It’s no surprise that car companies have struggled with supply issues these past few years. From ship shortages to semiconductor scarcity, Australians have had to acclimatise to long waits and creative excuses from their local dealerships.
In the case of electronics, some car manufacturers have had to cancel orders entirely, simply due to a few components not being able to complete the car. But, as necessity is the mother of invention, Volkswagen Australia has taken two of its most popular models, left out some luxury cream, and created two of the best value performance all-rounders on sale today; the limited-edition Volkswagen T-Roc R and Tiguan R performance SUVs.
Table of contents
Kit
So what do we get with these new Grid editions? Well, let’s start with the T-Roc R. It comes equipped with the same mechanical package as the regular T-Roc R, including the 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and all-wheel drive. However, there are a few changes in the standard specification to help bring the price down by $6,000.
As with most limited editions, the T-Roc R Grid has blacked out most of its external trimmings. The roof rails, grille, and body trim all lean into the Gotham aesthetic with some tasty graphite 19-inch ‘Pretoria’ wheels anchoring the silhouette. It also features ‘regular’ LED headlights instead of the adaptive matrix LED headlights found in the regular T-Roc R. The Grid also loses out on LED tail-lights with dynamic indicators, powered tailgate, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a proactive passenger protection system.
T-Roc R Grid Edition:
- 19-inch Pretoria alloy wheels
- Adaptive Chassis Control with Race mode
- Progressive steering
- R exterior and interior styling
- LED headlights
- Exterior ambient lighting
- Premium metallic paint
- 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Satellite navigation
- Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Wireless phone charging
- Dual-zone climate control
Moving on to the Tiguan R Grid, we see a similar pattern. Black door mirrors, roof rails, grille, and body trim replace the standard features, but the 21-inch ‘Estoril’ wheels remain. The Tiguan R Grid also leaves the fancy headlights back in Germany, settling for some passive LEDs. Like its sibling, the Tiguan R Grid receives a different tune of that now infamous 2.0-litre engine, resulting in a 235kW/400Nm split.
Tiguan R Grid Edition:
- Premium LED tail lights incl. dynamic indicators
- Tri-zone climate control
- 21-inch Estoril alloy wheels
- Heated, three-spoke R leather steering wheel with R button, haptic pads
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- 360-degree camera system
- 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment display
- Satellite navigation
- Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Head-up display
- Adaptive suspension with three settings (Comfort, Sport, Race)
- Premium Metallic/Pearl Effect paint
- Rear privacy glass
- Trailer hitch preparation
Inside the cabin, things are equally paired back. Both Grid editions go without the electrically adjustable, heated leather front seats found in the regular R models and replace them with some mechanically movable cloth and microfleece sports seats. Some might miss the plush trimmings, but the more resilient textiles suit the car’s character with aplomb.
Driving
While both cars on paper have undeniable performance parallels, driving the two back to back through victorias lake mountain revealed that the two packages diverge more than you’d think.
With a longer wheelbase and more weight, the Tiguan R Grid naturally feels like the larger sibling. It’s still extremely capable; with a 5.1-second 0-100km/h time, it swallows the landscape with a sense of swagger and nonchalance. Adaptive suspension and some clever torque vectoring mean that the burly package slaloms through corners with poise (albeit with a dash of understeer), but there is a slight disconnect between the driver and the chassis.
Contrastingly, the T-Roc R Grid is a more engaging proposition. As the chassis is essentially a Golf-R on stilts, the T-Roc has the essence of a hot hatch. The shorter wheelbase and lighter weight result in a more agile driving package that encourages you to grab the chassis by the scruff of the neck. Steering inputs and front-end feel are more engrossing, with switchback corners being dispatched quicker than a lot of cars with peacock bodywork.
Verdict
Not only have Volkswagen Australia been quite clever in adapting to a supply issue, but they have also addressed some apparent holes in the market. While there are certainly customers who enjoy all of the bells and whistles when making a new car purchase, there’s also a horde that would rather have stripped-back performance and some extra cash in their pocket.
With the T-Roc R Grid being $6,000 more affordable ($54,300 plus on-road costs) than its fancier sibling and the Tiguan R Grid shaving $6500 off its indulgent equivalent ($63,990 plus on-road costs), the Grid editions offer exceptional bang for your buck. Yes, there will still be thousands of customers that will pay extra for the bells and whistles, but for those that appreciate core performance and utility, then the grid editions should be a no-brainer. But let’s keep that between us.
