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2026 Volkswagen Amarok review

Dudley Kshlerin4 weeks ago

13 minutes read

Tired of seeing the same old Ranger and HiLux twins parked on every block? Yearning for a workhorse that stands out from the herd? Then prepare to meet the Volkswagen Amarok , the 4×4 dualcab ute ready to break the mold.

Beneath the Amarok’s sophisticated veneer lies a familiar workhorse: the Ford Ranger. Volkswagen’s alliance with Ford on commercial vehicles has dressed the rugged Ranger in a finely tailored suit, creating a pickup that’s both stylish and capable.

And frankly, who can blame them? If you’re going to hitch your wagon to any ute star, why not aim for the brightest one in the sky? Mercedes-Benz clearly missed the memo.

Forget fleeting Ranger encounters. This is my Amarok initiation, and it’s a baptism by fire in the PanAmericana. At $79,990 drive-away, this off-road warrior plants itself firmly one rung below the ultimate Aventura, promising an adventure right out of the gate.

Forget choosing between the Ford Ranger Wildtrak (from $74,840 plus on-roads) and the Toyota HiLux GR Sport (starting at $74,310 plus on-roads). These two titans are bound to be on your shortlist when searching for the ultimate ride.

While the Ranger and HiLux hail from Thai assembly lines, the Amarok boasts a rugged South African pedigree, forged in a Ford factory on the other side of the globe.

The question is, does the Amarok’s country of origin make a difference?

How much does the Volkswagen Amarok cost?

From a practical $55,990 (Amarok Core TDI405, drive-away) to a luxurious $82,990 (Amarok Aventura TDI600, drive-away), the Amarok range offers a staggering ten different flavors to suit every need and budget.

| 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 ourcomparison tool

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What is the Volkswagen Amarok like on the inside?

Sink into the Amarok PanAmericana’s seats and, for a blissful moment, the rugged reality of its ute DNA fades away… until you turn the key.

The Amarok and Ranger: fraternal twins, not identical. While not a head-to-head brawl, the Ranger subtly edges out the Amarok with a more polished and intuitive dashboard. Think of it as the Ranger chose the tailored suit, while the Amarok opted for minimalist chic – clean lines and modern sensibility, but perhaps lacking the Ranger’s final flourish.

The center console rises like a stark monolith, drawing unwanted attention to the twin plastic plains flanking the towering 12-inch infotainment screen.

The infotainment screen, though responsive and dependable, presents a challenge. Its sheer size demands a steady hand, making on-the-go adjustments a tricky, sometimes precarious, dance while driving.

Imagine barreling down a washboard road. Now, imagine trying to tap a tiny icon on a touchscreen to adjust the AC – all while keeping your car between the ditches. Good luck with that. It’s a recipe for a swerving, sweaty disaster.

The Apple CarPlay experience was seamless; wireless connection was instant, and the eight-speaker Harman Kardon system transformed my drive into a rolling concert hall.

Forget a badge-engineered afterthought! The genuine Volkswagen steering wheel, a tactile connection to the brand’s DNA, immediately shouts, "This is a VW," not just a re-skinned Ranger. It’s a critical detail that elevates the entire experience.

Amarok’s switchgear isn’t abundant, but what’s there feels distinctly Amarok – robust and premium to the touch.

Imagine sinking into seats of decadent, two-tone black and brown leather. Picture the glove-soft feel, the playful "Cricket" stitching – a nod to sun-drenched Australian afternoons – dancing across the hide. This isn’t just leather; it’s an invitation. Dark brown cascades across the doors and armrests, a rich, comforting embrace. Above, a hand-stitched leather dash whispers of meticulous craftsmanship. And the final flourish? Reed Green Metallic paint – a $1100 indulgence that transforms the exterior into a verdant dream. Together, they compose a symphony of tactile pleasure and visual harmony.

Forget futuristic pixels. This instrument cluster whispers classic elegance, its graphics embracing the soul of analogue gauges. A refreshing antidote to Ford’s digital dazzle, it’s a welcome return to timeless style.

Sink into the embrace of the heated front seats – a haven of warmth on chilly days. Finding your ideal driving posture is effortless, a testament to the car’s ergonomic design. And for those riding in the back? Rest assured, the second row offers limousine-like legroom, ensuring even the tallest adults travel in supreme comfort.

The front cabin keeps your devices powered up and within easy reach. Nestled in an angled, rubber-lined cubby is a wireless charging pad – grab-and-go convenience meets no-slip security. Connectivity is further enhanced with USB-A, USB-C, and a 12-volt outlet, ensuring everyone stays juiced up on the journey.

Rear passengers get a 12V socket and air vents.

The back seats won’t win any awards for radical design, but they offer a surprisingly comfortable haven for two adults on extended trips. Thoughtful touches, like the seatback pockets, provide handy nooks for stashing phones or tablets – and, inevitably, a future archaeologist’s treasure trove of forgotten gum wrappers.

