Volkswagen Amarok 2.0BiTDI Pan Americana 4Motion (2023) Review
Sharing some DNA with its source partner, the Ford Ranger, Volkswagen's new Amarok makes for a compelling competitor. In its Pan Americana guise, it's even better. We spent a week putting the Aamrok through its paces on the highveld to see just how much it has inherited from its blue oval brother.
In this article:
Life is a highway
By now most, if not all, double cab aficionados will know that the new Volkswagen Amarok is being manufactured by the Ford Motor Group in Silverton and is based on the award-winning Ranger platform, but how much Ford is there in the Amarok? This is the pressing question that has been on everyones lips since the announcement was made. The 2023 Ford Ranger hit our markets like a hurricane, immediately shooting to the top of the sales charts, garnering much appreciation and even netting the Car of the Year award, a first in the history of the competition.
Related: Volkswagen Amarok (2023) - First Drive Impression
This had the consequence of leaving all and asunder wondering if the new Amarok would just be a rebadged Ford Ranger, as was the case with the Mercedes X Class - Nissan Navara debacle from a few years back, or if it would be different enough from the OG double cab to warrant a significant price difference. We spent a week testing the Pan Americana model, so named for the highway that stretches from the tip of South America, measuring about 30,000 kilometres, to Alaska, in and around Gauteng to find out just these things.
Styling
At first glance, to the untrained eye, the Amarok will be confused with the Ranger, the same dimensions, stance, and bodywork throws one for a loop but spend some time looking at the vehicle and you start to see the glaringly obvious differences.
Upfront there is a standalone front facia, grille, headlights, and trim that is unmistakably Volkswagen. The slim-line LED headlights and grille seemingly pulled from a Touareg, prominent VW badge and bright silver lower valance ensure that you know this is all VW.
From the rear, it is a little more difficult as there isn't much aside from the embossed tailgate to tell you that this is a VW product. Some may disagree but we feel that VW has done just enough on the styling front to make the Amarok their own and not just badge engineer. The addition of the Pan Americana kit such as fashion roll bar and 18" wheels also add a nice touch.
How much are car repayments on a new VW Amarok?
Space & Interior
Having spent quite some time with Ford's current lineup it is rather refreshing to open a door expecting a certain kind of interior fitment and being pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a full leather interior like the one found in a VW SUV. There are naturally a few obvious Ford pieces such as the centre console and infotainment screen but the rest is all Volkswagen and we were quite surprised by the synergy this doesn't feel like a VW interior plopped on top of a Ford one, but rather a neat amalgamation of the two that becomes its own thing.
There is plenty of space for 5 full adults and although not overly plush is functional in the way a double cab is supposed to be.
Comfort & Convenience
The centre console is dominated by the large 12" screen and is easy to identify as a Ford piece along with the switch gear, e-shifter and dials but the multifunction steering is a VW piece. all the usual mod cons are in place, climate control, heated seats as well as allowance for USB, 12v and AC220v charging options.
There is plenty of storage space within the doorcards, centre console and cubby. All in, the inside of the Amarok is a great place to spend some time whether wiling away the hours in traffic or bashing through the veld.
VW Amarok vs Ford Ranger vs Toyota Hilux: Which one has the best infotainment system?
Performance
The Pan Americana derivative is available with two powerplant options, a 3.0 V6 or a 2.0 BiTurbo both mounted to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Our test mule came equipped with the now-familiar 2.0 and smart 10-speed. There was an air of familiarity from the 154kW and 500Nm setup, a feeling that was distinctly Ford-esque.
There is an old saying that if it aint broke don't mess with it and that rings true here. The Ford drivetrain was already near perfect so why mess with it, couple to this, the performance from the rest of the underpinnings and you have a vehicle that easily stands up to VW's rigorous standards.
What is the fastest VW Amarok?
Fuel Economy
Volkswagen claims consumption figures of 7.5l/100km but our real-world combined cycle testing on and offroad returned 9.8l/100km. This is inline with the same testing conducted on our recent tests of the same drive train in the Ranger.
Volkswagen Amarok vs Ford Ranger vs Toyota Hilux: Here's our winner
Safety
The 2023 Volkswagen Amarok scored a favourable 5 stars in the ANCAP. It is equipped with numerous safety features such as ABS(Anti Lock Brakes), EBD(Electronic Brake Force Distribution), TSC(Traction and Stability Control), Hill Decent Control, BSM(Blind Spot Monitoring), 7 airbags, ISOFix and Lane Keeping Assist.
Price
The Volkswagen Amarok would never be the same price as the Ranger and as one can see from the below table pricing, it is only marginally higher than an equivalent Ford Ranger
| Model | Price (incl. VAT) |
| Volkswagen Amarok 2.0BiTDI double cab Life 4Motion | R 837 900 |
| Volkswagen Amarok 2.0BiTDI double cab Style 4Motion | R 922 600 |
| Volkswagen Amarok 3.0TDI V6 double cab Style 4Motion | R 1 014 900 |
| Volkswagen Amarok 2.0BiTDI double cab PanAmericana 4Motion | R 1 021 800 |
| Volkswagen Amarok 3.0TDI V6 double cab PanAmericana 4Motion | R 1 106 300 |
| Volkswagen Amarok 3.0TDI V6 double cab Aventura 4Motion | R 1 161 000 |
Competitors
The Amarok enters a tough market dominated by the likes of Toyota's Hilux, Isuzu's D-Max, Nissan's Navara and of course the Ford Ranger. All of these vehicles are equally capable and all have premium versions reserved for those discerning drivers that want a little extra from their utility vehicle.
Volkswagen Amarok vs Toyota Hilux vs Ford Ranger: Which one has the lowest running costs?
Verdict
The double cab market is a strange place in that the folk who buy these are generally very brand biased. Ford guys will be Ford, Toyota guys a Hilux and so on. Volkswagen has elbowed themselves a space at the table and in doing so may just poach a few buyers from the other marques with a vehicle that has the engineering of a Ford but the look of a Volkswagen. We do like what theyve done here and it now just remai ns to be seenn if the Germans can grow a sense of humour and make a Raptor competitor.
