Should you buy one?

If you’re looking for a high-performance SUV, that’s discrete to look at and can mete out fun when you want it, the T-Roc R is a likeable choice that won’t leave you disappointed. It offers bags of performance, handling and features (especially if you plunder the costly options list) and is a genuinely interesting alternative to more traditional hot hatches.

It’s a good small family car, with a decent boot and reasonable room for a young family – but will genuinely engage you with its excellent body control and acceleration that is frankly at odds with its tame styling. As a driver’s car, we’d choose it over the Cupra Ateca and Audi SQ2, mainly due to its fruity (but optional) exhaust system and less in-your-face styling. Does it make sense as an all-rounder, though? Of course not – but then, few high performance cars genuinely do these days.

What we like

The looks don’t scream boy racer, and Volkswagen’s premium volume image is still very much a positive. The engine, transmission, body control and four-wheel drive system make it effective and fast all year round.

What we don’t like

The ride quality is poor and as a consequence, it’s hard to relax in on all but the smoothest road surfaces. Steering lacks feel, denting driver involvement, too. It also doesn’t drive as well as a Volkswagen Golf R, but then that’s understandable, given this car’s older underpinnings.