VW T-Roc SUV starts at £20,425 04 | 10 | 2017

VOLKSWAGEN’S ALL-NEW T-ROC SUV is available to order now at Scottish dealerships, with prices starting at £20,425 for the 1.0-litre TSI SE. The range though, including the entry-level models, diesels and certain trim levels, will increase over the next few months. (Related: VW commits to electric future)

The first group of 1000 retail buyers are being offered T-Roc accessory running boards — worth £565 — free of charge. First deliveries are scheduled for December

Eventually the range will include five trim levels, but at launch only three will be available. While orders for the T-Roc SE, Design and SEL can be placed now, entry-level T-Roc S models and range topping R-Line cars will go on sale at a later date. (Related: New VW T-Roc SUV)

The cheapest T-Roc at launch is the SE, which uses VW’s latest 1.0TSI three-cylinder engine, delivering 113bhp. According to VW, it’ll return 55.4mpg at the pumps, and emit 117g/km CO2 emissions. The SE is also available with the 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI EVO engine, priced from £22,200.

The same two engine choices are available in the Design spec, priced from £21,125 and £22,900 respectively. Buyers opting for the SEL spec are limited at launch to the £24,520 1.5TSI EVO.

The launch range does though also include the £31,485 187bhp 2.0-litre TSI, mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox driving a 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system.

When the diesel-powered T-Roc models go on-sale at a later date, buyers will have the choice of 114bhp 1.6-litre TDI and a 148bhp 2.0TDI.

Across the range, an eight-inch infotainment system, USB connectivity, DAB radio, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, 16in alloys and a suite of driver assists and safety equipment will be fitted as standard. VW has yet to confirm the exact details of each specific trim level. We do, however, know the Active Info Display will be standard fit on SEL cars upwards.

T-Roc — which will go head-to-head with the likes of the Mazda CX-3, MINI Countryman and Audi Q2 — measures 4234mm long (252mm shorter than the Tiguan), and it has a 2603mm wheelbase. The SUV’s width is 1819mm (excluding door mirrors), and its height is 1573mm. By comparison, the current Golf measures 4255mm long, 1799mm wide (excluding mirrors), 1452mm high, and has a wheelbase of 2637mm.

Luggage space in the five-seat T-Roc is generous. The five-seat car has one of largest luggage compartments in its class – measuring 445 litres when loaded up to the top of the second row seat backrests.

Its styling is also defined by its short overhangs: (831mm front, 800mm rear) and large track widths of 1546mm (front) and 1541mm (rear).

“The arrival of T-Roc, and the launch of this early wave of 1,000 cars for the keenest buyers, marks a major step in our brand’s ongoing SUV offensive,” Alison Jones, VW UK’s director, said.

"It is stunning to look at, and contains all the tech you would expect in a car today. The level of interest we have seen in this exciting new car, even before its physical arrival at the end of the year, has been unprecedented.

“I’m sure it will mark a significant step in Volkswagen’s ongoing expansion and growth in the UK, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing the first cars on the road here before Christmas.”

Related: VW unveils I.D. Crozz II SUV

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Jim McGill