Volkswagen Amarok Review 2024
Written by Richard Aucock
Quick overview
Pros
- Good payload capacity and towing ability
- Interior feels well made
- Straightforward to drive on the road
Cons
- Diesel power is the only option
- High-spec versions can become very expensive
- Portrait-orientated infotainment screen isn’t ideal
Overall verdict on the Volkswagen Amarok
"The Volkswagen Amarok is more premium and more capable than ever before, with the potential to appeal to both business users and private buyers alike. Having an upmarket badge on the grille helps it stand out from the closely related Ford Ranger."
Volkswagen caused something of a shock when it launched the first-generation Amarok pick-up truck in 2011. It quickly established itself as one of the leading vehicles in this sector, offering a mixture of refinement and practicality.
The latest version has been developed with Ford, and uses the same underpinnings as the latter’s Ranger pick-up. This even extends to being produced in the same factory, but do not think of the Amarok as little more than a rebadged Ranger.
Instead, Volkswagen has given its pick-up truck its own impressive visual identity, with most versions wearing plenty of chrome trim. It is worth noting that, unlike the Ranger, the Volkswagen Amarok only comes in double-cab form.
Most versions of the Amarok can carry a payload of more than one tonne, with a practical load bed that is able to take a Euro pallet sideways. Just be aware that the fanciest Aventura model has a payload of less than 900kg, meaning it does not qualify as a light commercial vehicle for tax purposes.
The Volkswagen Amarok’s engine range is limited, with a choice of diesels offering between 170PS and 240PS. A 2.0-litre TDI with 205PS and a 10-speed automatic gearbox is the pick of the bunch, with all versions of the Amarok featuring 4Motion all-wheel drive.
Volkswagen has given the Amarok a generous standard specification, with even the basic Life model providing air conditioning, LED headlights and a rear-view camera. At the top of the range, leather upholstery, a Harman Kardon sound system and larger alloy wheels are included. This helps to justify the premium pricing.
The biggest challenger to the Volkswagen Amarok is the Ford Ranger it shares so much with. Having a chassis, engines and even a basic interior design in common, there is little to choose between the two trucks.
However, the Volkswagen Amarok's biggest advantage is always likely to be the lure of its upmarket badge and the associated image. Overall, this is one of the very best new pick-up trucks on sale, with a combination of capability and class that is unrivalled in the marketplace.
Looking for a used car for sale? We've got 100s of Volkswagen Approved Used Cars for Sale for you to choose from, including the new Volkswagen Amarok. If you're looking for the older version, you need our Volkswagen Amaroki (2011-2022) review.
Is the Volkswagen Amarok right for you?
If you need a pick-up truck, but do not want to feel like you are driving a workhorse, the Volkswagen Amarok makes a lot of sense. From the premium badge on its bonnet, to useful payload capacity on most models, the Amarok does a lot of things well.
The big question to ask is just how much the Volkswagen badge means to you, given that the Ford Ranger shares an awful lot with the Amarok.
Alternatively, if you are unlikely to ever use the Amarok’s load bed for hauling, a traditional SUV like the Volkswagen Touareg can deliver a more refined driving experience.
The Volkswagen Amarok model range is relatively small, but we would opt for Style trim as the best version. This comes with more niceties than the basic Amarok Life, such as dual-zone climate control, a larger 12.0-inch infotainment screen with satellite navigation, and wireless smartphone charging.
Choosing the Volkswagen Amarok Style avoids the high prices of the PanAmericana or Aventura models, which are harder to justify. The Aventura also fails to qualify as a light commercial vehicle, removing many of the tax benefits.
When it comes to engines, we hope you like diesels, as they’re the only versions on offer. Both the 2.0 TDI and 3.0 TDI V6 motors are supplied by Ford, with minimal differences in terms of fuel economy. The 2.0 TDI in 205PS form, coupled with the excellent 10-speed automatic gearbox, should be sufficient for most drivers.
What other cars are similar to the Volkswagen Amarok?
