This story first appeared in the May issue of DieselTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE
The arrival of two V6 powered versions of the Volkswagen Amarok has bumped the previous range-leading Highline down the ranks.
The model, along with the rest of the Amarok range, received a realignment and slight redesign at the same time. The Highline received a $1000 price cut to $64,990.
The drivetrain remains. The 2-litre turbodiesel engine produces 132kW and 240Nm, paired with the eight-speed automatic.
Volkswagen says the Amarok remains the only ute in the market with permanent all-wheel drive or 4MOTION in its lexicon. All models now use the system – rear-wheel drive Amaroks are gone.
So, what else is new?
The exterior changes are subtle, with a new front end, more structured look, extra chrome trim and new bi-xenon headlights
Inside, the update is more dramatic, with a redesigned dashboard, infotainment system and additional centre console storage.
The quality of the Amarok’s interior continues to be far ahead of the competition. The new dash is not just good for a ute, Volkswagen’s competitors probably wish they had a design this good in their SUV products.
There are some great touches, like a huge storage area on the dash that we found was perfect for throwing an iPad and wallet into. Then there are two 12 volt outlets on the large centre console, USB charging and both cup holders and bottle holders for thirsty workers.
Taking prominence in the interior is a 6.33-inch touchscreen that has built-in satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In an age when work assignments are increasingly dished out via smart devices, that’s a useful feature.
Outside of the smartphone systems, the base system is the best looking and most functional in the ute segment.
The front seats are covered in a high-quality fabric but have two shortcomings. The drivers are manually adjustable – you need to buy the top model Adventurer for this – while most competitors offer this feature at this price point. If you change drivers frequently, you’ll miss that.
The rear seat also lets the Amarok down. There is not as much usable space back there as can be found in a Ranger, Colorado or D-Max. And tick the option of a side step – the Amarok is just a little too high to get in and out of comfortably without one.
The 2-litre turbodiesel engine is excellent and buyers should have little concern over its small capacity. It copes well with the bulk of the Amarok and is more refined than most. Ride, too, is surprisingly refined for a leaf-sprung ute, even with an empty tray.
If there’s any aspect of the Amarok’s drive we feel is a let-down it’s the steering. It feels vague on centre and too light. We jumped straight from the Amarok into a D-Max – hardly the handling champion of the ute segment – and its steering felt far more responsive.
No such concerns with grip. On a weekend of torrential rain, we tried to get the Amarok to slip up and it simply wouldn’t. Its wheels are a sharp-looking 18-inch design.
The Amarok’s payload is just over one tonne, with a braked trailer tow rating of three tonnes – healthy, but behind some of its competitors.
