Volkswagen T-Roc VS Citroen C5 Aircross
Volkswagen T-Roc
Likes
- Easy and fun to drive
- Sturdy, quality feel
- Value without options
Dislikes
- Options become pricey
- Minor ergonomic quirks
- Might feel outdated to some
Citroen C5 Aircross
Likes
- Cute and stylish design
- Spacious boot for this class
- Easy to park
Dislikes
- Driving is a bit hit or miss
- Technology will fluster an average user
- Expensive compared to rivals
Summary
Volkswagen T-Roc
For a small SUV that technically starts under the $40,000 mark, the 2024 Volkswagen T-Roc has a fair bit going for it.
It’s still in its first generation, but updates have made some parts of the T-Roc feel properly up to speed. And the parts that haven’t? Well, maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
We’re driving the mid-spec Style 110TSI, which sits above the base CityLife, but below the R-Line. Then of course, there’s the wicked R variant.
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But is this a Euro that could replace your trusted Japanese small SUV?
Safety rating | |
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Engine Type | 1.4L turbo |
Fuel Type | — |
Fuel Efficiency | 6.3L/100km |
Seating | 5 seats |
Citroen C5 Aircross
Let’s be honest, medium SUVs are the bread and butter of the Aussie new car market and there are a lot of rivals to choose from.
Which is why the Citroen C5 Aircross Sport’s much-needed update is welcomed with open arms, especially since it’s the only model in the range.
It boasts more space than a lot of its rivals but it’s been let down in the past by a sparse safety sheet and older tech.
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The facelifted model sees tweaks to the design, safety and tech, making it more of a true competitor against the likes of the Kia Sportage, ever-popular Mazda CX-5 and practical Nissan X-Trail.
But are the changes enough for it to be considered as a family SUV? I’ve been testing it this week with my family of three to find out for you!
Safety rating | |
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Engine Type | 1.6L turbo |
Fuel Type | — |
Fuel Efficiency | 5.7L/100km |
Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
Volkswagen T-Roc7.8/10
So that’s the T-Roc, a bit of Euro style that’s still priced to take the fight to some small SUVs from Japan or Korea.
Is it the cheapest style-forward small SUV you can get? No, but it’s far from the expensive end of things.
Plus, if you can resist ticking some option boxes, it beats some value-focused rivals and looks good doing it.
If the feeling of a sturdy fit-out and a confidence inspiring drive is important to you, I reckon the T-Roc should be an entry on your shopping list.
Citroen C5 Aircross7/10
So, what did my family think about the Citroen C5 Aircross Sport?
I love how it looks and its updated safety list. It’s fairly spacious inside and has a great boot space but it’s lacking a lot of family-orientated practicality in the back seat. The lack of individual storage and amenities is noticeable when you have a kid or two but even as an adult, not having a cupholder for your coffee/drink on a trip feels odd.
The multimedia system and reversing camera need to be improved, too. Overall, it will suit a small family which is out of the baby stage but can’t yet justify upgrading to a larger SUV. It gets a 6.5/10 from my family.Â
Design
Volkswagen T-Roc
The T-Roc subtly stands out without being garish, avoiding becoming part of the highway or suburban camouflage without relying on extreme design decisions.
For example, the LED daytime running lights that wrap around the shapes below the LED 'I.Q' headlights where vents would otherwise be on the R performance variant are quite cute.
In fact, the whole front end of this small SUV has a friendly look, even if there’s nothing specific that’s particularly exciting about it.
This 'Petroleum Blue Metallic' colour is a $700 option, but anything other than white costs extra.
However, the black roof two-tone look is a standard for the Style, as are the black mirror caps and its 18-inch alloys.
There are roof rails up top, tinted privacy windows for rear passengers and for the rear window and a sloping roofline at the rear that adds a touch of ‘sport’ to the silhouette along with a small spoiler at the top.
Citroen C5 Aircross
The facelifted model sees a sportier front with the grille redesigned to highlight the double chevron badge.
The bonnet curves around the badge, as do the two long LED strip lights that connect the headlights. The bonnet also sports new divots that give it a gruffer edge.
The wide profile at the rear and new three-pronged tail-lights create some interest.
The black plastic moulding that runs along the base of the car could look unfashionable on a lighter colour but on our blue paintwork, it looks good. As does the contrasting black roof!
The interior trims are finished in a combination of synthetic and Nappa leather but boast a two-tone colour which might not land with everyone. Particularly given the navy portions seem to be glittery in certain lights.
