Have you tested the GTE, Rene? That was also on my shortlist and test drove one. Its PHEVery battery was absolutely uncharged and it did not feel like a 250-ish bhp car. Again, though, am sure that with not-flat battery and adjustments it’ll go nicely. I would have needed the “Dynamic Suspension” extra as I specced on the T-Roc. Nice car. Strap it to your back, point and go! Only waiting times pushed me towards the T-Roc.
Yeah we did, twice in fact. Because the first test drive we did, as for you, the battery was entirely flat. Obviously wasn’t rapid, and more importantly we couldn’t really figure out the economy of the car. On the upside, we drove it through the Brecon Beacons, so at least some nice landscape to look at.
Our second test drive was an extended one, we had the car for a few hours and drove it from Port Talbot down to our place, around 30 miles each way, plus a little bit in between. Mix of A and B road, motorway and a little bit of city driving – 120mpg. And of course, it had a charged battery (since i specifically requested it). When there’s charge, it pulls like a freight train, with a weird sensation too (because you can hear the engine kickdown, but the car already pulls with the electric motor).
It pulls proper. Of course, when the battery is flat, it’s just a heavier Golf with a 1.4 and 6speed DSG – but we don’t mind, we drove around 100 miles that day and still had plenty of charge left. Just gotta be smart about it (reserving battery etc).
Plenty fun. And yeah, we got DCC, head up display, reverse camera, winter pack and bigger wheels spec’d. Still considering the pano roof (we can still spec it until we get a confirmed build date), but we’re not sure on that one.
Prior: SEAT Ateca Xcellence Lux 1.5 TSI DSG MY19, VW Golf GTE PHEV DSG MY23
Current: Hyundai Ioniq 6 Ultimate
Next: we'll see what's available in 2028.