So you need a dual-cab 4×4 ute, but you don’t want to be the one to buy yet another Ford Ranger or Toyota HiLux in your neighbourhood. Enter the Volkswagen Amarok.
If you’re in the market, you already know the Amarok is essentially a Ranger in a nice suit – part of Volkswagen’s partnership with Ford on commercial vehicles.
And let’s be clear here – that ain’t no bad thing. If you’re going to partner up with another manufacturer to make a ute, why not pick arguably the best ute on the market? Looking at you, Mercedes-Benz…
While I’ve had some decent seat time in the Ranger, this is my first taste of the latest Amarok, and it’s a good place to start, as this is the Amarok PanAmericana – priced from $79,990 drive-away – which sits just below the range-topping Aventura variant.
The most direct rival is the Ford Ranger Wildtrak, which is priced from $74,840 before on-road costs, but many buyers will also be considering the Toyota HiLux GR Sport, which starts from $74,310 before on-road costs.
But while the Ranger and HiLux are built in Thailand, the Amarok is sourced from a Ford factory in South Africa.
The question is, does the Amarok’s country of origin make a difference?
How much does the Volkswagen Amarok cost?
The cost of entry is $55,990 drive-away for an Amarok Core TDI405, while the flagship Amarok Aventura TDI600 tops out at $82,990 drive-away – with no less than 10 variants between.
| Model | Drive-away price |
|---|---|
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Core pickup TDI405 | $55,990 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Core Tray TDI405 | $59,990 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Life pickup TDI500 | $59,490 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Life Tray TDI500 | $65,990 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok 10 Deserts Edition pickup | $68,990 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Style pickup TDI500 | $69,740 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Style Tray TDI500 | $76,740 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Style pickup TDI600 | $76,740 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Style Tray TDI600 | $80,740 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana pickup TDI600 | $79,990 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Aventure pickup TSI452 | $79,990 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Aventure pickup TDI600 | $82,990 |
To see how the Volkswagen Amarok lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
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What is the Volkswagen Amarok like on the inside?
Frankly, it’s easy to forget you’re in a commercial ute when you’re sitting in an Amarok PanAmericana (before you start it up, that is).
While this is not a comparison, it’s difficult not to put the Amarok up against the Ranger – its non-identical twin. The Ranger is a little more cohesive and thoughtful, particularly when it comes to dashboard design and materials, but the Volkswagen is clean, modern, and well laid out.
However, the centre console is a bit monolithic, which just highlights the two large slabs of hard plastic on each side of the 12-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen.
While the software on the infotainment screen is responsive and reliable, being as big as it is, it’s harder to brace your hand while driving to ensure you hit the desired whatever on the screen.
In order words, you not only have to take your eyes off the road to locate the function you need on the screen, but on a bumpy road you have to be careful to select the actual thing you want – like the climate controls.
The wireless Apple CarPlay connected quickly each time for me, and music sounded excellent through the eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
I do appreciate the fact that there’s a real Volkswagen steering wheel being used, rather than just recycling the Ranger’s tiller and slapping on a VW airbag cover, which really helps sell the ute as a Volkswagen product.
Then there’s the switchgear – which is limited – but is mostly unique to the Amarok, and feels rugged and high-quality.
Our particular car has two-tone black and brown leather seat trim with contrast brown baseball glove stitching (called ‘Cricket’, as it’s friendlier for an Australian audience), which is complemented with dark brown leather trim on the doors and arm rest, and a beautiful leather-stitched dash – all of which works well with the Reed Green Metallic exterior paint, an $1100 option.
A point of difference is the digital instrument cluster graphics, which appear more like traditional analogue gauges, and are far more appealing to me than the graphics used by Ford.
Both the front heated seats and the seating position are excellent, and it was easy to find a comfortable spot quickly, while there’s plenty of room in the second row for transporting adults in comfort.
Front occupants get to use a wireless smartphone charger in an angled cubby with rubber – meaning the phone can be grabbed easily, but it also doesn’t move around – along with a single USB-A, USB-C, and 12-volt charging port.
