Chevrolet Sonic, Volkswagen Tera or Fiat Pulse? g1 shows the customer profile for each SUV

Comparative Chevrolet Sonic x Fiat Pulse x VW Tera
G1 showed first-hand the first test of the Chevrolet Sonic. Now, the time has come to put the SUV face to face with its main competitors: Fiat Pulse and Volkswagen Tera. The three cost around R$135,000 and are equipped with a 1.0 turbo engine and automatic transmission.
Before launch, the expectation was that the Sonic would compete with the Volkswagen Nivus. However, the price and dimensions of the model put it in direct competition with the Volkswagen Tera, sales leader in the segment, and the Fiat Pulse.
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But which of the three offers the best equipment package? Which is the most economical? Which has the most expensive maintenance? And for which consumer profile does each model make the most sense?
G1 sought these answers.
Chevrolet Sonic 2027 in Premier version
Disclosure / GM
Price controversy
When announcing the Sonic, Chevrolet made a fuss about the price. The entry-level Premier version was launched for R$129,990, but with an asterisk next to it. From the first day in stores and on the website, the SUV had a list price of R$ 134,990.
Whoever went to the showroom was informed by salespeople that the promotional price was "for a limited time". The g1 report heard from one of the sellers that the lowest price would be "limited to 3,000 units". However, until the conclusion of this report, the promotion continued.
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A banner on the website also clearly shows, since launch, the price of R$ 129,990 under special purchase conditions. The down payment must be 70%, with an additional 12 installments, or 50%, with an additional 36 installments. Both conditions are subject to credit analysis by GM Financial.
Therefore, for this comparison, g1 considered the list prices reported by the automakers, without promotions. Thus, Pulse and Tera are very close to Chevrolet's launch.
The Volkswagen is the cheapest, but it lacks equipment that rivals offer as standard. You have to pay more than R$1,400 to include automatic air conditioning and induction charger in the Tera.

Savvier reviews
Fuel consumption in the city is better in the Fiat Pulse, which is also the most powerful and has the best acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h. It is, therefore, the ideal compact SUV for the customer who likes more breath and doesn't want to spend more at the fuel pump.
Speaking of expenses, the g1 also raised the costs of servicing up to 50 thousand km. This data is important, as it shows how much the consumer needs to pay for scheduled inspections and, consequently, the cost of maintaining extended warranties.

It is worth noting that Chevrolet offers five years of coverage, while Fiat and Volkswagen have a three-year warranty.
The best-selling Tera has the highest overhaul prices. Upon reaching the five-year mark or 50,000 km driven (whichever comes first), the Volkswagen owner pays R$1,482 more than the Sonic owner.
Fiat does not allow you to consult the Pulse Hybrid's complete review program on its website. The only information is that the first three revisions of the model, combined, cost R$ 2,537. g1 contacted the automaker to have access to the information.
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Equipment
As already mentioned, the Tera does not have automatic air conditioning or induction cell phone charger as standard. You have to pay R$ 1,490 for the "Comfort Package" to have both items in the Volkswagen.
Sonic and Pulse have this equipment as standard and feature synthetic leather seats, automatic high beams, twilight sensor and lane departure warning.
The Fiat could evolve in the instrument cluster. Competitors have 8-inch screens, while the Pulse uses traditional instruments with a screen measuring just 3.5 inches in the center.
The Tera is the only one with adaptive cruise control with distance and fatigue alert. The Fiat Pulse has fewer airbags, does not have depth adjustment for the steering wheel and does not offer lane keeping assist. The Sonic is the only one with blind spot warning.
Due to the combination of price and equipment list, the Chevrolet stands out.

Tag SUV
Brazilian consumer behavior gave rise to the compact SUV segment. Automakers realized that customers wanted to pay little for a taller car with the appearance of a sports utility vehicle. I didn't want a gas-guzzling engine or 4x4 traction.
It's as if the factories took a hatchback from the production line and changed some elements to give it the SUV label.
This strategy gave rise to the Renault Kardian, Citroën C3 Aircross, Peugeot 2008, Nissan Kicks, Hyundai Creta, VW T-Cross, Fiat Pulse, Chevrolet Tracker and many others. All derived from modular compact platforms.
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Incredible as it may seem, this strategy has a positive side. These tall models manage to inherit, in most cases, the more urban behavior of their compact "brothers".
In the case of the Tera, the driving sensation is very similar to that of the Polo and Nivus. Despite its low power, the Volkswagen pleases the driver when facing a winding road.
The Fiat Pulse is the most powerful and has the best performance, even though it is the heaviest of the trio. This is reflected in an experience closer to that of an SUV, largely due to the extra height and suspension setup.
The Sonic is the most similar to a hatch. Chevrolet got the model right, which came out well calibrated and with the assistance systems in the right tone. The driving position is not unnaturally high. If there is, in the future, a Sonic RS with a 1.2 engine, the model will certainly be more fun on the road.
In terms of internal space, the Fiat has the advantage due to height and doesn't look bad even with the shorter wheelbase. The Sonic and, especially, the Tera do not accommodate taller occupants as well.
Life on board
When we talk about life on board, none of these cars make serious mistakes in terms of ergonomics. There are, however, points in which some models stand out.
MyLink multimedia and the fact that it has a Wi-Fi point and OnStar system as standard place the Chevrolet above its rivals in connectivity. Furthermore, the system logic, the speed of response and even the dark look with minimalist icons make it easy to use within Sonic.
The instrument cluster, large and almost square in shape, is strange at first, but within a few minutes you can get used to it. The most common is to find a panel with a more horizontal format, as in the Tera.
The multimedia system, the operating logic and the organization of the menus are also pleasing in the VW. The brand has already understood that, regardless of the price of the car, all models must offer connectivity and systems that work practically instantly for the customer.
The flaw is that the induction charger is not standard. As wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay consume a lot of battery, the need to connect your cell phone via cable to recharge it eliminates much of the advantage of wireless connection.
To have this feature, you have to pay R$1,490 more for a package that also includes automatic air conditioning. Still, life on board and the driving position are good.
Fiat chose a different strategy for the Pulse. The multimedia used by Stellantis and the other systems are also good, but they are a little behind their rivals in this comparison.
The instrument panel, with a classic shape, offers good visualization. Still, it is reasonable for a customer willing to pay this amount, when looking at competitors, to expect Fiat to also offer a 100% TFT cluster.
A new proposal
Based on the list of equipment, price and design, the Sonic appears as an interesting novelty in the segment. The model has the attributes to be successful if Chevrolet maintains its aggressive price and introduces new entry-level versions. The customer looking for something new has a profile for the Sonic.
The Pulse has an advantage due to lower consumption, performance and proportions that make it "tall". The customer who seeks these attributes first has a profile for the Fiat.
The Tera has Volkswagen's driving DNA behind the wheel and some exclusive items, such as adaptive cruise control with distance and fatigue alert. But it could be cheaper to maintain. The sales figures show the success of the car and indicate that its audience is made up of consumers who value the brand.

Source: G1