Two of these Volkswagen T-Cross small SUVs were recently spotted at a local dealership lot.
While Volkswagen Malaysia had previously confirmed that there will be no new Polo arriving here to replace its rather long-lived predecessor, this somewhat sad news was back then supplemented by rumours regarding a new entry-level VW model arriving to serve as its replacement. And given that two units of T-Cross were recently spotted at a local dealership lot, could this small SUV soon see the German automaker’s return to having a (more) affordable offering in its lineup once more?
For those who are perhaps unfamiliar with this small Volkswagen SUV first though, let’s first note here that the T-Cross is really in essence the jacked-up counterpart to the current 6th-generation of Polo offered elsewhere in the world. This therefore puts in the same B-segment crossover size segment as the Peugeot 2008, or in more relatable terms between the dimensions of Honda’s WR-V and HR-V.
Having first made its initial debut back in late 2018 and recently facelifted in early 2024, this smallest and cheapest SUV in the Volkswagen lineup is currently offered in various markets worldwide, including Singapore and Indonesia. Though it is worth noting here though that the T-Cross offered in our neighbours across the Straits of Malacca is to instead be the Indian-market variation of this sub-compact crossover dubbed the Taigun, with the major differences being for this version to net a longer wheelbase and a slightly more butch exterior aesthetic than its international-market counterpart.
Incidentally, both the yellow and orange T-Crosses spotted in the local dealership lot here are to be the international-market versions of this subcompact crossover. These two small SUVs are also to be the pre-facelift models too, as the 2024 update brought with it a much sleeker front grille and new front bumper lost the dog-bone lower grille seen on the orange example here.
Powering the T-Cross in Singapore at least is to be Volkswagen’s 1.0-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder, sends a decently powerful 115 PS and 200 Nm of torque to its front wheels through a 7-speed DSG transmission. This sub-compact crossover is nevertheless also to be available in other markets with a slightly more potent 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-pot and 7-speed DSG pairing, which in turn develops 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque.
Among the more notable bits of kit that can be had on this T-Cross meanwhile is for it to be available with Volkswagen’s IQ Light system featuring adaptive matrix functionality, a sliding rear bench with 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats, as well as a 6-speaker 300-watt BeatsAudio sound system. A 10.25-inch fully digital driver’s display is also available to be specced with this subcompact SUV, along with a central infotainment touchscreen that is up to 8-inches across.
Now in getting back to the initial question on whether this T-Cross is actually set to arrive in Malaysia, the short answer to that is probably no… Such is as even if it were to arrive in locally-assembled form, this subcompact crossover will likely still be too small and too expensive to competently compete with the plethora of new larger and more perceptively premium Chinese offerings that have recently landed over here.
This much is evidenced from both Hyundai and Peugeot, who are still somehow soldiering on with their attempts to shift the Creta and 2008 respectively, with unfortunately, but not entirely unexpectedly little success.
Given that Volkswagen has since pulled the plug on the standard Golf while introducing the Touareg over here, it does seem that the German automaker is at least presently looking to push itself upmarket again with its lineup in Malaysia. So the concept of launching a cheap mass-market small SUV does seem a bit out of place in that regard, especially when considering too that the number of dealerships it has open around the country is slowly dwindling.
Though on that note of going upmarket, one model that Volkswagen should at least consider launching locally is its ID. Buzz. This modern day all-electric successor to its iconic micro van had just recently made its Southeast Asian debut in both Singapore and Indonesia, with the current tax-free EV incentives offered over here to likely see this have a better chance of making its way out of the showrooms than the T-Cross.
