VW Nivus Facelift Debuts In Brazil, Sporty GTS Model To Follow In 2025

The subcompact crossover gains sharper looks and more connected features

VW launched the facelifted Nivus for the Brazilian market.

Changes are focused on the exterior design and the interior tech.

The company announced that a sportier VW Nivus GTS will follow in 2025.

Volkswagen introduced the facelifted Nivus in South America. The subcompact crossover, sold under the Taigo moniker in Europe, benefits from styling and technological updates and a new Nivus GTS trim, which will follow in 2025, featuring sporty styling touches and a more potent engine.

The facelifted Nivus adopts redesigned headlights with a full-width LED strip, a much slimmer grille, and a significantly larger bumper intake. These features are similar to the new Tiguan, adopting VW’s latest styling language.

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The profile benefits from new 17-inch wheels with a diamond and piano black finish. At the back, changes are limited to a new bumper with a different skid plate and more modern LED graphics on the darkened taillight cluster. The color palette has been expanded with the new Turbo Blue and Titan Blue options.

VW has also published the first official photos of the upcoming Nivus GTS. The sporty trim will be distinguished by a different honeycomb pattern on the lower bumper intake, GTS emblems on the grille, profile, and tailgate, plus a new set of version-specific 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the dashboard looks familiar, but the 10.1-inch touchscreen display now runs more modern software, featuring extra connected car features (remote lock/unlock, live location, remote activation of the horn and hazard lights, valet mode etc).

Depending on the trim, the central display is combined with an 8-inch or 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control, rearview camera, wireless charging, and automatic climate control. The company has also improved the materials on the upholstery and the touch points.

Under the hood lies a carry-over turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine (200 TSI), running on both gasoline and ethanol. The mill generates 128 hp (96 kW / 130 PS) and 200 Nm (148 lb-ft) of torque on ethanol, sending power to the front axle exclusively via a six-speed automatic gearbox.

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As for the upcoming VW Nivus GTS, chances are it will mirror the specifications of the mechanically related Polo GTS. The hotter version of the supermini is fitted with a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine (250 TSI), which is good for 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque.

The facelifted VW Nivus is already available to order in Brazil, starting from R$136,990 ($24,480). It remains to be seen if the changes introduced by the facelifted VW Nivus will find their way to the European-spec Taigo.

VW’s lineup in South America will soon include a trio of subcompact SUVs, as the recently facelifted T-Cross and Nivus will soon be joined by an even smaller entry-level model, set to debut in 2025.