Emerging on the automotive scene is the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok, boasting impressive upgrades and innovations that justify its augmented price tag for the Australian market, starting at $50,990 before on-road costs. This represents a $5100 increase from its predecessor, but the enhanced features and improved safety technology promise significant value for buyers.

The 2023 Amarok range offers three diesel and one petrol engine options, featuring a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder (offered in two different power ratings), a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, and an exclusive 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine – a unique feature when compared to its platform partner, the Ford Ranger.

The models will be made available in five distinct trim levels, namely Core, Life, Style, PanAmerica, and Aventura. Deliveries for the high-end Aventura and PanAmericana variants are slated for late Q1 2023, with the remaining models following thereafter.

The Amarok range kicks off with the entry-level TDI405, powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, which delivers 125kW of power and 405Nm of torque. Paired with this engine is a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, complemented by a 4Motion four-wheel-drive system, offering selectable 2H, 4H, and 4L modes.

Taking a step up, the TDI500 packs a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel, generating 154kW and 500Nm of torque. It comes equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a selectable four-wheel drive. The most powerful diesel option, the TDI600, utilises a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel, producing a substantial 184kW and 600Nm, and is mated with a 10-speed automatic and full-time four-wheel drive.

The exclusive petrol offering is the TSI452, which houses a turbocharged 2.3-litre engine generating 222kW of power and 452Nm of torque. Similar to the TDI600, it comes with a 10-speed automatic and full-time four-wheel drive. Each variant in the line-up comes standard with an 80L fuel tank.

The dimensions of the new Amarok highlight its grandeur, measuring 5350mm long, 1910mm wide, and 1888mm tall, with a 3270mm wheelbase. Enhanced towing capabilities, payload, and fording depth exemplify the vehicle's utilitarian appeal.

Like the rest of Volkswagen's offering, the Amarok is protected by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Service prices are yet to be announced. The new Amarok has not been crash-tested by Euro NCAP or ANCAP, but its safety equipment points towards a potential high rating.

Despite increased prices, the Amarok offers significant improvements over the previous model in terms of technology, comfort, and performance, making it a strong competitor against other models in its class, including the Ford Ranger. This is in part due to its differentiated design and interior, which includes unique sheetmetal and a Volkswagen-centric cockpit layout.

While many of the Amarok's components, including engines and key technologies, are shared with the Ford Ranger, Volkswagen has taken considerable strides to separate the Amarok aesthetically and functionally. For instance, the Amarok Aventura distinguishes itself with 21-inch alloys and different suspension tuning compared to the Ranger Platinum's 20-inch wheels.

Comprehensive safety features are standard across all Amarok models, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and traffic sign recognition. However, the base Core model lacks blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with these features only becoming standard from the Life model grade upwards. This is an unusual absence given the growing prevalence of these features in competitor models. However, additional features such as front parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, automated parking, and automatic headlights and wipers are exclusive to higher-grade models, further enhancing their appeal.

The Amarok sets a new benchmark in safety by equipping all models with nine airbags, including an airbag between the front seats and knee airbags for both front occupants. This significant advancement makes it on par with the Ford Ranger, outshining the previous Amarok that lacked rear airbags and any form of advanced safety technology.

Another distinguishing feature of the Amarok is its exclusivity in the Australian market, with the petrol four-cylinder variant not available in the Ford Ranger locally, making it an appealing choice for customers desiring a unique, high-performance vehicle.

The Amarok is set to make its appearance in Australian showrooms in Style, PanAmericana, and Aventura forms in April, followed by the Core and Life grades around the middle of the year. As anticipation builds, the promise of Amarok's superior technology, distinctive design, and robust performance marks a significant evolution in Volkswagen's offering, reinforcing its reputation for excellence and innovation in the automotive industry.

In conclusion, the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok comes with an enhanced price tag, but it boasts a suite of improvements, upgraded features, and a safer, higher-tech proposition than its predecessor. With its distinct engines, advanced safety features, and unique trim levels, it is undoubtedly a vehicle to watch out for in the year 2023.

