The VW Tera got a 10 for safety, but there was a warning for Argentina.

Volkswagen Tera , the popular model manufactured in Brazil and scheduled for launch in the country in July, has earned the highest rating in the demanding crash tests conducted by Latin NCAP , the agency that measures the safety of regional vehicles.

One of the keys to this result is that the model is developed on the same platform (MQB) and shares equipment with other compact cars from the brand (Nivus, T-Cross), which also achieved great performance in these tests.

For example, the Tera offers six airbags, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian protection, stability and traction control, electronic differential lock, driver fatigue detection system, and tire pressure monitoring as standard on all versions, among other features.

While the more equipped versions add different driver assistance systems (ADAS).

In its report, Latin NCAP details that the Tera provided 90% protection for adult occupants, 87.2% for child occupants, and 76% for pedestrians.

The tests include a series of safety and biomechanical performance requirements, such as a frontal impact at 64 km/h (40 mph) against a deformable barrier with a 40% overlap of the vehicle's front, a side impact (against a deformable barrier mounted on a sled at 50 km/h) and a side pole impact (the vehicle is propelled laterally at 29 km/h (18 mph) into a pole).

Additionally, the vehicle is evaluated for whiplash injury, fuel system integrity, the availability of a firefighter's rescue sheet, which indicates appropriate points for cutting into the structure, and certain driver assistance systems such as autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping, and blind spot warning, which are commonly offered on the most equipped versions of models in this segment.

In its comments, the safety agency noted that "autonomous emergency braking is offered as standard equipment on all versions in all markets except Argentina , where the technology is standard only on the top-of-the-range version and optional on the other versions."

The model has not yet been introduced in our country, and the brand will only provide information on versions and equipment at the time of launch.

Developed in Brazil, the model is manufactured at the Taubaté plant in São Paulo, where it will be exported throughout Latin America and could even reach African markets, reaching a total of 25 countries.

Tera faces rivals such as the Fiat Pulse, the Renault Kardian, and the Citroën Basalt, compact vehicles with elements and lines that give them an SUV-like appearance.

Its size is very similar to the Nivus , but it lacks the "fastback"-style rear end. Its shape is replete with elements that give it an SUV feel, such as the black plastic on the lower section, the fenders, and the roof bars.

The design language of this new model is different from what Volkswagen has been showing in its family of vehicles. The Tera features more wavy lines, without as much "tension" in its lines. The effect created by the fenders, both front and rear, gives the impression of an even wider vehicle. The fake air intakes, also front and rear, also contribute to this perception.

The interior features new elements that are also different from what Volkswagen has been offering in its compact model range. The main change is the dashboard, which has been designed in two heights and combines different colors and textures. It will also feature LED ambient lighting.

This new design also features a new screen that rests on the center console like a tablet. The controls for the climate control, steering wheel, and digital instrument panel are the same as those found in models like the Polo, Nivus, and T-Cross.

In Brazil, the model is offered in two engines: an 84-hp 1.0 MPI engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission; and a 101-hp 1.0 turbo (170TSI) engine with a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.