The Volkswagen Amarok is as capable and useful as any other used four-wheel-drive pick-up truck, plus you get a high-quality interior that feels just like a Volkswagen SUV. If that sounds like the kind of vehicle you’d like to buy, keep reading to find out everything you need to know.
Rivals to the Volkswagen Amarok include the ever popular Toyota Hilux, the Ford Ranger, and the Nissan Navara.
The VW Amarok’s load-lugging credentials are just as good as those of any other double cab pick-up truck. Its load bed has a large area and can hold up to 1,100kg, plus you can tow 3,000kg. Models with a V6 engine are, if anything, better at hauling heavy loads than many other pick-ups because they have so much more power.
Inside, there’s pretty generous space for five adults, so a family of four should have all the room they need. The Volkswagen Amarok has by far the best interior of any pick-up, its design and quality matching that of Volkswagen’s SUVs. You also get plenty of standard features and it’s the quietest and most comfortable pick-up of all. Some of its rivals can feel a bit tiring on a long journey, but that’s not the case here.
The VW Amarok is also one of the better pick-ups to drive. You always have to take its size into account, particularly when parking, but it’s no taller than a typical large SUV. It feels reasonably nimble in corners and offers a smooth ride. It’s solid as a rock on motorways, too. Models with a V6 engine are seriously quick for a vehicle this size, while the automatic gearbox they come with is responsive and slick. If you need to venture off the beaten track, the Volkswagen Amarok will take you as far as you’ll want to go without an expert guide.
It’s also worth mentioning that the VW Amarok looks less brash than some other pick-ups. However, it’s still a good-looking vehicle that you certainly won’t lose in a car park.
If you need an ultra-capable family vehicle and are thinking about getting a used pick-up truck instead of an SUV, the Volkswagen Amarok should be right near the top of your shopping list. That’s because it offers similar comfort, features and driving manners to an SUV, but without compromising on load-lugging ability.
Running costs are higher than for an SUV, but that’s to be expected with a pick-up. The VW Amarok has proven to be extremely well made and reliable, though, and residual values are very strong.
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The 3.0-litre V6 diesels strike the best balance between performance and running costs. This engine is available with 204PS or 258PS - both provide good levels of refinement, especially on the motorway, where engine noise is kept to a low hum at 70mph.
The 204PS version of the 3.0-litre V6 will be sufficient for most drivers, with the 0-62mph sprint taking a respectable 9.1 seconds. The eight-speed automatic gearbox has been standard across the V6 range since 2019 and is a good match for the 3.0-litre’s punchy low-gear acceleration.
The powerful 258PS V6 gives the Volkswagen Amarok a notable punch in the performance stakes, with 0-62mph taking 7.4 seconds. This provides effortless acceleration and is well-suited for towing or travelling off-road, with higher levels of low-gear acceleration in all of the gears.
The Highline trim line is the best for standard equipment, with leather seats and touchscreen navigation included. However, if you’re a tradesperson, you might be better suited with the Trendline version - this features hardwearing cloth seats and smaller 17-inch wheels that are less susceptible to damage.
The VW Amarok was available with diesel engines only in 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre capacities. Both provide sprightly performance and, more importantly, can haul heavy loads without breaking sweat.
Volkswagen Amarok 2.0 TDI diesel: When it was first launched in 2010, Volkswagen offered the Amarok with a 2.0-litre turbodiesel to match most of its key contenders. This motor came in 122-, 140-, 163PS and 180PS forms, and it's the 163PS that does the best job. In this form, it offers 400Nm of pull, as well as 35.8mpg combined economy and 209g/km carbon dioxide emissions.
Volkswagen Amarok 2.0 BiTurbo diesel: This twin-turbo 2.0-litre turbodiesel came with more power than the TDI motors - 180PS versus 163PS - but no more maximum shove as it had 4Nm on hand. However, it felt more flexible and refined, and its 35.8mpg matched the less potent engine's, even if its 211g/km didn't.
Volkswagen Amarok 3.0 V6 TDI 204 diesel – This model has a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged engine that produces 204PS. Zero to 62mph takes 9.1 seconds – pretty quick for a truck – and CO2 emissions are 212g/km, which is about average for this kind of vehicle. An eight-speed automatic gearbox and 4Motion four-wheel drive are fitted as standard.
Volkswagen Amarok 3.0 V6 TDI 258 diesel – This is a more powerful version of the 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 258PS. You can find exactly the same motor in many Audi and even Porsche models, so it’s clearly really smooth and quiet. It’s fast too, with 0-62mph taking just 7.4 seconds. CO2 emissions are 220g/km. An eight-speed automatic gearbox and 4Motion four-wheel drive are fitted as standard.
There are several trim levels to choose from, but they’re all very well-equipped with standard features. The top-of-the-range Ventura is kitted out like a premium saloon or SUV.
The VW Amarok went on sale in the UK in 2011 and received a facelift in 2016. A brand-new version, based on the latest Ford Ranger was launched in 2023.
Volkswagen Amarok Trendline – The entry-point Volkswagen Amarok comes equipped with a touchscreen media system, air conditioning and cruise control. You also get some smart-looking 17-inch alloy wheels.
Volkswagen Amarok Highline – The mid-range VW Amarok model adds to the Trendline’s equipment with heated leather seats, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera.
Volkswagen Amarok Ventura – At the top of the Volkswagen Amarok range you get integrated sat-nav, plush Nappa leather upholstery, electrically-adjustable front seats, ‘nerf bars’ protecting the front and rear bumpers, plus a ‘sports bar’ behind the cab.
The Volkswagen Amarok’s exterior dimensions are:
Length: 5,254mm
Width: 1,954mm
Height: 1,834mm
Ground clearance: N/A
The Volkswagen Amarok’s payload capacity is up to 1,146kg, depending on the model chosen.
Load bed length: 1,555mm
Load bed width: 1,620mm (1,222mm between rear wheelarches)
Load bed depth: 503mm
If you're running the Volkswagen Amarok as a private family car rather than as a commercial vehicle, you'll pay road tax at £180 for models registered after 1 April 2017. For cars that went on the road before that date, road tax will come in at between £365 and £395 depending the engine's emissions.
The Volkswagen Amarok is classed as a light commercial vehicle, so this has a bearing on its insurance groups. The range sits in anything from as low as group 7 to as high as group 10. However, it will pay dividends to get a quote before committing to buying a used Amarok.
Read our full Volkswagen Amarok review
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