It’s here and it looks good, especially in bright yellow: the newest version of Volkswagen’s bestseller, the T-Roc. It is significantly larger, which translates into more rear-seat space and larger boot space, as well as premium tech from its larger siblings, such as the Tiguan, but still not electric. However, this might be the last ICE version.

Launch engines are 48-volt mild-hybrid 1.5 L eTSI gasoline units with a 7-speed DSG transmission (no manual option); a full hybrid variant (HEV) is planned for later. So what are you going to do? Is a fully electric ID.4 a better option? What if, even with today’s prices, it could save you almost €8,500 in nine years as a private owner, against all odds?

Developed from scratch

The new T-Roc was developed entirely from scratch, as the second generation of the best-selling compact SUV-crossover. The first one is still very popular today, having registered around 106,118 units, placing it fourth among the best-selling models in Europe in H1 2025, compared to the once-dominant VW Golf, which sold about 104,162 units in the same period.

Volkswagen notes that the first generation of the T-Roc, launched on the market in 2017, quickly established itself, and an update followed in model year 2022.

“Last year, about 292,000 new vehicle buyers across Europe opted for the compact all-rounder, which is produced at the Portuguese plant in Palmela near Lisbon. A total of more than two million units have been sold to date. This makes the T-Roc the world’s most successful SUV from Volkswagen after the Tiguan.”

More space, more tech

The new T-Roc is significantly larger than the old one, measuring 4,373 mm, which is 122 mm longer overall, with a 28 mm longer wheelbase (2,631 mm). Expect more space, innovative technology, sharper styling, and an interior that positions it in the premium compact SUV segment.

Like the Digital Cockpit Pro, windscreen head-up display, and the latest Travel Assist with active lane change capability. The trunk capacity has grown by about 30 to 475 liters, making it more practical.

For the launch, there are two engines: 1.5 L eTSI mild-hybrid gasoline units, standard, featuring a 48-volt system and a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The base model is a 116 hp (85 kW) version, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.6 seconds, and boasting a top speed of 196 km/h. And a 150 hp (110 kW) version with figures like 0‑100 km/h in 8.9 seconds and 212 km/h top speed.

Pre-sales of the new T-Roc begin in Germany on August 27, with the market launch scheduled for November. Prices are reportedly starting at €30,845, but that’s likely a very low-end estimate.

Comparing TCO

Prices for Belgium are not published yet. Today’s base version with DSG-7 is listed at €42,075 in Volkswagen’s Belgian configurator. That’s pretty close to the base price of an ID.4 Pure (€42,520). So, what about the common perception that an electric car is always way more expensive, especially for a private buyer?

And what if it is a company car with a four-year financial lease? Let’s put some AI to work to do the math and calculate an estimated Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

Let’s assume we want to own the car for the next nine years as a private owner, driving 15,000 km annually, with the vehicle still about 20% of its original value after that period. And do the same calculation for a ‘company car’, with a financial lease over four years, doing considerably more average kilometers, 25,000 per year.

Total Cost of Ownership (Belgium, Flanders)

Scenarios: Private (9 years / 135,000 km) and Company (4 years / 100,000 km)

As a private owner for nine years, after 135.000 km, the ID.4 turns out to be roughly €8,400 cheaper than the T-Roc DSG, primarily due to lower running costs (fuel, taxes, maintenance). Over four years and 100,000 km, the ID.4 is approximately €7,550 cheaper than the T-Roc DSG in a company-car scenario, primarily due to lower depreciation, fuel, and tax costs.

Across both scenarios, the ID.4 shows a clear TCO advantage, despite its slightly higher purchase price. The higher the mileage, the greater the EV advantage becomes (cheaper per kilometer).

Parameters could shift

The TCO ‘equation’ we had AI calculated is based on today’s Belgian (Flanders) context. Over the following years, several parameters could shift and change the balance between a gasoline T-Roc and an electric ID.4.

Fuel prices, for instance, could climb again (e.g. €2.00/l for gasoline due to the upcoming EU carbon tax), then the running-cost advantage of the ID.4 grows. If prices fall sharply, the gap narrows.

What about the electricity price? If home tariffs increase or you need more expensive fast charging due to a lack of a wallbox at home, it erodes the EV’s advantage. This would be detrimental. The ID.4 charged for 90% at home; the total TCO would increase from €47,725 to €51,121, or by €3,396 with 100% public charging. Still better than the T-Roc.

Future CO₂ restrictions could lead to increased registration or annual road tax, further penalizing ICE models. Currently, BEVs are exempt, but proposals are already being made to reintroduce road tax for EVs after 2026. If that happens, the ID.4’s tax advantage shrinks.

EV resale values could improve if demand for used EVs rises, thanks to a broader charging network and as more studies prove battery ageing should become less of a consumer concern. ICE resale values, on the other hand, could drop more steeply if stricter emission restrictions are implemented and the EU’s 2035 ban on new ICE vehicles approaches.

Bottom line: In both private and company scenarios, policy and energy costs are the significant swing factors to watch.

Larger and more powerful

Keep in mind, however, that the ID.4 is notably larger and longer (4,584 mm), with a longer wheelbase (2,771 mm), and offers significantly more boot capacity (543 / 1,575 liters with rear seats folded), making it more practical for both passenger and cargo space. It has more power with its 125 kW (170 hp) and rear-wheel drive.

The T-Roc carries a conventional mild-hybrid gasoline setup, while the ID.4 is fully electric, offering superior energy efficiency and zero tailpipe emissions.

What about range?

The WLTP fuel consumption for the 1.5 eTSI is 5.5–6.0 l/100 km. Let’s use 5.8 l/100 km as a realistic estimate. That should typically cover 800 to 900 km on a full tank. The official WLTP range is 362 to 364 km with the standard battery, extending to 512–572 km WLTP with the larger battery (77 kWh). But that’s a €7,500 premium for the larger battery…

The choice is yours.