Sitting at 1859mm wide, 1695mm high and just 4500mm long, the overall exterior design is sporty but cute. It should appeal to those who want a nice-but-not-loud-looking car and something that is easy to park.
Practicality
Volkswagen T-Roc
Inside the T-Roc is a bit of an interesting dichotomy.
Some of what’s in here is ‘old-gen’ Volkswagen stuff, but it still holds up today against even some recently introduced models.
The dichotomy is that while it’s very usable and slick, some of its materials and surfaces let it down a touch.
The good points are that the cabin tech is a perfect level of physical and digital. The buttons and controls are easy to use and feel solid and even though the climate controls could be more physical, they’re still good as far as touch panel style controls go.
The older VW gear is arguably better than a lot of what’s found in newer models where some use of touchscreens and haptic panels has drawn negative feedback from customers.
The multimedia software managed via the 8.0-inch touchscreen is more simple and sensible than the new version, plus the Digital Cockpit Pro display for the driver is clear and, importantly, customisable. It’s a similar cockpit system that used to seem quite impressive in high-end Audis.
But what doesn’t feel very high-end is some of the plastic and the decisions around function in the rest of the space.
The leather on the seats is not a cheap option box to tick at $3450, but it feels a little cheap to the touch. It’s a tad hard and even has a bit of a rough look to it.
That option also makes them heated and electrically adjustable, though, which is welcome in winter. Otherwise, cloth seats without the optional leather or heating would be absolutely fine, and that means you get a storage space under them, too.
This central space between the driver and front passenger, too, is a little awkward with the cupholder placement. It’s behind the shifter meaning a tall bottle will be in the way and it’s got slightly odd sizing for bottles or cups with nothing to stop them wobbling.
I am, however, a fan of the angled-away phone slot under the climate controls to minimise phone screen visibility (and distraction) and the traditional shifter itself is welcome.
Look up, and (in our test car) there’s an optional ($2000) panoramic sunroof there. It’s yours if you want it, and it does have an electric blind, but some Japanese and Korean cars at this price point get that as standard.
An average-sized adult will find the second row is spacious enough and relatively comfortable. There’s an armrest, dual-directional vents and two USB-C ports.
Behind that, boot space is generous at 445L with the seats up thanks to an adjustable floor, which is very useful for tall items and even manages to fit a space saver spare tyre under it.
It’s a total of 1290L with the split-fold seats down, too, though they’re not super flat with the adjustable floor down.
Citroen C5 Aircross
The interior is spacious for a medium SUV but the back seat knocks off some points for family practicality. So, let’s start in the back.
Despite there being plenty of headspace for my 168cm (5’6’’) height, the legroom is cosy behind my driving position.
Meaning a 0-4 rearward facing child seat will encroach on front passenger space. It’s probably best suited to a family which is out of the baby stages but it was cumbersome fitting my big harnessed-booster seat in there, too.
It has ISOFIX child seat mounts on the outboard rear seats and three top tethers but two seats will fit best. The floor is flat, which offers far more comfort for a middle seat passenger and I love how the seats can be individually shifted.
The amenities and storage in this row are sparse. You get directional air vents, reading lights, netted map pockets and shallow storage bins in the doors.
Siblings may squabble over the single USB-A port on a long road trip but more than that, there are no cupholders or drink bottle holders back there or even a centre armrest.
That said, the 182mm ground clearance made it an easy car for my six-year-old to get in and out of; plus, the stadium-like seating and wide windows meant he had an awesome view this week.
Now for the front. It has ample amenities, storage and tech. You get plenty of head- and legroom, plus with the panoramic sunroof the cabin manages to feel airy, too.
Individual storage is great with an extra deep middle console, glove box, two cupholders, bins in each door and two very handy utility trays situated near the toggle-type shifter.
Charging options are much better up front, too, and you can choose between a wireless charging pad, two USB-A ports and a 12-volt socket to charge your device.
It's super easy to connect to the wired Apple CarPlay and there’s wired Android Auto for those users.
The built-in satellite navigation is straightforward but that’s where the simplicity ends. I did not find the multimedia system or the digital instrument panel to be terribly intuitive to use and the touchscreen controls can be laggy.
I’m sure you could get used to it over time but I felt flustered.
For this size SUV, the boot space is great at 580L with all seats in use but you can bump it up to 1630L if you fold the back row.
The floor can be adjusted to make a level load space or dropped to give you greater depth for bulkier items and there is a temporary spare tyre underneath the floor.