Being built on the same platform, in the same factory, and sharing a number of engines, the latest Ford Ranger is clearly the most similar pick-up truck to the Volkswagen Amarok. There are subtle differences between the two, however, so the Amarok is more than simply a rebadged Ford.
Other alternatives include the very dependable Toyota Hilux, which maintains a similar level of performance and refinement. Cheaper options include the SsangYong Musso and Isuzu D-Max. If you must have a premium badge on your pick-up truck, the now-discontinued Mercedes-Benz X-Class is available to buy used.
Comfort and design: Volkswagen Amarok interior
“Volkswagen has put its own stamp on the Amarok’s interior, and it shows in the layout and quality of materials used.”
Being so closely related to the Ford Ranger means there are a number of elements carried over into the Volkswagen Amarok’s interior design. Most of these are positive, such as the same high driving position and general dashboard layout.
Volkswagen has added its own take on things, with physical buttons beneath the infotainment screen being an obvious difference – and advantage, quite frankly. There is also a bespoke design for the standard digital instrument panel, along with Volkswagen’s own choice of classier materials to cover the steering wheel and dashboard itself.
The seats fitted to the basic Volkswagen Amarok Life are supportive, but things improve the further up the range you go. Electrical adjustment is standard from Style trim and above, adding to the level of comfort.
Quality and finish
Given the level of crossover with the Ford Ranger, Volkswagen could only do so much when designing the interior of the Amarok. It incorporated features such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and silver trim highlights.
The premium PanAmericana and Aventura models take the Amarok up a notch, with standard leather upholstery. Leather-look material is used to cover parts of the dashboard and door trim, too.
Look harder in the cabin and you’ll spot parts that have been lifted directly from the Ford Ranger. Items such as the electric window switches and lighting stalks are shared with the Blue Oval-badged pick-up.
The overall experience is perhaps one that leaves the Amarok seeming more like an upmarket Ford, rather than a regular Volkswagen. Nonetheless, the Amarok feels much better built inside than cheaper-to-buy alternatives like the SsangYong Musso or Isuzu D-Max.
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, sat nav and stereo in the Volkswagen Amarok
The infotainment setup inside the Volkswagen Amarok has been lifted almost wholesale from the Ford Ranger, including the unusual portrait layout for the central touchscreen.
In entry-level Life trim, the infotainment touchscreen is a 10-inch item, while all other models get a larger 12.3-inch display. Volkswagen has given the infotainment display its own unique graphics, even if it does use Ford software underneath.
The system responds well, and is helped by the physical shortcut buttons found beneath the touchscreen. Frustratingly, the climate control air-con settings still have to be operated through the screen itself. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity are included as standard on all Amaroks.
All models come with a digital instrument panel, with an 8.0-inch item found on Life trim. Other specifications benefit from a larger 12.3-inch display, bringing extra visual real estate to the dashboard.
Satellite navigation and wireless smartphone charging is included on Style specification upwards, with all Amaroks fitted with a DAB radio. Both the PanAmericana and Aventura models come with an impressive Harman Kardon premium sound system that has eight speakers – including a separate subwoofer.
Space and practicality: Volkswagen Amarok boot space
The second-generation Volkswagen Amarok has grown in scale compared to its predecessor. It now measures 5390mm in length, is 1910mm wide and stands 1884mm tall.
Making the Amarok bigger has aided space for inside the cabin, and when it comes to carrying cargo in the load bed.
The cargo bed measures 1624mm in length and 1584mm in maximum width, meaning there is space to fit a standard Euro pallet in sideways. Depending on the particular model chosen, the truck has a maximum payload weight of up to 1.113 tonnes. Keep in mind, though, that the range-topping Aventura can only carry up to 877kg, meaning it misses out on being classified as a light commercial vehicle for tax purposes.
Lashing rings are attached to the side of the cargo bed as standard, with these capable of securing up to 400kg. A range of fitted covers can be specified to protect loads in the bed, too.
With a longer wheelbase than its predecessor, the new Amarok is surprisingly spacious inside. Offered solely as a double-cab pick-up, the Amarok is capable of transporting up to five people.
