VW T-Roc: The New Face of Vans, Coming to Israel!

In 2022, Volkswagen Golf lost its title as the best-selling car in Europe to the Peugeot 208 after 20 consecutive years. While the Germans may have been disappointed about losing their market share, they were quite satisfied because most of the Golf's customers did not switch to competitors. Instead, they bought the T-Roc, the family-oriented crossover based on the Golf platform.

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Times are changing, and customers no longer stand in line for compact family cars. The queues have moved to crossovers and SUVs, and that is why, after six years since its launch, the T-Roc finally arrives in Israel.

Just as Toyota sells the Yaris Cross, C-HR, and Corolla Cross in the country, with base prices of 133,000, 170,000, and 173,000 shekels respectively, Volkswagen also starts selling three family-oriented crossovers simultaneously. Alongside the T-Cross (from 140,000 shekels) and Tiguan (from 190,000 shekels), the T-Roc joins the lineup, with a base price of 170,000 shekels. It also competes with the Mazda CX-30 (from 160,000 shekels): all of these crossovers offer design and slightly less bulkiness compared to the sales hits Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage.

Design: The T-Roc is actually a twin model to the Seat Ateca and Skoda Karoq, but unlike them, it is also produced in a unique cabriolet version that will not be regularly imported to the country, which is a shame. With a length of 4.24 meters, a width of 1.82 meters, a height of 1.58 meters, and a wheelbase of 2.59 meters, the T-Roc is wide but relatively short. It looks like a raised Tiguan, with generous use of chrome, especially on the prominent strip along the vehicle, giving it a very bourgeois and German character. The front is also massive and well-lit at night.

Driving environment: The feeling is definitely Golf-like, with a higher seating position, and a relatively high level of equipment compared to the base model we drove, with a 9.2-inch multimedia screen and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, which displays the original navigation system map of Volkswagen. You will need to enter an address in English for it, but the option to have the map directly in front of your eyes is very convenient. If you connect to Waze or Google Maps, you can only see the map on the multimedia screen. The passenger compartment in the test car was a bit dark, and according to the catalog, the T-Roc's more warm and vibrant colors remained abroad. What a shame.

The material quality is good, and the front seats are successful. The rear space is reasonable, but not as good as in the Seat Ateca. At least there is an air conditioning outlet and a pair of USB sockets. The 445-liter cargo compartment is relatively large, and for transporting large loads, you can flatten not only the rear seat but also the front seat.

Equipment: The base version, which we tested (170,000 shekels), comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a 9.2-inch multimedia screen, a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, heated steering wheel, keyless entry and start, climate control, wireless charging pad for mobile devices, and a reversing camera.

The Style Plus version (185,000 shekels) upgrades to 18-inch lightweight alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, electric opening for the charging compartment, adjustable suspension, electrically adjustable driver's seat with lower back massage function, and leather upholstery.

The R-Line version (200,000 shekels) upgrades to nappa leather upholstery, sports seats, and a matching exterior design package.

Safety: The Tiguan received a 5-star rating in the European crash test in 2017. All trim levels include autonomous emergency braking in both forward and reverse driving, adaptive cruise control with lane keeping assist, and an alert for approaching vehicles in blind spots. However, it lacks a fatigue warning system, child presence detection, and door opening warning when the road is not clear.

Engine and performance: Of the various powertrains offered abroad, the Tiguan only comes with a 1,500cc turbocharged gasoline engine, which is also used in other models of the group. The updated version allows it to operate on two cylinders for longer periods when not under load. The performance is good, but gear shifts in the dual-clutch transmission can be sluggish and hesitant, especially at the start and in traffic. Other drivers take advantage of the gap created by the slower acceleration of the Tiguan to pass it. It is preferable to switch to Sport mode (there is also an Eco mode and Comfort mode) for faster responses, at the expense of fuel consumption. During our test days, it averaged 13.8 km per liter of gasoline. However, it is time for a hybrid unit here, as with its competing Toyota.

Comfort and Behavior: The Volkswagen Tiguan is a German-made crossover, relatively rock-oriented, not swaying in turns and maneuvering well even in the city. Comfort is generally good and the ride is quiet except for some wind noise from the roof rails.

Bottom line: The Tiguan is what GPT chat would have missed if asked how a crossover golf would look like. It is of high quality, looks respectable and luxurious, and in its base version is well equipped, more than its direct competitors at its price level. 170,000 shekels is a high price tag, but not unusual these days, when a Toyota Corolla costs only 5,000 shekels less, and a Golf costs 8,000 shekels less. Like the Golf, it will not be a sales hit in the country, but rather a slightly luxurious option in the mass market. 

ID / Volkswagen Tiguan

Engine: Turbo gasoline, 1,498 cc, 150 hp, 25.5 kg-m

Transmission: Dual clutch automatic, 7 gears. Front-wheel drive

Performance (manufacturer): 8.3 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, 207 km/h top speed, 15.6 km per liter combined

Safety: 5 out of 5 stars in the European crash test. Full active safety

Air pollution: Grade 9 out of 15

Warranty: 3 years or 100,000 km

Price: From 170,000 shekels.

Liked: Design, equipment, behavior and comfort

Disliked: Price