VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK

VOLKSWAGEN’S Amarok first appeared in Australia in early 2011, initially with a four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel. This was joined by a 3.0-litre V6 diesel in late 2016. Even with its four-cylinder engine, Amarok set the benchmark for utes in many ways and the V6 has pushed that superiority out to another level. In terms of performance, heavy-duty towing power, ride and handling, the safety of full-time 4WD, fitting a full-size pallet between the wheel arches and ease of driving, there is none better.

Until recently, the V6 was only mated to a single-range full-time 4x4 auto system, but is now available as a parttime, dual-range 4x4 manual. However, don’t expect to see many of these pop up on the second-hard market for a while yet. Still, if you think the lack of low-range is a handicap offroad for the Amarok automatic, then you would be wrong as it’s a genuine top-tier off-road performer along with Ranger and Hilux and better than most utes with low range.

On the negative side of the ledger, the Amarok has no rear cabin airbags, in any model, while the lack of VW dealerships in regional and rural areas, and the Amarok not being the favourite of independent country mechanics, are other drawbacks.

An all-new Amarok isn’t far away and it appears it will be based on a Ford platform, which means the current Amarok could be one of a kind.