Volkswagen T-Cross 2027: AQ300 8-speed gearbox, prices and fuel economy in Brazil

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The not-quite-most-expensive Volkswagen T-Cross is now technically more interesting than the flagship. In Brazil, the Sense, 200 TSI and Comfortline versions of the 2027 model year, powered by the 1.0 TSI engine, have received an 8-speed AQ300 automatic transmission in place of the previous 6-speed unit. The Highline and Extreme, with the 1.4 TSI engine, keep six gears.

The engine itself hasn’t changed: the three-cylinder 1.0 turbo flex develops up to 128 hp and 200 Nm. The two extra gears let the engine spend less time at high revs. Volkswagen claims a reduction in city fuel consumption of up to 7% on gasoline, and around 5% on ethanol. The energy efficiency rating improved from 1.64 to 1.56 MJ/km.

There’s a gain in performance too. On ethanol, the T-Cross 1.0 accelerates to 100 km/h in 10 seconds. On gasoline, Volkswagen claims 10.4 seconds versus 10.9 seconds for the previous 6-speed version. In other words, the gearbox update isn’t only about saving fuel: the new gear ratios make better use of the 200 Nm of torque.

The price of the base Sense hasn’t changed — R$119,990. The new Urban package, with a rearview camera and 17-inch alloy wheels, costs R$126,990. The 200 TSI went up by R$1,400, to R$152,890. The Comfortline gained R$1,800, and now costs R$173,790.

Interestingly, the price increase for the technical update on these two trims amounts to only about 0.9–1%. The Highline, at R$186,290, and the Extreme, at R$193,490, didn’t get more expensive, but they kept the 6-speed automatic and the more powerful 1.4 TSI, with 150 hp and 250 Nm.

Volkswagen has also expanded the equipment list: the 200 TSI gains a rearview camera, Kessy keyless entry and front parking sensors, while the Comfortline adds rain and light sensors and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The T-Cross 2027 lineup has already reached Brazilian dealerships.