Volkswagen T-Roc

In its second generation, this small SUV gets an upgraded interior with more space On sale Late 2025 Price from £32,000 (est)

- STEVE HUNTINGFORD

THEY SAY IT’S what's inside that counts, but the original Volkswagen T-Roc proved that's not always the case, because it sold in huge numbers despite having a distinctly disappointing interior. Sure, its dashboard looked nice enough at a glance, thanks to bright-coloured inserts, but closer inspection revealed that hard and hollow plastics had been used throughout.

Now, in truth, we can see why this didn't put too much of a dent in the T-Roc’s popularity; as a small SUV, it was targeting one of the most popular sectors of the new car market, plus It was comfortable, well priced and offered a higher driving position than most rivals.

It also helped that VW made an effort to upgrade a few of the surfaces when it facelifted the car in 2022. However, the result was still an interior that was acceptable rather than outstanding – something VW basically acknowledged at the reveal of the new T-Roc by saying one of its main goals this time was to "put the focus back on quality". And you know what? It shows.

The top of the dashboard is covered in fabric that looks and feels expensive, while the ledge below is made from soft-touch plastic that's similarly pleasing to the fingertips. Just as crucially, VW has confirmed to us that these plush materials will be found in all new T-Rocs, not just the pricier trim levels.