Volkswagen unveiled new Tukan pickup, which will replace Saveiro

Volkswagen has finally unveiled the all-new Tukan in Brazil without camouflage. Developed to replace the long-running Saveiro, the new pickup was first shown to the public at the Barretos Rodeo festival in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, in single- and double-cab variants. Sales are scheduled to begin in early 2027, reports UNN , citing Motor1.com.

Details

Larger and more modern than the Saveiro, the Tukan will be produced in São José dos Pinhais, Brazil, and will primarily compete with the Fiat Strada. VW has not yet released data on dimensions, payload capacity, or equipment. However, the two cab configurations suggest the availability of both work-oriented versions and better-equipped models intended for family use.

Although it was initially expected to become a direct competitor to the Fiat Toro, the Volkswagen Tukan will be closer in size to the Chevy Montana. Its task is to occupy the niche between compact and midsize pickups while also serving commercial buyers traditionally covered by the Saveiro.

The single-cab body will compete with more affordable versions of the Fiat Strada, offering a larger bed and a greater emphasis on cargo transportation. The double-cab model, meanwhile, is expected to offer turbocharged engines, automatic transmissions, and more extensively equipped configurations, broadening VW's appeal among buyers who also use their pickup as a personal vehicle.

The design follows the visual identity of VW's latest models. At the front, narrow headlights are connected by a horizontal strip, while the bumpers feature pronounced shapes and elements that emphasize the width of the body. At the rear, the taillights feature lighting in the shape of the letter "E" and are connected by a crossbar running across the full width of the tailgate.

VW is still keeping the technical specifications secret, but the Tukan is expected to offer different powertrains depending on the version. Base trims are expected to retain the familiar naturally aspirated 1.6 MSI engine with a manual transmission — a simple and more affordable combination aimed at corporate buyers and small producers.

Mid-level versions may receive a 1.0 TSI flex-fuel engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission — or may even feature the new eight-speed gearbox recently introduced in the T-Cross. At the top of the range, the pickup is expected to debut in Brazil with the new 1.5 TSI Evo2 engine and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, a technology that could later be extended to other models of the brand produced at the local plant.

The architecture will be based on the MQB platform, which is already used in the Polo, Nivus, Tera, and T-Cross. However, at the rear, engineers opted for a solid axle with leaf springs — a common construction for trucks that is also used by the competing Fiat Strada. This layout should provide greater payload capacity and durability in commercial use.

The arrival of the Tukan will also mark the end of the Saveiro.

Production is expected to end in the last quarter of 2026, making room in the lineup for the new pickup. 

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