December, the fleeting month of the year that seemingly goes as fast as it takes long to arrive. Once it does come through, down your tools and off you go. Industry shutdown and for the most part, the annual holiday month for many South Africans. Coinciding with Christmas and New Year’s, the festivities are undoubtedly palpable. 
Leading into the month, the one question is; what would the perfect four-wheeled travel companion be? Now, this in itself is objective and would differ between anyone who answers. Where will your travels be taking you? What are the conditions of the roads? Will you have family or friends riding shotgun in the passenger seats? How much luggage space will you need?
Related: New Volkswagen T-Roc available on showroom floors from this week
All pertinent questions. Any holidaymaker will have a different answer but all build up to what the most suitable holiday car for the festive month of December would be. For the most part, when we test press vehicles for the week or two that we keep them, they usually perform the more mundane tasks of daily commutes and an occasional weekend excursion, time permitting.
For anything kept for a more extended period of time, like a long-termer, the true character of the car becomes apparent. Its idiosyncrasies are made known and like a member of a family or a close friend, it can often begin to hold a small part of your heart from the extended interaction with it.
SUVs are often criticized, mostly accredited to the fact that they are the inevitable replacement of the beloved sedan but also because, in comparison to their lower-slung counterparts, they boast slightly more bulbous proportions in their attempt to be a jack-of-all-trades. Regardless, their broad range of functions becomes far more apparent during the festive season and the open road ahead to far-away locations.
Part of catering to these several needs include being frugal in daily use for mundane commutes and comfortable enough for long-distance travel with an interior boasting commodious dimension for driver and passengers to stretch their arms and legs.
With the sheer majority of SUVs on offer from each and every manufacturer competing the South African market, it goes without saying that the most awarded to the press for the month of December would be the aforementioned high-riding models. Therefore, it was no surprise that Volkswagen South Africa offered me the facelifted T-Roc.
After previously testing the slightly lethargic 1,4-litre, 110 kW entry-level model, my apprehension was immediately quashed when I further read my month-long companion would be the 2.0TSI 140kW 4Motion R-Line. Mostly identical on the exterior but significantly different under the surface.
Over the month, I would come to realize that despite the entry-level model serving a purpose for cost-conscious buyers wanting all of the luxuries associated with a compact crossover, the better model in the lineup is undoubtedly the 4Motion R-Line.
Stay tuned for part 2.
Volkswagen T-Roc 4Motion R-Line Fast Facts
Price: R742 700
Engine: turbocharged 2,0-litre 4-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed DSG
Power: 140 kW @ 4 200 r/min
Torque: 320 N.m @ 1 200 r/min
Ground clearance: 161 mm
Claimed fuel consumption: 7,4 L/100 km
Achieved fuel consumption: 6,8 L/100 km
Distance travelled: 2 928 km
Average speed: 54 km/h
Rivals: Peugeot 5008, Volvo XC40, Audi Q2
