Volkswagen T-ROC vs Holden Acadia
What's the difference?

Volkswagen T-ROC

$21,330 - $62,890

2024 price

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Holden Acadia

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2020 price

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Chery Tiggo 8 PRO MAX

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Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

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Summary

2024 Volkswagen T-ROC

2020 Holden Acadia

By Chris Thompson

By Laura Berry

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.4L

V6, 3.6L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

6.3L/100km (combined)

8.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Easy and fun to drive
Sturdy, quality feel
Value without options

Truck-like looks
Advanced safety tech
Good value

Dislikes

Options become pricey
Minor ergonomic quirks
Might feel outdated to some

2000kg braked towing capacity
Engine needs to rev hard to make grunt
Wireless charging not standard on LT

2024 Volkswagen T-ROC Summary

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.

But is this a Euro that could replace your trusted Japanese small SUV?

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2020 Holden Acadia Summary

If the Acadia had an accent it would be a southern drawl because this big seven-seat SUV is built in Tennessee, USA, and wears a GMC badge when it’s at home.

In Australia of course it wears a Holden one and comes straight from the factory in right-hand drive. So how does it suit Aussie conditions? Does it even know the importance of a sausage on a piece of bread bought outside a hardware store on a Saturday?

All this and more was learnt when the entry grade LT front-wheel drive came to live with my family.

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Deep dive comparison

2024 Volkswagen T-ROC 2020 Holden Acadia

Verdict

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.

Verdict

The Holden Acadia is a proper seven-seater SUV in that it will fit adults in the third row without turning your friends into enemies. It’s also practical and well fitted out with storage places and utilities such as USB ports.

I was particularly impressed with the advanced safety equipment on-board even at this entry LT level. Yes, it’s a V6 petrol and it’s not the most fuel-efficient SUV, but our time with it showed that with cylinder deactivation and the stop-start system it might not be as thirsty as you’d think.

Volkswagen T-ROC vs Holden Acadia What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Volkswagen T-ROC vs Holden Acadia
What's the difference?