Performance SUVs in the small segment are becoming increasingly rare, but Volkswagen is keeping the flame alive with the 2025 T-Roc R Wolfsburg Edition.
Limited to just 200 units in Australia, this exclusive variant turns up the volume on the already potent T-Roc R, adding more visual presence, a serious exhaust upgrade, and all of the driver-focused hardware you’d expect from VW’s R division.
2025 Volkswagen T-Roc R Wolfsburg Edition: Specifications
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder
Output: 221kW@5300-6600rpm / 400Nm@2000-5300rpm
Gearbox: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 19×8.0, 235/40
ANCAP: Not tested
Tare weight: 1593kg
Power-to-weight: 7.20:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 8.3L/100km
Our consumption: 10.1L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 55L/95 RONPower efficiency: 26.62kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 2.27 seconds*
0-100km/h: 4.81 seconds*
60-110km/h: 3.35 seconds*
1/4 mile: 13.12 seconds at 172.4km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.955g*
100-0km/h braking: 36.91m in 2.87 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.398g*
Decibel at idle (/Race mode): 58/62*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 89*
Starting price: $69,290
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2025 Volkswagen T-Roc R Wolfsburg Edition: How much does it cost?
Right now the only competition comes in the form of premium small SUV offerings; Audi RS Q3, BMW X1 M35, Lexus LBX Morizo, and Mercedes-AMG GLA 45. However, up until recently the T-Roc officially sat in the non-premium class, so it’s rival would have been the Hyundai Kona N – no longer on sale.
Prices for this Wolfsburg Edition start from $69,290, which is pretty attractive against those premium rivals. But if you continue to class this as a non-premium offering, like it used to be, then the price is getting up there. It’s around $4300 more than the regular T-Roc R.
2025 Volkswagen T-Roc R Wolfsburg Edition: Interior & packaging
Firstly, specific to the Wolfsburg Edition is a set of 19-inch ‘Pretoria’ alloy wheels in grey, lots of gloss black exterior highlights including lower grille surround, door handles, window trims and roof rails. Meanwhile, the interior adds more gloss black trimmings.
Inside, the Wolfsburg Edition keeps the familiar T-Roc cabin layout. It’s practical, intuitive, and very straightforward. Plenty of storage measures are found around the place, with twin cup holders in the front, along with a recessed wireless phone charger that stops your phone sliding about.
You get the separation of climate controls on the fascia, which is refreshing in today’s touch-screen-everything world, and a clean tile-style infotainment layout for the 9.2-inch media screen. The Digital Cockpit Pro remains crisp and customisable.
There’s ample room for front passengers, and the sport seats with Nappa leather and blue contrast stitching strike a nice balance between comfort and sporty bolstering. Even the rear seats have bolstered sections for the outer passengers, and they hold you in nicely.
Legroom in the back is decent for this class, partly thanks to an upright cabin orientation. And although the tailgate does slope down more gradually than a typical SUV, it doesn’t impact headroom. Climate vents, cup holders on a flip-down centre armrest, and twin USB-C ports are presented in the back as well for added convenience.
Aside from the user-friendly practicality, the interior plastics let it down a bit at this price point. The harder trim on the doors is more obvious in the rear, where the treatment feels slightly downgraded compared with the front. We’d expect a more refined trim, like suede or Alcantara, for this price and calibre.
Luggage space is usable for a small SUV, with a practical square shape presenting 392L and expanding to 1237L with the rear seats folded. Though this isn’t the most spacious in its class, it is up there. There is no 12V socket back here but you get some tie-hooks. A space-saver spare wheel lives under the floor.
2025 Volkswagen T-Roc R Wolfsburg Edition: Powertrain & handling
At its heart is VW’s famed EA888 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder, tuned here for 221kW and 400Nm, sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox. It’s properly quick, especially when you use launch control. VW claims 0–100km/h in 4.9 seconds. Our tests revealed a real-world time of 4.81 seconds, with the quarter mile coming up in just 13.12 seconds.
The Wolfsburg Edition’s Akrapovic titanium exhaust transforms the driving experience, delivering an angry, rally-car-like note without resorting to synthetic in-cabin sound. However, it doesn’t add performance. Well, not officially anyway. It would help the engine breathe and should translate to a minor increase in power in our opinion.
As standard, the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive suspension allows you to tailor the ride setting for daily comfort or sharper cornering, so, around town, it’s actually quite comfortable. At least for a high-performance SUV. As long as you’re somewhat familiar with sporty vehicles you could happily use this as a daily driver.
Big multi-piston brake calipers and floating discs provide strong, consistent stopping power. We tested 100-0km/h in just 36.91m, which is very good by small SUV standards. This is awesome because, on a nice windy road or a track, you can enjoy that catapulting powertrain performance knowing it’ll pull up just as impressively.
The steering is typical VW; stiff and precise, offering solid control but lacking some of the playfulness found in rival setups. AWD traction gives you confidence in all conditions, and while the DSG isn’t as smooth as a torque converter, its rapid-fire shifts suit the T-Roc R’s character perfectly. This is an incredibly quick machine from point-to-point, especially in environments that incorporate damp country roads with lots of curves.
In terms of fuel economy, the official rating is 8.3L/100km. You might be able to get close to that in the real world. Our best was around 10.1L/100km, however, we spent more time having fun than trying to drive economically. So, there is definitely more potential.
2025 Volkswagen T-Roc R Wolfsburg Edition: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Exclusivity: Limited to 200 units, the Wolfsburg Edition is sure to be a future classic to some degree.
- Engine and exhaust sound: Not fake sounds here. The special edition features a proper Akrapovic titanium exhaust system.
- Strong performance: For something with 221kW, this offers outstanding acceleration. We clocked 0-100km/h in just 4.81 seconds.
- Adaptive suspension: Makes it comfortable in the city and travelling to work, but well-braced and committed during weekend fun in the mountains or on a track.
- Retains practical SUV layout: The T-Roc is one of the best-selling small SUVs on sale, and the R doesn’t lose hardly any of the attractive traits.
2025 Volkswagen T-Roc R Wolfsburg Edition: Key considerations before you buy
- Interior plastics: Some areas feel cheap for the price, particularly the door trims.
- Dual-clutch transmission compromises: The DSG unit can be jerky at low speeds and taking off. But it does offer unbeatably quick shifts when you’re up it.
- Aged platform: Based on VW Group’s now superseded MQB A1 platform, there are some areas where its age is evident.
2025 Volkswagen T-Roc R Wolfsburg Edition: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
- Price
- Quality look & feel
- Interior tech
- Powertrain performance
- Ride & handling
- X-factor (does it stand out in its class?)
Final word
It’s fast, confident, and rare, with just enough practicality to make it usable every day. The interior materials could be better at this price point, but if you value petrol performance and exclusivity in a small SUV package, this is one of the last chances to get it.