Room in the front is generous, aided by the raised driving position and plenty of room between the seats. That space is occupied by a sizable cubby bin, while there are also cupholders and a glovebox for extra storage.
In the back, the seats can feel a touch upright, but are still comfortable enough for longer journeys. Headroom and legroom is generous, meaning tall adults can travel aboard the VW Amarok without complaint.
Handling and ride quality: What is the Volkswagen Amarok like to drive?
“As a traditional pick-up truck, the Volkswagen Amarok will never be the most precise vehicle to drive. Compared to its rivals, though, it handles with relative composure and class.”
It may be brand new, but the Volkswagen Amarok is still something of an old-school pick-up truck beneath its shiny bodywork. To be able to carry heavy loads, and perform off-road, there has to be some kind of compromise when it comes to the Amarok’s suspension setup. This means the use of traditional leaf springs.
Viewed in isolation, the new Amarok rides and handles surprisingly well for a pick-up. This is an area where Volkswagen has tuned its truck to feel different to a Ford Ranger. Without a load on board, the Amarok will jiggle around on bumpy roads, an effect exacerbated by versions fitted with bigger wheels. The Aventura, with its 21-inch alloy wheels, certainly prioritises style over ride comfort.
The overall driving experience is surprisingly good for a pick-up truck. Like the Ford Ranger, the Amarok steers and handles capably, being far better to drive than cheaper rivals such as the SsangYong Musso, for example.
Even so, a modern SUV such as the Volkswagen Touraeg feels in another league to the Amarok on the road.
What engines and gearboxes are available in the Volkswagen Amarok?
Diesel power is the order of the day for the Volkswagen Amarok, with an engine range taken directly from the Ford Ranger. However, unlike the Ford, there is no high-performance petrol-powered Raptor version.
The range kicks off with a 170PS 2.0-litre TDI four-cylinder engine, which is offered solely for the entry-level Life model. It is the only engine combined with a six-speed manual gearbox, and can accelerate the Amarok from 0-62mph in 11.6 seconds, with 405Nm of torque on offer.
A 205PS version of the same 2.0-litre TDI diesel comes with Ford’s excellent 10-speed automatic transmission. Shifting smoothly, it makes driving the Amarok much easier, and sees the 0-62mph time improved to 10.5 seconds. A hefty 500Nm of torque makes towing and hauling easier, too.
For maximum power, the 3.0-litre TDI V6 engine generates a substantial 240PS, along with 600Nm of torque. This sees the 0-62mph time cut to just 8.8 seconds, although the 205PS 2.0 TDI is likely to be the better choice for most buyers.
Every version of the Amarok comes with Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system as standard. Four selectable driving modes include the ability to switch between high- and low-ratio gears, while there are also settings to tailor the Amarok for different terrains. With an improved wading depth versus the previous model, it makes the new Amarok even better off the road.
Refinement and noise levels
When it comes to judging the Volkswagen Amarok, keep in mind that this is a pick-up truck intended primarily for commercial use, rather than being a regular passenger car.
Judged on those terms, the Volkswagen Amarok is impressively refined on the road. Wind and tyre noise is well isolated from the cabin, and the overall level of comfort is better than its rivals. The diesel engines can transmit some vibration back into the cabin when cold, but nothing beyond the ordinary for a light commercial vehicle.
Safety equipment: How safe is the Volkswagen Amarok?
Volkswagen has gone all-out with adding safety features to the new Amarok, making this a very safe pick-up truck to drive. Standard equipment includes a host of airbags, including one for the driver’s knees.
Other standard safety technology includes lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with a speed limiter, and dynamic road sign display.
When tested by the Euro NCAP safety organisation, the Volkswagen Amarok received the maximum five-star rating. This included an impressive 84 percent score for adult occupant protection, plus 90 percent for child occupants.
MPG and fuel costs: What does a Volkswagen Amarok cost to run?
“All three diesel options for the Volkswagen Amarok offer similar fuel economy, meaning there is only a small penalty for more power.”
