This study highlights the key tensions that have arisen as a result of the reform of the higher education quality assurance system in Chile with the introduction of a new law. Tensions between institutional autonomy and state control; the universal research university model and the diversity of institutional missions; and external versus internal quality assurance systems. A systematic literature review was carried out including legislative acts and peer-reviewed scientific articles. The authors conclude that these tensions may be symptomatic of the lack of a cohesive vision of quality in higher education in Chile. The introduction of the new legislation has pushed the system back in the direction of the compliance quality model, increasing tensions due to disempowerment, questioned autonomy and eroded reliance in academics.