Volkswagen T-Cross

Volkswagen T-Cross at a glance

Origins and launch

Volkswagen previewed the idea at the 2016 Geneva show with the T-Cross Breeze, a four-seat convertible concept with a 1.0 TSI of 81 kW (110 PS). The production T-Cross replaced a cancelled small SUV based on the Taigun concept, which Volkswagen had judged too small. Customer deliveries in Europe started in April 2019.

The launch edition used the 1.0 TSI with 85 kW (115 PS). It was limited to 150 cars with a manual gearbox and 50 with DSG, distributed by lottery. In Turkey the T-Cross went on sale in March 2022.

The T-Cross outside Europe

The T-Cross is a global car, but not every version is the same:

• Brazil: built in São José dos Pinhais with a 2,650 mm wheelbase shared with the Virtus, a length of 4.19 m and engines including a 1.4 TSI. The 500,000th Brazilian T-Cross was built in February 2025.
• China: SAIC-Volkswagen builds a long-wheelbase T-Cross in Anting, and FAW-Volkswagen sold a twin called Tacqua from December 2019. The longer Tharu XR followed in June 2024.
• India: the related Taigun uses a modified MQB A0 IN platform and is built in Chakan.

The 2024 facelift

Autonotizen.de described the update in July 2023, ahead of its arrival in early 2024. Halogen headlights disappeared: the base car and the Life got LED lights, while Style and R-Line received IQ.Light matrix LED headlights and a light bar across the grille. New bumpers made the car 27 mm longer, at 4,135 mm. At the rear, Style and R-Line got red LED lights in an X design and sweeping indicators.

Inside, the cockpit was redesigned with better materials, a digital instrument panel of 8 or 10 inches and an infotainment screen of 8 or 9.2 inches, depending on trim. The range stayed petrol only, with no hybrid or diesel planned. The stronger 1.0 TSI went from 81 kW (110 PS) to 85 kW (115 PS), and the 1.5 TSI with cylinder deactivation came with the DSG as standard.

Engines and performance

Autonotizen.de tested the 1.0 TSI 115 Style in March 2019. The car reached 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds, its top speed was 193 km/h and the trip computer showed 7.1 l/100 km. The newest ADAC price list from July 2026 contains only the 1.0 TSI with 70 kW (95 PS).

Interior and practicality

The rear bench slides by 14 cm, so the boot grows from 385 to 455 litres when it is pushed forward. Autonotizen.de notes that the figure includes a deep well under the floor. Before the facelift the T-Cross was 4,108 mm long, 1,760 mm wide and 1,583–1,589 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,551 mm.

T-Cross compared with the Taigo and the Kamiq

• The T-Cross is the shortest of the three: 158 mm shorter than the Taigo and 133 mm shorter than the Kamiq.
• Thanks to the sliding bench its maximum boot with five seats is 17 l larger than the Taigo's.
• The Kamiq's wheelbase is 100 mm longer than that of the T-Cross.

Safety ratings

Euro NCAP gave the T-Cross five stars in 2019, with 97 percent for adult occupants, 86 percent for children, 81 percent for pedestrians and 80 percent for safety assistance. In 2025 Euro NCAP tested the 1.0 TSI again under newer rules and awarded three stars: 74 percent for adults, 81 percent for children, 60 percent for vulnerable road users and 57 percent for safety assistance.

Latin NCAP rated a Brazilian car with six airbags in 2021 at 92 percent for adults and 90 percent for children. The ADAC breakdown statistics show 5.8 breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles for 2019 registrations, 3.9 for 2020, 4.6 for 2021, 3.6 for 2022 and 2.9 for 2023.

Sales

In Europe (EU, UK, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland) Volkswagen sold 101,229 T-Cross in 2019, 113,320 in 2020, 125,325 in 2021 and 110,157 in 2022. Global production was 315,036 in 2022, the highest year in the Wikipedia table. Brazil sold 92,842 in 2025.

Prices in Germany

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