Summarize

Volkswagen has revealed its new Polo-based T-Cross compact crossover set to take on the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur as a 'truly credible' SUV. Set for South Africa, T-Cross sits beneath the overseas market T-Roc as well as the familiar Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace and Touareg in Volkswagen’s SUV range to finally provide VW a foothold in the booming supermini-crossover market.

Powered by a pair of 75 and 85kW litre TSI petrol engines driving five or six-speed manuals or a seven-speed DSG automatic, there’s also a 70kW 1.6-litre turbodiesel and a flagship 110kW 1.5-litre petrol. There won’t be any GTI or R models as T-Cross is ‘more a functional car for the family’ based on VW’s MQB A0 supermini platform and sharing mechanical underpinnings with the Polo under distinctive SUV styling in a slightly longer and taller 4.1m long 1.6m high five-seater riding on the same wheelbase as Polo, but with slightly longer overhangs. 

Inside, T-Cross gets a bespoke cabin with a 3D-effect dashboard available in a range of colours. Seating positions are 100mm higher than Polo and the rear seat can slide 14cm for a variable boot capacity up to 455 litres and expanding to 1281 litres with the seats folded. Wheel sizes will range from 16 to 18 inches and expect personalisation options the likes of contrasting roof and pillar colours, interior trim and coloured wheel rims.

Autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane assist will be come standard, along with four USB ports and T-Cross should come in four different trim levels – S, SE, SEL and a sportier R-Line with higher-end models set for options such as a wireless smartphone charger and keyless locking. Expect T-Cross in SA early next year.