2026 Volkswagen T-Roc R review

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Production of the current-generation Volkswagen T-Roc R has wrapped up, but that’s not to say it’s forbidden fruit until the next-generation small SUV rocks up.

So far the T-Roc has been a single generation and it’s in Australia since 2020, even though we are entering production of this year (2017). Meanwhile, the high-performance T-Roc R flagship was released overseas in 2019, with its Australian debut as part of a 2022 model year range.

Effectively a jacked-up Golf, the T-Roc has quickly become one of Volkswagen Australia’s most popular models. So far in 2025, it’s been outsold by only the Amarok ute within the German auto brand’s local stable, and it leads the premium small SUV segment in which it competes.

That’s an excellent effort for a compact SUV in a market that tends to prefer mid-sizers.

But the best-shelf R is far from the most popular variant, as there are a number of more rational and budget grade grades in the T-Roc range. VW, though, has given it the cold shoulder as a result of giving that parodyr.

As has been historically the case with other models like the Tiguan, Touareg and Golf, Volkswagen has given its popular small SUV its special Wolfsburg Edition treatment. The result is the car on test here: the 2026 Volkswagen T-Roc R Wolfsburg Edition.

While the Wolfsburg Edition is usually reserved for performance trims and named after Volkswagen’s German hometown, it has several choice changes to the already-hot T–Roc R. Such as unique 19-inch alloy wheels, an Akrapovi titanium exhaust system (math grey paint), a number of other cosmetic changes are among these.

Of course, you could wait for the next-gen T-Roc R to arrive, but that likely won’t be until 2028. Volkswagen Australia still expects T-Roc stock to last into the first part of 2026, and while the Wolfsburg Edition doesn’t currently appear on the German brand’s online configurator, it’s still possible to buy one new.

plus that, if the model’s imminent death could save you money with run-out deals. Is the Wolfsburg spice a good addition to T-Roc R recipe?

How much does the Volkswagen T-Roc cost?

The Wolfsburg Edition is the most expensive T-Roc currently in showrooms, priced at $69,290 before on-road costs.

| Model | Price before on-road costs |
| — | — |
| 2026 Volkswagen T-Roc CityLife | $38,990 |
| 2026 Volkswagen T-Roc Style | $41,990 |
| 2026 Volkswagen T-Roc R-Line | $49,990 |
| 2026 Volkswagen T-Roc R | $64,290 |
| 2026 Volkswagen T-Roc R Wolfsburg Edition | $69,290 |

It’s certainly a lot to fork over for if you are buying an SUV, but the Wolfsburg Edition’s value equation isn’t half bad. While none of the major improvements are usually available as options for T-Roc’s newer models, other Volkswagen Group products offer an idea of what they represent (the $5000 price premium over standard R).

The Akrapovič exhaust alone is a $5950 option for the Cupra Ateca SUV, while options like matte paint and the unique alloy wheels typically cost more than $1000 each for models where they’re available.

The Wolfsburg Edition’s extra costs are less than you would pay to create a similarly bespoke T-Roc R yourself, and may not have any additional power or more substantial mechanical tweaks.

As for rivals, the standard T-Roc R goes up against the likes of the Ateca VZx ($68,990 drive-away), Audi SQ2 ($70,800 before on-roads), Lexus LBX Morizo RR ($76,490 before on-roads), and perhaps even quick (albeit not as dynamically sharp) small electric SUVs like the Zeekr X AWD ($62,900 before on-roads).

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What is the Volkswagen T-Roc like on the inside?

It has been on sale for almost six years, and the interior of the T-Roc is now a remnant of former generation Volkswagen.

This small Infotainment display (and the remote climate control system) is known as Tell-tale signs, which still feature VW’s fidden haptic buttons and sliders. This is a more modern feel, as newer-gen VW products have much larger screens with integrated climate controls.

Although we generally congratulate older-style setups for their ease of use, the T-Roc’s lack of real buttons is just as annoying as ever with any other T–Roc. These touch-sensitive controls have been a bit of an obsession with s and they feel like needlessly cumbersome when you’re forced to make an adjustment.

They’re not to mention they’ve been finished in piano-black plastic, meaning they are permanently covered with fingerprints and smudges. There is nothing that can be more obvious than on the steering wheel, where the haptic ‘button’ clusters quickly look second-rate and their layout makes precise inputs hard to understand.

