Six years after it was launched, the T-Rock finally arrives, which looks like a miniature Tiguan/Walla system!, Audi Etzion
Price (base/test):
NIS 170,000
Competitors:
Toyota C-HR, Mazda CX30
We liked:
design, equipment, behavior and comfort
We didn't like:
slow gear changes, price
rating:
8/10
In 2022, the Volkswagen Golf lost the title of best-selling car most in Europe for the Peugeot 208, after 20 consecutive years.
The Germans may have been upset about the loss of the marketing asset, but they were quite satisfied, because most of the customers that the Golf lost did not go to competitors: they bought the T-Rock, the family crossover based on the Golf platform, and the bottom line was that they only sold more.
Times are changing and customers no longer stand in line for compact family cars.
The queues moved to crossovers and jeeps and so six years after its launch, the T-Rock is finally coming to Israel as well.
Just as Toyota sells the Yaris Cross, C-HR and Corolla Cross in Israel at the same time, with base prices of NIS 133, 170 and 173 thousand, Volkswagen is also starting to sell three family crossovers.
T-Cross (from NIS 140,000) and Tiguan (from NIS 190,000) are joined by the T-Rock, at a basic price of NIS 170,000.
Mazda CX-30 (from NIS 160,000) is also in his sights: all crossovers that also offer design and are a little less bulky compared to the sales hits Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage.
The nickel strip along the roof creates a clear bourgeois German identity/Walla! system, Udi Etzion
Design: The T Rock is actually a twin model to the Seat Ateca and Skoda Karoq, which, unlike them, is also produced in a unique cabriolet version, which will not arrive in Israel as a regular import, which is a shame.
With a length of 4.24 meters, a width of 1.82 meters, a height of 1.58 meters and a wheelbase of 2.59 meters, the T-Rock is wide but relatively short.
It looks like a scaled-down Tiguan, with generous use of nickel, especially in the prominent strip along the vehicle, which gives it a very bourgeois and German character.
So is the massive, illuminated facade at night.
at an exclusive discount
The Israeli company that invented hair removers does it again
In collaboration with Epilady
An element that we knew until recently only in luxury models: a map as part of the digital dashboard and already in the base version/Wala! system, Audi Etzion
The passenger cabin:
the feeling is definitely golf, with a higher seat, and a higher level of equipment compared to the base model we drove, with a 9.2-inch multimedia screen and a 10-inch digital dashboard, which displays the map of Volkswagen's original navigation system.
For this you will have to enter an address in English, but the possibility of receiving the map directly in front of your eyes is very convenient.
If you connect to Wise or Google Maps you will only be able to see the map on the multimedia screen.
The passenger cabin in the test car was a bit dark, and according to the catalog the warmer and more vivid colors of the T-Rock remained abroad. It's a shame.
The quality of the materials is good and the front seats are good. In the back, the space is reasonable, but less good than in the Seat Ateka. At least there is an air conditioner outlet and a pair of USB sockets. The trunk with a volume of 445 liters is relatively large, and for long journeys it is possible to carpet not only the back bench but also the front seat.
There is an air conditioner outlet and good space, but Seat Atka, which is based on the same platform, is more spacious/walla system!, Audi Etzion
Equipment:
The base Style version we drove (NIS 170,000) comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a 9.2-inch multimedia screen, a 10-inch digital dashboard, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, heated steering wheel, keyless entry and drive, climate control , a wireless mobile charging pad and a reverse camera.
The Style Plus version (NIS 185,000) upgrades to light 18-inch rims, adds an opening panoramic sun window, electric opening for the trunk, adjustable suspension, electric adjustment for the driver's seat with lower back massage and leather upholstery.
The R-line version (NIS 200,000) upgrades to Nappa leather upholstery, sports seats and a matching exterior design package.
A handsome 445 liters in volume, with two depth modes/Wala! system, Audi Etzion
Safety:
The T-Rock received a score of 5 out of 5 stars in the 2017 European crash test.
All trim levels include autonomous emergency braking in forward and reverse travel, adaptive cruise control, lane departure control and blind spot warning.
It is a shame that there is no fatigue warning system and a warning system for forgetting children, such as a warning for opening a door when the road is not clear.
An aggressive front hides behind it 150 hp and almost 8 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h / Audi Etzion
Engine and performance:
from the multitude of drive units marketed abroad, the T-Rock comes to us only with the 1,500 cc turbo gasoline engine known from other models of the concern (150 hp), in the updated version that allows it to run longer on 2 cylinders from the 4-when it does not require effort.
The performance is good, but the gear changes in the dual-clutch robotic box, especially at the beginning and in traffic jams, are too slow and hesitant, and other drivers take advantage of the gap created by the next vehicle to start in front of you. It is better to switch to sport mode (there is also economical and comfort) for a response More speed, at the expense of fuel consumption, which amounted to 13.8 km per liter during the test days, good for a gasoline engine.
But the time has come here too for a hybrid unit like the competing Toyota has.
Competition for the well-designed and well-equipped crossovers, not for the best-selling Koreans/Walla! system, Audi Etzion
Comfort and behavior:
the suspension calibration is German plus, the T-Rock is relatively restrained, does not sway in turns and maneuvers well even in the city.
Comfort is generally good and the ride is quiet apart from some wind noise from the roof rails.
Bottom line:
The T-Rock is what Chat GPT would blurt out if asked what a Golf crossover would look like.
It is of higher quality than usual, looks more respectable and prestigious and in the basic version is well equipped, more than the direct competitors at its price level.
170 thousand is a high price tag, but not unusual these days, when a Toyota Corolla costs only NIS 5,000 less, and a Golf NIS 8,000 less.
Like the golf, it will not be a sales hit in Israel, but rather a slightly prestigious option in the popular market.
2017 | Volkswagen T Rock
Engine:
turbo gasoline, 1,498 cc, 150 hp, 25.5 kg.
Gearbox:
robotic double clutch, 7 gears. Front wheel drive
Dimensions:
Length (meters):
4.24
Width (meters):
1.82
Height (meters) :
1.59
Wheelbase (meters):
2.59
Trunk (liters):
445
Weight (kg):
1,335
Performance (manufacturer):
0-100 km/h:
8.3 seconds
Maximum speed:
207 km/h
Combined fuel consumption:
15.6 km per liter
test fuel consumption:
13.8 km per liter
Safety:
European crash test:
5 out of 5 stars in 2017
Active safety: autonomous emergency braking in forward and reverse travel, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, blind spot warning, Automatic high beam
Warranty:
3 years or 100 thousand km
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