• Three petrol engines, two diesels
• No electric or hybrid options
• High-performance T-Roc R packs 300hp

Petrol engines

The VW T-Roc’s core petrol range comprises a small selection of 1.0- and 1.5-litre engines with up to 150hp. Things kick off with the 110hp 1.0-litre engine, which has seen service elsewhere in the VW range for some years. It sounds quite charming with its three-cylinder soundtrack, and it has just enough punch for pottering around, but it feels a tad weedy in a car of this size. It is capable of a claimed 47mpg fuel economy with CO2 outputs of 136g/km.

The 1.5-litre, 150hp petrol engine is a better bet, with clever technology to shut down two of its four cylinders when the engine doesn’t need the extra power (for efficiency figures almost identical to the 1.0-litre). It’s exceptionally smooth and you’d never notice it happening as you coast along in town. It’s also available with a choice of manual and automatic transmissions.

VW also offers the T-Roc with a 190hp 2.0-litre engine, too, if you need a bit more punch (though economy drops to 38mpg and CO2 emissions climb to 168g/km). If speed and swagger are your thing, consider the high-performance, all-wheel-drive 2.0-litre, 300hp T-Roc R. This petrol engine gives the T-Roc hot hatchback performance figures, and it’s now the sole all-wheel-drive choice if you need extra traction. Just watch out for 33mpg fuel economy and toppy 194g/km emissions, which will push up your tax bills.

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Diesel engines

The Volkswagen T-Roc is offered with a choice of two 2.0-litre diesel engines, both of which are designed to offer greater economy on long drives. The most efficient of the two is the least powerful option – the 115hp TDI Evo – which replaced the old 1.6-litre diesel available earlier in the car’s life, and is available purely with a six-speed manual gearbox. Offering adequate punch and stellar economy, it’ll appeal to plenty of customers.

But again, the more powerful engine is the one to choose, if your budget allows. The 150hp diesel might be more expensive, but it’s much meatier than its less powerful sibling and nearly as economical. It’s also available with a choice of manual and automatic gearboxes.

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What’s it like to drive?

• Precise steering
• Good body control
• Very easy to drive

The Volkswagen T-Roc is remarkably easy to drive and, despite its height, it doesn’t seem to roll too much in fast corners. Its compact dimensions also mean it’s a doddle to park and manoeuvre in tight spaces around town. It offers the best of both worlds for a crossover of this type.

Steering is light but quite direct, meaning motorway lane changes can be made with minimal effort, but it doesn’t feel especially engaging until you start applying more lock. Do that and it will, eventually, become heavier and more involving for tighter corners if you’re rushing along your favourite back road. There’s always plenty of grip and progress feels serene and secure unless your speeds are too ambitious.

But while the T-Roc is engaging enough, it’s not rewriting the rulebook if you compare it to the majority of its competition. In some ways, it’s remarkably similar to the regular Golf hatchback, with suspension that’s firm enough to stop it from wallowing too much from side to side, and yet soft enough to be comfortable – it’s a pleasant middle ground. Just beware of larger alloy wheels that spoil that balance slightly. Our advice is generally to stick to smaller rims, where a choice is available, as this will boost comfort and prove cheaper to reshod when you have to replace tyres.

The R version, however, behaves a little differently. Sportier suspension means it’s more enjoyable to throw into corners, if not quite as agile as the athletic Golf R hot hatchback. It’s also mighty quick, with all-wheel-drive traction permitting outrageous acceleration for a vehicle of this type.