors with manoeuvre braking, which is designed to prevent you from hitting hidden objects or people.

It also comes with standard cruise control, driver fatigue detection, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist protection, and lane-keep assist.

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Missing from the standard kit in the Life spec is adaptive cruise control, which matches the speed of the car in front, rear-cross traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring, though these are available in the $1200 Driver Assistance pack.

Passive safety includes eight airbags and ISOFix child-seat anchors in the outboard rear seats, along with three top tethers.

The Verdict

The Volkswagen Golf has long been the car of choice for new drivers with well-heeled parents, though if anecdotal evidence is any guide, the T-Cross is certainly taking a lot of that business.

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This entry-level Life spec makes for an excellent first car with its relatively affordable price tag, SUV practicality, attractive Euro styling, all the important safety features, direct handling, and enough oomph to get out of tricky situations without being the cause of them.

That said, it does have broad appeal and would suit older drivers looking to downsize.

In short, the T-Cross brings much of what we like about the Polo but in a more market-pleasing package in these SUV-obsessed times.

Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI Life specifications