A rare case is that we’d rather have a screen-heavy setup with the T-Roc’s haptic controls. Thankfully, overseas photos of the next-gen model show real steering wheel buttons and the same infotainment system we’ve used in the new Tiguan. It should be a nice upgrade.

Although no one actually has Wolfsburg-specific additions to the cabin, there aren’t really any insiders in it; however, the interior of the T-Roc R’s is quite good on its own. In real life, you may notice some extra glossy black trim on the infotainment screen and the air vent surrounds (which are fine in pictures but contribute to piano-black overload).

It still has blue stitching and steering wheel accents; the seats are finished in sporty leather and carbon-look upholstery, but a seat is still completed with sportily leather. It’s also a bit of ‘tucky to get placed, thanks to the seat adjustment for the power driver and good-quality pews are supportive but well supported.

Meanwhile, the leather-wrapped steering wheel is a quality unit, with a premium-feeling perforated surface and sporty sculpting. It also features two large paddle shifters, which are unfortunately made of plastic – even a hybrid Honda ZR-V has metal paddles, and that isn’t at all a sporty SUV.

It is one of the other gripes with this car’s interior, including that That’d. In fact, it is sometimes slick and can feel plasticky; hard surfaces are virtually everywhere beyond the more friendly seats or steering wheel. It’s not a big issue, but it doesn’t necessarily mean $70,000-plus.

Alternatively, the cabin of T-Roc’s is generally working. And That 9 is a , that’s what it says. Unlike the odd drop-out under Melbourne’s toll gantries, 2-inch screen (only on the T-Roc R) supports wireless smartphone mirroring; Apple CarPlay is generally doing well during our week with the car.

The part is seen by Volkswagen’s so-called ‘Digital Cockpit Pro’ instrument display, which has clean graphics and a surprising amount of configurability. As is usual in the regular R, there are quite a few menus to flick through; from map displays to lap timers.

Mid-cabin is also a well designed gear selector (more piano-black), rotary drive mode selecter, and many storage options. There’s a curious three-way cupholder, – if it is thinner or the key fob in the car and. phone-sized cubby with wireless charging pad… not exactly generous but still workable.

There are also two USB-C ports and 12V outlet, as well as seat heating. I don’t think there is a seat ventilation to tackle hot Australian summers, but perhaps that will be rectified with the next T-Roc.

Sadly, the rear bench seat is finished in the carbon-fibre accented leather upholstery of up front with plenty of room to get comfortable even though the SUV proportions are so compact. Three can squeeze in, but the AWD driveline tunnel sways passenger foot space at the middle of the road and allows three people to pass through.

Dual USB-C charging ports and air vents on the back of the centre console are well catered for by rear-seat occupants. It also has a fold-down centre armrest that shows ‘pass through to the boot’ and cupholders are an alternative to bottle holders in the doors of the door.

As for the boot, 392 litres of seats-up capacity is much more generous than the 266L of the Lexus LBX Morizo RR, despite both being all-wheel drive. It’s also comparable to the Hyundai Kona, which offers 407L.

That means you’ll have plenty of room for groceries – but the sharply sloped roofline will compromise high load loads. This is a case of what you think’s the one thing that comes to your mind, except for the space-saver spare which’s neatly hidden under the boot floor.

| Dimensions | Volkswagen T-Roc R |
| — | — |
| Length | 4236mm |
| Width | 1819mm |
| Height | 1575mm |
| Wheelbase | 2595mm |
| Cargo capacity | 392L (rear seats up) 1237L (rear seats folded) |

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What’s under the bonnet?

This 2 is the eponym for Wolfsburg Edition, which powers s. As the normal T-Roc R, 0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine pumps out 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque as s. All four wheels are accessed by drive via a seven-speed automatic Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) which sends drive to all four wheel.

| Specifications | Volkswagen T-Roc R |
| — | — |
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl turbo-petrol |
| Power | 221kW |
| Torque | 400Nm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch auto |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Tare mass | 1590kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 4.9 seconds |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 8.3L/100km |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | 8.3L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 55L |
| Fuel requirement | 98-octane premium unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 182g/km |
| Emissions standard | Euro 6 |
| Braked tow capacity | 1700kg |

While we were mostly driving around on the highway, our week with that car was a bit of road trip but some time in more scenic country roads to help offset this monotony and stretch leg lengths.

But we’re so happy to be able to match Volkswagen’s fuel economy claim, which is already reasonably frugal in the world of performance SUVs.

