What's your verdict on Volkswagen’s 1.0 petrol engine?

I have been comparing the Volkswagen T-Roc and Seat Ateca. My understanding is that they both use the same 1.0-litre engine and the cars themselves are of a similar size and build.

Your T-Roc review states the engine is “surprisingly punchy” and “can hold its own on motorways and A-roads… We reckon it is the pick of the line-up.”

The Ateca review states: “It is fine if you spend most of your time in and around town, but we would advise choosing a more muscular engine if you plan on doing regular motorway work or lugging around heavy loads.”

Please can you let me know which of the above is correct.

Richard Hughes

What Car? says…

Although these two cars do have the same 1.0-litre 113bhp engine, the T-Roc is smaller and lighter than the Ateca. We class the Ateca as a family SUV and the T-Roc a small SUV. 

This is why the performance of the engine is different in our reviews. While it has enough performance for the smaller vehicle, it can struggle at motorway speeds and under a full load in the Ateca.  

We think more appropriate rivals for the T-Roc include the Seat Arona and Hyundai Kona, while Ateca rivals include the Skoda Karoq and Volkswagen Tiguan. 

Our group tests of small and family SUVs should provide additional useful information. We’ve pitted the Ateca against the Karoq and Nissan Qashqai, and the T-Roc against the Arona and Kona. 

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