2026 Volkswagen T-Roc features a clever faux grille that hides in plain sight

Next-gen T-Roc SUV spotted testing on European mountain roads alongside current model

Despite turning seven this month, Volkswagen’s small T-Roc SUV is still attracting customers to dealerships. In fact, it became Europe’s third best-selling car in 2023. However, the second-generation T-Roc is about to arrive, and we spotted the old and new versions testing together.

The white sedan in these spy photos is the upcoming 2026 T-Roc, the dark SUV is the current T-Roc, and its badges, bumpers and four exhaust tailpipes indicate that it is a high-performance 297 horsepower (300 PS) R derivative.

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If you don’t look closely, you might think these two T-Rocs are from the same year. VW’s testing team often uses tape to simulate the shape of the outgoing model’s grille and bumper air intakes to disguise the new car from the current version. Photos of the two cars side by side show just how good the disguise is.

But we’re more interested in what’s underneath the fake grille, which we’re sure is a slim grille similar to the ones fitted to recent Volkswagen vehicles such as the Mk8.5 Golf, facelifted Taos, Passat and European-market Tiguan. We can also see that the hood no longer extends to the grille, with the two components separated by a body-colored plastic filler panel.

The characteristic lines on the rear fenders of the old model gave the T-Roc a muscular look, seemingly inspired by the rear waistline of the Bentley Continental, and the new car’s lines continue. But the new car is slightly curvier, no longer using the clear molded line that runs through the top of the two doors. The taillights are slimmer, and we suspect they are connected by a horizontal light bar, making the new T-Roc look wider and lower.

Since the T-Roc is essentially a Golf SUV, it’s reasonable to assume that its powertrain lineup will share many engines with the new Mk8.5 Golf. While the Golf is only sold in GTI and R versions in the US, Europeans can get it with 113 hp (115 PS) and 148 hp (150 PS) 1.5 TSI gasoline engines, 113 hp or 148 hp 2.0 diesel engines, or 1.5-liter mild and plug-in hybrid engines.

We also expect a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol model to join the line-up with 4Motion all-wheel drive, and another T-Roc R with the 333 hp (338 PS) engine from the latest Golf R. But the T-Roc certainly won’t get a second chance as a convertible, and it’s unlikely the T-Roc will make its way to the United States, where the larger Taos is VW’s entry-level SUV.

Image: SH Proshots