On the road with a VW T-Roc (R Line)

I've currently got a hire car whilst the Focus is in the repair shop. The offer was a Golf or the T-Roc. Admittedly, hatchbacks are my thing. But before getting the Ford Focus ST-Line X (182 bhp), the T-Roc was on my shortlist. It was also on my shortlist before choosing a new car (currently a beamer, on order)

Part of the small SUV brigade and with that classic, German engineering - I was partially sold. The other half believed it was a bit too big for us at that stage (no kids), so didn't believe it to be practical. But she did agree it had the looks and while she's not a fan of the specifications of cars, she could see why I liked it.

To call a Volkswagen popular would be to say a leopard has spots! Volkswagen Golfs and Polos are everywhere and as I heard one salesman say many many moons ago when I was blown away by his laid-back style "They sell themselves".

That they do.

But aside from that one time, several years ago, I've never really wanted a Golf or Polo. I was more impressed by the now-discontinued Scirocco. And of course, I wanted the Scirocco R. Wasn't to be!

While Golfs and Polos don't turn my head like the Scirocco did and still does, I respect them massively. Just look at their build, their design (well, not so much these days), their rep, their reliability, the range - there's a reason why they're a family favourite.

So what's the T-ROC been like?

In the week I've had it, I've grown to like it massively. While I felt like I was initially cheating on the Focus, the ride is smooth and the interior plush. Though it's a standard black cabin, the build quality is superior to that of the Focus, which can feel a bit cheap and plastic on the inside.

Being higher up, the tyres go over bumps with ease. In the focus, I'm low to the floor and going over those bumps can feel like an unwanted intimate act at times! I've only driven it in sport mode (it was left in that mode when I received it) and while the gear change is smooth and responsive, it lacks the aggression of the Focus.

Sport mode in the Focus gives it a mean edge and throws you forward into the unknown with a cheeky push. Sport mode on the T-Roc feels safer and more refined. As such, it lacks the fun and punchiness of the Focus, but I've enjoyed the T-Roc much more than I thought possible.

I can see the fuss over Volkswagens, I really can. It may not be a Golf GTI or the most exciting SUV to drive, but I'm proud to still consider it as part of a future shortlist.