Volkswagen Amarok: price, specs and release date

The 2022 Volkswagen Amarok has been revealed to the world with a chunky new look, a big boost in technology and a single cab option for the first time. It’ll go on sale towards the end of this year to rival the Toyota Hilux.

The new VW Amarok, which is a global model set to be built in South Africa, has been developed and produced in partnership with Ford. It’ll share its underpinnings with the next-generation Ford Ranger as both companies look to improve their economies of scale.

Despite the link under the skin, the new Amarok is said to have “clear Volkswagen design DNA”, including a ‘premium’ interior. It also features a range of car-like technology features and driver assist systems, but still claims to offer even more of the rugged ability and workhorse appeal of the old model.

The front-end of the new VW Amarok has an imposing yet familiar look, with new LED light designs.

Volkswagen Amarok price, trim levels and release date

Pricing details for the new Volkswagen Amarok are still to be confirmed, with orders due to open later in 2022. Expect first deliveries in the few months after that.

We’d expect prices to kick off from around £30,000 for an entry-level single cab Amarok, with double cab variants at around £33,000. That’ll be with the entry-level 2.0-litre diesel, with a higher-powered version of that and, at the top of the range, a 3.0-litre V6 diesel commanding a premium.

All versions will be capable of carrying a one-tonne payload, which means some buyers will be able to claim tax and VAT benefits if they operate their Amarok for business use.

The VW Amarok will be available in five trim levels globally; the entry-level ‘Amarok’, plus Life, Style, PanAmericana and Aventura versions.

Standard equipment on the base Amarok version includes 16-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, electric folding mirrors, digital instruments, a 10-inch touchscreen, DAB radio and a height adjustable driver’s seat. There’s also a full suite of driver assists including adaptive cruise control, dynamic road sign display, lane assist, intelligent speed assist, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, alongside Front Assist.

Stepping up to the VW Amarok Life brings higher-end seat upholstery, eight-way front seat adjustment, a leather wheel, tinted rear windows, front parking sensors, central locking which integrates the tailgate, auto lights and wipers and an anti-dazzle rear-view mirror and a speaker upgrade from four to six.

The mid-range VW Amarok Style adds the brand’s ‘IQ Light’ Matrix LED headlights, alongside chrome bumper elements and black painted 18-inch alloys. Inside you get the upgraded, larger Digital Cockpit and 12-inch infotainment screen, wireless phone charging, part-suede and synthetic leather seats and a leather gearknob, front heated seats, dual-zone climate control, an electric driver’s seat and keyless access. Blind spot detection is also added.

The VW Amarok PanAmericana is the model with an off-road focus and rugged styling, including a new ‘X design’ front bumper, LED rear lights, bespoke 18-inch wheels, a styling bar and black side steps. Special ‘Cricket’ upholstery, a faux leather stitched dash top, sat-nav, an eight-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system and ambient lighting. There’s also lighting for the load bay, park assist and a 360-degree camera system. As the off road-focused variant you also get permanent 4Motion four-wheel drive with a mechanical diff lock.

Topping the range is the Amarok Aventura, which shares elements and kit with the PanAmericana but is more on-road focused. 20-inch alloys, chrome mirror caps and door handles, a body colour styling bar, a chrome rear bumper and chrome side steps feature. Full leather upholstery inside combines with the same kit list, plus lane assist with lane centering.

The rear styling of the Amarok features a prominent logo printed into the tailgate, plus LED lighting on top trims.

The new VW Amarok can be specified with an electrically opening load bay roll cover, and the tailgate is now integrated into the central locking.

Volkswagen Amarok styling, dimensions and off-road specs

The design of the 2022 Volkswagen Amarok is immediately familiar, with an imposing, squared-off shape that’s not a radical departure from the outgoing model. But there’a a number of key details that give it a classier look.

Twin chrome bars across the front grille line up with the new LED headlights, which are standard on every version.  Higher-spec versions also get LED matrix headlights with an adaptive beam for the first time. Those high spec models also get the front skidplate and plastic cladding in silver, while all models also get ‘Amarok’ spelt out in big lettering above the number plate.

At the side there is pronounced wheelarches and a taller shoulder-line, while top-spec trims are again marked out with chrome mirror covers and door handles. Wheel sizes are up to 21 inches, and a step to aid access features below the doors.

At the rear it’s clear what pick-up this is, as the Amarok name is embossed across nearly the whole width of the tailgate. Rugged protective cladding features on the rear bumper, while new C-shaped taillights are also available with LED technology on higher trims.

In terms of dimensions the 2022 VW Amarok is 5,350mm long, which is a 96mm increase on the old model. The wheelbase has grown even further to 3270mm, up 173mm on before. VW claims that boosts space in the second row for double-cab variants, but because the wheelbase has grown more than the body itself it improves approach angles, making it better off-road.

With most markets set to have only all-wheel drive versions of the Amarok, there will be two 4MOTION systems offered globally: a permanent all-wheel drive system and a selectable system that’ll let you choose between four and rear-wheel drive. VW claims the standard-fit automatic parking brake boosts the Amarok’s usability in the rough stuff.

VW also claims a much greater wading depth over the old model, too. It’s up to 800mm, a full 300mm increase. Meanwhile, the braked towing capacity sits at 3.5 tonnes depending on engine variant – the old model was limited to 3.1 tonnes. That matches key rivals including the Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi L200 and Nissan Navara.