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How does the Volkswagen T-Roc drive?

Certainly the T-Roc R has become one of the benchmarks for small performance SUVs, so it’s fitting that the Wolfsburg treatment doesn’t really change the formula.

In fact the biggest change is obvious before you even put off your . Cold begins with a hearty exhaust note, as the Akrapovi system allows the engine’s character tone to shine without being unnoxious.

It’s a very nice listen to, and we’re glad that no fake noise is heard from the car’d speakers. But if you’re not happy with the volume, you will be glad to know it’s a valved exhaust system (i.e as quiet or as loud as you like). default tied this function to drive modes.

The system is a good addition to the T-Roc R package and only improves driving experience, but it’s just. The heart of that experience is the four-cylinder engine, which hasn’t lost any power from its turbocharged engines as ever.

It’s more than a pleasure to push you in the back thanks to consistently good performance regardless of drive mode, and that 4 isn’t just about happy. 0-100km/h sprint claim feels bang-on on 9 seconds. No problem with that wild power to the ground either, and there’s something real and true about how everything works.’ The all-wheel drive system is a hybrid of an all wheel machine which has no issue getting that crazy power on the floor or even in front of it.

At low speed you still notice some DSG-induced stumbles, which can make the car a little boring to drive in traffic. Once you are moving, it all smooths out a bit and gives constant slick shift-shifts that you’d almost never notice if it wasn’t for the audible exhaust.

But better yet, it’s very responsive. If you plant the throttle from a standstill, and it kicks down when you need ‘tough burst of speed while you’re already rolling out there is no hesitation. The gearbox also allows the engine to sing with its newfound voice as a bonus, such as .

All that is a little meaningless, though, when the handling package can’t keep up with . But thankfully, for Volkswagen’s engineers, the T-Roc is relatively easy to convert from its full-fat R model into a fully-equipped chassis.

In this way, it is one thing that makes the model’s age not apparent at all. A Wolfsburg dart turns with the agility of a lower-slung hatch, doing so in composure that will take you off guard if you’re (understandably) expecting the higher ride height to cause some instability.

T-Roc R pictured

No one unsettles the car too much either because of mid-corner bumps or a little less than half-tuft. T-Roc R is a well-balanced small SUV that’s completely predictable when you are pushing harder, supported by the strong bite from the R-specific brakes and consistent steering with its weighted steering.

It’s worth noting that while all of this is well-experienced in the sportiest ‘Race’ drive mode, it doesn’t completely muzzle at any of its other, more docile settings. The ride is a little less rigid due to the adaptive suspension, for example, but it’s wrong to call plush.

However, the ride is always well-sorted and a Wolfsburg’s stiffer chassis configuration and tighter body control makes it easy to drive in daily life even though its hardness of handling an automobile and stricter weight controls. I was never at ease with the wheel; a bad ride quality on rough rural roads or we can’t take it too much for its ride value.

The T-Roc R is beautiful, as it’s like to dial things up or down and make the car work for you just like you can adjust how loud the exhaust is on the fly. When the default drive modes aren’t right for you, and the car will remember your settings, throttle response, ride stiffness or steering weight are all independently adjustable.

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paddle shifters, unlike most mainstream SUVs that seem to fit them for show and are fitted as standard – also known as “fit” (advancement from the transmission) is actually supported by obedience of their own vehicle. Nice to shift gears yourself, and having a drivetrain that responds to inputs makes it all the more interesting.

It’s a very full package that’ll be best from the seat of your pants, and most would describe it as well-engineered, agile (and fun) in its own words The Wolfsburg is an extremely comprehensive package.

Topping it all off is a full-time set of well-trained safety equipment, something Volkswagen seems to be nailing even in its newer cars. Our security concerns were not the most important to us – even when we picked up the pace – and systems such as adaptive cruise control were consistently reliable.

Head-check visibility is good and the car is manoeuvrable and reasonably easy to park, even if those chunky carbon-finished C-pillars can seem very little blocking from inside.

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What do you get?

Four standard grades of Volkswagen T-Roc are available; Wolfsburg Edition builds on the equipment list for top-spec R, and the limited Wolfburg Edition builder based on four standards.

