Articles by Matt Campbell

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The VW T-Cross is here to compete in one of the hottest parts of the market - the small SUV segment. Does the smallest VW SUV have what it takes to fight against some big name rivals? It has the smarts, safety and stuff to stick it to the best in the class, writes Matt Campbell.

If you're in the market for a Range Rover, you're clearly doing well for yourself. If you're in the market for this particular model - the Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic - you're doing a lot of things right in life. It's a supercharged V8 monster truck that's big on luxury, comfort and performance. And price. Oh yes. It's expensive.

Topping the initial range of VW T-Cross models is the 85TSI Style, which is priced from $30,990 plus on-road costs.It is powered by the same engine as the model that sits below it, the 85TSI Life - which is to say that under the bonnet hides a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, producing 85kW of power and 200Nm of torque. It is exclusively available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and is only available in two-wheel drive (FWD). Fuel consumption is claimed at 5.4L/100km.It competes in a busy part of the small SUV market, against the likes of the Kia Seltos, Mitsubishi ASX and Toyota C-HR. But it’s a pretty good value offering, the T-Cross 85TSI Style comes handsomely equipped with gear for the money.Over and above the 85TSI Life, the 110TSI Style gains 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, front sports seats and chrome exterior highlights.That’s in addition to the standard LED daytime running lights, front fog lights, automatic headlights, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, auto wipers, air-conditioning, wireless smartphone charger, four USB ports, leather multi-function steering wheel, and 8.0-inch multimedia system with app-connect (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto) functionality.Plus on the safety front, the 85TSI Style has a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, front and rear low-speed AEB, driver fatigue detection, low-pressure tyre indicator, dual ISOFIX child seat anchor points and six airbags (dual front, front side, full-length curtain). And over the 85TSI Life, it includes standard adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with auto brake, and automatic high beams.Buyers of the 85TSI Style model can also choose to option the R-Line pack for $2500, which adds 18-inch wheels, R-Line badges and body additions, R-Line scuff plates and steering wheel, and unique upholstery.There’s also the Sound and Vision pack ($1900) which adds VW’s excellent digital cockpit driver info display, as well as inbuilt sat nav and a Beats 300-watt sound system. A four-cylinder petrol version of the T-Cross, the 110TSI Style, will arrive later in 2020, with a big performance upgrade over its three-cylinder compatriot.

The entry-level version of the VW T-Cross range is the 85TSI Life variant, priced from $27,990 plus on-road costs.It has the same engine as the model that sits above it, the 85TSI Style - which is to say it is powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, producing 85kW of power and 200Nm of torque. It is exclusively available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and is only available in two-wheel drive (FWD). Fuel consumption is claimed at 5.4L/100km.As a competitor to some big names in the small SUV space like the Kia Seltos, Mitsubishi ASX and Toyota C-HR, the T-Cross 85TSI Life comes handsomely equipped with gear for the money.Standard equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels with a space-saver spare, black roof rails, halogen headlights, LED daytime running lights, front fog lights, automatic headlights, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, auto wipers, air-conditioning, wireless smartphone charger, four USB ports, leather multi-function steering wheel, and 8.0-inch multimedia system with app-connect (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto) functionality.Safety-wise, the base T-Cross is fitted with a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, front and rear low-speed AEB, driver fatigue detection, low-pressure tyre indicator, dual ISOFIX child seat anchor points and six airbags (dual front, front side, full-length curtain).The T-Cross Life model can be equipped with additional safety spec, with the $1200 Driver Assistance pack bundling adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with auto brake, and automatic high beams.Also available is the Sound and Vision pack ($1900) which adds VW’s excellent digital cockpit driver info display, as well as inbuilt sat nav and a Beats 300-watt sound system. 

If you are in the market for the best small SUV under $30k in Australia, you have a lot of options to choose from. There are literally dozens of vehicles that slot in the SUV under $30,000 category, with most of them being small SUVs, though there are some mid-sizers that also fit the budget in entry-level guises.

The Toyota Supra is perhaps one of the most important joint-venture offerings since the 86 and BRZ. This model is based on the BMW Z4, but it takes a different tack to that car, as it's a hard-top coupe not a convertible. But it shares plenty of other stuff, like the engine, transmission, body, chassis, interior and more. So is the Supra a standout? Or a bit of a cookie-cutter product?