From the legendary CitiGolf through three generations of Polo and, of course, a collection of homegrown Polo Vivo packages, Volkswagen South Africa has established itself as a significant player on the local compact passenger car scene. Our increasingly budget-conscious market nevertheless remains keen to side with established brands with respectable reputations for workmanship and reliability. This leaves VW well placed to answer the call.
With sales of SUV-style vehicles (we're talking compact and crossover SUVs) accounting for nearly half of all monthly passenger car purchases in South Africa, it stands to reason that Volkswagen would seek to introduce more raised-ride-height products to complement its already popular Tiguan package, while harnessing its collective experience within the compact car space.
Sharing its platform with the top-selling current Polo hatchback, the T-Cross represents the entry point into Volkswagen's modern family of SUVs. Introduced in South Africa in 2019, the brand's smallest SUV is both slightly longer and 123 mm taller than its hatchback sibling. Significantly, via its raised ride height compared with the Polo, as well as a corresponding taller driving position, the appeal of the T-Cross package lies in its improved outwards visibility and a modicum of off-road prowess.
The T-Cross is compact by design, but Volkswagen was nevertheless keen to include the latest that this German brand has to offer in terms of in-car infotainment, functionality and, indeed, safety within the package.
At launch, the T-Cross was available with a 1.0L TSI turbopetrol engine mated with either a five-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. The car was sold in either Trendline, Comfortline or Highline trim.
Volkswagen South Africa's website, vwsa.co.za, offers various interactive services from a comprehensive online configurator that allows customers to "build" their ideal T-Cross, to online finance and purchase solutions. Alternatively, the brand currently hosts 117 dealerships across the country.
The T-Cross is now offered in either Comfortline or Highline trim featuring a 1.0 TSI motor, or as a new top-of-the-range R-Line model that introduces both a sportier body kit compared with the standard car — including larger alloy wheels — as well as a more powerful 1.5 TSI turbopetrol motor.
Broadly comfortable and easy to manoeuvre around town, the appeal of the 1.0 TSI models may lie in the corresponding claimed fuel consumption figures of less than 5.0L/100 km, respectively.
Of the nearly 21 000 units of T-Cross sold in South Africa to date, the most popular model has been the 1.0 DSG Comfortline. The favourite optional extras fitted to the T-Cross include an upgraded infotainment system including smart phone mirroring technologies, the more potent "beats" sound system and the R-Line exterior kit. Other cost options include wireless mobile phone charging, satellite navigation, park assist, adaptive cruise control, LED headlamps and a removable towbar.
You can check out all your options with our helpful finance comparison tool.
T-Cross 1.0 TSI Comfortline from R357 900
T-Cross 1.0 TSI Highline from R435 100
T-Cross 1.5 TSI R-Line from R472 300
The VW T-Cross Service Plan is valid for three-years/45,000 km and VWSA's three-year/120 000 km warranty. Included is also the brand's current 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. Service intervals on this model are 15 000 km.
Volkswagen customers are also offered the opportunity to purchase an EasyDrive plan in order to add or extend a service or maintenance plan on their purchase.
The T-Cross continues to prove impressively popular in South Africa, notably across a broad selection of buyers from students to young families and, indeed, those no longer in need of the space afforded by the larger modern Golf or Tiguan packages. The smallest member of VW's SUV family boasts a full-marks, five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, including a 97% score in adult occupant protection and an 86% mark in child cushioning.
The brand prides itself on a comprehensive network of spare parts and offers countrywide roadside assistance.
Volkswagen Financial Services offers a comprehensive bouquet of Car Insurance and financing solutions. This includes Shortfall Plus to cover any outstanding debt should your vehicle be written-off with money still owing, as well as a Customer Protection Plan to settle your account in the event of illness or death.
To date, the T-Cross hasn't been subject to the same level of crime as its Polo sibling.
Source: Volkswagen South Africa
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or medical advice.
