We test the Core competencies of the new Volkswagen Amarok, driving the entry-level single-turbo TDI405 dual-cab ute
- How much does the Volkswagen Amarok Core cost?
- What equipment comes with the Volkswagen Amarok Core?
- How safe is the Volkswagen Amarok Core?
- What technology does the Volkswagen Amarok Core feature?
- What powers the Volkswagen Amarok Core?
- What is the Volkswagen Amarok Core like to drive?
- How good is the Volkswagen Amarok Core off-road?
- What is the Volkswagen Amarok Core like inside?
- Should I buy a Volkswagen Amarok Core?
While the flagship PanAmericana and Aventura models of the new 2023 Volkswagen Amarok are grabbing all the headlines, at the other end of the spectrum is the humble Core, the simplest form of VW’s new dual-cab ute. Given its intended purpose as a workhorse for tradies and fleet buyers, there’s little wrong with the Volkswagen Amarok Core. But you do get better bang for your buck as you move further up the model range.
How much does the Volkswagen Amarok Core cost?
You’ll need $52,990 plus on-road costs to get behind the wheel of the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok Core, $2000 more than first announced due to the deletion of the manual gearbox option.
This sits $4000 below the Life, which is the first step on the ‘family friendly’ Volkswagen Amarok ladder, the Core intended more for tradies or commercial buyers looking for a workhorse.
The Core is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and the first five service visits will cost you $1800, with intervals of 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.
What equipment comes with the Volkswagen Amarok Core?
As you might expect, the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok Core is fairly light on when it comes to frills, though not as much as you might expect.
There are still 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, electric mirrors, automatic lights/wipers, side steps, two front tow hooks, tyre pressure monitoring, underbody protection and a mechanical rear diff lock.
The tub has six tie-down points, external tie-down rails and LED lighting. It measures 1224mm wide, 1544mm long and 529mm deep.
A lighter kerb weight means the Core actually has the highest payload of any new Volkswagen Amarok variant at 1042kg, though a lower 6200kg gross combined mass (GCM) means that if loaded with the maximum 3500kg towing capacity the payload drops to 492kg.
Inside, there are vinyl floor mats, single-zone air-conditioning, manually adjustable cloth front seats (six-way driver, four-way passenger) and little else. We’ll detail the safety and tech features in the next section.
How safe is the Volkswagen Amarok Core?
Despite sitting at the bottom of the totem pole, the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok Core gets almost the full complement of safety equipment found in higher models and the corresponding five-star ANCAP safety rating.
This includes nine airbags and plenty of active safety systems, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, driver fatigue monitoring, rollover mitigation, trailer sway control, lane assist, speed sign recognition, adaptive cruise control and intelligent speed limiter.
The only features it lacks compared to other models are side assist with blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and the stop-and-go function for the adaptive cruise.
A rear camera and sensors at both ends help the parking situation.
What technology does the Volkswagen Amarok Core feature?
A 10.1-inch portrait touch-screen handles infotainment duties in the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok Core, and it includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and digital radio – though there are only four speakers in the cabin.
Wireless charging is standard, however, in addition to 12V USB-A and USB-C ports and another USB-A outlet in the rear-view mirror housing for a dashcam or similar.
Digital instruments are also present, the 8.0-inch screen able to display various vehicle, trip and audio settings, controlled by the buttons on the right-hand side of the steering wheel.
What powers the Volkswagen Amarok Core?
The 2023 Volkswagen Amarok Core TDI405 is the only variant to use the 2.0-litre four-cylinder single-turbo diesel and six-speed automatic combination.
It was initially also available as a six-speed manual but lack of demand has caused this to be dropped.
The engine produces 125kW/405Nm and is the most frugal Amarok – albeit only just – with a combined 7.1L/100km claim. With an 80-litre tank, this provides well over 1100km of range.
The next step up to the Volkswagen Amarok Life TDI500 brings a 154kW/500Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel and 10-speed automatic combo.