Like many other vehicles in the pick-up marketplace, the Volkswagen Amarok is offered solely with diesel power. This has the benefit of aiding fuel consumption, along with providing plenty of torque for carrying heavy loads.
The entry-level 170PS 2.0 TDI with a manual gearbox is nominally the most fuel-efficient, with the potential to officially average up to 33.6mpg.
Moving up to the 205PS TDI engine, combined with the 10-speed automatic gearbox, has only a small effect on economy. The official tested figure is 32.8mpg.
At the top of the range, the 240PS 3.0 TDI engine with its automatic gearbox is the least economical. Regardless of the trim level chosen, it only averages up to 28.0mpg.
How reliable is the Volkswagen Amarok?
With many Volkswagen Amaroks likely to be used as working vehicles, dependability is going to be high on owners’ lists of priorities. With the second-generation Amarok being so new, it is too soon to identify any major issues. Sharing parts with the Ford Ranger should help reliability, though.
In the most recent Honest John Satisfaction Index survey, Volkswagen was placed in the bottom half of the table. However, this covered older vehicles, so may not be representative of a new model like the Amarok.
Insurance groups and costs
The entry-level Volkswagen Amarok Life model is placed in insurance group 41 (out of 50 groups in total), for the 170PS model with a manual gearbox. At the other end of the scale, the range-topping Aventura version with a 240PS V6 engine is rated in group 45.
Keeping your Volkswagen Amarok secure is a standard anti-theft alarm, with interior monitoring and towing protection. Remote central locking and locking wheel bolts are included, too.
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on a Volkswagen Amarok?
As a light commercial vehicle, pick-up trucks are treated differently to cars when it comes to VED (road tax). This means a flat rate of VED, regardless of how much CO2 emissions a particular pick-up truck produces.
The latest rates for light commercial vehicles see an annual charge of £320, or £176 if taxed for six months.
How much should you be paying for a used Volkswagen Amarok?
“New prices for the Volkswagen Amarok start at just below £41,000 including VAT.”
Being so new to the market, used examples of the Volkswagen Amarok are yet to appear in large numbers. Yet they are available, with a budget of £55,000 able to secure a low-mileage example of the Amarok in Style trim with the 205PS engine.
Buying new, the Amarok PanAmericana starts at more than £56,000 with VAT included, with the Aventura upwards of £57,500. These prices will likely be harder to justify for private buyers.
Trim levels and standard equipment
Compared to the related Ford Ranger, the Volkswagen Amarok has a relatively simple model range.
Life trim is the starting point for buyers, with LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, black exterior trim and power-folding side mirrors all included.
The Amarok Life’s seats are upholstered in ‘Life’ fabric, with a vinyl floor covering and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Manual air conditioning is fitted, along with a rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control. An 8.0-inch digital instrument panel is standard, along with a 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Moving up to the Volkswagen Amarok Style adds IQ.Light LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a chrome exterior styling bar, chrome front grille and side steps with chrome inserts.
A 360-degree surround-view camera is standard, as is dual-zone climate control, power adjustable front seats in ‘ArtVelours’ microfleece fabric, and carpet for the floor. Ambient lighting, a 12.0-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.0-inch infotainment screen with navigation, and wireless phone charging are also fitted.
The high-spec Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, a matt black styling bar, silver roof rails and black side steps. On the inside, the seats are finished in ‘Cricket’ leather, with the front chairs featuring 10-way power adjustment.
There is also a rear differential lock, comfort suspension, underbody protection and LED lighting for the load area.
At the top of the Volkswagen Amarok range is the Aventura. It stands out thanks to a set of 21-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior mirrors and door handles, and a bold silver front bumper.
‘Savona’ leather covers the seats, with the front pair heated and featuring 10-way power adjustment. The steering wheel is also heated and there is a Park Assist Plus system with rear-traffic alert. Completing the package is a 640w Harman Kardon premium sound system.
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
How much can a Volkswagen Amarok tow?
What is the Volkswagen Amarok’s maximum payload?
How long is the warranty on the Volkswagen Amarok?
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