Amarok test/review

[phaeton]

2011 Volkswagen Amarok 5-dr utility range | GoAuto - Our Opinion
2011 Volkswagen Amarok 5-dr utility range | GoAuto - Launch Story

[Donny 76]

just out of interest we can re-trim in after market leather for about $3000

[Sumodog68]

Just read some of the new info & it clearly states that leather is not available on the highline, not even as an option! What?? I tell you what, if getting leather means I have to get the Ultimate model, then I'm afraid I'll be putting my money away until I drive the new T6 Ranger. Why do VW bung this crap on?

I am waiting for Ranger to be released too but for different reasons (current Hilux owner) - i want extra cab and prefer larger displacement engine.

[FLAUNTT]

I was beside a new Ford Ranger prototype the other day in my 2008 Hilux as I live near the Ford proving grounds( parked right beside it).It is easily bigger than the Hilux in size, will be interesting to see it line up against the Amarok. I feel this car may be a headache to Amarok sales.A visually good looking unit.

[Matt05x]

After I calmed down a little & got some prices, the Ultimate actually worked out to be good value, with all the included gear & I have bought one. Now (like everyone else) just waiting on delivery
I did think long and hard about which of these two utes I should get, but I kept coming back to the experience of our work Ranger & Transit.
Both these Ford utes have had quality dramas. Like A/C buttons falling off, speedo almost 10kmh out at 50kmh the cheapest silver plastic in the world, the Transit fan for the cab only has 1 speed working & when it does it fouls directly on the surround, the windows don't wind up properly, catching sideways in the tracks, it doesn't check it's fuel, so when one of our employees filled it with unleaded (it's a diesel), it cost us over $10000 to have a new fuel pump fitted.
That's what decided for me. I guess it's why you would buy a Tiguan over an escape, a Passat over a Falcon or a Golf over a Focus.

[2dr Evangalist]

I was beside a new Ford Ranger prototype the other day in my 2008 Hilux as I live near the Ford proving grounds( parked right beside it)..A visually good looking unit.

Anymore details FLAUNTT??
Having passed on a `rok for 12 months to let the landscape settle, am keen to see what the Ranger brings to the table

[Kiwi]

Looks like a great ute to me. I'd be happy to have one I reckon. One of the things that has stopped me getting a ute has been poor handling and fuel economy - trust VW to fix that . The carsales reviewers are correct in saying most utes handle like crap, do not inspire confidence and tend to chew through fuel.... unnecessarily in many cases. Big engines in commercial vehicles are a thing of the past 15 years - people forget too easily about the sub 2.5 litre engines in almost all utes back in the 80's and beforehand... in vans too! Its really only been in the 90's and 00's that people have had the luxury of big engines in what are essentially supposed to be economy vehicles - fuel costs = running costs. Times are a changing, thats for sure, and i do think that people need to begin to consider exactly what they feel justification for a big capacity engine is.

To me, even a 2.0L 90kW 350Nm diesel engine is far and away better than a 2.8L non-turbo diesel that made the hilux the class leader it is today, long before it had turbo's and air-con.

My dad had a 1600 rodeo back in the day, with that shoddy oil guzzling petrol guzzling isuzu engine. It was a 2wd one. We still managed to fill it with a whole winters worth of fire wood and drive it out up the logging tracks no worries. I reckon its not just utes that are going soft, its the ute owners too

This Guy knows what he's talking about!

[FLAUNTT]

Anymore details FLAUNTT??
Having passed on a `rok for 12 months to let the landscape settle, am keen to see what the Ranger brings to the table

Hi 2dr Evangalist, I managed to park right beside it and take a side by side photo against my 2008 hilux. Definately the Ranger is as big as an Amarok. Interior seems to better than the current Hilux. I couldnt take a big glance as the engineers were giving me greasys, so I couldnt tell about final fit of plastics. I wish I could chuck the photo on here for you to look at. If they can get supply sorted, which will probably happen as Im pretty sure they are going to be built in Thailand, they might be able to jump on purchasers who dont like the waiting game with buying an Amarok.

[FLAUNTT]

Sorry for not keeping it on the subject.

[twincab]

Latest 4x4 Aust. mag has a comparo test with the Rok against the Nissan 550 and Triton. Guess which one came out on top?

Pete

[tomdej]

The latest 4x4 mag also made a good point with pointing out the unfortunate absence of AWD on dirt roads, wet roads etc. The top of the range Amarok has full time 4x4 but not low range!!

Currently the only 4x4 ute with AWD ability is the Triton. Maybe the next version of the Amarok will get it.

[phaeton]

The latest 4x4 mag also made a good point with pointing out the unfortunate absence of AWD on dirt roads, wet roads etc. The top of the range Amarok has full time 4x4 but not low range!!

Currently the only 4x4 ute with AWD ability is the Triton. Maybe the next version of the Amarok will get it.

Amarok Ultimate will indeed have Selectable 4Motion available as an option (not in the first batches.)

[tomdej]

The4x4 mag review did make mention of the Amarok Ultimate having Selectable 4Motion but it also states it then misses out on low range. The Ultimate is very pricey though.

[phantomcamel]

The4x4 mag review did make mention of the Amarok Ultimate having Selectable 4Motion but it also states it then misses out on low range. The Ultimate is very pricey though.

ULTIMATE comes with either "selectable" 4Motion or "permanent" 4Motion your choice. Selectable has HI & LOW 4WD

[tomdej]

Yes, Ultimate is the only one which has the option of permanent 4WD but if you choose that you don't get low range. The 4x4 review quoted above also points out that AWD on wet and slippery surfaces is a great safety feature. VW have had other vehicles with this option available but have chosen not to make it available in the Amarok. Great vehicle but could have been better.