Latin NCAP latest result: Top safety for popular model Volkswagen Tera

The New Car Assessment Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean, Latin NCAP, publishes today the fourth crash tests result for 2025 with five stars for the recently launched Volkswagen Tera.

The Volkswagen Tera, made in Brazil, achieved five stars. The Tera that offers 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard and ADAS technologies as optional, achieved 89.88% in Adult Occupant, 87.25% in Child Occupant, 75.77% in Pedestrian Protection and Vulnerable Road Users and 84.76% in Safety Assist.

The car was assessed in frontal impact, side impact, side pole impact, whiplash, pedestrian protection, ESC, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) for Vulnerable Road Users, AEB City, AEB Interurban, Speed Assist System (SAS), Lane Support Systems (LSS) and Blind Spot Detection (BSD). AEB is standard fitted in all versions in all markets except for Argentina where the technology is standard only in the top version and as optional in the other versions.

The Tera showed in general good performance with stable structure and footwell areas. The protection to driver chest can be improved in the frontal impact test. Child protection showed average to good levels in the dynamic tests, and better results could be achieved. Pedestrian protection in the upper leg can also be improved. AEB performance showed robust responses in all test scenarios, meeting Latin NCAP availability requirements and achieving almost full score. SAS met the technical requirements, and it is fitted as standard. BSD and LSS, which are optional, showed good performance but could not score as its availability volume does not match Latin NCAP requirements. The model was tested as a voluntary decision of the manufacturer.

Latin NCAP tests the most basic passive safety specification of the models and strongly recommends to buy those versions equipped with tested good performing ADAS technologies, such as AEB.

Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Latin NCAP said:

“The Volkswagen Tera result is one of the most relevant results in the last years of Latin NCAP. This model, which aims to be popular in price and sales, proves once again, that five star safety can be standard and locally produced. It is very important that Volkswagen has decided to offer AEB as standard in almost all the markets of the region in such a popular model. This result is a wake-up call for all those car manufacturers which are still resisting to value Latin American lives as much as European’s. “

Stephan Brodziak, Latin NCAP Chairman said:

“The five-star result of the Volkswagen Tera confirms that it is entirely possible to produce and market affordable vehicles in Latin America and the Caribbean with top-level safety. This model, designed to be widely accessible, proves that high safety standards are achievable and should no longer be the exception. This result should be a strong signal to other manufacturers and to governments in the region. Advanced safety features like AEB and ESC should be standard across all markets and versions, without exception. At the same time, we urge governments to implement mandatory safety labeling that clearly reflects crash test results, so consumers can make informed decisions that will boost car safety in our countries. The Tera shows that prioritizing safety in popular models is not only feasible, it’s essential, and there is no justification for offering lower protection in Latin America and the Caribbean than in other regions.”

Volkswagen Tera (6 airbags)

Read the full crash test report
Watch the crash test video
Download crash test images