Missing blind-spot warning and rear-cross traffic alert
Expensive servicing
Tight on rear legroom
Pssst! Looking to buy a T-Roc R for six grand less? No, this isn't a fake. You're not going to have to go down a dark alley and talk to a guy in a trench coat, either. This is the real deal - the T-Roc R Grid Edition. Too good to be true? Well, there is a catch but I think it's well worth it... now follow me down this dark alley over here.
Yes, the T-Roc Grid Edition has arrived in very limited numbers with only 300 or so coming to Australia and this mini monster comes loaded with the same 221kW (300hp) turbo-petrol engine and all-wheel drive system as the T-Roc R, plus all the engineering which makes it superb on the road and the track.
But if you're willing to look past a couple of items which have been removed, then you have found yourself a cut-price superhero rival to Audi's SQ2.
Want to hear and see what it's like to drive, too? Then watch the video above as well.
Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 8/10
The T-Roc R Grid Edition lists for $54,300, which is $6000 less than the T-Roc R.
A lot of that saving is down to the Grid Edition not having Nappa leather seats or a power adjustable driver's seat. Instead there are manually-adjustable fabric sports seats.
Inside, the Nappa leather seats from the T- Roc R are swapped for fabric ones which I think suit this little monster better than the ones made of skin.
The Grid Edition also doesn't come with the 'Matrix LED' headlights of the T- Roc R. But it does have performance LED headlights, it also has 19-inch 'Pretoria' alloy wheels, plus an angry R body kit and quad exhaust.
Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
The T-Roc R Grid Edition is just 4.2m long, 1.5m tall and 1.8m wide, making it small but not the littlest Volkswagen SUV you can get in Australia - that's the T-Cross.
Still, it's little and wearing a tough body kit the T-Roc R Grid Edition looks a bit cartoon-like - in a good way.
Really, the only way you can tell a T-Roc R Grid Edition from the regular T Roc R is by its 19-inch Pretoria wheels and the black roof rails.
The T-Roc R Grid Edition is just 4.2m long, 1.5m tall and 1.8m wide, making it small but not the littlest Volkswagen SUV you can get in Australia.
The headlights and tail-lights are also slightly different, but this grid edition still looks savage.
Inside, the Nappa leather seats from the T- Roc R are swapped for fabric ones which I think suit this little monster better than the ones made of skin. Euggghh, that sounded gross, but it's true.
It's a premium cabin, as you'd expect from Volkswagen, with zero silliness in there, apart from the R button on the steering wheel.
The headlights and tail-lights are also slightly different, but this grid edition still looks savage.
Press it and you're in 'Race' mode which firms the dampers and gives this SUV a more menacing exhaust note.
At $54,300 the T-Roc R Grid Edition is a lot more affordable than its Audi cousin the SQ2 which has the same engine but lists for $68,200.
The Hyundai Kona N almost matches the T-Roc R Grid Edition for grunt, but undercuts it in price at $49,200.
It's little and wearing a tough body kit the T-Roc R Grid Edition looks a bit cartoon-like - in a good way.
Volkswagen is superb at coming up with cleverly designed cabins with a focus on good storage and space, and the T-Roc R Grid Edition has big door pockets, a deep centre console box, four cupholders (two in the front and two in the rear fold-down armrest) and directional air vents in the second row.
Volkswagen is superb at coming up with cleverly designed cabins with a focus on good storage and space.
The boot has a cargo capacity of 392 litres which is a smidge bigger than many of its rivals. Under the boot floor is a space saver spare - better than nothing.
Being based on the top-of-the-range T-Roc the Grid Edition is well equipped with conveniences such as proximity unlocking, wireless phone charging, directional air vents and four USB ports (two in the front and two in the back).
Space for those up front is excellent, although rear legroom is getting tight for me at 191cm tall if I sit behind my driving position.
The boot has a cargo capacity of 392 litres which is a smidge bigger than many of its rivals.
All of that is enough to accelerate the T-Roc R Grid Edition from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds. That's the same time as the Audi SQ2 and more than half a second faster than the Kona N.
At that rate, and with its 55-litre fuel tank, the range of the T-Roc R Grid Edition is about 660km.
What's it like to drive? 9/10
It's only March but I'm going to put it out there and say the T-Roc R Grid Edition is going to be up there in my Top 10 funnest cars I'll drive this year.
How could it not be? It's a little car that's only a bit bigger than a kitchen table with 300 horsepower, big disc brakes, lowered sports suspension (independent rear) with adaptive dampers, all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Add Volkswagen's quality and superb build and it drives exactly how you'd think - almost darn perfectly, in that you don't drive it but more wear it and it responds instantly, predictably, rewardingly.
The only way you can tell a T-Roc R Grid Edition from the regular T Roc R is by its 19-inch Pretoria wheels and the black roof rails.
At the same launch I drove the Tiguan R Grid Edition too, but I'd say the little T-Roc R Grid Edition is even more agile, more pointable, and more fun because of its smaller size and lighter weight.
Quick in a straight line, with great grip even in slippery corners, reassuring traction from all-wheel drive and steering that's so precise with good road feel, the T-Roc R Grid Edition is a gem to pilot.
Warranty & Safety Rating
Basic Warranty
5 years / unlimited km
warranty
ANCAP Safety Rating
What safety equipment is fitted? What safety rating? 7/10
The T-Roc R Grid Edition has the same maximum five-star ANCAP score as the T-Roc, but this is from 2017 and, well, the world of safety has moved on a lot since then.
That said, the T-Roc R Grid Edition comes with AEB, lane keeping assistance, manoeuvre braking (front and rear) and adaptive cruise control.
Missing is blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. This is because of the semiconductor shortage globally right now preventing the installation of that technology.
The thing is, the regular T-Roc R comes with those other safety features but not the Grid Edition.
For child seats you'll find two ISOFIX points and three top tether anchor points across the second row.
Curtain air bags protect those in the back and front, while the driver and their co-pilot have side and front airbags.
What does it cost to own? What warranty is offered? 7/10
The T-Roc R Grid Edition is covered by Volkswagen's five-year unlimited kilometre warranty.
A five-year servicing plan costs $2950 and you'll need to get it service every 12 months or 15,000km.
Verdict
It's not great that rear cross-traffic alert and blind spot warning haven't been included as part of the T-Roc R Grid Edition's safety package, but there are also things left out that I agree should be. Who needs the leather seats of a T-Roc R? Or power adjustable ones? Not if you can save thousands and keep all the grunt and dynamics.
Yes, the T-Roc R Grid Edition is great value and seriously good fun to drive with a superb high quality feel.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
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