2019 Volkswagen T-Cross debuts as entry-level crossover

Volkswagen T-Cross, the brand’s smallest SUV offering has been on the news for sometime now. And after many months of teasing, it finally shows its production-ready face to the public. 

Apart from being a fresh design to the already crowded compact crossover segment, the T-Cross brings nothing particularly new. The T-Cross is built on the same MQB platform that underpins the VW Polo, Seat Ibiza, Seat Arona and the Audi A1. It has design cues borrowed from the VW Arteon.

The tiny T-Cross is available with a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine which comes in 94 hp or 113 hp states of tune. There is a 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine that churns out 94 hp. A 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol will join the lineup with 148 hp. The T-Cross will come with five or six speed manual  and a seven-speed dial clutch transmission choices based on the engine chosen.

The T-Cross is a fairly well-equipped machine with features like LED headlights, a multi-function leather steering wheel, ambient lighting, front sport seats, and automatic climate control. Optional features like a digital instrument panel, 8-inch infotainment display screen, keyless start, adaptive cruise control, and a Beats sound system. Safety is quite decent too, with systems like blind spot monitoring, anti-collision system with predestined detection, and lane departure warning.

It remains to be seen if the T-Cross is offered in the UAE and other GCC countries, as the price-point has to be really aggressive to compete with value-packed rivals from Japan, America and Korea.