Volkswagen’s T-Roc Convertible is a fun and charming little runaround
THE Volkswagen T-Roc Convertible is a car that proves you shouldn’t be fooled by appearances. For two reasons.
On the one hand, don’t think that just because it’s a crossover that has had its head chopped off it’s rubbish.
I agree that on paper a convertible small SUV sounds like a total mess.
It didn’t work for the Range Rover Evoque, but somehow VW has pulled it off.
It’s a fun and charming little runaround with the added bonus that you can get a tan on the way to Tesco.
On the other hand, just because it looks like a crossover, don’t be fooled into thinking it’s a suitable family car.
As fun as it is, the two-door T-Roc Convertible is about as useful for parents as a training bra is for Katie Price.
My friend has two young kids – she ended up having to drop the roof every time she wanted to get the car seats in.
No good if it’s raining, although her two-year-old loved watching the roof go up and down so much she was worried she would burn the mechanism out.
All of this makes the T-Roc Cabriolet a bit of a weird prospect.
Volkswagen has taken two of our favourite types of car – crossovers and convertibles – and shamelessly blended them even though they shouldn’t mix.
Although I suppose no one thought peanut butter and chocolate would taste nice.
In reality, this car works because it’s not really a crossover at all.
It shares its name with and resembles the T-Roc in some ways, but it’s got a longer wheelbase, a sharper-raked windscreen, two doors and two rear seats.
Once you know this, you realise that it’s no different to most convertibles: Sporty-looking, topless and totally impractical for a family.
So for those who write it off just because they find the idea of a convertible SUV stupid, just remember it isn’t an SUV at all.
It’s actually a rival to cars like the Mini Convertible and BMW 2 Series Convertible.
You just won’t have to bend down so low to get in and out of it.
Key facts: Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet R-Line
Price: £37,255
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo petrol
Power: 150hp
0-62mph: 9.5 secs
Top speed: 127mph
Economy: 44mpg
CO2: 144g/km
Out: Now
Ten things YOU should know as a car owner
For all the latest Automobiles News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.