VW Debuts T-Roc Compact Crossover

Volkswagen AG says its all-new T-Roc small SUV/crossover vehicle will set the bar for its segment with “snappy” styling, agile performance, state-of-the-art connectivity and plenty of driver assist features.

To be priced in the €20,000 ($23,600) range in Europe, the T-Roc will join the larger Tiguan as VW’s second small crossover model when it goes on sale in November. The vehicle will be sold primarily in Europe and China, which currently account for about 80% of the compact SUV market.

VW says the five-seater may eventually be offered in the U.S., South America, India and/or Brazil if demand for small SUVs continues to grow in those regions. Initial markets will be supplied by factories in Setubal, Portugal, and Foshan, China.

The T-Roc will share its MQB (modular transverse matrix) chassis with VW Group’s Audi Q2 small crossover. Standard driver assist features include low-speed emergency braking, pedestrian monitoring and lane assist. Among the options are adaptive cruise control, rear reversing camera, blind spot monitor and systems to assist with lane-keeping, traffic jams and parking.

The new SUV also will offer optional all-wheel drive, manual or 7-speed dual clutch transmission and a selection of three gasoline and three diesel engines—all of them turbocharged.

The T-Roc will compete with such models as the Opel Mokka, Renault Captur and Nissan Qashai in a market segment that VW says will nearly double in size in 10 years.