VW T Roc - thoughts?

SozBbz

I'm looking at buying a new car and am leaning towards the VW T Roc.
I want the 1.5l Petrol Engine, Sport edition and Technology pack, so fairly highly spec'd IMO. Part of me wants a fancier badge (the German premiums) but when I compare what a similar car would cost, with anything like the same spec, the price difference seems astronomical. 
I know this is a relatively new model so theres not many people driving them out there, but does anyone have any experience with them?
I've always been a VW person, previous had Polos and Golfs.

JoeA3

Yeah you won't find many with direct experience of them yet, but tbh they're strongly based on the Golf / Polo, so anyone who's familiar with the current versions of those cars would find a lot of similarities in a new T-Roc. Loads of shared components, the interiors, etc look similar.

I think they look quite smart in the right colour / spec. The contrasting colour roof is nice. They're clearly going after a younger / funkier market with them than say the more grown up Tiguan. Main criticism I've read on them is that the dash / interior is a bit low-rent by typical VW standards. If there's a DSG option available I'd strongly recommend it. It makes for a very comfortable car to drive with that box.

kerten

Have you seen it in flesh? They replicated the design of Tiguan on a narrow chassis. It looks fine from front and sides but rear looks strange to me. All subjective of course. And soft interior plastics are not there per reviews I have watched.

I guess it is based on Polo not Golf so I would expect less comfort than Golf in general.

alfman

I have been driving one for 6 months now. I have the exact one you are after, I previously had a Golf.

My thoughts on it:

1. Make sure it comes with a Space Saver spare wheel rather than the full size spare wheel. Mine wrongly came with a full size spare wheel which means the Boot floor can't be dropped so I'm losing out on a quarter of the boot space.

2. The 1.5 engine has a few issues. It tends to Kangaroo in lower gears and will also speed up by itself at low speeds which can be a nightmare in car parks. These are common issues with that engine that you can read about on the TROC Owner European forum. https://www.trocforums.co.uk/
There is a good bit of power in the engine though so it is nippy.

3. Compared to the Golf I like the higher seating position but the seats don't have Lumbar support so can become uncomfortable after a while.

4. The Entertainment System and Active Info Display are top notch.

Overall I like it, I have it in White which I think looks great.

SozBbz

kerten wrote: »

I guess it is based on Polo not Golf so I would expect less comfort than Golf in general.

Yeah I've seen it, went for a quick test drive. I didnt get Polo vibes off it if I'm honest. The seat is obviously higher and the inside is smaller than my golf but thats common is SUV crossover types - I didnt feel like a polo on stilts though. However maybe thats because the version of the TRoc im looking at is so much higher in spec than any polo i've ever owned (3!) I'd heard it was the replacement for the Sirocco, given the trend for small SUVs.
I prefer it looks wise to the Tiguan. I think they're a bit heavy/dumpy looking and wouldnt be looking at them if the Troc didnt exist. I'd probably be off looking at other golfs, A3s, Merc A class etc.

SozBbz

alfman wrote: »

I have been driving one for 6 months now. I have the exact one you are after, I previously had a Golf.

My thoughts on it:

1. Make sure it comes with a Space Saver spare wheel rather than the full size spare wheel. Mine wrongly came with a full size spare wheel which means the Boot floor can't be dropped so I'm losing out on a quarter of the boot space.

2. The 1.5 engine has a few issues. It tends to Kangaroo in lower gears and will also speed up by itself at low speeds which can be a nightmare in car parks. These are common issues with that engine that you can read about on the TROC Owner European forum. https://www.trocforums.co.uk/
There is a good bit of power in the engine though so it is nippy.

3. Compared to the Golf I like the higher seating position but the seats don't have Lumbar support so can become uncomfortable after a while.

4. The Entertainment System and Active Info Display are top notch.

Overall I like it, I have it in White which I think looks great.

Thanks Alfman - point 1 is a bit alarming so I'll go have a nose on that forum before committing. I'm hoping to either go for it this weekend (or walk away). If I'm buying a 182 car, I want it now!  Also theres an offer on July sales for a 3 year service pack (had it on my golf and it was great not to have servicing costs and then be able to trade the car knowing its only ever been wtih the main dealer - prospective 2nd hand buyers seem to like that.)
Sounds like you're driving pretty much exactly what I'm looking at -I'm also looking at a white car with the sunroof, so gives the appearance of a black roof... i think it looks pretty swish.
I'm very tempted because the spec is so good and the dealer has made me a good offer (smaller dealer outside dublin was able to significantly improve on what the dublin garages were offering) and the spec seems so high. Built in sat nav and the digital dash will make me feel really fancy!

alfman

Just to say the Troc is based on the Golf and not the Polo. The TCross is based on the Polo and will be here early next year. The Golf and Troc are very close in size, there is a footprint chart you can see online and they are near identical except the Troc is a little higher.

