The VW T-Cross exudes a level of class and polish that makes its rivals seem somewhat underdressed.It is. This Volkswagen has only been on the market for a month or two and much to the intense annoyance of its rivals is already one of the top-five bestselling passenger cars in SA.
Another plus is the premium feel this car exudes. Lined up next to something like a Ford EcoSport, the Teutonic T-Cross is notably more grown-up and refined.Nope, unlike your mate's Renault Duster 4x4, this front wheel-drive Volkswagen is best left navigating the asphalt of the urban jungle: an environ across which it performs admirably thanks to those Polo-sourced underpinnings.
Paired to a seven-speed DSG transmission, it requires a few revs to build steam but once it does, forward momentum is pleasingly brisk. Unlike a lot of Volkswagen Group motors, this one actually sounds good too: its rorty three-cylinder thrum proving that internal combustion engines can still have some personality in 2019 without the need for ridiculous sound symposers.
My particular T-Cross was a Comfortline model that bridges the gap between poverty-spec Trendline and range-topping Highline. As such you get 16-inch alloy wheels, black roof rails, front fog lights, a leather multi-function steering wheel, park distance and cruise control. Not exactly the Ritz, but not Sun1 either.