In this article:
Who is the Volkswagen Amarok a good car for?
What is the Volkswagen Amarok like to drive?
Tech and spec in the Volkswagen Amarok
Similar cars to the Volkswagen Amarok
Is the VW Amarok a good car?
The new, 2nd-gen Volkswagen Amarok is built in collaboration with Ford and yes, it is a very good car, combining the best of both manufacturers in one very attractive bakkie.
It's no secret that the Amarok is based on Ford's updated T6.2 platform that underpins the new Ranger, and indeed, that the Amarok will be built exclusively in Ford's Silverton production facility in Pretoria. That being said, this was not a case of Volkswagen allowing Ford to produce a bakkie by itself as Volkswagen engineers spent over three years in Australia, where both Ranger and Amarok were developed, to oversee the Amarok product and ensure some discernable differences between the two. - Sean Nurse, AutoTrader
Who is the Volkswagen Amarok a good car for?
The double cabs are great for anyone looking for a luxury lifestyle bakkie that is talented in all departments. Pricing for the single cabs is yet to be confirmed.
Find out how often a VW Amarok should be serviced, here.
Is the VW Amarok a good first car?
It's a fantastic first car but rather look for an older model if your budget is not that big. Search AutoTrader for the latest used Amarok models for sale
Is the VW Amarok a good family car?
It's excellent for families, thanks to its advanced onboard tech and safety systems, along with an array of comfort features.
Top 3 safety features on the new VW Amarok
Is there a hybrid Amarok?
Not in South Africa at the moment. Take a look at the powertrain specs below:
The Amarok will be available with a variety of Ford-sourced engines and gearboxes. There are both single and double-cab body styles, with the entry-level engine being a 2.0-litre turbodiesel that produces 110kW/350Nm of torque that is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox sending power to the rear wheels. Moving up, the other 2.0-litre turbodiesel produces 125kW/405Nm and is available with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. - Sean Nurse, AutoTrader
What’s it like to drive?
Reviewer's opinion
Our journey started in the Adventura model, which was fitted with 21-inch wheels, road-bias tyres and a suspension and steering tune said to be more 'sporty'. The first thing to note about the Adventura is its refinement, as the torquey lump up front effortlessly gets about its job of making quiet progress, and while we're certain the outgoing V6 Amarok is more accelerative, the newcomer is sure to be as adept a towing vehicle and has a more progressive and ultimately linear power delivery. The Adventura feels the most removed from its Ford underpinnings when on the go, and feels notably different across a variety of driving conditions. - Sean Nurse, AutoTrader
Read his full 2023 Amarok First Drive Review here.
What does it look like?
The Amarok has a straight and very upright bonnet with unambiguous Volkswagen DNA. The same applies to the bars running horizontally across the radiator grille with the concisely integrated LED headlights, which come as standard on all derivatives. The lights used on the Amarok PanAmericana and Amarok Aventura are the IQ.LIGHT LED headlights, which are new to the Amarok range. They provide interactive illumination and create an unmistakable light design.
Below the transverse bars, the radiator grille unit merges depending on the version into a further horizontal level of the front section or – in the case of the PanAmericana and Aventura – into an X-shaped design. Embossed above the number plate holder of both top models is the word ‘Amarok’. To the left and right of it: the LED fog lights (included as standard on the Amarok Life and above). - VWSA
What is the Volkswagen Amarok like inside?
With its intuitive controls, digital cockpit and tablet-style infotainment display, the new Amarok’s interior has a high-quality functional appearance. The new digital cockpit and a vertically- aligned display unit with a 10 or 12-inch screen, offers a better view and extensive control options. With its self-explanatory and digital displays, the interior has been configured in a very functional and high-quality way.
The spectrum of display units is made up of digital 8.0-inch or 12-inch instruments and a modern touchscreen in tablet format for the infotainment system ranging from 10-inch to 12- inch.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has also implemented a mix of digital functions and ergonomically configured buttons and/or push/rotary switches in the Amarok that are intuitive to use. The infotainment system’s volume and four-wheel drive system’s settings are, for instance, controlled via such hard keys. Dependent on the specification, these both robust and premium-looking features are framed in aluminium. - VWSA
Tech & Spec
Over 20 new assistance systems:
Depending on specification, up to 25 assistance systems make driving even more effortless and in some cases safer. Over 20 of these systems - for instance, an automatic cruise control system ('intelligent speed control assistant'), a parking assistant for assisted manoeuvring into and out of parking spaces, a 360-degree all-round view ('Area View'), a lane change assistant and the road sign recognition system - are new on the second-generation Amarok. - VWSA
Pricing
Which is the cheapest Volkswagen Amarok?
The new model lineup has been expanded to 20 derivatives and VW has done away with the options list, so the models are fully inclusive of all the bells and whistles that you find in premium bakkies. Due to the vehicles being locally built, VW has been able to save a massive amount on costs and has passed this on to consumers. - Lawrence Mienie
| Model | Price |
| Single Cab Amarok 2.0 TDi 110kW 5 Speed MT | TBC |
| Single Cab Camaro 2.0 TDi 125kW 6 Speed MT | TBC |
| Single Cab Amarok 2.0 TDi 125kW 4Motion 6 Speed MT | TBC |
| Double Cab Amarok 2.0 TDi 110kW 5 Speed MT | R 599 000 |
| Double Cab Amarok 2.0 TDi 125kW 6 Speed MT | R 650 500 |
| Double Cab Amarok 2.0 TDi 125kW 4Motion 6 Speed MT | R 721 500 |
| Double Cab Life 2.0 TDi 125kW 6 speed MT | R 683 500 |
| Double Cab Life 2.0 TDi 125kW 4Motion 6 Speed MT | R 738 000 |
| Double Cab Life 2.0 TDi 125kW 4Motion 6 Speed AT | R 760 000 |
| Double Cab Life 2.0 TDi 125kW 4Motion 10 Speed AT | R 825 500 |
| Double Cab Style 2.0 BiTDi 154kW 4Motion 10 Speed AT | R 900 000 |
| Double Cab Style 2.0 BiTDi 154kW 4Motion 10 Speed AT (Comfort Pack) | R 919 500 |
| Double Cab Style 3.0 TDi V6 184kW 4Motion 10 Speed AT | R 966 000 |
| Double Cab Style 3.0 TDi V6 184kW 4Motion 10 Speed AT (Comfort Pack) | R 985 500 |
| Double Cab PanAmericana 2.0 BiTDi 154kW 4Motion 10 Speed AT | R 987 000 |
| Double Cab PanAmericana 2.0 BiTDi 154kW 4Motion 10 Speed AT (Comfort Pack) | R 1 017 000 |
| Double Cab PanAmericana 3.0 TDi V6 184kW 4Motion 10 Speed AT | R 1 053 000 |
| Double Cab PanAmericana 3.0 TDi V6 184kW 4Motion 10 Speed AT (Comfort Pack) | R 1 083 000 |
| Double Cab Aventura 3.0 TDi V6 184kW 4Motion 10 Speed AT | R 1 105 000 |
Competitors
Similar Cars to the Volkswagen Amarok
Isuzu D-Max
Read our latest Isuzu D-MAX reviews
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Nissan Navara
Read our latest Nissan Navara reviews
Search AutoTrader for new and used Nissan Navara bakkies in SA
Ford Ranger
Read our latest Ford Ranger reviews
Search the latest new and used Ford Ranger models for sale in South Africa
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