Volkswagen T-Roc R

The T-Roc is Volkswagen's compact midsize crossover that killed the already wonderful Scirocco, which is like a Golf GTi for real men, and some believe that it's not as wonderful to drive as the Scirocco it killed or perhaps it can do a lot more. With the first-ever T-Roc R, Volkswagen wanted this to be a more enjoyable high-performance compact crossover that feels good to drive even on dirt.

2020 Volkswagen T-Roc R

Starting at 43,995 Euros, the T-Roc R is less expensive than its equivalent, the Cupra Ateca, but unlike the Cupra Ateca twin, the T-Roc R looks a bit simple for a high-performance compact crossover the size of a Golf, which is true because of the similar platform it uses, but don't get its simple looks fool you because behind its simple crossover looks lies the heart of a hot hatch underneath.

Under the hood, the T-Roc R is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L petrol engine that produces about 300PS of power and 400Nm of torque. Mated to a 7-speed DSG, the T-Roc R can go from 0-100kph in 4.8 seconds and top speed electronically limited to 250kph, meaning the T-Roc R is almost as fast as the old Golf VII R on straights but what about the way it moves?

Of course, being a crossover, you might expect this to be as stressful as getting your mom pulling your arm to the opposite of where you're going, but despite its bulge, the T-Roc R feels so decent to drive like a hot hatch and on the track, the Race Mode really means business for the T-Roc R, making it capable of going all-out on a Sunday lap at the track, but despite its 4MOTION four-wheel drive system and with lack of stuff like you get from a Subaru WRX STi, the T-Roc R isn't going to be as dirt-happy as a rally car, meaning that when this hot compact crossover sticks to the road on Day One, it stays there forever. Sad.

The T-Roc R may not be as dirt-happy as a rally car, even with the 4MOTION equipped, but it feels like a decent hot hatch on the road and on the track and while upsetting to some, the T-Roc R is the hot compact crossover we should feel jealous about.

Photo: Volkswagen AG