• Choice of three petrol engines
• No hybrid or electric versions
• Very pleasant to drive

Petrol engines

There’s a choice of two 1.0-litre turbocharged engines, or a more powerful 1.5-litre with the T-Cross. VW briefly offered a 1.6-litre diesel model but this was quickly discontinued due to slow sales.  

A 95hp 1.0-litre model kicks off the range, and is paired to a five-speed manual gearbox. It’s not a lot of power for a car of this size, and the lack of sixth gear compromises its ability on a motorway where it sits at high revs. Accelerating to 60mph will take 11.2 seconds here. 

We would instead go for the 115hp 1.0-litre TSI engine, which comes with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed DSG automatic – the former would be our preference unless you really want an auto. The 62mph sprint time drops to 10 seconds, and it provides a perfectly reasonable mix of performance and efficiency for a car of this size. 

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If you want something a bit more powerful, Volkswagen also offers a 148bhp 1.5-litre engine, which is paired with a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox. It’s quite a lot of power in something of this size, and as a result, its performance figures surprisingly brisk – 0-62mph is dispatched in just 8.2 seconds. We’re yet to try a T-Cross with this engine, but strongly suspect it doesn’t need the extra power and justify the additional £1,500 over the smaller 115hp 1.0-litre engine.

However, the T-Cross feels a bit behind the times when it comes to engine choice as it’s not available with any form of hybrid or electric technology, which is increasingly commonplace in this class. Most rivals can be had with either a mild-hybrid or full self-charging setup, for example, while rivals such as the Peugeot 2008 and Vauxhall Mokka are each available as EVs. 

What’s it like to drive?

• Good to drive
• Feels quite light and nimble
• Lofty driving position will appeal to many

We like the T-Cross’s lofty seating position because it feels far more like a ‘proper’ SUV than many rivals. The Seat Arona, for example, doesn’t feel much taller than a standard supermini when you’re inside, which makes you wonder why you don’t just buy the equivalent cheaper hatchback instead. 

Despite the high ride height, though, the T-Cross drives well. There’s little body roll and it’s quite light for a small SUV (and by modern standards). As a result, it feels agile and quite nimble – advantageous both on more enjoyable roads and especially in tighter settings such as negotiating city streets. It’s an easy car to drive, with its excellent visibility and light controls perfect for what most will use it for. 

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The entry-level 95hp engine can feel a bit gutless, so we think it’s worth upgrading to the more powerful 115hp motor for its extra performance and additional gear. The three-cylinder 1.0-litre TSI engine is great too, feeling more willing than you’d expect. Even when paired with the DSG automatic gearbox, it’s surprisingly smooth and punchy. You will get a more enjoyable driving experience from a Ford Puma, however, which is our favourite small SUV to drive.