SozBbz if there any other questions you want to ask about it feel free.

DaveyDave

Just curious what's the visibility like in them? Not a fan of crossovers like the Mokka because you can't see anything out the rear windows and the it's worsened by the higher up driving position.

The Golf has great visibility so wondering if it's somewhat retained on the T-Roc?

You said you're looking at a decent spec model, the only advice I would have offered is to not get the basic spec one. It doesn't even have the option to add the reversing camera for some reason and the DSG forces the 1.5 engine so not a budget friendly car.

I'd definitely 100% recommend the DSG though, absolutely love it in the Golf.

SozBbz

Thanks, your replies have been very helpful.

I suppose my only other questions is that 6months down the line, are you pleased with it and do you feel like its value for money versus other German brands and their similar sized offerings? 

In terms of it being similar to the golf, I'm happy enough with that - what annoys me about my current golf is that I think I went too basic when originally ordering it. Its a comfortline with a technology pack (no external extras) and I fell out of love with it quite quickly. Obviously I'm spending a good bit more this time, but I'm getting a bigger engine, nicer trim and basically all the extras so i hope my new car joy will last longer

I would have loved an Audi A3 Saloon (totally different, I know!) but Audi arent taking orders for new cars for another month and then it would be a 12 week wait minimum. I'd have to order as I'm quite immovable on wanting a petrol engine and they've nothing in stock anywhere in the country and they're nearly impossible to find nearly new second hand, they're 95% diesel. Also I'd have to pay so much more to get comparable spec. The SE (middle option) is what I was looking at and things like front parking sensors are extra (my carpark in work is quite tight so I like to have them) not to mention the fact that the phone/radio consul inst touch screen and a few other things that bug me.

SozBbz

DaveyDave wrote: »

Just curious what's the visibility like in them? Not a fan of crossovers like the Mokka because you can't see anything out the rear windows and the it's worsened by the higher up driving position.

The Golf has great visibility so wondering if it's somewhat retained on the T-Roc?

You said you're looking at a decent spec model, the only advice I would have offered is to not get the basic spec one. It doesn't even have the option to add the reversing camera for some reason and the DSG forces the 1.5 engine so not a budget friendly car.

I'd definitely 100% recommend the DSG though, absolutely love it in the Golf.

I've never driven a Mokka so I cant compare but I don't remember noticing any issues. I just felt a bit higher than in my golf, but otherwsie it was all quite familar (albeit nicer).
I wanted the 1.5L engine and since I don't want to order, all they have in stock is the Sport. You actually wouldnt save much by putting that engine in the basic model and you'd lose a lot of spec.
What is DSG?

alfman

All round visibility is good, there are no major blind spots.

I was going to get another Golf but I couldn't get the 1.5 Petrol engine in the Golf and the Troc came with loads of extras that would cost a fortune to add to a new Golf, like LED lights, Panoramic Sunroof, Lane Assist so I thought it was good value for money. It also comes with 'Manoeuvre Braking' which means when you are reversing if the car thinks you are going to hit something it automatically brakes for you which has come in handy a few times.

DSG is Volkswagens Automatic gearbox.

SozBbz

alfman wrote: »

 

DSG is Volkswagens Automatic gearbox.

Ah good to know - I'm going for a manual anyway. I've never had an automatic but I know they're much improved these days. An automatic would have been handy for Dublin traffic but like I say, if I go for this car I'll be buying from stock and this is what they have available

kerten

alfman wrote: »

Just to say the Troc is based on the Golf and not the Polo. The TCross is based on the Polo and will be here early next year. The Golf and Troc are very close in size, there is a footprint chart you can see online and they are near identical except the Troc is a little higher.

SozBbz if there any other questions you want to ask about it feel free.

Yeah I was wrong with my guess. It is even wider(3 cm) than a golf but those are probably pumped up fenders/sills.

hooch-85

What about a Seat Arona? Same chassis i would have thought, nice enough looking car in FR spec too. My fiance has a new Ibiza FR and its a lovely car I have to say. Seat have upped their game a lot in recent years

ShadowHearth

I watched a few reviews of it and I couldn't understand why its price not so much bigger then golfs.
Turns out the interior is done a lot cheaper then golf to make make it cheaper car. Lots of hard plastic.
It does not drive as nice as golf for obvious reasons. Its a golf on tilts and stiffer suspension.
Unfortunately last time I checked, if you want new 1.5 engine, you need to go with t-roc as it was not in golf.
Another issue is that 1.5 engine is very new and ofc it has a few issues that some owners reported. Nothing major though.

