VW T-CROSS WOLFSBURG'S SMALL SUV SALVO BEGINS

VOLKSWAGEN is beyond fashionably late to the small SUV party.

- TOM FRASER

Model Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI Life

Engine 999cc 3cyl, dohc, 12v, turbo

Max power 85kW @ 5000-5500

Max torque 200Nm @ 2000-3500rpm

Transmission 7-speed dual-clutch

Weight 1240kg

0-100km/h 10.2sec (claimed)

Economy 5.4L/100km

Price $27,990

On sale Now

While the segment’s popularity has been exploding, and early adopters like Mazda, Subaru and Hyundai have been making hay with now-established nameplates like CX-3, XV and Kona, Wolfsburg has been noticeably absent.

Enter the T-Cross. Swanning into Aussie showrooms this month, it’s the opening salvo in VW’s small-SUV offensive which also includes the soon-to-arrive (and slightly larger) T-Roc.

The T-Cross is largely based on the Polo light hatch, which means MQB underpinnings and a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo with 85kW/200Nm powering the front wheels.