2026 Volkswagen T-Roc & T-Cross: Test, Price, and R Version

The new generation of the Volkswagen T-Roc has arrived in Europe for 2025, with 12 cm more length and an MQB Evo platform shared with the Golf. The T-Cross, meanwhile, is prepping its own makeover with a 48V hybrid system for emerging markets like Brazil. And to top it all off, a T-Roc R version with over 300 hp is currently in final testing.

"The penalty tax on the previous-gen T-Roc R already exceeded €26,000 in France in 2025 — the new version is bound to be even more brutal fiscally." — Caradisiac

A T-Roc That's Really Changed Categories

Twelve centimeters. That's how much the second-generation T-Roc has grown, now reaching 4.37 meters. For context: the old one went head-to-head with the Renault Captur, while the new one takes on the Renault Symbioz. The line between urban SUV and compact SUV is officially blurred.

Built on the MQB Evo platform — the same foundation as the Golf 8 and Tiguan — the T-Roc has gained serious tech. Auto Journal confirms in its test: the two engines available at launch are 1.5 eTSI with 48V mild hybrid, offered in 116 or 150 hp, both paired with a DSG7 gearbox. The three-cylinder 1.0-liter engine has been axed from the spec sheet, and no one's shedding tears.

Inside, the change is stark. The gear selector is now a stalk on the steering column, like on the Tiguan or ID models. The wipers have moved to the left — an ergonomic quirk that takes getting used to, especially in the rain, as Auto Mag notes in its test. The dashboard is thoroughly modern, a direct continuation of the current Golf's design.

How the Road Tests Stack Up

Auto Journal pitted the 150 hp T-Roc against several hybrid rivals: the Renault Symbioz, Peugeot 2008, Hyundai Kona, and Toyota C-HR. The verdict is pretty clear: the T-Roc stands out as a reference in terms of build quality and driving pleasure, but it suffers from two real flaws — higher fuel consumption than its hybrid rivals, and a price tag that stings. The Symbioz takes the win in this comparison for its consistency, with no major weak spots.

AutoReview Netherlands echoes that sentiment. The test, conducted in Lisbon, highlights the new model's "intimidating" grille — the old generation's discreet look is gone. The car clearly wants to visually align with the Tiguan. Bigger, beefier, pricier.

The good news? Cabin space has kept up with the body. The sloping roofline no longer sacrifices rear passenger headroom as brutally as before.

The T-Roc R: 300 hp Under the Hood, a Devastating Penalty Tax in France

The prototype has been photographed nearly without camouflage in Lapiz Blue — VW's signature color for R models — with black 20-inch wheels, blue brake calipers, and four Akrapovic exhaust tips. Carscoops, which obtained the photos in early February 2026, reports that a 4Motion all-wheel-drive system paired with a 48V mild hybrid is on the table. The engine is expected to be a 2.0-liter turbo four, likely pushing over 300 hp, but the real story is the penalty tax. In France, the previous-gen T-Roc R already faced a €26,000 malus — the new one could easily top that, making it a niche toy for the well-heeled or those who just don't care.