Up to you, but I personally would go with higher spec golf, unless you really need cross over and its not just a fashion call.

ShadowHearth

hooch-85 wrote: »

What about a Seat Arona? Same chassis i would have thought, nice enough looking car in FR spec too. My fiance has a new Ibiza FR and its a lovely car I have to say. Seat have upped their game a lot in recent years

I am pretty sure, but could be wrong, that arona is based on ibiza new chassis and t roc on golf chassis.
I love new ibiza and I am raging they have not made cupra version of it. On the other hand, I sow Arona in flesh and was not fan of it at all. Its too tiny to be some sort of suv yolk.

SozBbz

So I've gone and put a deposit down... thanks so much for all the comments.
I agree the interior is cheapish looking in the basic T-Roc but I think the Sport looks well so I'm happy with that.
I know another (better spec'd) golf was an option but I think I really wanted a change - I know this isn't a massive change given that they're closely related but I like the fact that its new to the market (so i know it won't have a facelift for a while yet) and its fresh looking in my eyes.
With all the extras I feel like I'm getting a lot of car and I can't wait to finally have a bit more power. Should be picking it up during the week so I can report back on my initial thoughts once I've got it in my possession!

IrishHomer

SozBbz wrote: »

So I've gone and put a deposit down... thanks so much for all the comments.
I agree the interior is cheapish looking in the basic T-Roc but I think the Sport looks well so I'm happy with that.
I know another (better spec'd) golf was an option but I think I really wanted a change - I know this isn't a massive change given that they're closely related but I like the fact that its new to the market (so i know it won't have a facelift for a while yet) and its fresh looking in my eyes.
With all the extras I feel like I'm getting a lot of car and I can't wait to finally have a bit more power. Should be picking it up during the week so I can report back on my initial thoughts once I've got it in my possession!

Curious which engine did you order? Diesel or petrol?

SozBbz

IrishHomer wrote: »

SozBbz wrote: »

So I've gone and put a deposit down... thanks so much for all the comments.
I agree the interior is cheapish looking in the basic T-Roc but I think the Sport looks well so I'm happy with that.
I know another (better spec'd) golf was an option but I think I really wanted a change - I know this isn't a massive change given that they're closely related but I like the fact that its new to the market (so i know it won't have a facelift for a while yet) and its fresh looking in my eyes.
With all the extras I feel like I'm getting a lot of car and I can't wait to finally have a bit more power. Should be picking it up during the week so I can report back on my initial thoughts once I've got it in my possession!

Curious which engine did you order? Diesel or petrol?

1.5 Petrol - I've never been a diesel driver and I'm not about to start in the current climate.

SnakePlissken

We replaced our... cough, cough, Nissan Juke with a T-Roc at the start of the month, definitely a massive step up quality wise and driveability, early days yet but I'd highly recommend taking one for a test drive**





** This opinion is from one who bought a Juke with their own hard earned money so should certainly be taken with a pinch of salt.

SozBbz

Just to update and say that I got the TRoc last week and have been driving it for a few days now, mostly in and around town, and one journey on the motorway to bring it home in the first place.
There is a lot I like about it, but there are certain things that I now realise at brilliant about the golf, namely the feeling of space in the car itself and the visibility. Its probably a more comfortable car than the TRoc, but then again I could just still be getting used to being higher up. I feel like the seats feel smaller and overall less spacious than the golf. One factor is that I used to keep my seat quite low in the golf which i found ideal, but in the TRoc I tried lowering the seats but I felt then I was too low to see properly.
I'm still learning to use all the technology in it (which is a lot) so probably too soon to judge that, but I do like the idea of inbuilt sat nav etc. I've tried the different driving modes but not really notices much difference.
I do like the look of the car overall, and especially like the way it folds in its own wing mirrors when I lock it, looks very fancy and something I was always too lazy to do manually on previous cars. The sun roof is fun and I'm happy to have it, although now sure I'd have paid for it if I'd ordered the car to my exact spec rather than buying from stock. 
Rear camera is great, super clear colour picture and will come in handy at some stage no doubt! Parking sensors front and back are also great, pretty much identical to what i had in my golf, and I'd gotten really used to having them so couldnt do without them now so happy they're still there.