Volkswagen has revealed the reworked T-Cross, with a refreshed exterior, new technology and interior and an enhanced range of equipment.
Pre-sales are scheduled to start near the end of 2023, with an official market launch in 2024.
New styling and colours
The T-Cross' updated look consists of a new front bumper and fog lights, as well as a new set of LED matrix headlights with VW's 'IQ.Light' technology, seen for the first time on the T-Cross.
The rear of the car has also been restyled, with a new cross-hatched bumper design, new light signature and tweaked reflectors.
Three new colours have also been added to the range: Grape Yellow, Clear Blue Metallic and Kings Red Metallic.
Interior changes
Inside, the T-Cross features a completely redesigned dash panel, with soft-upholstered and higher-quality surface materials - the front door trims of the Style and R-Line versions feature similarly high-grade material.
A free-standing infotainment display forms the centrepiece of the car's console. Two touchscreen options are available depending on trim level - an eight-inch screen for standard models or a 9.2-inch display on top-spec versions. Irish specifications have yet to be confirmed.
Digital instruments are now standard on all versions of the five-door, five-seat T-Cross, with a manual air conditioning system also fitted across the board - though automatic climate control with back-lit touch sliders can be selected as an option.
Interior space
With a full load of passengers, the T-Cross offers anywhere from 385- to 455 litres of luggage space (the rear bench seat can slide by up to 140mm) when loaded up to the height of the rear bench. However, if the rear seats are folded down, the flat area created has a volume of up to 1,281 litres when filled up to the front headrests.
As part of the 'Life' spec pack (not yet confirmed for Ireland), the passenger seat can also be folded down, creating a load area that measures 2,398mm long.
The latest T-Cross comes with an increased drawbar load - from 55kg on the previous model to 75kg on the latest edition. This in turn, increases the maximum load that can be placed on the optional towbar.
The increased load threshold is good news for cyclists, too - as the maximum bicycle weight for a rear-mounted carrier is increased - meaning that e-bikes can now tag along.
Driver assistance
The T-Cross' options list includes Travel Assist - one of the only cars in its class to come with such a feature, which is said to offer "greater longitudinal and lateral vehicle control."
As part of the feature, the T-Cross can control its own speed, accelerating and braking automatically depending on the traffic ahead and the speed limit.
Travel Assist can also intervene when negotiating bends, turns and roundabouts, as long as they fall within the system's limits.
Specs and options
The base T-Cross has received several new technologies as standard, such as LED headlights replacing the older halogen units, a multifunction camera, Dynamic Road Sign Display, a Digital Cockpit and the new free-standing infotainment display.
Further up the spec sheet, the 'Life' version offers new 16-inch alloy wheels and a leather-clad multifunction steering wheel. Top-spec models include the comfort-oriented 'Style' version and the performance-centred 'R-Line' spec.
New T-Cross models are powered by Volkswagen's well-established TSI petrol engines.
Launch and sales
The Irish market launch is expected to commence in early 2024, with Volkswagen promising "a very attractive base price." Currently, the T-Cross range in Ireland starts at €29,500.