Optional kit to further boost its off-road prowess includes a bull bar, underbody protection, 20mm extra ground clearance and a snorkel for wading. This will likely ensure it’s one of the best 4×4 cars money can buy.

The new Amarok has a much more high-tech cabin than before, with a large infotainment screen and digital dials.

VW claims greater practicality with the new Amarok thanks to a longer body and wheelbase.

2022 Volkswagen Amarok interior, technology and payload

The first generation Volkswagen Amarok successfully brought more car-like comfort and refinement to the pick-up sector, but rivals have upped the game since then. The new Amarok aims to re-establish itself at the pinnacle of the sector, offering technology and quality not yet seen in trucks at this price point, and more in line with the best SUVs.

New features include a digital instrument display as standard on every model. It’s an eight-inch display on lower-end trims, rising to a configurable 12-inch ‘Digital Cockpit’ on Style trim and above. There is also a new portrait-oriented “tablet-style” infotainment screen, which starts at 10 inches on the entry-level versions and rises to 12 inches on Style trims and above.

Every version comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside VW’s connected services suite. However, the brand hasn’t forgotten the Amarok’s hard-working routes, with tactile ‘hard key’ physical switches below the screen for certain functions and claims of hard-wearing materials. There are also up to 20 storage trays and compartments dotted around the cabin.

As well as the up to 20 new driver assist functions (listed above) there are up to six drive modes depending on the model, including various off-road modes for different surfaces.

On to more practical matters (let’s not forget the Amarok is still a working vehicle at heart). VW has increased the maximum payload – depending on version – ever so slightly from 1.15 tonnes to 1.2 tonnes. That’s still not quite as high as the Toyota Hilux in certain specs, however.

More significantly, the new VW Amarok has a bigger cargo bed than its predecessor. Single cab versions have a bed which is 2305mm long and 1224mm wide – enough for two Euro pallets. That decreases to 1544mm long and 1224mm wide for the double cab model, with both versions having a maximum bed height of 529mm.

Lashing rings have been installed in the bed itself, with each ring able to take a tensile load of up to 500kg. What’s more, both manually and electrically operated cargo bed roll covers are available.

Different variants of the new VW Amarok will be available with unique exterior styling and badging.

New Volkswagen Amarok engines, performance and efficiency

The best hybrid and electric vans are leading an EV revolution for commercial vehicles, but the Amarok will launch solely with combustion engines for now. There is a petrol option alongside four diesel engines, but it remains to be seen which markets will take what.

VW has said that the new Amarok is ‘ready for electrification’ in future if the demand is there, but claims the pick-up truck market isn’t quite ready in its core markets. Expect the new Amarok to continue to be among the best pick-up trucks  in terms of performance and efficiency, however, along with the platform-sharing Ford Ranger.

The diesel engines offerings in the new Amarok start with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit. In African markets the output starts at 150PS, but for Europe we’ll see a 170PS version with 405Nm of torque. As standard it’ll have a six-speed manual gearbox and (depending on market) either selectable all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. A six-speed automatic gearbox is also available.

There’s also a twin-turbocharged version of the 2.0-litre diesel putting out 204PS and 500Nm of torque. This will either be offered with permanent or selectable all-wheel drive depending on market, with either a six-speed or ten-speed automatic gearbox. We can assume the latter gearbox has come from Ford, which already uses a ten-speed auto. Also optional is a drive-by-wire e-shifter version on the 10-speed auto.

Topping the diesel engine range is the 3.0-litre V6, which is likely a development of the old Amarok’s engine. Depending on markets it puts out either 241PS or 250PS, with 600Nm of torque, It’s mated to the ten-speed automatic gearbox and permanent all-wheel drive.

All versions of the Amarok have an 80 litre fuel tank, with a capacity increase of the AdBlue tank from 6.3 litres to 19.3 litres. Fully efficiency figures have yet to be revealed, but expect improvements over the previous generation Amarok.

Finally, some markets will be offered a petrol Amarok for the first time. The engine is a 302PS 2.3-litre four-cylinder, putting out 452Nm of torque and mated to the ten-speed automatic gearbox and permanent all-wheel drive.

Find a used Volkswagen Amarok for sale

Volkswagen has a comprehensive range of commercial vehicles, which includes the Caddy, Transporter and Crafter. If you are looking for a camper van then you may also want to consider the California and Grand California.

Prices for used Volkswagen Amarok pick-up trucks start at under-£20,000 for 2016 models and rise to £24,000 for 2017 and 2018 examples.

Looking for more new car news?

Volkswagen has revealed the new ID.Buzz electric van, which is expected to reach showrooms in late-2022. MG is also expanding its range of electric cars with the new MG 4 hatchback, while Audi has unveiled, its new EV, the Q6 e-tron SUV.

Prices for the 2022 Volkswagen Amarok are expected to start in the region of £30,000 for the 2.0-litre diesel in single cab form. Expect prices to rise to well over £40,000 for the higher-end double cab variants.

The new 2022 Volkswagen Amarok can tow up to 3.5 tonnes, which is up from 3.1 tonnes for the old model and puts it among the best vehicles for towing.

Yes, the Volkswagen Amarok is classed as a commercial vehicle. Why? Because it has a payload capacity that exceeds 1000kg.