Volkswagen Amarok pickup - Practicality & boot space (2011-2022)

Thanks to the Volkswagen Amarok's high-riding nature and all-wheel-drive system, it can wade through water up to 500mm deep, which is great for coping with those winter floods the UK can sometimes be prone to.

Volkswagen Amarok interior space & storage

While the Amarok’s rear cabin might not be quite as spacious and suited to passengers as those in Volkswagen’s SUVs and MPVs, it offers plenty of head and legroom all round, not to mention shoulder and elbow room, too.

As it’s a high up car, though, it may be worth going for the optional grab handles and running boards (standard on the Highline), as these should help when entering and exiting the vehicle. There are also practical cup-holders in the rear, plus ISOFIX child-seat mounting points. The practicality continues up front with huge storage capacity in the door bins, in the centre console and under the armrest. There’s also an option to add under-seat storage.

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Boot space

Unsurprisingly, the Amarok’s load bay stretches to a huge 2.52 square metres in total, as well as being able to carry up to 1,154kg. That’s more than the Ford Ranger can offer, but less than the Nissan Navara’s maximum.

At the back, the load bed is wide enough to accommodate a forklift pallet. It also comes with a durable plastic finish, while if you need to secure or protect your cargo, then VW’s options list has an array of coverings for the rear. You can choose a range of hardtops or just go for one of the lockable tonneau covers. There’s even a soft tonneau cover if you want something a little more basic.

Finally, the pick-up bed contains a 12-volt power socket, which comes in handy on those family camping trips.

Towing

All versions of the Amarok are capable of towing up to 3,100kg, which is 400kg less than the Ford Ranger. All Amarok models have tow bar preparation, so a fixed ball costs a not unreasonable £320 exc. VAT.