With its luxurious style, cutting-edge technology, and strong performance, the Volkswagen Tera SUV is the company’s daring foray into the very competitive sub-4-meter SUV market. It is intended to win over Indian consumers. Unveiled globally on March 3, 2025, at the Rio de Janeiro Carnival in Brazil, the Volkswagen Tera SUV is set to launch in India in early 2026, offering a stylish and affordable alternative to rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Tata Nexon, and Skoda Kylaq.
It promises a blend of modern features, safety, and German engineering and is built on the same MQB A0-IN platform as the Skoda Kylaq. This comprehensive page covers every facet of the Volkswagen Tera SUV, including its features, rivals, cost, specifications, and anticipated debut date.
Volkswagen Tera SUV Launch Date
The Volkswagen Tera SUV is set to launch in Brazil in May 2025, with production already underway at the Taubaté plant. In India, the expected launch is in January 2026, as per CarDekho and ZigWheels, suggests March 2026, and Auto Hindustan Times indicates a possible delay to 2027.
Exterior Design and Styling
The Volkswagen Tera SUV is centred around an advanced design language influenced by Volkswagen’s larger SUV models such as the Tiguan and the updated Taos. Key exterior features include:
- Front Fascia: A narrow grille with a single slat and a large 2D VW emblem, LED headlights with a two-segmented LED daytime running light signature, honeycomb patterned center intake flanked by angular side vents and finished in black cladding.
- Side View: Chunky fenders, roof with sloping profile and roof rails in dark finish and pull type door handles. The A- and B-pillars and roof have black contrasting color, to create the floating roof impression. Wheels include a choice 15-inch steel wheels on low trims to 17- or 18-inch diamond-cut alloys on higher trims.
- Rear Design: Compact LED taillights connected by a black trim strip with silver accents, a glossy black bumper, integrated rear spoiler, and wipers. A unique Easter egg on the rear window displays silhouettes of the VW Beetle, Gol, and Tera.
- Size: About 13 feet long, about 5.9 feet wide, about 5.2 feet high and sits on a 100.9-inch wheelbase, designed to fit within India’s sub-4m tax bracket.
- Colour Options: Will come in Red (confirmed); expected are colours like Crystal White, Onyx Black and Denim Blue are from Volkswagen’s palette.
Spy shots coming from Argentina show its off-road potential, with tough bumpers and plastics cladding its fenders. Its design follows suit the Volkswagen global SUV design language and looks premium and practical.
Interior and Features
The Volkswagen Tera SUV features a modern, tech-loaded cabin inspired by the Skoda Kylaq and Volkswagen’s ID electric SUVs. Key interior highlights include:
- Dashboard & Displays: A 10.25-inch touch screen infotainment system with VW Play Connect, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and functions operated from the smartphone. A 10-inch digital instrument cluster that shows all the driving information is clear.
- Comfort Features: Automatic climate control with rear AC vents, ventilated front seats, power adjustable driver’s seat, ambient lighting, wireless charger, and an electric sunroof (on higher trims).The trunk includes a “Trip Mode On” inscription for a playful touch.
- Seating and Space: Five-seat configuration with leatherette upholstery on top variants. Cargo capacity is estimated at 400–450 liters, competitive with the Kylaq and Hyundai Venue.
- Safety Features: Six to eight airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, traction control, hill hold assist, ISOFIX child seat mounts, a rear parking camera, and a 360-degree camera on higher trims. Head to the safety department and you’ll find the store packed with advanced driver assistance systems such as lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and a windshield-mounted camera.
Premium cabin design and the sharing of components with the Kylaq would ensure the cost efficiency and Volkswagen’s upscale image.
Performance and Powertrain
Volkswagen Tera Engine The Tera SUV has only one engine option which has been designed to get you more miles ahead while not sacrificing on performance:
- Engine: 1.0-liter, three-cylinder TSI turbo-petrol, producing 113–115 hp and 178 Nm of torque, shared with the Skoda Kylaq and Volkswagen Taigun.
- Transmission: Six-speed manual or six-speed torque converter automatic, both front-wheel-drive.
- Performance: Expected 0–100 km/h in 10–11 seconds, with a top speed of approximately 180 km/h, based on Kylaq benchmarks.
- Fuel Efficiency: Estimated at 18–20 km/l, with real-world figures around 15–17 km/l, and a 50-liter fuel tank offering a 750–900 km range.
The suspension is tuned for urban comfort and light off-road capability, as demonstrated in Argentina’s unpaved road tests. While a flex-fuel option is available in Brazil, India will likely receive only the petrol variant.
Also Read: Volkswagen Tiguan Price: Guide to 2025 Models
Pricing and Variants
Volkswagen Tera comes with an attractive price in sub-4m segment in India:
- Price Bracket: 8.00- 15.00 Lac (ex-showroom), entry level variant would be for INR 8 Lac and highest trim for INR 15 Lac.
- Variants: Anticipated to be available in four variants including Comfortline, Highline, Topline and GT offering basic to luxury features.
- Comparison: Slightly more costlier than the Skoda Kylaq (₹7.89-14.40 Lakh) considering Volkswagen’s premium positioning.
- Brazil prices: R$100,000–R$140,000 (₹14.8–20 Lakh) but India gains from high localization.
Safety and Reliability
Safety is a cornerstone of the Volkswagen Tera SUV, aligning with Volkswagen’s 5-star GNCAP-rated models like the Taigun:
- Standard Safety: Six to eight airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, traction control, hill hold assist, ISOFIX mounts, and a rear parking camera.
- Advanced Safety: ADAS features including lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera on top trims.
- Reliability: The MQB A0-IN platform is what guarantees a strong build quality with Volkswagen India 2.5 project for localisation, bringing in the necessary improvements for ease in maintenance.
Bharat NCAP is yet to evaluate it but its platform promises good crash-test performance capability.
FAQs About the Volkswagen Tera SUV
Q: What is the Volkswagen Tera SUV price in India?
A: Expected to range from ₹8.00–15.00 Lakh.
Q: What engine powers the Volkswagen Tera SUV?
A: A 1.0-liter TSI turbo-petrol (113–115 hp, 178 Nm) with six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Q: What are the key features of the Volkswagen Tera SUV?
A: 10.25-inch touchscreen, 10-inch digital cluster, ADAS, six airbags, sunroof, ventilated seats, and connected car tech.
Q: Does the Volkswagen Tera SUV have a sunroof?
A: Yes, on higher variants.
Q: Where is the Volkswagen Tera SUV manufactured?
A: Brazil’s Taubaté plant for global markets; India-bound models likely from Chakan, Pune.
Conclusion
Volkswagen Tera SUV: Volkswagen’s all new and super competitive sub 4m SUV ‘Tera’ is going to ramp up the market in India, by introducing a premium and stylish design, advanced features and low cost ( 8- 15 Lakh ) that will leave the rivals biting the dust and will be arriving early January or March of the year 2026.
Crafted on the MQB A0-IN platform and equipped with a 1.0L TSI engine, this SUV offers an attractive mix of style, safety and efficiency to take on the likes of the Skoda Kylaq, Tata Nexon and the Maruti Suzuki Brezza.
Its Tiguan-inspired exterior, tech-rich cabin, and robust safety suite make it a compelling choice for urban buyers and young families. Despite some concerns about interior space from Brazilian feedback, its strong pre-order performance and Volkswagen’s India 2.5 project signal a bright future.
