According to recent testing on UK roads, the mid-range equipment level and mid-level engine are the best options for Volkswagen’s new Amarok pickup truck. The four-cylinder diesel model is priced about £2500 less than its equivalent, the Ford Ranger, which shares many similarities with the Amarok. Both pickups are built in the same South African factory and have the same ladder-frame chassis, suspension, and powertrain hardware. However, while Ford is targeting the volume pickup market with the Ranger, Volkswagen is sticking with the Amarok’s premium positioning as a “lifestyle pickup.”
The new Amarok has a broader derivative range than its first-generation form. It is only offered as a double-cab but can be purchased with a manual transmission and a 168bhp 2.0-litre diesel for less than £35k before VAT. Alternatively, customers can opt for the top-of-the-line Aventura V6 TDI for £58k. However, even the mid-level 202bhp 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel Amarok Style provides a pleasant and well-mannered driving experience.
The double-cab interior offers ample space for adults in both rows, with VW stating that legroom has increased significantly with the new-gen model’s longer wheelbase. The Amarok Style’s electrically adjustable seats provide excellent comfort and a comfortable driving position. The cabin features recognizable elements from both Ford’s and Volkswagen’s parts bins, which come together nicely to create an upmarket ambience by pickup standards. The infotainment system is a lightly reskinned version of Ford’s Sync 4, which works well but could benefit from a physical cursor scroller as an alternative to touchscreen operation. The digital instruments are clear, and the steering wheel controls for the trip computer menus are proper buttons rather than touch-sensitive ones, making them suitable for glove wearers.
The 2.0-litre diesel engine is not as quiet or smooth as the V6, but it is still impressively mechanically refined by pickup standards. It idles quietly, has only a small amount of distant clatter under load, and is much better isolated than the bigger four-pot of a Toyota Hilux when revving. The 10-speed automatic gearbox has some of the feel of a continuously variable transmission on the road, with a gentle initial engagement useful when carrying heavy loads, towing, or driving off-road. It is smooth and provides the Amarok with all the on-road performance that a vehicle of this size and brief requires.
For ride comfort and handling, the mid-spec Amarok Style runs on 18in wheels with chunky-sidewalled “mud and sand” tires, making it suitable for UK country roads. The ride is initially firmer and slightly fussier than most pickups, but its damping and isolation are better. Body control is quite good by class standards too.
Overall, if you’re looking for a new flatbed with passenger car refinement and sophistication, the new Amarok’s raised game should put it in strong contention. However, it is advisable to avoid the priciest engines and trims and opt for the mid-range equipment level and mid-level engine for the best value for money.