Forget cramped commutes. The Amarok’s cabin? A sprawling landscape of comfort. Why so roomy? Simple: it’s built around a truck that thinks big.

Dual-cab utes have been on a serious growth spurt since the ’90s. The current crop? They’re practically breathing down the necks of full-size American pickups.

While there are some downsides to its largeness, from the perspective of both comfort and practicality, the Amarok… rocks.

This tub isn’t just big; it’s practically palatial. Swallow a Euro-pallet whole? Check. Haul nearly a tonne of whatever you need? Absolutely. Think of it as your personal cargo oasis.

Forget a tray bed if you’re eyeing the PanAmericana; that dream is dashed. To snag a cab-chassis, you’ll have to settle for the Amarok Style.

But the standard tub isn’t just a plain box. A black sports bar, flowing down its flanks, multiplies tie-down points for securing cargo. Plus, a handy 230V household socket means you can power your gear right from the truck bed.

| 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 ourcomparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

The Amarok spoils drivers with a trio of turbocharged four-cylinder engines diesel and petrol options abound. However, the Amarok PanAmericana reigns supreme, exclusively harnessing the brute force of the TDI600 powertrain.

Beneath the hood lies a beast: a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6. Unleashing 184kW and a monstrous 600Nm of torque, this powerhouse channels its fury through a responsive 10-speed automatic transmission and a low-range gearbox, ensuring all four wheels claw relentlessly at any terrain.

To see how the Volkswagen Amarok lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool

How does the Volkswagen Amarok drive?

There’s really no way of talking about the Amarok without referencing the Ford Ranger.

Forget the naysayers. The Ford Ranger isn’t just topping sales charts in Australia; it’s ruling the roads. And for good reason. This isn’t just a vehicle; it’s the undisputed king of the Aussie landscape.

"Owning the Volkswagen version is like having the best-kept secret in the ute world. You get all the rugged capability, but with a distinct edge – a stylish alternative that sets you apart from the crowd of cookie-cutter trucks."

The Amarok’s specs might blend into the crowd, but that iconic VW badge? It’s the secret ingredient, adding a touch of premium flavor to the entire experience.

The Amarok throws a delightful curveball: its indicator stalk is stubbornly parked on the left, a nod to its German roots and left-hand-drive heritage. Forget the Aussie standard; this truck dances to its own Teutonic tune.

Is it frugality whispering in Volkswagen’s ear? A clever cost-saving maneuver, perhaps? Or is it the ghost of South Africa, where the same factory births both left- and right-hand-drive siblings? Or could it be something more… insidious? A subliminal seed planted deep within your mind: "This, my friend, is undeniably German." The truth? Your guess is as good as mine.

The Amarok eats up the road. City gridlock? A breeze. Need to punch it onto the highway? This beast surges forward without breaking a sweat, leaving you feeling like you’re piloting a refined machine, not wrestling a workhorse.

The PanAmericana’s V6 turbo-diesel? Competent, yes. Earth-shattering? Hardly. It’s the automotive equivalent of a sturdy mule – reliable and capable, delivering power when prodded, but never quite inspiring a grin. Forget tire-scorching launches or neck-snapping acceleration; this engine toils dutifully, a blue-collar hero in a luxury suit, proving adequate, and ultimately, forgettable.

The 10-speed automatic usually operates invisibly, a silent partner in your drive. But demand instant power, and it occasionally hesitates, a brief, almost imperceptible stumble before slamming into gear like a rookie stagehand fumbling a spotlight.

Hauling over two tons of steel and ambition, you feel every ounce when you hit the brakes. Yet, panic gives way to profound control. The pedal answers your every command, reassuringly firm, a masterclass in responsive stopping power.

The steering in the Amarok is brilliantly calibrated, offering confident control whether you’re navigating tight city corners or sprawling highways. Its responsiveness transforms what could be a lumbering beast into a surprisingly nimble machine.

Cruising down open highways, the Volkswagen ute feels right at home. But unleash it onto the urban jungle, and its bulk transforms into a liability. Suddenly, parked cars loom like concrete barriers, electric-bike-riding delivery drivers dart out of nowhere like caffeinated ninjas, and oblivious pedestrians become moving targets in a high-stakes game of automotive Frogger – all while you desperately try to avoid adding a new scratch to the bumper of the unsuspecting car beside you.

This diesel ute boasts an idle start/stop system that’s a cut above the rest. Forget foot-to-the-floor pressure; it engages smoothly. Restart is rapid, and while it’s a diesel V6, the start-up shudder is less tremor, more gentle nudge.

Beneath the Amarok’s rugged skin lies a chassis blessed by Blue Oval engineering – a foundation so solid, it’s practically seismic. Think of it as a meticulously crafted instrument: a rigid ladder frame forms the bedrock, supporting a suspension system finely tuned to sing across any terrain. The 18-inch wheels, wrapped in capable tires, become its voice, translating road imperfections with a pleasing thrum, keeping you connected to the asphalt, even when it’s trying to shake you loose.

