Not many people outside of South America are familiar with the VW Saveiro, although it is a genuinely interesting and popular car. The recent update of the model includes new trim and a bunch of improvements to the small pickup.

Launched in 1982, the Saveiro is Volkswagen's smallest pickup in South America. Its name comes from a traditional Brazilian fishing boat. For the 2024 model year, a new trim level is introduced, along with several other enhancements such as a redesigned front end, more standard features and an improved engine.

The exterior of the VW Saveiro now appears more mature, featuring a raised hood, a refreshed grille, and a chrome strip extending to the headlights. More muscular wheel arches and additional body protection are noticeable on the sides, while all variants ride on 15-inch wheels.

At the rear, the taillights have a darker design and a new Saveiro badge is centered on the tailgate. Depending on the trim level, five colors are available: Oliver Gray (exclusive to Trendline and Extreme), Moonstone Gray (exclusive to Extreme), Ninja Black, Sirius Silver and Crystal White.

As for trim levels, four are available for the 2024 model year. Standard features on all are rear parking sensors, electronic stability control, hill start assist and four disc brakes. Each model is powered by a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine with a maximum output of 116 horsepower and 158 Newton meters of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.

For the 2024 model year, a new trim will be introduced, the Saveiro Extreme. It features model-specific 15-inch wheels, a piano black emblem on the B-pillar, hood and side decals, and a matte black stripe connecting the rear taillights. Inside, leather seats and gray accents on the armrests and door panels are included.

On the technology side, the Extreme trim comes standard with a touchscreen infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four speakers, a rear parking camera, fog lights, and a tire pressure monitor. An optional tech package includes an off-road button to activate hill descent control.

The Saveiro has been sold in Brazil for 41 years. During this time, the total number of units sold has exceeded 1.6 million. The updated version of the model will arrive at dealerships later this year.

Source: Motor1