Rear passengers get a 12V socket and air vents.
While the back seats are reasonably flat, there’s more than enough space and comfort for two adults to enjoy a long journey. The rear pockets in the front seats are a nice touch, giving you somewhere to stick your phone or tablet. And somewhere to cram chewing-gum wrappers for someone to find next century.
There’s a simple reason why there’s so much space – the cabin is big. And the cabin is big because the Amarok is big.
Since the 1990s, automakers have been gradually increasing the size of their dual-cab utes, and the latest batch really aren’t all that far off the big American pickups.
While there are some downsides to its largeness, from the perspective of both comfort and practicality, the Amarok… rocks.
The tub is plenty big enough for most people’s needs, with the ability to fit a Euro-sized pallet in, and with a payload of almost a tonne.
But if you’re after a tray, the PanAmericana misses out – with the Amarok Style the highest variant available as a cab-chassis.
However, the standard tub benefits from a black sports bar that extends down the sides – increasing tie-down options – as well as a 230V household socket.
| Dimensions | Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana |
|---|---|
| Length | 5362mm |
| Width | 1917mm |
| Height | 1884mm |
| Wheelbase | 3270mm |
| Cargo capacity | 956kg |
To see how the Volkswagen Amarok lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
Volkswagen offers a choice of three four-cylinder turbocharged engines for the Amarok – in both diesel and petrol – but the Amarok PanAmericana gets the range-topping TDI600 powertrain.
| Specifications | Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 |
| Power | 184kW |
| Torque | 600Nm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic with low-range |
| Drive type | Four-wheel drive |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 8.4L/100km |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | 10.3L/100km |
| CO2 emissions (claimed) | 222g/km |
| Fuel tank | 80-litre |
| Weight | 2394kg |
| Payload | 956kg |
| Braked towing capacity | 3500kg |
| Gross vehicle mass (GVM) | 3350kg |
| Gross combination mass (GCM) | 6400kg |
This means the ute is powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 making 184kW of power and 600Nm of torque, powering all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission with a low-range gearbox.
To see how the Volkswagen Amarok lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How does the Volkswagen Amarok drive?
There’s really no way of talking about the Amarok without referencing the Ford Ranger.
While some people seem to turn their nose up at it, the fact is the Ranger is Australia’s best-selling vehicle – and for good reason. It’s arguably the best there is.
Having a Volkswagen version of it means there’s even more variety, because you get to drive the best ute, without having to have the exact same model as everyone else.
While the spec sheet doesn’t really differentiate the Amarok, the fact is the VW badge adds a little premium seasoning to the experience.
Curiously, the Amarok has the indicator stalk on the left – like you would expect from a native left-hand-drive vehicle from Germany – rather than the standard in Australia which is on the right. As it is in the Ranger.
Perhaps this is a money-saving decision. Maybe it’s a virtue of the car being built in South Africa at a plant that builds both left- and right-hand-drive vehicles. Or maybe Volkswagen wants to put the subconscious thought in your head that this is a German car. I don’t know.
On the road, the Amarok is fantastic – both relaxing to drive in stop-start traffic, but with ample performance to bring the ute up to speed without wringing its neck.
Despite the PanAmericana getting the V6 turbo-diesel, I was neither overwhelmed nor underwhelmed by the powertrain, just whelmed. It does the job, it’s got performance on tap for when you need it, but don’t expect rip-roaring torque or exciting power. It’s a workhorse, and a decent one at that.
The 10-speed automatic mostly works away in the background without drawing attention to itself, but squeeze the throttle and it can sometimes take a moment to find the right cog, with a light bang as it tries to get you going.
With almost two-and-a-half tonnes to bring to a halt, you’re definitely aware of the mass of the vehicle, but the brakes do an excellent job of keeping it all under control – with the pedal delivering consistent pressure and response.
In the same vein, the steering is perfectly weighted and has just the right amount of lock-to-lock to manoeuvre the large Amarok on the road or in a car park.
