Volkswagen T-Cross

The Volkswagen T-Cross is a subcompact crossover SUV (B-segment) manufactured by the German automaker Volkswagen. It is based on the MQB A0 platform shared with the Polo Mk6, and was officially launched in April 2019. Positioned as the smallest SUV in Volkswagen's lineup, below the T-Roc and alongside the Taigo/Nivus, it is the smallest SUV model from Volkswagen.

Overview
The T-Cross started as a replacement for a cancelled project of a small SUV based on the Volkswagen Taigun concept which was showcased in São Paulo in 2012. It is an SUV based on the Volkswagen Up! with a length of under 3.9 m destined for Europe, Brazil and India, and was planned to be on sale in 2016 after the project was green-lit in 2012. In 2016, Volkswagen cancelled the plan of producing the Taigun after an internal study concluded that its dimension was too small. Volkswagen shifted its focus onto developing a Polo-based small SUV instead, which eventually spawned the T-Cross. The Taigun nameplate is being reused as a rebadged long-wheelbase T-Cross for the Indian market.



In 2016, the T-Cross was previewed as a concept car called the VW T-Cross Breeze at the Geneva Motor Show. This vehicle was, in contrast to the production version, a four-seater convertible with a fabric top. The T-Cross Breeze was 4.13 m long, 1.80 m wide and 1.56 m high. The concept vehicle was powered by a 1.0-litre TSI engine with 81 kW and 175 Nm of torque.

The production version of the T-Cross was officially launched on 25 October 2018 simultaneously in three cities located in three continents – Amsterdam, Shanghai and São Paulo – demonstrating T-Cross's nature as a global product. The model is produced in China and Brazil with a modified length of 4.2 m and a longer wheelbase of 2.65 m shared with the Škoda Kamiq and Volkswagen Virtus, with the goal of improving interior space. These models also have different front fascias and steering wheels from the variant sold in Europe.

Europe
Debuted in Amsterdam, the T-Cross is positioned below the T-Roc in Volkswagen Europe SUV line-up and acts as an entry-level model. The vehicle is built together with the Volkswagen Polo at Volkswagen Navarra S.A. in Pamplona, Spain.

Although the T-Cross is only slightly smaller than the Golf-based T-Roc, VW is marketing the T-Cross as the more practical and family-oriented car, as Volkswagen expects the T-Cross to appeal to young families and older demographics due to its tall roof and its high driving position.

Four engines have been announced for the launch model, and only one of them is a diesel, which is 1.6-litre TDI four-cylinder unit with 95 PS. There are two versions of the 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol three-cylinder, with either 95 PS or 115 PS, and a range-topping 1.5-litre TSI petrol with 150 PS. It is available with a 5- or 6-speed manual, and a 7-speed DSG transmission. All T-Cross variants are front-wheel drive as its Polo-sourced underpinnings do not support an all-wheel drive configuration. It was delivered to the customers in April 2019.

The T-Cross went on sale in Turkey in March 2022.

T-Cross First Edition
First-edition models are based on a T-Cross style 1.0-litre TSI with 115 PS. It is available in 150 and 50 units in manual and dual-clutch gearboxes respectively, which were available as part of a lottery.

Safety
The Euro NCAP has awarded the T-Cross a five-star rating. It scored 97% for adult occupant safety, 86% for child safety, 81% in the pedestrians and other vulnerable road users category and 80% for on-board safety tech. The T-Cross features several passive and active safety systems, including pedestrian and cyclist protection, automatic emergency braking, front assist and a speed limiter. High-end trim levels add several advanced features including adaptive cruise control, hill start assist and blind-spot monitoring.

Brazil
Unveiled on 25 October 2018 and sold from April 2019, the T-Cross built in São José dos Pinhais plant in Brazil is a long-wheelbase version one, sharing the 2.65 m wheelbase with the Virtus which stretches its length to 4.19 m while keeping it on the MQB A0 platform.

