Is a Volkswagen Amarok a good car?
The Amarok earned five stars when tested by Euro NCAP in 2022. It scored 84% for adult occupant protection, 90% for child occupant protection, 74% for pedestrian protection, and 84% for its safety assistance systems. Unsurprisingly, the Ford Ranger matches those scores as it’s largely the same vehicle under the skin. Is an Amarok a good buy? The Amarok is a great pick-up truck offering strong engines, impressive practicality and good driving characteristics. That said, it’ll cost you more than its rivals, including the closely-related and brilliant Ford Ranger.In 2023, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ new Amarok will be available to order in the UK. Developed by teams in Australia and Europe, this premium pickup will be produced in South Africa, and will feature many new driver-assist functions.The original Amarok was finally discontinued in the opening quarter of 2023, with the new Ford-built model hitting the SA market in March.The new Volkswagen Amarok has gotten more expensive for 2024. Previously starting at $52,990 before on-road costs, from February 1, 2024 the range now opens at $55,490 before on-roads for the base Amarok Core TDI405.
Why is the VW Amarok being discontinued?
Although the original Volkswagen Amarok – launched in 2011 and still on sale today – has met sales expectations globally, with more than 830,000 manufactured in Germany and Argentina over 11 years, Volkswagen prioritised its engineering budget on electric and autonomous cars and was about to bow out of the ute market . Volkswagen has announced it will build its own new-generation Amarok for South America from 2027, independent of commercial-vehicle partner Ford. Current global Amarok is based on Ranger and built by Ford in South Africa.There is currently a choice of two engines in the Amarok, both diesel Ford engines manufactured in the UK and shipped out: the 205 hp four-cylinder and the 236 hp V6. The previous Amarok was fitted with VW engines and the V6 was very popular.The Amarok is powered by a range of turbocharged direct injection (TDI) common rail diesel engines, and fuel stratified injection (FSI) petrol engine.Serving as the base engine, the 2. TDI is a 2. W and 350 Nm. This workhorse powerplant is found in the entry-level Amarok offerings and has a top speed of 170 km/h.The trademark V6 engine, which might have the same 3-litre displacement as the old model, is also built by Ford. It is, in fact, a Lion V6, similar to the block fitted in Land Rover’s Discovery . Take from that what you will. Despite the shared underpinnings, Volkswagen has tried to give the Amarok its own identity.
Why buy an Amarok?
Designed in Australia, the Amarok is now a 4-time winner of the International Pick-up Award (2011, 2017, 2023 and 2024). Its unsurpassed levels of comfort, performance and safety are everything Australians demanded and more. It’s a ute that’s tough, not rough. Just like Aussies. Is an Amarok a good buy? The Amarok is a great pick-up truck offering strong engines, impressive practicality and good driving characteristics. That said, it’ll cost you more than its rivals, including the closely-related and brilliant Ford Ranger.The Amarok Life is most comparable to either the Ranger XLS or XLT biturbo 4×4 dual-cabs – even if the model lineups aren’t quite in sync. These utes cost $57,630 and $63,640 before on-roads respectively. Outside of that duo, the dual-can 4×4 ute crowd is as large as ever.Reliable and comfortable quality car The engine has proven incredibly reliable, making it a dependable vehicle for towing caravans. Friends who own newer, higher-end utes often comment that my Amarok provides a more enjoyable driving experience, even compared to their utes that are priced above $70k.A Volkswagen Amarok typically has an expected lifespan of around 129,000 miles before it may start to encounter significant mechanical issues or reach the end of its optimal service life.Volkswagen are delighted to announce the Amarok winning the What Van? Pick up of the Year Award. The Volkswagen Amarok is comfortable, refined, great to drive and outstandingly capable both on-and off-road.
What is the most common problem with the Amarok?
EGR valve issues on the VW Amarok First up is a common Amarok issue across many of the models. The exhaust gas recirculation valve (EGR) is designed to lower nitrogen emissions by feeding some of the gases into the engine once more. The most common fault on the VW Amarok was the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve. The EGR valve feeds the exhaust gases back into the engine to reduce NOx (nitrogen dioxide levels), but they often fail quite early which is highlighted by a rough idle or an illuminated engine management light.
What are the advantages of the Amarok?
With its shifting speeds as fast as most dual clutch (DSG) transmissions and a torque multiplying lock-up convertor, the Amarok has the best of both worlds. It also has massive pulling power with low speed vehicle control and features fuel saving during high speed open road driving. The 3. TDI engine (2,967 cc) in the new Amarok will be available in three output levels: 120 kW / 163 PS, 150 kW / 204 PS or a top-performing 165 kW / 224 PS. All engines comply with the Euro 6 emissions standard. The most powerful engine variant will be offered first.While it’s not as powerful as the previous model which squeezed out a mighty 258hp in its last iteration, the new 3-litre TDI still makes do with 237hp. That pretty impressive for a pick-up. Not only does the latest Volkswagen Amarok have 237hp it also has 600Nm of torque.There is currently a choice of two engines in the Amarok, both diesel Ford engines manufactured in the UK and shipped out: the 205 hp four-cylinder and the 236 hp V6. The previous Amarok was fitted with VW engines and the V6 was very popular.TDI 110kW Serving as the base engine, the 2. TDI is a 2. W and 350 Nm. This workhorse powerplant is found in the entry-level Amarok offerings and has a top speed of 170 km/h.As far as fuel efficiency is concerned, the 3. V6 turbodiesel-powered Amarok returned an average consumption figure of 11. L/100 km (VW claims 8. L/100 km), which may seem a trifle high, but is more or less in line with other big-engined diesel bakkies.
Is Amarok high risk?
Yes, the vw amarok is considered to be at high risk for theft, similar to other vehicles like the hilux, prado, fortuner, and ranger, according to insurance classifications. How much does the volkswagen amarok cost? The life sits one rung above the bottom of the amarok range, and costs $61,990 drive-away. That’s $6000 up on the base core, and a whopping $10,750 less than the next permanent variant above it, the style tdi500 with the same engine.Is the Volkswagen Amarok Reliable? Overall, yes, Volkswagen Amaroks are a reliable, fun car to drive. As a European vehicle, they can be somewhat expensive to maintain and repair in Australia, however, many owners believe the quality and power of an Amarok are well worth the higher costs.