2023 Volkwagen Amarok Price (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 – $78,1847

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

2023 Volkswagen Amarok Core standard features:

Single-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel (125kW/405Nm) with six-speed manual or six-speed auto

Part-time four-wheel drive

17-inch alloy wheels

Electric folding side mirrors

LED headlights

Tailgate lock

10-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

8.0-inch digital instrument cluster

AM/FM radio

Four-speaker sound system

Wireless phone charging

Single-zone climate control (air conditioning)

Six-way manual driver seat adjustment

Vinyl flooring

Electric power steering

Mechanical differential lock

Emergency call function

Autonomous emergency braking

Adaptive (radar) cruise control

Lane-keep assist

Eight airbags (including centre and driver knee)

Tyre pressure monitors

Speed sign recognition

Rear-view camera

Rear parking sensors

2023 Volkswagen Amarok Life adds, or replaces with (vs Core):

Twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel (154kW/500Nm) with 10-speed auto, part-time four-wheel drive

Body-coloured bumpers, mirror caps, door handles

Six-speaker sound system

Electronic parking brake

LED fog lights

Heating and puddle lamps for side mirrors

Locking wheel nuts

Power locking on tailgate

Eight-way manual front seat adjustment

Rear privacy glass

Leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector

Front and rear floor mats

Carpet flooring

Automatic headlights

Rain-sensing wipers

Front parking sensors

Blind-spot monitoring

Auto-dimming rear-view mirror

Two front recovery hooks

2023 Volkswagen Amarok Style adds, or replaces with (vs Life):

Twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel (154kW/500Nm) with 10-speed auto, part-time four-wheel drive

Optional single-turbo 3.0-litre V6 diesel (184kW/600Nm) with 10-speed auto, permanent four-wheel drive

18-inch alloy wheels

Matrix LED headlights

12-inch infotainment touchscreen

In-built satellite navigation

12-inch digital instrument cluster

10-way power-adjustable driver's seat

Heated front seats

Eight-way manually-adjustable front passenger seat

'ArtVelour' microfibre seat upholstery

Optional ($3000): Savona leather upholstery

Dual-zone auto climate control (air conditioning)

Sensor key entry and push-button start

Ambient interior lighting

Chrome rear bumper

Drop-in tray-liner

Sports bar

Insulating windscreen

Ambient cabin lighting

Thatcham alarm system

360-degree camera

Automatic park assist

2023 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana adds, or replaces with (vs Style):

Single-turbo 3.0-litre V6 diesel (184kW/600Nm) with 10-speed auto, permanent four-wheel-drive

18-inch black alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres

X-design front bumper (black)

Side mirror caps, bumper highlights, door handles in black

LED tail-lights

Sports bar and side steps in black

Soft tonneau cover

Roof rails

Spray-in tray liner

PanAmerica decals

Leather seat upholstery

Leather dash top

Leather door accents

Eight-speaker premium sound system

10-way electric front seat adjustment (driver and front passenger)

Black roof lining

2023 Volkswagen Amarok Aventura adds, or replaces with (vs Style):

Single-turbo 3.0-litre V6 diesel (184kW/600Nm) with 10-speed auto, permanent four-wheel-drive

Optional single-turbo 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol (222kW/452Nm) with 10-speed auto, permanent four-wheel-drive

21-inch alloy wheels

X-design front bumper (chrome)

Side mirror caps, bumper highlights, door handles (chrome)

'Sail plane' sports car (body colour)

Electronic roller shutter cover

Side steps (chrome)

Electronic roller shutter

Drop-in bed-liner

Leather seats

Leather dash top

Leather door accents

2023 Volkswagen Amarok colour choices

Clear White (no cost)

Bright Beige metallic ($990 extra)

Dark Grey metallic ($990 extra)

Midnight Black metallic ($990 extra)

Deep Red metallic ($990 extra)

Light Grey metallic ($990 extra)

Bright Blue metallic ($990 extra)

Mid-Blue metallic ($990 extra)