Australians on the hunt for a tough new ute now have another high-class option to choose from. It was co-developed with one of the best in the business.
It is the product of a collaboration between the German maker and Ford and is based on the same underpinnings as the critically acclaimed – and top-selling – Ranger.
Rather than building a ute from scratch, VW took the Ranger’s bones and added styling and tuning changes to make it feel different.
The Volkswagen Amarok shares its mechanical elements with the Ford Ranger.
That’s not uncommon in the world of commercial vehicles – the latest Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50 are twins under the skin – and no bad thing for customers.
Volkswagen executives are reluctant to use the four-lettered F-word when discussing their new steed, though they will acknowledge the locally designed and engineered Ranger was the only option that delivered “non-negotiable” features including a powerful V6 diesel engine, full-time all-wheel-drive, front and rear disc brakes and class-leading safety features.
A VW design team in Melbourne worked hard to make sure it would not be mistaken for a Ranger, introducing new lights, bumpers, wheels and sheet metal – everything you see except the roof.
Volkswagen has added its own style and switch gear to make its feel different from the Ford.
The cabin feels like a Volkswagen, with controls and readouts pinched from the brand’s passenger cars. A soft-touch leather-look dash and doors with contrasting stitching look premium and well-bolstered seats are a cut above the Blue Oval alternatives. VW’s cabin changes are impressive, though a couple of cars on the launch program fell short of the fit and finish customers might expect.
Bigger than its predecessor, the South African-sourced Amarok has a longer wheelbase, which translates to more legroom. It tows the same 3500kg as the old car but increased roof loading and towball weights make it a better bet for the caravan and camping crowd.
The new Amarok is a class above the previous version.
The range is simpler than its rivals, as there are no two-door, or two-wheel-drive options. It starts with the 2.0-litre diesel, 125kW and 405Nm Amarok Core priced from about $59,000 drive-away), which is $3000 more than an equivalent Ranger.
The cheapest Amarok has LED headlights, 17-inch alloys, an 8-inch digital dash, wireless phone charging and driver aids such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance.
Amarok Life models, which start at about $64,000 drive-away, swap a single turbo engine and six-speed auto for Ford’s bi-turbo, 157kW/500Nm 2.0-litre diesel and a 10-speed auto. The mid-grade Amarok Style is the sweet spot in the range, bowling up electrically adjustable seats, soft-touch leather-look trim, Matrix LED headlights, a wide-screen digital dashboard and oversized 12-inch central infotainment screen for about $74,000 drive-away. Most customers are expected to pay another $4000 for a 184kW/600Nm turbo diesel V6 with full-time all-wheel-drive.
It’s not cheap, though, prices start at $59,000 drive-away.
Though the Amarok is generally dearer than the Ranger, you need to pay another $10,000 to get all those features in the Ford.
Rugged PanAmericana versions bring improved shock absorbers, butch styling and 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres for about $83,000 drive-away.
Interior tweaks include a Harman/Kardon stereo and eye-catching patterned leather trim.
The range-topping Aventura adds 21-inch wheels, a powered metal tray cover and chrome exterior accents for about $87,500 drive-away. That’s roughly $3000 more than the Ranger Platinum but less than Ford’s high-performance Ranger Raptor (about $95,000 drive-away).
The Aventura comes standard with the 3.0-litre diesel V6 but there is also a 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol model with 222kW and 452Nm for no additional cost.
It’s a rugged machine that can handle some serious rough terrain.
The petrol engine is smoother than the big V6 and it might be a better bet for urban customers who don’t need to tow. Its lighter, too, which makes it nicer to steer, but it feels stressed on the road and is appreciably thirstier than the diesel.
Most customers will pick the effortlessly punchy V6 that leads the class for refinement. There are differences in calibration in the steering and suspension intended to make it feel like a Volkswagen.
It is powered by a range of Ford engines including a potent V6 turbodiesel used in the new Ranger
Driven in isolation at the model’s launch, it was hard to find significant differences in the driving experience compared to the Ranger. It feels stable at speed, rides very well for a ute, has confidence-inspiring brakes and an effortless motor.
VERDICT 4/5
The new VW Amarok takes the best ute on sale and adds a touch of European polish for a premium price.
VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK STYLE V6
PRICE: About $78,000 drive-away
ENGINE: 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel, 184kW and 600Nm
WARRANTY/SERVICE: 5-year/u’ltd km, $1800 for five yrs
SAFETY: Nine airbags, auto emergency braking, active cruise control, lane keep assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert
THIRST: 8.4L/100km
CARGO: 1031kg payload, 3500kg towing
SPARE: Full-size