Review
Volkswagen Amarok sports utility vehicle
Price: £23,526 - £31,098
/5
- Pros:
- Spacious interior
- Excellent build quality
- Big load bed
- Cons:
- Car's size can be intimidating
- Difficult to park
- Uncomfortable suspension
pictured: Volkswagen Amarok pick-up 2012 4 door 4wd
reviewed by Carbuyer
"The Amarok blurs the lines between builder's wagon and family car, with huge off-road ability, a big load bed and a spacious and well finished five-seater interior."
At a glance
- The greenest
- 2.0 BITDI 180PS 4M BM Perm Highline Auto 4dr
£31,098 - The cheapest
- 2.0 TDI 122PS 4Motion Select Startline 4dr
£23,526 - Top of the range
- 2.0 BITDI 180PS 4M BM Perm Highline Auto 4dr
£31,098
Advertisement
The Volkswagen Amarok brings the firm's unbeatable image and peerless quality to the double-cab pick-up market. It benefits from the same company car tax breaks as any other contender in this class, but has just as much appeal as a family car as it does as a commercial vehicle. This is mainly down to the space and quality on offer inside. The Amarok is sold only as a double-cab five-seater for now – a single-cab model will follow later – and it stands out with its high-grade materials and solid build quality. As the styling suggests, this car is virtually unstoppable away from the beaten track. The 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine comes with a choice of 120bhp or 161bhp outputs, while there are Startline, Trendline and Highline specs. All feature four-wheel drive, to ensure the car can take the roughest terrain in its stride. Massive dimensions make parking a challenge, but once you've got used to how big it feels from behind the wheel, the Amarok is a great deal of fun.
Drive
Strong engine, secure handling
Driving a five-metre-long pick-up takes some getting used to – and parking the Amarok is a real challenge. Visibility is great, though, and all the switches on the dash work with precision. But while the diesel engine has decent low-down torque for strong off-road ability, the two-tonne-plus kerbweight hampers acceleration off the line.
Comfort
Widely adjustable seats, but engine is noisy
Driver and front passenger get a broad range of seat adjustment, so finding a comfortable position is easy. The diesel engine is a bit gruff no matter where you're sitting, although it's quite smooth at cruising speeds. Unfortunately the suspension is designed to cope with heavy loads in the pick-up bed, so when the Amarok is empty, it tends to bounce over rough roads. However, it's better to drive than most rival pick-ups.
Reliability
Superb VW quality, strong crash rating
The high-quality feel inside runs more than skin-deep, and the Amarok looks set to offer the same strong reliability record as any other Volkswagen. Isofix child seat mountings and electronic stability control feature as standard, and the car achieved a reassuring four-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests.
Practicality
Big load bed, decent cabin space
The size and depth of the load bed is a key factor to anyone considering a pick-up, and the VW scores in this respect. It's long and wide, and is trimmed in durable plastic – although buyers can choose a metal chequer plate finish. There's also a selection of tonneau covers and even a hard-top. Inside, head and legroom impress front and rear.
Value for money
Competitive price, flat-rate tax
As with any pick-up, the Amarok makes sense as a commercial vehicle, with business users paying a flat rate of company car tax. But adding to the appeal is a competitive price tag. It looks even more tempting when you consider the kit on offer – especially in top-spec Highline trim, which offers climate control and heated leather seats.
Running costs
Impressive economy, competitive road tax
A two-tonne pick-up is never going to be the most efficient car on the road, but the diesel-only Amarok impresses with claimed fuel economy of up to 37mpg. What's more, private owners pay £210 a year in road tax. VW doesn't offer its fixed-price servicing package on this model, but buyers can expect competitive workshop bills.
