The new Amarok is a significant upgrade over the previous model, taking the best elements from the Ford Ranger as its basis, including the chassis and core suspension, and enhancing them with Volkswagen's design and tuning. The new model range begins with the Amarok Core and extends to the Amarok Panamericana and Aventura, with varying specifications and price points.

Notably, the Amarok offers excellent driving attributes, comfortable ride, and impressive off-road capabilities. Volkswagen has also addressed the safety concerns of the previous model, with the new Amarok earning a maximum five-star rating from ANCAP.

Today, we're going to delve into an in-depth review of the all-new Volkswagen Amarok, a dual-cab ute that shares its platform with the Ford Ranger, but with a twist.

Powertrain：

The 2023 Volkswagen Amarok makes a strong entry into the automotive market with its range of variants designed to suit a variety of customer needs. Starting from $52,990, the base model Amarok Core comes with a 125kW/405Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. It is specifically designed for trade professionals in mind, providing value for money.

For those seeking a touch of versatility, the Amarok Life, priced at $56,990, offers a more powerful 154kW/500Nm twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine coupled with a ten-speed auto. The mid-range Style model, expected to be the bestseller, boasts either the Life’s diesel engine or a more robust V6 diesel engine with 185kW/600Nm, starting at $66,990 and $70,990 respectively. This model is packed with features, such as a fully digital 12.0-inch instrument cluster, 18-inch alloy wheels, and LED matrix headlights.

At the top of the range, the Panamericana and Adventura models are designed for customers with different lifestyle needs. The Panamericana, priced at $75,990, is outfitted for off-road enthusiasts with all-terrain tyres, a tubular sports bar, and a more durable tray-liner. The Aventura, on the other hand, is designed for those who prefer sealed roads, boasting a more aerodynamic design, 21-inch alloy wheels, Savona leather upholstery, and a price tag of $79,990.

Exterior：

The Volkswagen Amarok is a standout in the dual-cab ute segment, boasting an aggressive and commanding exterior design. The front end is bold, featuring state-of-the-art LED headlights that not only provide excellent visibility but also add to the vehicle's modern aesthetic. The grille is distinctive, enhancing the Amarok's robust and rugged appeal.

The side profile of the Amarok is equally impressive, showcasing unique 21-inch alloy wheels - a first for a dual-cab ute. These wheels are wrapped in high-performance Pirelli Scorpion tyres, ensuring excellent traction and stability on various terrains. The Amarok's rear end is well-designed, featuring innovative LED tail lights and a functional tailgate that adds to the vehicle's practicality.

Interior：

Stepping inside the Amarok, you're greeted with a well-appointed and comfortable interior. The seats are designed with both comfort and support in mind, ensuring a pleasant ride even on longer journeys. The steering wheel is ergonomically designed, providing a confident and comfortable grip. However, some elements, like the relocation of the climate control fan speed into an infotainment submenu, might be less convenient for some users.

The Amarok's infotainment system is a highlight of the interior. It features a large, easy-to-read display and intuitive controls, making it simple to operate while on the move. The system offers a range of features, including navigation, media playback, and connectivity options for your devices.

Fuel Economy:

In terms of fuel economy, the Amarok comes in at under nine liters per 100kms. During our test drive, which included a mix of city and highway driving, we achieved a fuel economy figure of exactly 10 liters per 100kms. While exact figures will depend on how you drive and what you're hauling, the Amarok's fuel economy is reasonably competitive within its class.

Driving and Handling:

The Amarok's gearbox is highly responsive. When you press the throttle, it quickly shifts back through the gears, providing a powerful thrust. The gearbox is always ready to go, making it a great match for this engine. However, if you want to shift manually, you'll have to press M on the side of the gear stick and flick up and down through the gears. Given that it's a 10-speed, this can be a bit tedious.

The ride quality in the city is a bit compromised due to the 21-inch wheels. The ride is slightly firmer than the previous generation Amarok, indicating a shift towards a sportier feel. However, we anticipate that other variants with different wheel sizes will offer improved ride quality.

Off-road Capabilities:

The Amarok is also a capable off-roader, particularly when equipped with the optional off-road package. This includes features like underbody protection, a rear differential lock, and hill descent control. The Amarok's high ground clearance and capable 4x4 system also make it well-suited to tackling a range of off-road conditions.

Storage and Versatility:

The Amarok's dual-cab design provides plenty of storage space, both in the cabin and in the bed. The rear seats can also be folded down to create additional storage space inside the cabin. The Amarok's bed is large and practical, with a wide opening and low load height for easy loading and unloading.

Service and Warranty:

The Amarok is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty like the wider Volkswagen range.

Volkswagen also revised the Amarok’s servicing costs, with all 2023 Amaroks now having a capped price total of $1800 regardless of the variant or drivetrain. This makes the Amarok one of the cheapest dual-cabs to maintain, only outdone by some Chinese brands.

Safety:

The latest Amarok model has yet to undergo crash-testing by Euro NCAP or ANCAP. However, its counterpart, the Ford Ranger, has received a five-star safety rating, which implies that the Amarok could potentially achieve a similar rating.

The base model, known as the Core, comes equipped with a variety of standard safety features, including:

• A total of seven airbags for comprehensive passenger protection

• Autonomous emergency braking to prevent or mitigate collisions

• Adaptive cruise control for maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead

• Lane-keep assist to help the driver stay within the lane

• Speed sign recognition to help the driver adhere to speed limits

• Multi-collision braking to reduce the impact of potential secondary collisions

• A reversing camera and rear parking sensors for safer and easier parking

Upgrading to the Life and above model adds further safety enhancements:

• A blind-spot monitor to alert the driver of vehicles in the blind spots

• Front parking sensors to assist with parking in tight spaces.

Pricings:

In terms of pricing, the Amarok Aventura spec, priced just under eighty thousand dollars, may not be the best value for money. It's nine grand more than a wild track, and while it does offer a few additional features, it's still more expensive. The V6 diesel engine may not be the best choice for the Aventura. Instead, a petrol engine, which is not available in the ranger range, may be a better proposition.

2023 Volkswagen Amarok Pricing (estimated drive away prices)

• 2023 VW Amarok Core TDI405 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel manual 4x4 – $56,184 

• 2023 VW Amarok Core TDI405 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel auto 4x4 – $58,284

• 2023 VW Amarok Life TDI500 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel auto 4x4 – $62,484

• 2023 VW Amarok Style TDI500 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel auto 4x4 – $73,984

• 2023 VW Amarok Style TDI600 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 auto 4WD – $78,184

• 2023 VW Amarok PanAmericana TDI600 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 auto 4WD – $83,434

• 2023 VW Amarok Aventura TDI600 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 auto 4WD – $87,634 

• 2023 VW Amarok Aventura TSI452 2.3-litre turbo petrol auto 4WD – $87,634

Yeecar's Take on the New 2023 Volkswagen Amarok

The Volkswagen Amarok combines rugged exterior styling with a comfortable and high-quality interior, making it a compelling choice in the dual-cab ute segment. The new Amarok drives nicely and handles well, and it feels sportier compared to the Ford Ranger. On the downside, the move to include some of the climate controls in the infotainment system is slightly inconvenient, and the lack of a dedicated sport driving mode for the petrol version feels like a missed opportunity to truly differentiate this offering. Additionally, while the interior quality is generally high, there are some minor issues, such as the doors' tendency to ring when slammed, which detract slightly from the overall premium feel.

Whether you're tackling tough terrains or cruising through the city, the Amarok is designed to deliver a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience. We're eager to test drive the rest of the Volkswagen Amarok range, as we believe that's where the real value proposition lies.