Volkswagen T-Cross 180 MPI AT

FIRST DRIVES

NEW CARS TESTED AND RATED

VOLKSWAGEN T-CROSS 180 MPI AT S

An Easy Choice

Asurprise is always nice, and when it comes with four wheels in the shape of a compact crossover SUV, it’s a good thing. No I wasn’t gifted one, but I did get quite the surprise when I drove VolkswagenPH’s latest small SUV offering, and it wasn’t even the top of line variant.

I like all SUV’s, from the subcompacts like this T Cross, to the big full sized expedition/suburban types. They all offer the same things, but in different proportions. Taller ground clearance, commanding field of view, more headroom and legroom, perhaps more seats if it seats 7 or more. We won’t get into engine displacement and approach and departure angles, that’s for more than the basic SUV specifications.

We’ll get to what the surprise was later on. Lets have a look at why this is a good seller for VolkswagenPH. We got to drive the T-Cross 180 MPI AT S, which is their base variant for this model.

EXTERIOR

Just like the rest of their lineup, the T Cross is smart, but typically conservative in a style you expect from VW. The T-Cross is also the first model locally available to bear VW’s updated logo and it’s pretty much the only thing that sets it apart from the rest of the lineup. The chrome grille extends out into the halogen headlamps. this variant doesn’t come with fog lamps but the headlights offer good coverage up front. The area where the fog lights would be still has the brushed aluminum accent and a faux stone guard gives the front and rear end on the bottom of the bumper a tough look. The lower part of doors have plastic cladding which extend up around the wheel wells and around the bottom part of the front and rear bumper. The rear lights are subdued to blend in with the black garnish that surround it and it matches the spoiler on top of the rear hatch. It rolls on 205/60’s on 16” five spoke alloy wheels.

POWERPLANT

It’s powered by a Euro 6 compliant Bluemotion Technology 1.5 liter four cylinder gasoline engine that puts out 113Ps at 6000rpm with 145Nm of torque at 3500rpm mated to a 6-speed Tiptronic Automatic transmission with Sport Mode putting power to the ground through the front wheels. Just enough power to get you around in the city and on the expressways, but when fully loaded with passengers and cargo, it does seem a bit wanting on uphill drives up to Antipolo, but if you’re with friends you probably won’t notice.

INTERIOR

Unlike the top of the line SE variant which has a color keyed interior scheme to match the body color, this has an all black interior according to the brochure (but looks more dark grey to me) which although is plastic, does however have different textures which make it seem less cheap looking, the finish seems hard wearing and actually looks quite good. Both driver and front passenger seats are manually adjusted. The D shaped steering wheel has controls

for cruise control, the MFID in the instrument cluster and entertainment system. On all the displays, and anywhere there is writing, VW uses the same font and this also adds to it’s clean look and is nicely lit. When you enter, you’ll be greeted by comfortable fabric seats with the headrest built in, and it was just the right height for me. In the center there is an 8” touchscreen entertainment system has Apple CarPlay with a USB port in front and it’s four speakers sound pretty decent. In front of the gear shift lever, you get a 12v socket. The back seats are also quite comfortable, with enough legroom and headroom for the taller than average pinoy. It’s also interesting to note that you get illuminated USB type A and type C sockets to charge your devices.

SAFETY AND OTHER AMENITIES

It comes with driver and front passenger airbags, 3 point seatbelts for everyone, ISOFIX anchor points, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP), Hill Hold Control, Anti-Slip Regulation, Rear Parking Distance Control, Engine immobilizer and Tire Pressure Monitor. While not really important, I find that the one touch up/down power windows useful for all passengers.

IMPRESSIONS

The surprise was, I found that VW’s T-Cross fit me quite well, I’m not tall, standing a relatively average 5’5”, felt like this compact crossover SUV might have been designed with me in mind. I’m not pulling your leg, nor am I trying to get on the good side of our friends in VW. When I’d adjusted the seat and finally got on the road, everything seemed in it’s place. It handled well on the open road and in the city, the suspension did pretty well at smoothening out the bumps on our horrible city streets and even with it’s small size was quite stable on the expressways passing large cargo trucks.

It’s fit and finish is as you’d expect from VW and despite this being their entry level variant, it’s doesn’t feel any less equipped that the top of the line variant. It comes in an assortment of youthful colors and this one we got to drive was in Chinchilla Grey, and no chinchillas were harmed in making this color. Priced at Php1,098,000 makes it tempting for those of you considering perhaps your first SUV, German at that, or a wildcard choice between this and a top of line non European subcompact sedan. The choice is an easy one. It’s conservative design is also one of it’s pluses, VW’s tend to age pretty well and will probably last long enough for you to pass it on to a future offspring. NEIL PAGULAYAN

VOLKSWAGEN T-CROSS 180 MPI AT S AAAAB

Price PHP 1,098,000 Engine Bluemotion Technology 1.5 liter 4-cylinder gas Power 113 Ps @ 6000rpm Torque 145Nm @ 3500rpm Transmission 5-speed wet-type dual clutch Fuel Capacity 43 liters