In the past few years, Volkswagen has put billions in the development of the MQB-platform. The modular platform on which a lot of cars can be...
based on. And it's going at an amazing rate. We're getting flushed by a huge wave of SUV's from VAG.
However, the drawback is that it's becoming a little confusing now. Skoda has the big Kodiaq, the smaller Karoq, and soon,
the Kamiq will complete the range. At Seat, you've got the Tarraco. That's Seat's Kodiaq. Then there's the Ateca, which is Seat's Karoq,
and the Arona, which Seat's Kamiq. Lastly, there's Volkswagen itself.
They have the Touareg, but that has nothing to do with this story, because that's more of an Audi or a Porsche Cayenne.
Then there's the Tiguan Allspace, which is related to the Kodiaq. The regular Tiguan is related to the Karoq,
and lastly, you've got the T-Roc. But that's not related to the Kamiq/Arona,
because it's slightly bigger and it's based on the Golf. So, the fill that gap, Volkswagen has presented this T-Cross...
On the inside, there are a lot of familiar features. Basically, it looks a little like the Arona with less flair.
A much more serious design, very decent. A true Volkswagen really, it feels like it can go for hundreds of years.
When it comes to materials however... I felt the same about the Polo, but it doesn't look all too great.
It has a lot of hard plastics. I mean, it's very sturdy, but when you get a new Golf and you think how good it looks whilst...
being built very solid... That's not the impression I get in here. What I do like however, which is optional of course,
is the digital instrument cluster. If you compare that with the competition, it's quicker, sharper, it has more functions,
satnav instructions... You can even make dials disappear. I really like that.
The touchscreen over here is fast, comprehensive, it has a lot of functions, it's accessible through hotkeys,
which get you into the right menu's. There's a physical volume button, there's physical central controller... It all works very good.
The seating position is the same. The seats are supporting, even for people with longer legs. So, ergonomically speaking,
it's all very good. Also, the T-Cross is very spacious. The rear seat is adjustable as standard.
That means that when you put backwards all the way, the legroom is good, the headroom is good, and that has been...
different in B-segment crossovers. If you put the seat all the way forward however, you get a bigger boot.
That means adults will be pretty cramped in the back. If you're 1,80 m., you won't be comfortable.
But you do get 455 litres of luggage space. If you move the seat backwards, you only get 385 litres.
It's neat, but not groundbreaking. A Captur offers you 455 litres as well. Also, you can get this with a folding middle seat.
That way, you can fit your surfboard in its entirety in the car, which of course fits your leisure-lifestyle.
In other words, it's not a groundbreaking interior, but it's very good.
I just mentioned people in their mid-twenties riding surfboards, and that's because the blurb is filled with them.
Just like hip, dancing girls in bright dresses. However, on page 3 of the same blurb, there's a picture of someone who actually...
buys this car. A senior. A very cool senior, with a man bun, a cool pants and shirt,
but it's still a senior citizen. Because that's the target audience, and Volkswagen knows that that audience doesn't want a sharp car.
So they didn't make this into something sharp. You can compare it with the Seat Arona. It's a tad more comfortable,
but you won't be able to tell immediately. But most of all, it's a Volkswagen.
Smooth springs, smooth dampers, a light steering which isn't too direct. But whenever you encounter a pothole,
you'll know the damper is doing its job. You'll feel safety and control.
You know that if you're going to look for the limit, you'll find it, but it's going to be a search.
And that, combined with the comfort, is a very good choice. It'll appeal to a lot of people.
You can't get four-wheel drive, but that's not a problem. I mean, if you saw yourself doing Paris-Dakar with this,
you'd have a very big imagination. Also, in this segment, it just doesn't sell.
It's impossible if we look at the technical capabilities of this platform. But you won't miss it.
Enginewise, you can choose one engine. The turbocharged 1.0-litre 3-cylinder TSI, which is available in a 95 or a 115 horsepower trim.
This is the 115 horsepower-version, which also produces 200 Nm of torque. Right now, we're driving on Mallorca.
Because of the height levels the 115 horsepower and 200 Nm are very pleasant to use. You could get away with the 95 horsepower,
but if you regularly fill up your rear seat with friends, 115 horsepower isn't that bad of an idea.
You'll also get a 6-speed manual gearbox and optionally, you can choose for the 7-speed DSG.
This manual gearbox is typically Volkswagen. It's nice and light and you can exactly feel when you go into gear.
It's not like that when you select the wrong gear, or don't change properly, it'll rattle or anything.
But it isn't like you love to change gear in here. Not like a Ford Fiesta.
It's just very Volkswagen, a true allrounder. And it's a Volkswagen in the price lists as well.
It's available from €22.600, but you'll get one without options. If you save up another €2.000, you can get a 'Life'.
That comes with airconditioning, adaptive cruise control, additional safety systems... The 115 horsepower engine is an additional...
€1.300, and that's when the personalizing starts. If you want a digital instrument cluster, satnav,
a nice color, nice wheels, R-Line-package... Let me put it like this, I've been ticking boxes in the configurator,
and it's possible to spend more than €35.000 on this car. And with that, it's at the top of the price range.
Cynically speaking, you could say there's a Seat Arona for a few thousand euro's less, which has the same trim and technology,
so it's the same car for 90%. I'd say that's true, but look at it this way. I'm 99% the same as Doutzen Kroes, but that also looks different, right?