Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet

The open-top crossover fad is like a zombie. It just won't be killed until its really killed. First Nissan, then Land Rover, and now Volkswagen. With the first two killed their open-top crossovers off the lineup, it's the turn of the Volkswagen to introduce their own take of the open-top crossover and it's based on the T-Roc.

With prices start at around 27,545 Euros plus additional costs, the T-Roc Cabriolet is the latest example of the open-top crossover chimera that just won't quit. Although it looks and feels like your basic T-Roc, the first-ever convertible variant strips off its hardtop and some rear doors to make it two-door, something unseen in the age of crossovers if you know what I mean. Come inside it still works like a normal T-Roc but being an open-top two-door CUV, getting through the rear seats is somewhat of a challenge. With the roof open, it feels almost easy to hop in but with the roof closed, this is worth challenging because you have to tuck down the front seats to get through.

Of course, being a convertible, spacing's suffered a bit but it still fits bags of groceries.

Under the hood, the T-Roc Cabriolet can be fitted with a choice of a 1.0L TSi and a 1.5L TSi with 150PS of power. Both can be mated to either a manual or a DSG. However, unlike its hardtop equivalent, the convertible is offered only in front-wheel drive so it's not quite much of a trekkie and looks like it can only be settled on city roads and that's it. In terms of handling, although being offered in front-wheel drive only, the T-Roc Convertible feels like a normal T-Roc even with the roof open and without lashing out, it feels good to drive at the beginning to the end of the day. As for safety, the T-Roc Cabriolet's covered with the latest ADAS that will keep you safe, although it makes anyone noticed.

With the T-Roc Cabriolet, looks like Volkswagen's trying to pick up where the two deceased ones from far away left off and although it drives away through the wrong barrels, this open-top T-Roc likes to bring some common sense to the motorists, like it or not.

Photo: Volkswagen AG

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

VW T-Roc vs. SEAT Arona vs. Skoda Karoq

Let's admit it, ladies and gentlemen, the earth is now the planet of the SUVs because car companies love to make some money out of launching heavyweights no matter how big or small they are and when the more they keep launching SUVs, the more risk that the whole range will be out of the weight limit and resort of removing some in the lineup. In the Volkswagen Group, this is no exception to the rule as these three new compact SUVs continue to be part of this new automotive world order where SUVs are now part of the daily lifestyle.

2018 Volkswagen T-Roc

2018 Volkswagen T-Roc interior

Let's begin with Volkswagen's first-ever baby SUV, the T-Roc. Starting at just 20,390 Euros plus OTR costs, the T-Roc is Volkswagen's answer to bland baby crossovers such as the Nissan Juke and the Toyota C-HR and while it was basically pinned on the same bits and bobs from today's VW Polo, the T-Roc is no exception to the rule because while it may be an SUV, it's a crossover fit for every millennials' lifestyles. Of course, you might say that the exterior design is questionable because while the front looks very sporty indeed, the rearview looks like a Tetris piece, resulting in a questionable exterior no one saw it coming.

On the interior, it's not half bad especially when the dashboard is festooned with bits and bobs as experienced from the Audi like the instrumental panel which looks like it was heavily inspired from the Audi Virtual Cockpit, which makes it a Q2 on a budget and that's good for them. Apart from that, it's not bad to get cozy with and because it's not as leathery as a posh crossover, you don't get your full moon to experience the chilly torment in the event of cold temperatures and you'll have seconds to tuck your trousers back to its original condition. Not bad.

The T-Roc is offered with a choice of petrol and diesel engines with the most powerful being the 2.0 TSi variant mated to a 7-speed DSG that produces a modest 190PS of power and 320Nm of torque, propelling from 0-100kph in 7.2 seconds and onwards to 216kph. Your Nissan Juke or Toyota C-HR doesn't stand a chance with the T-Roc, you know, because they can only do 180, which is the limit to all Japanese cars and that's it. So, while the performance of the T-Roc really upsets the Japanese, the dynamics aren't half bad for a crossover because it handles pretty much like today's Polo without all the hot fuzz. Sure, it may not be as sporty as it hoped for, it's perky to keep it afloat on the road. Also, when equipped with 4MOTION, it's not pretty half bad in the wet. In fact, this could have been your sister's crossover rather than the ones I've mentioned. Lastly, the T-Roc is offered with a wide array of safety features that will give drivers a more confident driving experience without worry.

The T-Roc may have a questionable exterior design but with some good parts binned on this jacked-up Polo, it wasn't really mediocre by SUV standards. In fact, you could consider it your first ride if you got a job and a driver's license. However, if you find the T-Roc is not your kind of crossover, consider this...

2018 Seat Arona

2018 Seat Arona interior

At first glance, it may look like today's SEAT Ibiza but this is not the Ibiza because what this is is its jacked-up cousin, the SEAT Arona. Starting at 14,100 Euros plus OTR, you can really afford one rather than the VW T-Roc I've mentioned but unlike the T-Roc, the Arona is basically an Ibiza with some added ground clearance on it and from every angle, you will notice the bits and bobs you saw on the said car, meaning those who are familiar with it shouldn't worry about how to deal with the Arona's conveniences in the same way they compare the Mazda CX-3 to its Demio cousin.

The most powerful version is the 1.5 TSI EVO FR variant with 150PS of power output and 250Nm of torque, resulting to a 0-100kph time of 8 seconds and onwards to 205kph, which is basically slower than the T-Roc. Also, the Arona is available only in front-wheel drive so you have no right to make it dirty because it was only limited to city use, which is kind of a shame really because while some crossovers try to look tougher, the lack of 4WD are the ideal equivalent of the whole Weenie Hut joke I saw from a children's show.

This brings on to the last item on this article which is somewhat the lesser of two evils...

2018 Skoda Karoq

2018 Skoda Karoq

This is the all-new Skoda Karoq, the replacement to the Yeti which a certain ape calls it the best SUV in the world because you can outrun a Ferrari on an unfinished track, more room to get out, more stable than the Range Rover, and the aircon that works well in extremely hot conditions. This then is somewhat the different article and for 529 900 Kč or 24,290 Euros, it's the most expensive of the three. On the plus side, it's more affordable than the Skoda Octavia Scout, which sounds questionable but flattering.

While this is the most expensive of the three, the Karoq features the best of both worlds, something the T-Roc and the Arona quake in their rear bumpers. It's got Kodiaq-style looks not bad for a baby crossover, it's got luxurious interior, it's got ample boot, and more importantly, a wide array of safety tech and dynamics that set them apart.

However, what's annoying about the Karoq is the leather seats which stings your butt when the temperature drops to near zero. Also, the most powerful offering produces the same amount that you get from the Arona but it's heavier and in a three-way drag race, the Karoq loses. That sounds like a bitter disappointment but when you're not in the mood to bother the T-Roc and the Arona, you will be thankful that the Karoq nails all of the right moves a midsize crossover should be. It's comfortable, it's tough, it's spacious, and above all, it's everything you wanted it to be on an SUV of that size.

So, there we are, in terms of fair value, the Arona is the best bet but in terms of doing all the things you want for an SUV, the Karoq is the best bet. The T-Roc may not be as valuable or capable as these two but it's got more features than the other two and picking the winner sounds challenging as it should be but you'll be the judge of that when you try these three.

Photo: Volkswagen/ SEAT S.A./Skoda Auto