The Latin American T-Cross is available with several engine options, including 1.0-litre TSI making 128 hp used in the Brazil-made Polo and Virtus serving as an entry option, while the high-end trims is equipped with 1.4-litre TSI engine capable of 150 hp produced in São Carlos, São Paulo. The São José dos Pinhais plant will also manufacture the T-Cross with 1.6-litre MSI engine with 110 hp of power output dedicated for exports to other Latin American countries and LHD African countries. It is available with a 6-speed manual transmission for the lowest trim, while the other trims solely available with a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The Brazilian-made T-Cross used torsion beam for the rear suspension, sharing its suspension configuration with the Virtus with specific calibrations for an SUV model.

While the Brazilian-made T-Cross has a longer wheelbase compared to the European version, the engineering team focused on making a larger space and legroom for the second row passengers. As the result, the capacity of the boot was reduced. While the European T-Cross carries between 385 and 455 litres (rear seats unfolded, depends on the rear seat recline position), the Brazilian model is only capable of 373–420 litres. This is also the case for the Chinese T-Cross and Tacqua, being the long-wheelbase version of the T-Cross.

Mexico
The T-Cross was introduced in Mexico in September 2019 and was imported from Brazil. It uses a 1.6-litre engine coupled with the Tiptronic six speed automatic transmission. It is the second car in Volkswagen's Mexican lineup to use the MQB A0 platform. It also comes with a 6.5" Composition Media and Apple CarPlay infotainment system, six airbags, ABS brakes and electronic stability control, and automatic post collision braking is available in all versions. It obtained a five star rating by Latin NCAP. It arrived to the market in Mexico in 2019.

The Brazilian-made T-Cross was briefly sold alongside the Indian-made Taigun, which went on sale in February 2023. The Taigun replaced the T-Cross in the market.

China
In China, the car is offered by two manufacturers (SAIC-Volkswagen and FAW-Volkswagen) with two different names, which are the T-Cross and Tacqua respectively.

T-Cross
The Chinese market T-Cross was unveiled on 25 October 2018. It is manufactured and marketed by SAIC-VW and adopted the long-wheelbase body like the Brazilian T-Cross. It features a different front and rear bumpers to adapt with the Chinese market taste and trends. It is available in two engine options, which include 1.4-litre TSI which makes 148 hp and 1.5-litre MPI with 113 hp of power output. It went on sale in April 2019.

Tacqua
The twin model of the T-Cross for the Chinese market is named the Tacqua. Manufactured and marketed by FAW-VW, the Tacqua bears more resemblance with the Brazilian-made T-Cross in terms of exterior appearance, with the exception of the Tacqua R-Line model which is a new design. The Tacqua offers the same long-wheelbase body and engine options as the T-Cross built by SAIC-VW, which are 1.4-litre TSI and 1.5-litre MPI. It was unveiled in November 2019 and launched to the market in December 2019.

Tharu XR
In June 2024, SAIC-VW introduced a lengthened and redesigned version of the T-Cross called the Volkswagen Tharu XR. It borrows its nameplate from the larger Tharu. While retaining the same 2651 mm wheelbase, Volkswagen extended its front rear overhang by a total of 134 mm, bringing the vehicle length to 4355 mm.

Powertrain
† Marketed and labeled as such in China

India (Taigun)
In February 2020, Volkswagen revealed the Taigun for the Indian market which is based from the Chinese market T-Cross with several changes, such as the redesigned C-pillar. It is unrelated to the concept model from 2012 with the same name. Volkswagen stated the Taigun is built on a modified MQB A0 platform dedicated for Indian market called the MQB A0 IN. It went on sale in India in September 2021.

Safety
Volkswagen Taigun rated Adult And Child safety 5 star in Global NCAP.

Philippines
The T-Cross was launched in the Philippine market on May 26, 2021. Imported from China, it is only available in a single trim variant called the S with a 1.5 liter petrol engine.

Indonesia
The T-Cross has been sold in Indonesia since 23 February 2022. Based on the Indian market Taigun, it is offered in a single variant with a 1.0-litre TSI engine.