Volkswagen T-Roc and T-Roc Cabrio facelifted

Highlights

• R disappears
• Convertible stays
• LED headlights standard
• Also level 2 autonomous

When the Volkswagen T-Roc came on the market at the end of 2017, it was by no means a pioneer. Other brands had already discovered that compact crossovers are the future much earlier, and Renault has been in charge of that since 2013 with the Captur. That does not alter the fact that there was still room for a Volkswagen and the T-Roc in its current form rolled out of the factory more than a million times. More than 17,000 of them went by train to the Netherlands. By comparison, in those same four years, the Captur was sold 23,500 times, so the T-Roc did quite well. It was remarkable that the T-Roc has also been available as a convertible since last year; definitely not a habit anymore, certainly not in this segment. Nor is the R, with its 300 hp, one of the fastest compact crossovers common in this class.

Well R, not for us

We have good news for you and bad news. To have had the bad but: the T-Roc R survives the facelift, but not in our country. The Dutch importer sees an unintended reason to keep this top version in the showrooms even longer. The good news, on the other hand, is that the convertible also rides on the facelift and that will remain in the Dutch range.

Volkswagen T-Roc

Externally, the most striking innovation is the illuminated strip that connects the daytime running lights and touches the logo in the middle. The bumpers are new, especially noticeable in the reshaped air intakes under the headlamps, which in the flared model were surrounded by the LED daytime running lights. It is now located in the headlight units.

Matrix headlights

The headlights are standard LED from the facelift, at an additional cost it will be IQ.Light Matrix with dynamic high beam assistance. The rear bumper has also been redesigned and the rear light units have been redesigned. Dynamic turn signals are an option and there are new wheels from 17 to 19 inches.

Volkswagen T-Roc

Digital Clocks

Inside, the dashboard trim is filled with a soft foam layer, which should give a more premium feel. The infotainment screen is no longer integrated, but is slightly removed from the dashboard. The steering wheel has been redesigned and the climate control is now controlled by touch. The digital cockpit, previously reserved for the more expensive versions, is now standard in every T-Roc and the range of ADAS systems has been expanded, including Travel Assist. Infotainment features the third, latest generation Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIT3). The doors are lined with a higher quality material.

Volkswagen T-Roc Convertible

The Cabriolet also enjoys all the aforementioned innovations and retains its three-layer fabric hood, which is folded away in nine seconds.

Six hand, seven DSG

Under the hood you will soon be able to choose from the 1.0 TSI three-cylinder with 81 kW (110 hp) and 200 Nm of torque, the 1.5 TSI four-cylinder with 110 kW (150 hp, 250 Nm) and the 2.0 TSI with 140 kW (190 hp). That two-liter gets standard 4Motion four-wheel drive. Switching is done in the lightest with a manual six-speed gearbox, the 150 hp gets the six-speed gearbox as standard or, as an option, a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission with double clutch. The 190 hp always gets that DSG. This version is not available for the Convertible.

As for the luxury level, there will be a slip-on, simply called T-Roc. Above that is the Life, another step higher the Style and as a sporty variant there will be an R-Line. Dutch versions and prices of the renewed Volkswagen T-Roc and T-Roc Cabriolet will follow shortly. Later this week on this site a video of the T-Roc facelift.