Volkswagen T-Cross review

• For: Versatility, safety, range of options
• Against: Polo is cheaper and nicer to drive
• Verdict: The most grown-up small crossover

The T-Cross is based on the Polo supermini, but is 54mm longer and 138mm taller.

Its pumped-up wheelarches, chunky sills and stocky stance offer a suitably ‘go-anywhere’ look, although four-wheel-drive isn’t an option.

Prices start from just over £18,000, roughly £1,200 more than an equivalent Polo. Personalisation options include orange or green alloy wheels: perfect if you struggle to locate your own car in the supermarket car park.

In entry-level S trim, you’re limited to a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine developing 95hp. SE, SE L and R-Line models offer a 115hp version of the same engine, plus a 1.6-litre diesel producing 110hp.

Standard spec is good, with alloys, air conditioning, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the range. The T-Cross is easy to drive and feels composed in and out of town.

It also received impressively high scores in Euro NCAP safety tests.

KEY INFO

• Launched: 2019
• Facelifted: TBC
• Due for replacement: TBC