Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Volkswagen T-Cross review - Practicality & boot space

The T-Cross is more spacious and flexible than the VW Polo

Carbuyer Rating

4.1 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Practicality & boot space Rating

4.0 out of 5

You might look at the T-Cross and think that it’ll barely be big enough to accommodate the weekly shop, but its small-looking proportions disguise practical interior space. The boot, while not the biggest in class, is a pleasant surprise, as is the thoughtful touch of rear seats that slide forwards and backwards.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The extra headroom afforded by the taller body will be a big draw to many customers, as it makes the T-Cross that bit more practical than the Polo. There’s actually slightly below average headroom for the small SUV class, though, while the T-Cross wins back points for having above average rear leg room..

Volkswagen T-Cross interior space & storage

The T-Cross is quite a practical car generally, not just in the context of its compact size. It’s slightly longer than the Polo and 107mm taller, which makes it feel considerably more spacious inside than VW’s supermini hatch. Large windows allow the cabin to feel light and airy.

Cleverly, the rear seats can slide backwards or forwards, depending on how you want to divvy up cargo and passenger space, giving it more practicality than its short overall length might suggest. This trick is usually offered on much more expensive cars, or people carriers that prioritise substance over style. As a result, the T-Cross is very versatile, despite the distance between its wheels (the wheelbase) being identical to the Polo.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

You’ll want to keep the rear seats pushed as far back as they’ll go if you regularly carry passengers, as legroom vanishes with the seats fully forward.

Boot space

Creating an SUV based on a Volkswagen Polo may divide opinion, but it certainly benefits boot space. The T-Cross offers between 385 and 455 litres with the rear seats up, depending on where you have them, but even the smaller number is five litres bigger than the boot in the Volkswagen Golf. With the rear seats pushed forwards as far as they’ll go, the boot is no longer flat, though – there’s a large channel where the seats were, which your possessions can slide and roll into into if they aren’t secured.

Flip those seats down and you’ll have 1,281 litres to fill - plus, you can fold the front passenger seat flat to accommodate longer items. In this configuration, the T-Cross offers almost as much space as a small van, which means it’s perfect if you occasionally need lots of luggage space but only have a small parking bay.

In terms of boot space, the T-Cross leaves many of its rivals behind. The Hyundai Kona offers up to 361 litres seats up and 1,143 litres seats down, the SEAT Arona offers 400 litres in five-seat mode, while the larger Renault Captur matches it almost exactly. In fact, with the seats pushed forward, the T-Cross offers slightly more space than the larger T-Roc.

Towing

It’s unlikely that many T-Cross owners will use their car for towing, and Volkswagen says that the 1.0-litre petrol models will safely tow a braked trailer weighing up to 1,100kg. The more powerful 1.5-litre petrol engine is the most capable model of the range, with the ability to tow a braked trailer up to 1,200kg in weight.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Charlie writes and edits news, review and advice articles for Carbuyer, as well as publishing content to its social media platforms. He has also been a regular contributor to its sister titles Auto Express, DrivingElectric and evo. As well as being consumed by everything automotive, Charlie is a speaker of five languages and once lived in Chile, Siberia and the Czech Republic, returning to the UK to write about his life-long passion: cars.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Top 10 best used small SUVs to buy
Best used small SUVs
Best cars
12 Jul 2024

Top 10 best used small SUVs to buy

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
11 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV
Renault 5 front quarter
In-depth reviews
7 Oct 2024

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV

All-new Dacia Bigster: flagship SUV arrives with 4x4, hybrid power and off-road kit
Dacia Bigster front quarter
News
9 Oct 2024

All-new Dacia Bigster: flagship SUV arrives with 4x4, hybrid power and off-road kit

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024