VW might have discontinued the Gol from South America replacing it with the much more modern Polo Track, but the old platform lives on in the Saveiro small pickup which got another facelift for 2024.
The VW Saveiro is the longest-running pickup nameplate in the Brazilian market, with five generations selling more than 1.6 million units since 1982. The current fifth-gen model debuted in 2009 and got facelifted in 2013 and 2016 prior to the current 2024 update.
Naturally, changes are focused on the front end, which benefits from a new protruding bumper, a larger chrome-infused grille, slightly revised headlights, and a taller hood. VW designers also added a heavier dose of plastic cladding on the profile and tweaked the graphics on the smoked taillights bringing them on par with the newer members of the local lineup.
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The facelifted Saveiro follows the example of the larger Amarok, gaining the Extreme flagship trim. This one is visually distinguished by the Extreme emblems, the compass-inspired badge on the C-pillar, the diamond-cut 15-inch wheels, the exclusive Oliver Gray shade, the aluminum-style skid plates, and the horizontal matte black trim piece on the tailgate. It also gets a roof rack that extends to the rear bed, just like the outgoing Saveiro Cross.
Under the bonnet of the supermini-based truck lies a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter engine producing 114 hp (85 kW / 116 PS) and 158 Nm (116 lb-ft) of torque. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. The suspension benefits from a 10-mm (0.4-inch) lift at the front axle.
Besides the pictured and generously-equipped Extreme trim, the Saveiro lineup comprises the entry-level Robust in Single-Cab and Dual-Cab flavors and the mid-range Trendline. All of them come standard with rear parking sensors, ESC, Hill Hold Control, and four disc brakes.
The Extreme adds leather-wrapped seats with Gray Oliver inserts, a brushed steel trim on the dashboard, a rather basic infotainment, a 4-speaker audio, and a reversing camera. Finally, the optional “Tech package” includes a photochromic rearview mirror, cruise control, auto headlights/wipers, and a dedicated off-road button which is limited to activating the Hill Descent Control in the FWD-only pickup.
The 2024 VW Saveiro is already available in Brazil, competing with the much-newer Fiat Strada and Chevrolet Montana small pickups.
