Volkswagen dropped a bombshell last week when it finally announced the pricing of the highly-anticipated next-generation Amarok, which is scheduled to go on sale in less than a month’s time on the 18th of March 2023.
The bakkie, which was co-developed alongside Ford and its own Ranger series, will be built right here in South Africa at the blue oval’s manufacturing plant in Silverton, Pretoria.
There’s certainly no shortage of options to choose from, as there will be no less than 16 double cabs at launch and single cabs to be introduced in the second quarter of the year.
The extensive line-up is thanks to a combination of four different TDI diesel engines and five different trim levels, ensuring that die-hard 4×4 enthusiasts will be able to find the right car for their needs.
The four available powerplants consist of the following:
| Engine | Power | Fuel consumption | Top Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0-litre turbo-diesel | 110kW/350Nm | 6.9l/100km | 170km/h |
| 2.0-litre turbo-diesel | 125kW/405Nm | 7.7l/100km | 170km/h |
| 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel | 154kW/500Nm | 7.5l/100km | 180km/h |
| 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel | 184kW/600Nm | 8.4l/100km | 180km/h |
Additionally, the entire range is now certified to carry up to 1.19 tonnes in the rear box, while the maximum towing cap has been increased to a new max of 3,500kg – 200kg more than the previous generation.
The VW’s wheelbase has also been increased by 173mm for a new total of 3,268mm, its wading depth went up from 500mm to 800mm, and its approach and departure angles improved from 28 and 23, to 30 and 26 degrees, respectively.
The five trim levels, meanwhile, assume the form of an entry-level model simply dubbed “the Amarok,” which is then followed by the mid-range Life and Style, before capping off with the range-topping PanAmericana and Aventura nameplates.
The competition
Below, you can find a breakdown of how the Amarok in four different price brackets compares to other double cabs in the same league.
Click on the underlined names for more information.
VW Amarok
| Model | Engine | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda BT-50 1.9TD Active | 1.9-litre turbo-diesel | 110kW/350Nm | R630,400 |
| VW Amarok 2.0 TDI | 2.0-litre turbo-diesel | 110kW/350Nm | R599,000 |
| Toyota Hilux 2.4GD-6 SR | 2.4-litre turbo-diesel | 110kW/400Nm | R534,400 |
| Ford Ranger 2.0 SiT XL manual | 2.0-litre turbo-diesel | 125kW/405Nm | R529,900 |
| Isuzu D-Max 1.9TD L manual | 1.9-litre turbo-diesel | 110kW/350Nm | R511,400 |
VW Amarok Life
| Model | Engine | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Triton 2.4DI-D 4×4 Xtreme | 2.4-litre turbo-diesel | 133kW/430Nm | R768,990 |
| VW Amarok Life 2.0 TDI 4Motion Auto | 2.0-litre turbo-diesel | 125kW/405Nm | R760,000 |
| Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD LS 4×4 auto | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel | 140kW/450Nm | R714,700 |
| Toyota Hilux 2.4GD-6 4×4 Raider auto | 2.4-litre turbo-diesel | 110kW/400Nm | R683,800 |
| Ford Ranger 2.0 SiT XL 4×4 auto | 2.0-litre turbo-diesel | 125kW/405Nm | R621,900 |
VW Amarok Style
| Model | Engine | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| VW Amarok Style 2.0 Bi-TDI 4Motion Auto | 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel | 154kW/500Nm | R900,000 |
| Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 4×4 GR-Sport | 2.8-litre turbo-diesel | 165kW/550Nm | R891,400 |
| Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi Pro-4X 4×4 | 2.5-litre turbo-diesel | 140kW/450Nm | R812,900 |
| Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD LSE 4×4 | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel | 140kW/450Nm | R790,400 |
| Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo XLT 4×4 | 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel | 154kW/500Nm | R782,100 |
VW Amarok PanAmericana
| Model | Engine | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Gladiator 3.6 Rubicon | 3.6-litre petrol | 209kW/347Nm | R1,329,900 |
| VW Amarok PanAmericana 3.0 TDI V6 4Motion Auto | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel | 184kW/600Nm | R1,053,000 |
| Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 Wildtrak 4WD | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel | 184kW/600Nm | R953,500 |
| Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 4×4 Legend RS auto | 2.8-litre turbo-diesel | 150kW/500Nm | R945,400 |
| Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD V-Cross 4×4 | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel | 140kW/450Nm | R835,100 |
Keyword: Direct competition to the new VW Amarok in different price brackets