T-Roc CityLife

2025 Volkswagen T-Roc CityLife equipment highlights:

• 17-inch ‘Johannesburg’ alloy wheels with 215/55 R17 tyres
• Space saver spare tyre
• Automatic LED headlights
• Automatic high-beam
• Park Assist (semi-autonomous parking assist)
• Proximity entry with push-button start
• Power-folding exterior mirrors
• Rain-sensing wipers
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• Wireless phone charger
• 6-speaker sound system
• 2 x front USB-C outlets
• 2 x rear USB-C outlets
• Dual-zone climate control
• Rear air vents
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Height and reach adjustment for steering wheel
• Paddle shifters
• Fabric upholstery
• 60:40 split/fold rear seats

T-Roc Style adds:

• 18-inch ‘Grange Hill’ alloy wheels with 215/50 R18 tyres
• Static cornering lights
• Digital Cockpit Pro digital instrument cluster
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Microfleece upholstery

T-Roc R-Line

T-Roc R-Line adds:

• 18-inch ‘Nevada’ alloy wheels with 215/50 R18 tyres
• R-Line exterior appearance
• Black headliner and pillar trim
• Sport front seats with additional bolstering
• Heated front seats
• Power driver’s seat with memory, power lumbar
• Nappa leather upholstery
• Hill descent control

T-Roc R adds:

• 19-inch ‘Estoril’ alloy wheels with 235/40 R19 tyres
• Adaptive suspension
• IQ. Light matrix LED headlights with dynamic cornering lights
• R exterior appearance
• Blue brake calipers
• Power tailgate
• 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system

T-Roc R Wolfsburg Edition

T-Roc R Wolfsburg Edition adds:

• 19-inch ‘Pretoria’ dark graphite forged alloy wheels
• Akrapovič titanium exhaust system
• Indium Grey matte paint
• Black roof rails
• Black mirror caps
• Carbon-look C-pillars
• Gloss-black interior trim
• Black display control panel

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Is the Volkswagen T-Roc safe?

A five-star ANCAP safety rating was achieved in 2017 crash testing of the Volkswagen T-Roc, but this rating has expired and is therefore unrated.

Standard safety equipment highlights:

• 6 airbags, incl:

• Front
• Front-side
• Curtain

• Autonomous emergency braking

• Pedestrian detection

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Multi-collision brake
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reversing camera
• Travel Assist

• Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
• Lane-keep assist

Style adds:

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert

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How much does the Volkswagen T-Roc cost to run?

The T-Roc R has five years, unlimited-kilometre warranty like the wider Volkswagen Australia range. Every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first for Servicing and pricing is covered by a five-year ‘care plan’.

| Servicing and Warranty | Volkswagen T-Roc |
| — | — |
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | 12 months |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5-year plan |
| Total capped-price service cost | $3510 |

For its Volkswagen Group stablemates, the Cupra Ateca is offered a five-year service plan as well as much less at $1990. It also costs $2890 to get a five-year service plan for the Audi SQ2.

Meanwhile, the Lexus LBX Morizo (R) is less than six months/10,000km service intervals; it remains under five years of capped-price servicing. And that isn’t cheap 10 services will cost a whopping $6950 over those five years, so it certainly doesn’T mean the money.

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childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Volkswagen T-Roc R

Time has been a nice guy to the outgoing T-Roc R, and while many aspects could (and will) be improved from ‘usability perspective’ for the next iteration, there is much more to say about this adult hatch.

Its biggest weakness is the fiddly touch-sensitive controls inside this car; even after living with them in several Volkswagen cars over the last five years, we still complain. The next T-Roc will be away with these at least we already know, and our positive experiences in other cars like the Tiguan suggest that’ll should wait.

Other than that, the T-Roc R remains the same mature, understated performance vehicle it always was.

This is the cheapest ‘real’ R model you can buy, even with the Wolfsburg improvements.’ It might be as raucous as the related Golf R but whatever you miss out on almost entirely offset by this being the lowest one you could buy.

This is a great engine, transmission and drivetrain combo with excellent performance; the adaptive suspension system gives you slick but liveable driving experience – sporty as it may be, so many of your hats are happy to wear. The Wolfsburg exhaust is a bit of shit, plus the joke.

Of course, there is every chance the next T-Roc R could be all that and more – which would be a welcome outcome for us — and we believe Volkswagen can pull it off. It’s a promising first overseas imagery we’ve ever seen, and the brand has been making its stride across the board recently.

Yet, if smaller performance cars are your thing, you’ll have to hand over one of these first-gen models before they all go away.

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