But while the Volkswagen ute is perfectly comfortable on country highways, on narrow city streets its size becomes apparent and, suddenly, parked cars, kamikaze Uber Eats riders on electric bikes, and pedestrians all become dangerous obstacles to avoid without sideswiping the car next to you.
The engine idle start/stop feature is one of the better ones I’ve found in a diesel ute. You don’t need to have your foot mashed into the firewall for it to initiate, restarting is relatively quick, and – while they still exist – start-up vibrations from the diesel V6 won’t register as a magnitude 5.4 earthquake.
The Amarok’s chassis is, thanks to its Blue Oval origins, one of the best in the business. The ladder-frame is rigid, the suspension is well-tuned, and it all works together with the 18-inch wheels and tyres to deliver a pleasing drive, while still communicating bumps and potholes to the driver.
At speed, the radar cruise control and lane-keep assist work well enough, but certainly aren’t the best I’ve used. But I also appreciate that the ADAS technology isn’t overly intrusive, as many can be. There’s plenty of safety net for you, without the car constantly slapping you in the face with a large trout.
Fuel economy averaged 10.3 litres per 100 kilometres, with a combination of city, suburban, and freeway driving. Volkswagen quotes a combined 8.4L/100km, meaning we used almost 23 per cent more fuel than expected. Probably not a deal-breaker for most people, but something to be aware of.
| Off-road dimensions | Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana |
|---|---|
| Track front and rear | 1620mm |
| Ground clearance | 233mm |
| Approach angle | 30.0 degrees |
| Departure angle | 25.6 degrees |
| Ramp breakover angle | 22.0 degrees |
| Wading depth | 800mm |
To see how the Volkswagen Amarok lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
There are six variants of the Volkswagen Amarok, as well as four engines, and the choice of a tub or tray – meaning there are several levels of features and price points to choose from.
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2026 Volkswagen Amarok Core equipment highlights:
- 17-inch ‘Cobra’ alloy wheels
- Front disc, rear drum brakes
- Locking rear differential
- Power-folding side mirrors
- Side steps
- Mud flaps
- 2 x front tow hooks
- Steel underbody protection
- Plastic fuel tank protection
- Tow bar
- 12-pin trailer plug
- Black side mirrors, door handles
- Manual locking tailgate
- 6 x tie-down points in tub (pickup only)
- Exterior tie-down rails
- Cargo box LED lighting (pickup only)
- Automatic LED headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Automatic high-beam
- Halogen tail-lights
- Vinyl flooring
- Grey headliner
- Fabric upholstery
- 6-way manual driver seat
- 4-way manual front passenger seat
- 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Four-speaker sound system
- Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wireless charger
- Single-zone air-conditioning
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Trailer brake controller
Amarok Life adds:
- Rear disc brakes
- LED front fog lights
- Body colour side mirrors and door handles
- Heated, power-folding side mirrors with puddle lamps
- Locking wheel nuts
- Tailgate lift assist (pickup only)
- Power tailgate lock (pickup only)
- Privacy glass
- Six-speaker sound system
- E-shifter
- Electric park brake
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Carpet flooring
- Eight-way manual front seats
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
Amarok 10 Deserts Edition adds:
- 17-inch black ‘Cobra’ alloy wheels
- Continental CrossContact all-terrain tyres
- 40mm suspension lift (275mm total ground clearance)
- Composite underbody protection
- Black tonneau cover
- 10 Deserts badging
- All-weather floor mats
Amarok Style adds:
- 18-inch ‘Amadora’ alloy wheels
- Chrome side mirrors and door handles
- Plastic tub liner (pickup only)
- Stainless steel sports bar (pickup only)
- 12V socket in tub (pickup only)
- 230V sockets in tub (pickup only)
- 400W inverter
- Matrix LED headlights
- LED tail lights
- Leather-look dashboard and door inserts
- ArtVelour microfibre upholstery
- Heated front seats
- 10-way power driver’s seat
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Dual-zone climate control
- Rear air vents
- Insulated windshield
- Proximity entry and push-button start
- Alarm system
Amarok PanAmericana adds:
- 18-inch black ‘Amadora’ alloy wheels
- All-terrain tyres
- Dynamic suspension
- Black side mirrors and door handles
- PanAmericana decal
- Black sports bar and steps
- Soft tonneau cover
- Roof rails
- Spray-in tub liner
- Leather upholstery
- Power passenger seat
- Eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
- Black headliner
Amarok Aventura adds:
- 21-inch ‘Varberg’ alloy wheels
- Chrome bumpers, mirrors, handles
- Rear sailplane
- Electric roller cover
- Leather seats (Savona)
Is the Volkswagen Amarok safe?
