Volkswagen Tera: The Crossover Aiming to Redefine the Gol’s Legacy

The new Volkswagen Tera has finally arrived, taking a key position within the German brand’s line-up.

The Tera sits between the Polo and the Nivus, two established models built on Volkswagen’s MQB platform. Although it’s not officially the successor to the Gol Trend, the brand has dropped several hints that this could be its spiritual heir. A clever design detail confirms it: on the rear window, a subtle easter egg shows the silhouettes of the Beetle, the Gol, and the new Tera, symbolising a generational handover in Volkswagen’s history.

Athletic Design and a Surprisingly Refined Cabin

The Volkswagen Tera impresses with its athletic styling and robust presence, blurring the line between crossover and compact SUV. Its body features ascending lines, pronounced wheel arches and a coupé-style rear, perfectly aligned with current automotive trends. Inside, despite its “low-cost” positioning, the result is surprisingly sophisticated: hard plastics are present but well-assembled, with pleasant textures, solid build quality, and a contemporary ambience enhanced by LED ambient lighting, a 10-inch touchscreen, and wireless smartphone connectivity.

Under the bonnet, the Tera offers two powertrains: a 1.6 MSi engine with 110 hp paired to a manual gearbox, and a 1.0 TSi turbo three-cylinder with 101 hp mated to a six-speed Tiptronic automatic. The latter stands out for its agility and fuel efficiency, delivering an average of 14.1 km per litre and a range exceeding 700 km. On the road, its chassis feels both solid and balanced, offering firm yet comfortable suspension and precise electric steering.

Safety is another of its strong suits. The Tera earned five stars from Latin NCAP, thanks to comprehensive equipment that includes six airbags, stability and traction control, fatigue detection, and a full suite of driver-assistance systems (ADAS) such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Overall, it’s one of the safest models in its class.

Finally, its pricing positions it competitively within the B-SUV segment. With a range starting at 29,900,000 Argentine pesos and reaching 37,800,000 for the top-spec Outsider version, the Volkswagen Tera emerges as a strong rival to the Fiat Pulse, Renault Kardian, and even the Kia K3 Cross. Without a doubt, it has all the ingredients to become Volkswagen’s next compact icon for the modern era.