‘Poor man’s’ VW T-Cross just what the doctor ordered

The ever-popular Volkswagen T-Cross has been a sales hit from the day it landed on our shores back in September 2019. I mean, why wouldn’t it be?

It’s a Volkswagen and it is a compact SUV. Half the job of selling like hotcakes is done already. The other half is how it performs at the price. At launch, you could get the 85 kW 1.0 TSI, followed by the top of the range 110 kW 1.5 TSI.

Now, finally you have the entry level T-Cross 70 kW 1.0 TSI engine option married to Comfortline trim. It features a five-speed manual gearbox wearing a starting price of just R357 900 to lure you into the brand.

Entry-level, but not entry level spec. The T-Cross Comfortline offers you the likes of 16-inch Belmont alloy wheels, black roof rails and front fog lights. On the inside, you get a leather multi-function steering wheel with multi-function display, front and rear Park Distance Control, cruise control, the Light and Sight Package and a front armrest.

And in the case of our test car, we also had the optional R-Line Exterior package. This includes upgraded 17-inch Manila alloys to go with a sporty body kit that looks the business.

Perhaps if there is a downside to the T-Cross, it is that unlike its competition in the form of Hyundai’s Venue and Ford’s EcoSport, you can push the price of purchasing one through the roof with the options available.

The positive is that, if your pockets are deep enough, like an additional R75 000 deep, think of it and you can have it. Options include a Beats sound system, wireless smartphone charging, the Composition Media infotainment system with App-Connect, the bigger Discover Media system that includes navigation, the Active Info Display instrument cluster, Park Assist and folding electric mirrors.

More additional extras are available in the form of Adaptive Cruise Control with Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Assist and Front Assist, LED headlights, keyless entry and a removable towbar.

ALSO READ: T-Cross is Volkswagen’s winning small SUV recipe

The T-Cross Comfortline’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine offers 70 kW at a leisurely 5 000 rpm, and 175 Nm of torque from 2 000 to 3 500 rpm. While these numbers are not at the high end of the spectrum, the fact that you have a five-speed manual gearbox to play with, keeping the little T-Cross on the boil is actually quite fun.

Not that I think this would matter much at this point, but this entry level version is said to get to 100 km/h in 11.5 seconds and top out at 180 km/h. Perhaps what is more valuable is the fact that fuel consumption came in at around a very decent 6.0-litres per 100 km.

I enjoyed driving a manual car for a change, but my spoilt wife was quick to add that she would have happily parted with the extra R40 000 you would need to come up with if you to get the 85 kW DSG.

But this didn’t stop her from commandeering the T-Cross for most of the week that it spent at our house. She liked the raised seating position, the interior space, lightweight controls, and connectivity that allowed her to never be too far away from her phone.

The T-Cross 1.0 TSI 70 kW Comfortline manual is a likeable car and comes standard with a three year/120 000 km warranty, and a three year/45 000 km service plan.

You would be a bit silly if you didn’t check out the competition first before you sign on the dotted line, because there is more to be had out there for the same price.

For more information on the Volkswagen T-Cross, click here.