Volkswagen Tera has scored a full 5-star rating in Latin NCAP crash tests. Built in Brazil, the SUV showed strong performance in adult, child, and pedestrian safety, along with advanced driver assist features.
Volkswagen’s new compact SUV, the Tera, has scored a full 5-star safety rating in the latest round of Latin NCAP crash tests. Manufactured in Brazil, the Tera is designed primarily for Latin American and African markets. While it’s not expected to launch in India, this result highlights the brand’s continued focus on safety, especially in emerging markets.
The tested model came equipped with six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), seatbelt reminders, a Speed Assist System (SAS), and optional ADAS features like Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Support Systems (LSS), and Blind Spot Detection (BSD). The Tera recorded scores of 90% in Adult Occupant safety, 87% in Child Occupant safety, 76% in Pedestrian Protection, and 85% in Safety Assist, earning top marks in the programme.
Adult Occupant Safety
In the frontal crash test, the Tera displayed a stable bodyshell and footwell area. Protection for the head and neck of both the driver and front passenger was rated good. Chest protection for the front passenger was good, while the driver’s chest was rated marginal. The side impact test showed good protection for the head, abdomen, and pelvis, with adequate chest protection. The more severe side pole test also returned good results, except for the chest area, which received a marginal rating. Whiplash protection was rated good, and the SUV met UN R32 rear impact requirements. Full points were also awarded for its AEB City system.
Child Occupant Safety
The Tera scored 42.75 points in child safety. Both the 1.5-year-old and 3-year-old child dummies were placed in rear-facing ISOFIX seats, which prevented any head exposure during frontal impact tests. However, chest protection was limited. In the side impact test, both seats provided full protection. The vehicle earned full marks for ISOFIX installation, showing strong compatibility with child restraint systems.
Pedestrian Protection
In pedestrian safety tests, the Tera scored 36.37 points. The SUV complies with UN Regulation 127. Most areas on the bonnet provided good or adequate protection for head impacts. However, protection near the A-pillars and windscreen was rated marginal to poor. Upper leg protection ranged from good to adequate, while the lower leg area performed well. Full marks were given for AEB for Vulnerable Road Users (AEB VRU).
Safety Assist Features
The Tera received 36.45 points in the Safety Assist category. ESC and seatbelt reminders are standard across all variants. The standard Speed Assist System met all technical requirements. AEB, available across all variants except base trims in Argentina, performed strongly in both city and interurban tests. Optional features like Lane Support Systems and Blind Spot Detection showed good performance but didn’t contribute to the overall score, as they aren’t available across all trims according to Latin NCAP standards.
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Volkswagen voluntarily submitted the Tera for Latin NCAP testing — a move that reflects the brand’s confidence in the SUV’s safety performance. While the Tera itself may not reach Indian showrooms, Volkswagen is reportedly working on a new sub-4-metre SUV for India based on the MQB A0-IN platform. The Tera’s crash test results set a strong example of what we can expect from the brand in future compact SUV offerings for the Indian market.