There are luggage tie-down anchors, a cargo blind and I always like having a powered tailgate.Â
Price and features
Volkswagen T-Roc
The specific Style test vehicle being reviewed here is priced at $38,890, before on-road costs. But it's worth noting a new example of the Style will cost you $39,790 at the time of writing, as its price has since ours was 'delivered'.
While the Style features some older VW fitout, it comes with a decent list of features.
A set of 18-inch wheels, self-levelling headlights (with cornering function), some cute LED DRLs plus chrome highlights with black contrast trim are the best way to spot a Style from the outside.
Inside, there’s an 8.0-inch touchscreen for multimedia paired to the driver’s 'Digital Cockpit Pro' display.
The multimedia screen is last-gen VW gear, but that’s not a bad thing.
There’s also dual-zone climate control with an allergen filter, ambient lighting, a six-speaker sound system, wireless phone charger and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
There are a few options on our test car that nudge the price up quite quickly, like the metallic paint, leather upholstery, sunroof, plus the keyless entry or ‘Easy open and close package’.
All this brings the total price as-tested to $45,640, before on-roads.
The good news is you don’t need to tick all, or any, of those options for this to still be a compelling option.Â
Citroen C5 Aircross
There is only one model for the C5 Aircross Sport and it will set you back $54,990, before on-road costs.
That prices it as the most expensive compared to its rivals with the Mazda CX-5 GT SP ($51,810) coming in closest but the Nissan X-Trail ST-L ($46,790) and the Kia Sportage SX+ ($41,850) are even more affordable.
The only included paint colours are 'Polar White' and 'Nera Black'. Our model’s 'Eclipse Blue' will add on $690.
However, the C5’s price tag doesn’t feel too cheeky because of the feature-heavy specification, including heated front seats, electric driver’s seat with massage function, a panoramic sunroof and a mix of premium Nappa leather and synthetic leather interior trim.
You also get a powered tailgate, rear privacy glass tinting, full LED lights on the exterior, individually sliding seats on the back row and black 19-inch alloy wheels.
The technology has been upgraded with the dashboard being headlined by a 10-inch touchscreen multimedia system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel.
Built-in satellite navigation, as well as wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included as standard equipment.
On top of that, the safety list has been significantly improved, but more on that later.Â
Under the bonnet
Volkswagen T-Roc
The engine in the T-Roc - as with most Volkswagens - does what it says on the tin. Essentially, a 110TSI means there’s 110kW of turbocharged VW happening, in this case a 1.4-litre four-cylinder that also makes 250Nm of torque.
It’s paired to an eight-speed torque converter, which will be music to the ears of those who have been scorned by older VW dual-clutches.
It drives the front wheels only, and there’s no hybridisation or 48-volt system.
Citroen C5 Aircross
The C5 Aircross Sport has a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with a maximum power output of 133kW and 250Nm of torque. It’s not super grunty but there’s plenty here to keep you up to speed on the open road.
It is a front-wheel drive and has an eight-speed auto transmission but the gear changes can feel a bit jerky at lower speeds.
Efficiency
Volkswagen T-Roc
A lack of electrification in a relatively small engine and a traditional drivetrain shouldn't scare you too much, in this case.
Combined cycle fuel consumption is a claimed 6.3L/100km. On test in mostly urban areas or for spirited driving we saw the fuel use rise a little higher than that but not by as much as you might think.
After a mix of primarily urban, some highway and a stint of dynamic test driving, the trip computer admitted to a figure of 8.1L/100km.
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Citroen C5 Aircross
Ah, this is where it earns back some points!
I was very impressed by the efficiency of this because the official combined cycle fuel figure is 5.7L/100km and my real-world usage came to 6.2L! That’s fantastic for this sized SUV and for a turbo.
With a fuel tank of 53L and based on the combined fuel figure, you should be able to get a driving range of around 930km, which is good for those families who like to do road trips.
Driving
Volkswagen T-Roc
The T-Roc is essentially a previous-generation Golf-turned-small SUV in terms of its platform, and that’s a great thing for anyone who likes driving.
The Golf 7.5 was a benchmark for everyday driving as far as hatchbacks are concerned, and even though the current Mk8 might be a bit more up to date, the T-Roc’s use of the platform it rides on is practical and fun.
It’s not as nimble as a Golf, but the T-Roc in front-drive Style guise, with a responsive turbocharged engine and no all-wheel drive system weighing it down, is not only more dynamically capable than most rivals, it’s also easy to access that capability.
The 1.4-litre engine feels well-tuned for its two modes accessible through the shifter - calm but not lazy in ‘Drive’ and eager but not thrashy in ‘Sport’.
It works well with the transmission on the move, picking right gears fairly accurately, though there are paddles behind the wheel for those who prefer to take charge.