On the open road, the radar cruise control and lane-keep assist perform adequately, though they lack the finesse of top-tier systems. What’s truly refreshing, however, is the ADAS’s restrained approach. Unlike some overzealous systems that feel like a hyperactive co-driver, this one offers a subtle safety net, intervening only when necessary, saving you from the electronic equivalent of a fishy facial assault.

The fuel gauge took a hit, registering 10.3L/100km across a mixed bag of city crawls, suburban jaunts, and open freeway runs. That’s a noticeable gulp above Volkswagen’s advertised 8.4L/100km – a 23% thirstier reality. While not necessarily a deal-breaker, consider this your ‘buyer beware’ moment at the pump.

To see how the Volkswagen Amarok lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool

What do you get?

The Volkswagen Amarok isn’t just a pickup; it’s a customizable beast. Six trim levels, four engine options, and your choice of a rugged tub or a practical tray – configure your perfect workhorse and prepare to conquer both the job site and the open road. Tailor-made to fit your budget and lifestyle.

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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 isn’t just a truck; it’s officially a safe haven. ANCAP, the authority on vehicle safety, awarded it a flawless five-star rating after rigorous 2022 testing, proving it’s built to protect.

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 ourcomparison tool

How much does the Volkswagen Amarok cost to run?

Worried about servicing costs on your new V6 Amarok? Volkswagen’s Assured fixed-price schedule puts your mind at ease, totaling $3608 over five years. But hold on, Ford’s Ranger V6 boasts a sweeter deal: capped-price servicing at a mere $1516 for the first four years. Food for thought when weighing up those V6 workhorses!

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 ourcomparison tool

childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Volkswagen Amarok

The Ford Ranger is Jack Daniel’s: bold, American, gets the job done. The Volkswagen Amarok? That’s Johnny Walker. Smoother, more refined, a touch of European sophistication. Both pack a punch, but one speaks of dusty roads and honky-tonks, the other of city streets and rooftop bars. Choose your poison – and let it tell your story.

It’s not quite as extreme as blue collar versus white collar, but it’s something along those lines.

Once the king of the hill, today’s formerly top-shelf ute now finds itself adrift in a sea of sameness. No longer the budget-breaker it once was, it’s been outflanked by a wave of affordable Chinese contenders and overshadowed by the hulking American behemoths vying for the premium crown.

My mission: to unearth the truth. Would the Thai-built Ranger stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the South African-bred Amarok? My past haunted me – a fleet of classic BMW 5 Series, mostly German-born paragons of Teutonic engineering. But one, a black sheep from South Africa, forever tainted my view. Would history repeat itself, or could this Ranger rewrite the narrative of global manufacturing?

The Amarok? Forget flimsy. This thing’s built like a vault. The only quirky detail? That blinker’s on the wrong side – a minor European affectation in a fortress of faultless engineering.

Forget the futuristic face-offs and alien angles plaguing the dual-cab scene. The Amarok? It’s a breath of fresh, tailored air. While others chase shock value with designs that teeter between "intimidating" and "outlandish," the Amarok confidently carries a timeless elegance. It’s a design that whispers "quality" instead of shouting "look at me!" My hunch? This understated sophistication won’t just age gracefully; it’ll likely translate to a healthier resale value down the road. The Amarok isn’t just a ute; it’s a classic in the making.

While the Ranger Wildtrak might tempt with its tough-guy persona, the Amarok PanAmericana presents a sophisticated counterpoint. The aging HiLux, however, simply can’t compete, feeling like a relic in the Amarok’s rearview mirror.

The Volkswagen’s infotainment is a double-edged sword. The oversized center screen? A visual statement, perhaps too loud. But like a new pair of shoes, familiarity breeds comfort. A few weeks in, and its quirks fade, leaving you to appreciate the broader advantages it brings. Is it perfect? No. Is it worth the initial learning curve? Absolutely.

The Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana: Date night on Saturday, conquering continents on Sunday. Forget compromises; this dual-cab 4×4 ute effortlessly blends premium comfort with raw, untamed capability. Imagine a cabin so refined, it’s perfect for impressing a special someone, yet beneath the stylish veneer lies a beast ready to tackle the toughest terrain straight from the showroom floor. Space, comfort, cutting-edge tech, and go-anywhere performance – the Amarok PanAmericana isn’t just a ute, it’s a statement.

childcareman.xyz can save you thousands on a new Volkswagen Amarok. Clickhereto get a great deal.

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Thanks for reading 2026 Volkswagen Amarok review

How much does the Volkswagen Amarok cost?

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What is the Volkswagen Amarok like on the inside?

What’s under the bonnet?

How does the Volkswagen Amarok drive?

What do you get?

Trusted Reviews, Smarter Choices, Better Prices

Is the Volkswagen Amarok safe?

How much does the Volkswagen Amarok cost to run?

childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Volkswagen Amarok

Dudley Kshlerin

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