SAIC Volkswagen T-Cross, as a small SUV, left a deep impression on me during this test drive, and today I would like to share my feelings with everyone.
Advantages of the model
In terms of power, the T-Cross is paired with the 1.4TSI+DSG Volkswagen golden combination. When used on the Magotan and Tiguan L, people criticize the power as too weak. When placed on the Sagitar and Lavida, everyone says the power is good. And on a small SUV like the T-Cross, calling it a small rocket wouldn’t be an exaggeration. This power combination has been played by Volkswagen for many years and is very mature in tuning. It provides quick power response when driving, the gearbox is eager to shift gears, and when you step on the accelerator deeply, there is a very noticeable push-back feeling. The most impressive aspect for me is the acceleration feeling. Fuel consumption is also good, with less than 7 liters per 100 kilometers.
In terms of appearance, the T-Cross continues Volkswagen's consistent style. The design of the grille and the shape of the front end resemble a smaller version of the Teramont. The lines are three-dimensional, which gives a very muscular and solid feel, and the black cladding on the wheel arches and below the doors makes the side look very three-dimensional. The through-type taillights divide the rear into two, and the black cladding on the sides extends to the body, with a silver decorative panel under the bumper connecting the chrome-plated decorative exhausts on both sides, giving the entire rear a very layered and sporty look.
In terms of space, although the body dimensions are small, the interior space is not small. The T-Cross has a wheelbase of 2651mm, while the XR-V, known for its large space, has a wheelbase of only 2610mm. I am 175cm tall, and when seated in the front row, there is a space of one and a half fists above my head. The rear row seems small, with four fingers' worth of headroom, but the floor protrusion is a bit high. Sitting two people there won't be much of an issue. Because the body is relatively short, to ensure interior space, the trunk space is small. Fortunately, the seats can be folded 4/6, so it can cope when occasionally needing to carry large items. As a small family car, the space is adequate.
The chassis is solid. It gives a great sense of overall stability when driving, without the loose feel common in Japanese cars. The body is very stable, and the support is also good when cornering. However, the comfort level is a bit lacking, as the rear suspension uses a torsion beam common to this class, and the interior will still feel noticeable bumps when going over uneven roads.
The discount is substantial. Currently, this car has a discount of nearly 30,000 yuan, which is quite attractive. The guide price for the 1.4T Comfort Edition is 147,900 yuan, and now after the discount, it costs only around 120,000 yuan. For this price, the XR-V can only get the 1.5L mid to low configuration. So the cost-performance ratio of the T-Cross is still pretty good.
In terms of operating costs, fuel consumption is relatively economical, but it requires 95 gasoline, which slightly increases operating costs. The maintenance cost is at the average level for joint venture brands, with a minor maintenance, including oil change and three filters, costing around 500 yuan.
Disadvantages:
1. The interior remains consistently simple, and the materials used are average. Most of the places you can touch are hard plastic.
2. This powertrain feels great on smooth sections but experiences some minor hiccups due to the frequent switching between low-speed gears with the dual-clutch transmission in traffic jams. In these conditions, switching to manual mode can reduce the frequency of gear changes and decrease the wear of the dual clutch.
3. The configurations are slightly lacking. The almost 150,000 yuan version with the 1.4 Comfort Edition still has manual air conditioning, seats are a mix of leather and fabric, has a tire pressure warning but doesn’t display the tire pressure, which is inconvenient. During my test drive, when running on a fast road, the change in tire temperature triggered a tire pressure warning, but when I stopped to check the tires, everything was normal, but it didn't show the tire pressure values, which is not very convenient.
In conclusion, this test drive changed my initial impression of the T-Cross. It was faster than I imagined, larger than I expected, and the discount was quite substantial, giving it a pretty good cost-performance ratio.
