Volkswagen lobs crucial T-Cross pricing

VOLKSWAGEN Australia has announced pricing for its crucial T-Cross small SUV ahead of its arrival in Australian showrooms in April, with the brand’s smallest SUV set to kick off from $27,990 plus on-road costs.

The Polo-based T-Cross range will launch with two variants – the 85TSI Life and $30,990 85TSI Style – with the more powerful 110TSI Style set to join the range in June, with pricing yet to be confirmed.

While not offering the low entry point of some of its key rivals like the Mazda CX-3 ($22,710), Renault Captur ($21,990), Hyundai Kona ($24,000) and Honda HR-V ($24,990), the T-Cross hits the mid-range sweet spot in the small SUV segment.

Volkswagen Australia customer experience and marketing director Jason Bradshaw said the T-Cross held a technological advantage over its rivals, and bridged the gap between mainstream and luxury brands.

“Previously Japanese and Korean brands have had this segment to themselves,” he said. “To say that none can touch the T-Cross for technology is no empty boast.

“Now, for the first time, there is an affordable German compact SUV, one that as the Tiguan and Touareg do in their respective segments, transcends the gulf between the mass market brands and those perceived as prestige.”

Standard equipment on the entry-level 85TSI Life includes 16-inchRochester alloy wheels, front foglights with static cornering lights, black roof rails, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rearview mirror, manual air conditioning, leather multi-function steering wheel, 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with six-speaker audio and App-Connect, wireless phone charging and four USB ports.

On the safety side, standard kit includes front assist with city autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist monitoring; lane assist with driver fatigue detection, parking sensors with manoeuvre braking and a reversing camera.

Stepping up to the 85TSI Style adds 17-inch Bangalore alloys, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, keyless entry with power folding door mirrors, comfort sport front seats, carpet mats, chrome finish for the roof rails and headlights and paddle shifters.

Added safety kit extends to Light Assist with auto high beam, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and proactive occupant protection system.

Both 85TSI grades are powered by a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine developing 85kW/200Nm, exclusively driving the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

When the 110TSI Style lobs in June, it will add 18-inch Cologne alloy wheels, dark tinted rear and rear side windows, gloss black door mirrors and black-grey design cloth and dashboard décor.

Along with the added spec, it will also score a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine good for 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque.

Option packages include the $1200 Driver Assistance package for the Life only, which adds adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, park assist, proactive occupant protection system and power-folding door mirrors, and the $1900 Sound and Vision package for both 85TSI grades which includes a digital cockpit, Discover Media sat-nav and a 300W Beats audio system.

An R-Line style package is also available for the 85TSI Style ($2500) and 110TSI Style ($1900), which adds aluminium finish pedals, R-Line scuff plates and badging, leather multi-function sports steering wheel, carbon flag sports cloth upholstery as well as the 18-inch alloys, dark body accents and tinted rear and rear side windows that are already standard on the 110TSI.

Pure White and Dark Petrol colours will be offered as standard, while six metallic hues (Energetic Orange, Limestone Grey, Reflex Silver and Reef Blue) cost $600 and Makena Turquoise metallic asks $800.

More details of the 110TSI Style will be made available closer to its debut in June.

2020 Volkswagen T-Cross pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs