► New VW T-Roc officially revealed
► All-hybrid engine line up now
► Launches properly in November 2025
Volkswagen has officially unveiled its second-generation T-Roc crossover, launching it with an entirely electrified range of engines. As well as the new engines, the new crossover comes with a refreshed look and some new tech.
In terms of that design, it’s very much a ‘don’t rock the boat’ kinda scenario. Stefan Wallburg, lead designer for T-Roc, says so himself: ‘We said that maybe we had the chance to do something really crazy. But because of the success of this car, we decided to focus on improving the design as much as we can – push it forward, but make it recognisable as a T-Roc.’ Makes sense, given the T-Roc is a bestseller in many of its European markets.
The car looks visually sleeker and a smidge lower to the ground (it’s actually 9mm taller, 9mm wider and longer by 122mm), with a more modernised face in keeping with cars like the latest Tiguan, Tayron and Passat. Like the Golf 8.5 and Touareg, the T-Roc can be had with glowing logos front and rear, too.
Inside, it’s definitely a gentle evolution, too. Lots of common parts from other Volkswagen models are included here, like the massive screen running the brand’s MIB4 infotainment system and clean digital instruments from the Golf. There’s also the click-wheel volume button on the centre console from the Tiguan, too. The inner doorhandles have also been integrated into the armrests – a nod to the upcoming ID.2.
As for space, Volkswagen says that extra length has mainly been put to good use expanding interior space, improving rear legroom and adding 20 litres to the rated boot volume – now at 465 litres.
VW’s designers have added a few easter eggs to the design, with etchings of T-Rocs in the window seals and details inside like the tray for the wireless phone charger featuring elements that make look like a top-down view of a swimming pool with people in it. Under the centre console armrest are more easter eggs – mainly ones designed to highlight what you can store inside.
But this is all by-the-by. The most significant part of the new T-Roc is its fresh range of engines. Every model is electrified in some way, with the T-Roc’s launch engines consisting of two of the brand’s eTSI mild-hybrid petrol engine with 113bhp. There is also a more powerful 148bhp mild hybrid petrol engine. An all-wheel drive 4Motion model will launch in 2026.
On top of that, an all-new ground-up developed full hybrid powertrain is on the way – a production first for Volkswagen, which is a brand that’s always provided either mild or plug-in hybrid cars rather than ‘full’ hybrids. ‘It will be the first time in our history we are bringing full hybrid in two different power outputs,’ says Dr Petr Večeř, powertrain expert at Volkswagen, confirming a 134bhp and a 168bhp option. Both have 266lb ft.
‘We can save around 15 per cent [in fuel] compared to the mild hybrid, and this will be the first T-Roc that allows electric-only driving,’ adds Večeř. Of course, in reality, this isn’t anything massively groundbreaking; hybrids have been in production for almost 30 years, but Volkswagen investing and developing this tech from the ground up and on its own is telling about the kinds of buyers it’s going after with many of its mainstream models.
‘Some of our customers want the advantages of electric driving, but we have many customers who have no possibility to plug in their car,’ says Večeř, ‘and this is exactly the segment we didn’t cover before that we are covering now.’ Večeř adds that the T-Roc is the right place to start in terms of launching this new powertrain option, implying it will spread to other models in future.
And, while there are no plans to offer a Tiguan R for this generation, VW brand boss Thomas Schäfer has confirmed the return of the T-Roc R. That model will launch in 2027, says Večeř, and that it will use an electrified engine.
Trim variants in Europe will start with Life, lead on to Style and then top out at sporty R-Line (pictured). Volkswagen says ‘pre-sales’ open in August with a full European market launch in November 2025.
Jake has been an automotive journalist since 2015, joining CAR as Staff Writer in 2017. With a decade of car news and reviews writing under his belt, he became CAR's Deputy News Editor in 2020 and then News Editor in 2025. Jake's day-to-day role includes co-ordinating CAR's news content across its print, digital and social media channels. When he's not out interviewing an executive, driving a new car for review or on a photoshoot for a CAR feature, he's usually found geeking out on the latest video game, buying yet another pair of wildly-coloured trainers or figuring out where he can put another car-shaped Lego set in his already-full house.
By Jake Groves
CAR's news editor; gamer, trainer freak and serial Lego-ist
