Volkswagen T-Roc 2022: facelifted small SUV set to arrive next year

The Volkswagen T-Roc has been given its first makeover in four years and is looking more stylish than ever before

The covers have been pulled off the new Volkswagen T-Roc which is due to arrive in Australian showrooms around July 2022.

While the T-Roc only went on sale in Australia in 2020 the small SUV has been on sale in Europe since 2017, with the latest update bringing it into line with newer vehicles such as the Golf small car.

Volkswagen’s core T-Roc range will arrive alongside the high-performance T-Roc R, which will provide fierce competition to cars such as the Hyundai Kona N which has just gone on sale in Australia.

Volkswagen T-Roc front shot — The new T-Roc looks the goods thanks to a new LED front strip light.

The Australian specification for the facelifted T-Roc is yet to be confirmed for Australia but it’s likely that we will see a similar three grade lineup, with the addition of the R, though there has been no confirmation of the convertible model coming to our shores just yet.

Changes inside and out

Volkswagen has subtly updated the exterior of the T-Roc with new headlights at the front paired with a new light bar strip which runs across the grille.

At the rear, the taillight LED graphics have been redesigned along with a tweaked rear bumper. We think it looks modern, sophisticated and not overdone.

Volkswagen T-Roc standard interior — The T-Roc hasn’t completely gone button free, which is good for climate controls.

More change has been had on the interior, such as a padded dashboard (that was once hard plastic) along with new door trims.

A 8.0-inch digital driver’s display makes its way into the T-Roc for the first time with a 10.25-inch cluster available on higher grades.

Sitting in the centre of the dash is a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen with a larger 9.2-inch display available as an option. Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.

The steering wheel has been borrowed from the updated Golf range and seperate buttons can still be found below the touchscreen for the climate control.

Volkswagen T-Roc R interior shot blue highlight — The Volkswagen T-Roc R brings plenty of blue to the cabin.

The T-Roc R’s interior takes things to the next level with stainless steel pedals, unique digital instruments and sporty front seats.

Volkswagen has fitted the latest IQ.Drive active safety suite that includes adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, AEB and blind spot monitoring.

Turbo engine options

The engine lineup remains unchanged for the entire T-Roc range.

Volkswagen T-Roc R rear 3/4 — T-Roc R sports quad exhaust pipes just like the Golf R.

The entry-level T-Roc 110TSI Sport features a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder that produces 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque and is paired to a eight-speed torque converter automatic that drives the front wheels.

Buyers can also step up to the 140TSI option, which uses a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine making 140kW and 320Nm of torque paired to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission matched with an all-wheel-drive system.

The firecracker T-Roc R uses the same engine setup but produces a far more meaty 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque. An upgraded 235kW/420Nm powertrain will likely follow.

Volkswagen T-Roc R interior shot seats — Buyers will receive heavier bolstered seats for the T-Roc R version.

When will the T-Roc arrive in Australia?

Volkswagen Australia confirmed to Chasing Cars that the freshly facelifted T-Roc is not due to launch in Australia until Q3 2022, which should put it in line with the new R model.