It’s a big leap in performance, while fuel economy for the biturbo is only a fraction higher than the single at 7.2L/100km, based on the manufacturer’s official combined-cycle figures.
What is the Volkswagen Amarok Core like to drive?
By the traditional standards of basic workhorse dual-cab utes, the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok Core is extremely impressive.
On the other hand, basic workhorse dual-cabs haven’t traditionally cost well over $50,000.
Regardless, if you find yourself in a Core as your new work ute then you’ll probably be pretty happy. Like all Amaroks, the ride is on the firmer side but it steers accurately and has plenty of control, even on a challenging twisty and slippery mountain road.
The powertrain does feel a little underdone. Initial impressions are positive, but you quickly notice that adding more throttle does little to increase the rate of acceleration, though it must be said VW provided the opportunity to drive a Core loaded very close to its maximum payload and it handled the 900kg-plus with remarkable ease, so perhaps it’s not underdone after all?
That same ute did show 11.0L/100km, however, so the need to work it harder is obvious and the single-turbo engine is also slightly noisier than the twin-turbo, though not to any great extent.
The Core’s greatest shortcoming is the very unwelcome reflections in the windscreen generated by the plastic dashtop. If the sun is low or at certain angles, it becomes very difficult to see where you’re going.
Something to keep in mind if you’re towing is the Core is the only Amarok with a drum brake rear-end.
How good is the Volkswagen Amarok Core off-road?
Given it has all the same off-road gear as higher-spec models – dual-range transfer case, rear diff lock, traction control, underbody protection – it should come as little surprise that the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok Core is equally capable in the rough stuff.
It handled a varied route through the Toolangi State Forest near Melbourne with no real issues, even on highway-spec tyres, with only the occasional kiss of the underside through some deep ruts.
There is no full-time four-wheel drive in the Amarok Core but 4H is fine for unsealed surfaces, with the diff lock occasionally activated for peace of mind.
With a slight lift, available through VW’s accessories range, and a more aggressive set of tyres, even the Amarok Core will be plenty capable in the bush.
What is the Volkswagen Amarok Core like inside?
There’s no escaping the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok Core’s humble origins inside, though it’s brought into much sharper relief if you’re familiar with the other variants.
The vinyl flooring is actually an advantage if you’re working at muddy work sites, but the seats don’t have the support of those in the Life and the plastic steering wheel and manual handbrake is a reminder of where you’re sitting in the pecking order.
On the other side of the coin, the day-to-day basics are there, including wireless phone charging and smartphone mirroring, there’s plenty of storage with dual glove boxes and a dashtop area, the regular shifter used for the six-speed auto is preferable to the 10-speed’s ‘e-shifter’ and the manual handbrake allows for better orientation of the cup holders.
VW’s decision to go with digital climate controls rather than the physical dials and buttons found on its donor vehicle – the Ford Ranger – remains an annoyance, however.
In the back you have ISOFIX child restraint points on each side, a 12V outlet and more room than the Amarok’s notoriously cramped predecessor, though larger folks may still feel the pinch slightly.
Should I buy a Volkswagen Amarok Core?
Given its intended purpose, there’s little wrong with the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok Core.
Well over $50,000 necessitates a second glance for an entry-level dual-cab 4×4 ute, but Triton aside, all its main rivals are similar money.
The trouble with the Core is that you can get quite a bit more ute for little extra outlay in the form of either the Ranger XLS or the Amarok Life.
If we take the Life as an example, another $4000 isn’t nothing, but you get the much more powerful biturbo engine, 10-speed gearbox, more comfortable seats, leather steering wheel, rear disc brakes, more speakers, more safety gear…
The Core may be cheaper, but we’d argue the Volkswagen Amarok Life is better value.
2023 Volkswagen Amarok Core TDI405 at a glance:
Price: $52,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 125kW/405Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 186g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2023)
Keyword: Volkswagen Amarok Core TDI405 2023 Review