Volkswagen Teramont 2019 Review
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Volkswagen Teramont 2019 Review: A Spacious Family SUV
Introduction
Volkswagen’s lucky charm when it comes to naming SUVs is the letter “T”. It started with the Touareg, followed by the Tiguan, and now its newest offering is the Teramont. Designed for large families, the Teramont is Volkswagen’s first seven-seater, competing with full-size SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Mazda CX-9.
Exterior
At a time when most manufacturers are opting for sleeker designs to make their larger vehicles look more appealing, Volkswagen has chosen the opposite approach. Described as having a “striking muscular design,” the Teramont is big and bold with squared-off edges, a design that people will either love or hate—there's simply no middle ground.
Interior
With practicality as its main attraction, the Volkswagen Teramont 2019 offers ample space inside. Its wheelbase measures 2,979mm, longer than both the Tahoe and CX-9, along with 17 cupholders and a boot capacity of 583 liters—more than both competitors.
In terms of quality, it’s decent but not exceptional, featuring more hard plastic than one would prefer in an SUV priced nearly at 200,000 Dirhams. There’s an underlying sense that some components were sourced from a Volkswagen Passat, particularly the steering wheel, instrument cluster, gear shifter, and AC controls.
The Teramont prioritizes space and ease of use, offering simple one-handed access to the third row—much easier than the complicated systems used by its rivals. Volkswagen has made it clear: it’s all about the space.
Features
To compete with American and Japanese rivals, the Teramont is equipped with a long list of comfort, safety, and entertainment features, including:
- Ventilated seats for the driver and front passenger
- Three-zone climate control system
- 4 USB charging ports
- 12-speaker Fender audio system
- Smartphone connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
On the safety front, the Teramont includes adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, automatic post-collision braking to prevent further accidents, automated parallel parking, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
Drive
The Teramont is available with two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged unit producing 220 horsepower and a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 generating 280 horsepower. Buyers have the flexibility to choose based on their needs.
Both engines come with Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. However, the 2.0-liter engine is only available in standard specification, which means opting for this variant to save on fuel also requires sacrificing several advanced tech features.
Driving the Volkswagen Teramont is smooth, thanks to its robust tires. Surprisingly, it feels like a body-on-frame SUV, sharing the MQB platform with models like the Audi TT, Volkswagen Jetta, and Volkswagen Passat, making it feel more like a true SUV rather than a sedan on stilts.
The Teramont 2019 features a rotary drive mode selector that adjusts throttle and transmission mappings and modifies the traction control system according to the selected mode: On-road, Snow, Off-road, or Custom Off-road. While it may not be suited for extreme off-roading, it is perfect for beach outings and exploring the beautiful wadis of the UAE.
Verdict
In conclusion, the Teramont offers more space and practicality than its American and Japanese rivals, but there is room for improvement in exterior styling and material quality. Priced at 196,000 Dirhams for the fully loaded model, it falls between the Mazda CX-9 and Chevrolet Tahoe in terms of cost, providing good value for families seeking a spacious SUV.
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