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Volkswagen Amarok road test report

Volkswagen Amarok

Volkswagen’s first entry to the pick-up market in the UK is a rufty-tufty vehicle called Amarok. It’s aimed squarely at the Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi L200, which means it also appears on the radar of many non-commercial customers looking for a capable 4x4 for leisure use and towing duties. As such, the Amarok also has to offer up much of the comfort and luxury of some of the best SUVs, including Volkswagen’s very Touareg. Let’s see how it stacks up.

Road Test Reports Says 3 star rating
A front-facing image of the Volkswagen Amarok

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ALISDAIR SUTTIE SAYS

Performance Performance - 3 stars

There’s a duo of 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines for the Amarok, with the less powerful 120bhp version offering the lowest carbon dioxide emissions of any car in this class. There is also a 161bhp version of the same engine, which is mounted north-south in the Amarok rather than Volkswagen’s more usual east-west configuration. Both engines are attached to a six-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel drive transmission, more of which later. With 250lb.ft of shove spread between 1750- and 2250rpm, the less powerful Amarok diesel sees the car from 0-62mph in 13.7 seconds, so it’s no ball of fire. However, all of that low-down torque makes it an ideal choice for business drivers looking to avoid excessive tax payments but who still need superb towing capacity – the Amarok can handle up 2690kg braked trailers. Go for the more muscular engine and you get 295lb.ft of torque distributed between 1500- and 2000rpm to make it even more able as a tow car or for off-road work. Every Amarok comes with VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system, but those with the selectable transmission with low-ratio for added off-road capability also have a heavy duty rear axle. The Highline models have a comfort suspension system and rear axle, which is the one most private buyers will look to for leisure use.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 3 stars

The different rear axles available on the Amarok make little difference to how comfortable the VW is in off-road situations. Both cushion the blows of ruts and ditches with admirable competency and the Amarok is every bit as good in the rough stuff as a Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi L200 or even the legendary Land Rover Defender. For added off-road ease, the Amarok comes with Hill Hold Assist so it won’t roll back when stopped on an ascent and Hill Descent Control keeps slippery downhill sections in check. There’s also a function in the ESP system to prevent trailers from swaying when towing. The difference between the VW and its competitors is more marked on the road where the Amarok serves up ride comfort way beyond anything experienced in a Defender. A double wishbone front suspension system offers comfort and control the Land Rover can only dream off, while the Mitsubishi and Toyota must also take second place to the VW’s bump absorption. However, good as the Amarok is compared to its immediate class rivals, it cannot draw level with the likes of the Land Rover Discovery, Range Rover Sport or VW’s own Touareg, all of which are popular buys with those looking to tow horseboxes or travel a little further than most from the beaten track to carry on their pastimes. With no payload in the Amarok’s considerable load bed, the rear wheels can spin up when pulling smartly out of junctions. This is partly down to the low gearing of first gear, which is great for towing duties or off-road work, but in normal running it’s best to get into second gear as swiftly as possible as it’s more flexible at anything above a walking pace. On the upside, the Amarok is stable and reasonably roll-free through corners and its steering is more direct than most of the competition and free of the slop that afflicts some rivals.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 4 stars

The Amarok may not have a track record in the UK for its reliability and quality, but it carries the VW badge and that should guarantee a high level of ruggedness. From our experience of the car, it’s solidly built from high grade materials and should be more than up to the job of coping with the demands of most commercial customers. The mechanical side of the Amarok appears very soundly engineered and we’re sure it will last for a long time without causing any concern. There’s a full Volkswagen warranty for the first two years and a Van Centre warranty for the third year for vehicles with up to 100,000 miles. Roadside assistance is also included in the cost of the Amarok.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 5 stars

It may be a predominantly commercial vehicle, but that doesn’t mean the Amarok skimps on safety equipment. All models come with driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags, as well as ABS anti-lock brakes and ESP electronic stability and traction control. There are also three-point seat belts for every occupant, while emergency braking hazard warning lights flash if the car detects heavy braking from speeds of more than 37mph. There are also Isofix child seat mounts on the two outer rear seats, so the Amarok can function easily as a family car. Security is taken care of by remote central locking, deadlocks, alarm and immobiliser. The rear load bed has the option of a secure toolbox, hardtop or pull-back load cover that locks shut to keep cargo safe from prying eyes and hands.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 4 stars

The whole point of a pick-up truck is its practicality when it comes to carrying large loads. The Amarok doesn’t disappoint and VW says it has the largest load space of any vehicle in its class, offering a 2.5m square load bay that can fit a standard pallet sideways. With an overall load bed length of 1555mm and a width of 1222mm, the Amarok certainly has no problems fitting in all of the usual goods and equipment expected of it by commercial customers. Family users will also find the load bed more than big enough for holiday luggage, push bikes and all the paraphernalia associated with going away for a week or two. Inside the cabin, the Amarok offers the driver the expected high-set driving position and there’s more than enough adjustment in the steering wheel and seat to find the ideal driving position. The dash has more in common with high-end SUVs than a commercial vehicle, so it looks good and is easy to use. In the back, there’s ample seating for three and adults will fit in there with reasonable comfort. The rear bench can also be folded forward to offer extra luggage space. With a mass of cubbies, lockers and storage points dotted around the Amarok’s interior, you’ll never be short of somewhere to keep odds and ends from rattling around.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 4 stars

Private buyers will have to stump up the VAT to the tax man, so the Amarok is not quite as good a deal as it is to business users who can sidestep this particular issue. Even so, the Amarok stacks up well on price against its rivals and average economy of 37.2mpg for the lower powered engine is not far short of VW’s own Touareg 3.0 V6 TDi. Go for the more powerful diesel and you’ll see a still respectable 35.8mpg, though this engine’s carbon dioxide emissions sneak up to 209g/km from the less powerful motor’s class-leading 199g/km. There are three trims on offer for the Amarok: Startline, Trendline and Highline. All have four-wheel drive, electric windows all-round, air conditioning, CD stereo and alloy wheels. The Trendline adds cruise control, grab handles on the front windscreen pillars to help getting in and out of the car, upgraded upholstery and larger 17in alloy wheels. Go for the Highline and you also enjoy privacy glass, leather seats with heated front chairs, rear parking sensors, polished stainless steel side steps, and even larger 18in alloy wheels.

Submitted: 08/09/2011 15:28:37

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