The drive modes are also more customisable than just those on the shifter, with 'Individual' selections for steering and drivetrain able to be used rather than the standard 'Eco', 'Normal' or 'Sport' full-system modes.
While the steering wheel itself is a little thick and the feedback, while adequate, isn’t the most telling, it’s accurate and inspires confidence in cornering.
The T-Roc handles turn-in and exits well, even soaking up bumps and not becoming unsettled when braking.
Its safety systems are relatively subtle, and the active cruise control is well sorted, though the automatic braking at car park speeds can be overzealous. Something I’ve experienced in VW Group models several times over the years.
The main culprit for the T-Roc was a shrub beside my driveway that, while not touching the car, would set off the automatic braking system. Still, better than letting the car roll back if there was a proper obstacle or someone who could be hurt in the way.
Aside from that, the Volkswagen T-Roc is fun and easy to drive, and the work that’s gone into that puts its price into perspective a little more.
There are more expensive cars available that are less impressive, some even disappointing.
Citroen C5 Aircross
Despite its city-friendly size, the C5 Aircross Sport is just as happy cruising on the open-road as it is in an urban environment.
The ride is smooth enough once you get up to a steady speed but the suspension can feel harsh on a bumpy road.
Also, the auto stop-start function can make it feel sluggish to respond, so I disabled this on most trips.
There is plenty of power so you'll feel confident overtaking or getting up to speed on the open road. However, you have to be a little more aggressive with the accelerator when you’re hitting hills.
The steering can, at times, feel vague when you’re at lower speeds but is otherwise responsive.
The cabin space is quiet and nice to be in on the highway and you’ll be able to chat with your passengers with ease.
What I like most about this though is the visibility – the windows are large and I feel like I have a clear view most of the time, which isn’t always the case in an SUV.
Parking this is a cinch with entry to tight car parks helped by a 10.7m turning circle!
However, the 180-degree view camera isn’t great and near hopeless at night time. A clearer image would be welcome but front and rear parking sensors ease the annoyance.
Safety
Volkswagen T-Roc
In 2017, ANCAP gave the T-Roc five stars for safety. For most people, that says enough, plus the list of features the SUV comes with is fairly comprehensive even in the Style.
While its rating is getting on in years, the only real downside to the T-Roc’s age when it comes to safety is it only having six airbags - front and side for the front passengers, plus curtain airbags for front and rear passengers.
But the list of tech isn’t lacking, with driver fatigue detection, pedestrian monitoring, parking bay and parallel parking assistance, pedestrian monitoring, side assist, rear cross-traffic alert and lane assist.
Citroen C5 Aircross
The updated safety list is most welcomed, especially on a family SUV.
The C5 Aircross Sport has the following as standard - daytime running lights, forward collision alert, lane keeping aid, lane departure alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, intelligent seat belt reminders, traffic sign recognition, 180-degree view reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control with stop and go function.
Special mention for the new fatigue detection alert. When it triggers it doesn’t stop sounding until both of the driver's hands are detected on the steering wheel.
The autonomous emergency braking with car, pedestrian and cyclist detection is operational from 10 – 80km/h (5.0 -140km/h for car detection), however the pedestrian and cyclist functions are only detectable in the day time. It’s usual to see it operational at night, as well.
Despite the new safety items, it still only has six airbags, which includes curtain airbags covering both rows but that’s pretty low for a family car nowadays. Â
It was awarded four from a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating back in 2019 but didn’t have all of the new items at the time of testing. Â
Ownership
Volkswagen T-Roc
Volkswagen’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty is pretty standard for a premium-leaning brand, with VW also offering roadside assistance for the warranty period.
In terms of servicing, VW offers care plans of three years or five years, covering servicing for $1515 or $2770 respectively. That's an average of $505 or $554 per workshop visit.
Otherwise, servicing costs at 12-month/15,000km intervals can cost from $470 for some to $1104 to the biggest service if you don’t go with the locked-in package.
Citroen C5 Aircross
The on-going costs are super-reasonable on the C5 Aircross Sport, with a five-year/unlimited km warranty included.
You can also choose to pre-purchase a three- or five-year capped-priced servicing plan, both significantly cheaper than the pay-as-you-go option.Â
On the three-year plan, services are $1100 or an annual average of $366.
It’s a flat $2000 for the five-year plan, (averaging just $400 per service), which is very competitive for the class.
Servicing intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.
The Aircross also comes with a five-year roadside assistance plan that is offered through Digicall Assist, for added peace-of-mind.