THIS WILL ROC YOUR WORLD

The T-Roc is the slick, do-it-all answer to the mid-size crossover question

- SAM PHILLIPS

When someone says they want a reliable, practical, good-looking and affordable set of wheels, the default recommendation is so often a Volkswagen Golf. But for those buyers who want a raised ride height and improved visibility (as so many do), then just nudge them towards the Golf of SUVs: the T-Roc.

VW’s mid-sized crossover - soon to enter its second generation - is a no-nonsense crowd-pleaser, not least for its distinctive design and flexible, punchy engines, allied to a smartly tuned chassis that is both comfortable and agile.

The T-Roc was launched in 2017 with a price topping £30,000, but today you can find one for £7000 - which seems a steal for a well-equipped and well-rounded family car that will still feel up to date, irrespective of its age.

The T-Roc is underpinned by the same MQB platform as plenty of other VW Group SUVs, but is sized and shaped for a more compact, sportier look that makes it less obviously a crossover.