Admittedly, Volkswagen is late to the SUV game, but expects to catch up fairly quickly. By 2025, they expect that 50 percent of their sales will be an SUV, compared to about 20 percent today. One of the products that will lead this charge is the T-Cross—a new sub-compact crossover that’ll serve as one of the bookends to the VW SUV line-up.

Underneath, the T-Cross uses Volkswagen’s advanced MQB architecture (Modularer Querbaukasten or Modular Transverse Matrix). Interestingly, this single platform replaces three previous Volkswagen platforms (PQ25, PQ35, and PQ36) and offers a high degree of flexibility. Though, MQB models share the same front axle, pedal box, and engine positioning.



Despite its small footprint, the T-Cross has a long 2,561-mm wheelbase. This makes it extremely roomy for its size, and thanks to a sliding rear seat, extends the available knee or cargo room.

However, understanding that customer requirements are not the same globally, Volkswagen has opted to customize its T-Cross depending on where it’s sold.

For the Chinese market, and by extension, the Philippine market, VW’s smallest crossover takes on a more rugged appearance with more black body cladding. In addition, it gets different headlights, bulkier fog lights, and larger side mirrors compared to its European counterpart. Inside, it has a high driving position and a simply laid out cabin with a strong horizontal motif. It also boasts Apple CarPlay as standard equipment, though higher trim models can benefit from features such as an all-digital instrument panel, a panoramic sunroof, and a Beats audio system.



Now, for powertrains: in Europe, the T-Cross is sold with a turbocharged 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine. This particular configuration isn’t available for markets such as China.

Instead, it gets a normally-aspirated 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (EA211) with 110 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. It also has a 6-speed automatic instead of the dual clutch DSG. 0-100 km/h should be around 14 seconds and fuel consumption is about 17.24 km/L based on Volkswagen’s tests. The other engine is a 1.4-liter TSI which pulls out 150 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. With this engine, the torque converter automatic is swapped for a 7-speed DSG.



2020 Volkswagen T-Cross Major Specifications (China Market)

• Overall Length: 4,218 mm
• Overall Width: 1,760 mm
• Overall Height: 1,589 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,561 mm
• Luggage Compartment Volume: 329-1319 liters
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 42 liters
• Engine Displacement: 1.5 DOHC 16V I4 (1.4 DOHC 16V I4, Turbocharged)
• Engine Family: EA211
• Maximum Power: 110 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm (150 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm)
• Maximum Torque: 145 Nm @ 3,900 rpm (250 Nm @ 1,750-3,000 rpm)
• Transmission: 6-speed Automatic (7-speed Dual Clutch DSG)
• Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson Strut
• Rear Suspension: Semi-Independent
• Front Brakes: Vented Disc
• Rear Brakes: Solid Disc
• Tire Size: 205/60 R 16 (205/55 R 17)