The Volkswagen Amarok received a full five stars from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program – better known as ANCAP – based on testing conducted in 2022.
| Category | Volkswagen Amarok |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 86 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 93 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 74 per cent |
| Safety assist | 83 per cent |
Standard safety equipment across the range includes:
- 9 airbags
- Knee
- Centre
- Front
- Side curtain
- Rear
- Adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Front, rear parking sensors
- Intelligent Speed Limiter
- Lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reversing camera
- Swerve Steer assist
- Speed sign recognition
- Tyre pressure monitoring
Amarok Life adds:
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go
Amarok Style adds:
- Park Assist semi-autonomous parking
- Surround-view camera
- Trailer assist
To see how the Volkswagen Amarok lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How much does the Volkswagen Amarok cost to run?
The V6-powered Amarok will cost a total of $3608 to service over the first five years, based on Volkswagen’s Assured fixed-price schedule. It’s worth noting the Ranger V6 has capped-price servicing costs of $1516 over the first four years.
| Servicing and Warranty | Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | 1 year |
| Service intervals | 2 years or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | $3608 |
As with all Volkswagens, the Amarok is covered by the company’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
To see how the Volkswagen Amarok lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Volkswagen Amarok
If the Ford Ranger is Jack Daniels, the Volkswagen Amarok is Jonny Walker. They’re both whiskeys, they’ll both get you drunk, but they have distinctly different flavour profiles – and ordering either one at a public bar says something different about you to the world.
It’s not quite as extreme as blue collar versus white collar, but it’s something along those lines.
What would have been considered an expensive ute just a few short years ago is now somewhere in the middle of the bell curve. It’s neither the cheapest dual-cab four-wheel-drive ute available, thanks to the influx of alternatives from China – nor is it the most expensive, due to the growing large US pickup segment.
I was particularly curious to see whether I would notice any quality differences between the Thai-built Ranger and the South African-built Amarok. I’ve owned several BMW 5 Series models from the early 1990s, most of which were manufactured in Germany, but one that was made in South Africa, and there was a stark difference in the way the South African car felt.
This isn’t the case at all with the Amarok. The build quality is faultless, with the only eccentricity being the aforementioned left indicator stalk.
While subjective, I’m a fan of the more conventional looks of the Amarok. It seems like every week, another automaker is releasing a new dual-cab ute with sometimes menacing, sometimes bizarre designs. The Volkswagen is classy in comparison, and I suspect history – and potentially resale value – will be kind to the Amarok.
Plenty will gravitate towards the more rugged Ranger Wildtrak at this price point, but the Amarok PanAmericana offers a more grown-up alternative. The ageing HiLux frankly feels outclassed in every way by the Amarok.
My only real complaint with the Volkswagen boils down to the infotainment. The centre screen is so large it really seems like overkill, but most buyers will easily adapt to the system after a few weeks. And arguably, the benefits outweigh the deficiencies.
For those in the market for a premium, do-it-all dual-cab 4×4 ute, the Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana is an excellent choice. The interior feels classy enough to take your partner out on date night, yet this vehicle is a proper, capable off-roader right out of the box, offering oodles of space, comfort, tech, and capability.
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MORE: Explore the Volkswagen Amarok showroom
