Volkswagen Amarok (2011-2022) Review

The original Volkswagen Amarok arrived in 2011 and immediately stood out because it did not follow the usual pick-up script. Volkswagen was already well established in vans, but a double-cab pick-up felt like a different sort of challenge.

At launch, the Volkswagen Amarok looked slightly unusual in the class because it relied on relatively small-capacity 2.0-litre diesels rather than the larger engines buyers expected in a one-tonne truck. Those engines were capable enough, but they never quite gave the Amarok the muscle its weight, towing brief and premium pitch really demanded.

That changed when Volkswagen introduced the 3.0-litre V6 diesel. That engine transformed the Amarok from an interesting premium alternative into a genuinely compelling used pick-up. It gave the truck the easy low-down shove it always needed, improved towing manners and made the whole thing feel more relaxed and more complete.

It has now been replaced by the newer Amarok, so this 2011-2022 model should now be treated as a used proposition in its own right rather than as the current pick-up in the showroom. That suits it well. The old Volkswagen Amarok still has real strengths in the used market, especially if you want a more polished cabin, a practical load bed and the appeal of that V6.

For most used buyers, our recommendation is a Volkswagen Amarok Highline with the 3.0-litre V6 diesel.

That is the version that best captures what made the Amarok appealing in the first place. You get the stronger engine, the smoother automatic gearbox and enough standard kit to make the truck feel properly upmarket without straying into the pricier limited-edition territory.

Trendline still makes sense if you want something simpler and slightly tougher looking, but the V6 is the real prize here. It is the engine that makes the previous-generation Volkswagen Amarok feel like a premium used pick-up rather than just a smart-looking one.

Used Volkswagen Amarok prices now start from around £10,000 including VAT for older, high-mileage 2.0-litre examples, with later V6 Highline and limited-edition models costing significantly more.

The best used examples are not cheap because the Amarok still carries plenty of appeal, especially in V6 form. Budget carefully, because a tempting bargain at the bottom of the market can quickly stop looking like one if specification, condition and service history are not right.

The Ford Ranger is the obvious rival and often the easiest one to recommend if breadth of range matters. The Toyota Hilux remains the dependable workhorse choice, while the Nissan Navara and Mercedes-Benz X-Class push harder on comfort and SUV-style appeal.

The older Volkswagen Amarok’s strength is that it still feels a little more polished than a Hilux or Ranger in the cabin, while also offering the sort of broad-shouldered practicality pick-up buyers actually need.

The previous-generation Volkswagen Amarok was offered as a double-cab only in the UK, which tells you a lot about where it sat in the market. This was a pick-up aimed as much at mixed work-and-family use as at pure site duty.

The big practical plus is the load bed. At 1,555mm long and 1,620mm wide, with 1,222mm between the rear wheel arches, the Amarok can take a Euro pallet sideways. That was a genuine point of difference and remains one of the most useful things about it.

Payload ranges from 1,070kg to 1,146kg depending on version, which keeps the Volkswagen Amarok on the right side of the commercial-vehicle argument. Towing capacity peaks at 3,100kg for the V6 models and 3,200kg for some of the earlier 2.0 BiTDI versions.

Inside, the double-cab layout gives the Volkswagen Amarok genuine rear-seat usefulness. It’s not a limousine, but it will carry four adults comfortably enough, and the cabin is roomy enough to make family or crew use realistic.

The Volkswagen Amarok measures 5,254mm long, 1,954mm wide and 1,834mm high.

That makes it a sizeable thing in town and a poor fit for many city-centre car parks, but the upright shape, commanding driving position and good visibility make it more manageable than the numbers first suggest.

Infotainment improved over the Amarok’s life. Later vans gained a better touchscreen setup with smartphone connectivity, and those later systems still feel fairly usable today.

Trendline models get a 6.3-inch touchscreen with DAB, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while Highline adds navigation and extra off-road information screens. It’s not cutting-edge now, but it remains clear, responsive and easier to use than plenty of older commercial systems.

The Volkswagen Amarok never had a flashy interior, but it did have a cabin that felt more car-like and more carefully assembled than many rivals.

There are lots of hard plastics, as you would expect in a pick-up, but the design is sensible, the switchgear is solid and the overall quality holds up well. Highline trim adds leather and a touch more comfort, though cloth seats in lower trims may actually wear working life better.

Early Amaroks relied on 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesels, either single- or twin-turbocharged depending on version. They did the job, but in a vehicle of this size they could feel stretched when towing, climbing or fully loaded.

The V6 is the engine that matters most in the used market. Volkswagen introduced the 3.0-litre diesel in 2016, initially in 204PS and 224PS forms, later adding the 258PS version with an overboost function. That engine gives the Amarok the effortless shove and refinement the older four-cylinder units lacked.

Later V6 versions paired the engine with an eight-speed automatic and permanent 4Motion all-wheel drive as standard, which is the configuration most buyers should actively seek out.

The Volkswagen Amarok is a big vehicle, and it feels it in town. Parking can be awkward, tight multi-storeys are never fun, and the ride can get bouncy when the load bed is empty.

That is the basic pick-up compromise, and the Amarok doesn’t escape it entirely. But on the open road it settles down nicely, with light steering, decent body control and the sort of long-distance manners that make it much easier to live with than some rivals.

The V6 is the engine that really elevates the experience. It’s quieter, stronger and more relaxed than the older 2.0-litre diesels, and it makes the Amarok feel much more complete on a motorway or when towing.

Off-road performance is strong, too. Permanent 4Motion versions are easy to get along with and do not ask the driver to be an expert. If your pick-up needs to work in mud, on wet grass or across rough sites, the older Volkswagen Amarok still has plenty to offer.

The previous-generation Volkswagen Amarok scored four stars with Euro NCAP, which was respectable rather than outstanding. Adult occupant protection was strong, but pedestrian and child-safety scores were weaker.

Standard equipment included driver, passenger and side airbags, along with electronic stability control and hill-start assist. Later versions gained extra systems such as trailer stabilisation and post-collision braking.

The 3.0-litre V6 generally returns official economy of around 26 to 28mpg, which is acceptable for a pick-up of this size and performance. Older 2.0-litre versions claim figures in the mid-30s, though real-world results are usually closer to 30mpg.

As ever with a pick-up, towing, load and tyre choice all make a significant difference, so official figures only tell part of the story.

Any remaining manufacturer warranty will depend on the vehicle’s age, but Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Approved Used scheme is the most reassuring place to start.

Current Approved Used cover applies to vehicles up to 6 years old and up to 100,000 miles at activation. Vehicles up to 3 years old receive 12 months’ warranty and roadside assistance, while vehicles aged 3 to 6 years receive a minimum of 6 months’ warranty and roadside assistance.

Later Amaroks were also part of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ 5 Plus Promise era, so some younger used examples may still carry remaining benefit from that package, depending on age and service history.

Insurance sits towards the top end of the pick-up class, with most versions landing between groups 41E and 46E.

That means the Amarok is unlikely to be a cheap pick-up to insure, especially in V6 or limited-edition form, so it is worth checking quotes before you commit.

The Volkswagen Amarok qualifies for light-commercial vehicle taxation because its payload exceeds one tonne. From 1 April 2026, the standard annual rate for light goods vehicles is £360.

That keeps the annual tax treatment straightforward, though it’s still worth checking the exact classification of any converted or heavily modified example.