Dimensions and Size

Comparing the T-Cross with a Polo is temping, even inevitable. But identical wheelbases aside, the T-Cross is larger in every dimension. It looks it, too, but what’s more important is that it feels it when you climb aboard.

If you’re a numbers geek, the length, width and height in millimetres are 4,108, 1,760 and 1,584. The Polo measures 4,053, 1,751 and 1,461 for the same dimensions.

The surprising thing is that the T-Cross is, on paper at least, a compact SUV, but it measures up quite closely to cars like the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30, which are technically a size-up in the small SUV segment.

It may have a wheelbase nearly 10cm shorter than the Mazda’s, but it’s almost the same overall length as both Japanese cars. Take that with the bold styling and clever use of interior space, and this is effectively a car that behaves like it’s one size up. 

It’s easy to imagine a few key customer groups for the Volkswagen T-Cross: young exec looking to upsize from a hatchback or small sedan, youngish couple with smallish kids, or empty nesters who want less size, but not less comfort than their last car provided. That latter group will appreciate the fact that the taller ride height makes sliding into the seats easier than having to fall into a hatchback.

Space and practicality

In terms of cabin space, the boxy shape creates lots of headroom inside, while there’s enough legroom for full grown adults to occupy the second row without a grouse. How many such adults? Ideally just two, because putting three across the bench is how you find out that the T-Cross isn’t a wide car.

One thing people want from an SUV is versatility, and the T-Cross has it. The back seats can slide forward (as one unit) by a whopping 14cm so you can sacrifice some legroom if you need to expand the boot — doing so lets you take luggage room from 385 to 455 litres, which is yuuge for the class, and only 15-litres off the one-size-up class leader the Honda HR-V, at 470 litres.

Naturally, you can drop the seatbacks in a 60/40 split if you need even more space. That takes capacity to 1,281 litres.

The cabin itself is built to carry lots of little items. There’s a tray under the air-con controls for your smartphone (with wireless charging), the door bins are fairly large, and there’s a compartment recessed into the dashboard itself for loose items.

Smugglers take note, you’ll find a neat drawer under the front driver seat, though it might not fit budgies, and there’s a good reason you shouldn’t try to emulate Han Solo in this car. 

Continue to Page 3: Driving, cabin, tech

Page 1: Introduction, What is the T-Cross?
Page 2: Dimensions, Practicality, Space
Page 3: Driving Experience, Cabin, Technology
Page 4: Conclusion, Video Review, Gallery

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