The world is going ape-shit over crossovers, and Volkswagen wants in on the fun. So behold the 2019 VW T-Cross, an SUV that’s even compact-er than the compact Tiguan and the subcompact T-Roc. And while it may look cute in the picture above, I say: Don’t be lured in by its adorable dimensions, for it is likely to be just another boring crossover.
“That’s kind of fun,” one of my coworkers said upon gazing his eyes on the T-Cross that debuted today. “Yeah, I like it a lot,” another colleague wrote. “I want a green one!” my managing editor wrote. These folks are all weak. Weak, I tell you!
This thing looks to be just another too-tall, front-drive, three or four-cylinder crossover that inherently pays aerodynamic and handling penalties just for a bit of ride height. And if I had to guess, it’s probably built on the MQB platform, shared with the Polo, and it probably has a bunch of the same powertrain options. (Checks press release. Confirmed).
Plus, if you find yourself lured in by the green color that VW used in its press photos to make this car seem interesting, just recognize that 90 percent of these things are probably going to be either black, white, or gray. In other words: boring. Speaking of boring, that interior. Where’s the color?
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This thing is a total snoozfe—actually, wait a second. This rear end. Oh my. The taillights with the big Heckblende. Oh yes, that’s nice. And the T-Cross badge centered at the bottom of the hatch; I actually don’t mind that either.
And from the side, it’s not so bad. Those headlights look aggressive from this angle, and the lines on doors—as well as the rear wing and just the general roof profile—kind of look nice, too.
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Actually, screw it. Yes, it’s a predictable little crossover. Yes the interior looks a bit boring. But at about $20,500 according to Motor1, if VW offers a bit of color inside (and I don’t see why they wouldn’t), and if they sell a bunch of exterior colors like this green here (please VW, offer a white or black roof for the two-tone fun we deserve), then I may have to take back all that crap I said and agree with my coworkers. Because the overall geometry of this thing has potential to be fun.
Plus, clearly I was wrong in thinking that this car is not cool. It says so right here in this video titled “I am cool”:
The car gets a couple of three-cylinder 1.0-liter gas engines making 93 and 113 horsepower, as well as a 1.5-liter motor cranking out 148 horsepower. A little 93 horsepower diesel is also available.
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According to Car Magazine, those engines will get bolted to five or six-speed manuals, or a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. The fastest version, Car Magazine says, will get to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 9.9 seconds. Which is, well, unspectacular.
VW says the little car has lots of room inside: enough for five people. Plus, it gets a bunch of safety features like City Emergency Braking, Lane Assist, Hill Start Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Traffic Alert, and optional Adaptive Cruise Control and Park Assist.
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The specs for this not-meant-for-the-USA crossover are a bit predictable and not particularly exciting, and the interior looks a bit bland in that photo, but I mean, just look at that little green guy.
It’s hard not to like something that adorable.
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