Review - 2023 Volkswagen Amarok

When it arrives in Australian dealerships in March, 2023, the Volkswagen Amarok will go head-to-head with rivals like the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara, Isuzu D-Max, and the Mazda BT-50.

Thanks to the updated platform, revised styling package, and added equipment, it’ll go up against its rivals with one of the most modern offerings for buyers, but what can we expect to see in the 2023 VW Amarok? Let’s find out.

How Much Does It Cost?

Volkswagen is yet to confirm prices for the all-new Amarok range, but we do know that it’ll be offered here in Australia in a five-variant lineup that includes the entry-level Amarok, Amarok Life, Amarok Style, Amarok Pan-Americana, and the range-topping Amarok Aventura.

For reference, the Volkswagen Amarok lineup is currently priced between $38,490 to $81,490.

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What Features Does the Volkswagen Amarok Have?

The entry-level Amarok comes with a set of LED headlights, a locking tailgate, tow bar with brake controller, cloth upholstery, a locking rear differential, rear-view camera with parking sensors, 8.0-inch instrument cluster, 10-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, DAB+ digital radio, adaptive cruise control and vinyl floors.

Stepping up to the Amarok Life adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, front tow hooks, automatic lights and wipers, body-coloured bumpers, upgraded seat upholstery and a six-speaker sound system.

Moving to the Amarok Style adds a set of 18-inch alloys, a chrome rear bumper, Matrix LED headlights, stainless steel sports bar, ambient lighting, keyless entry, surround-view camera, ArtVelour seat upholstery, heated seats and an upgraded 12-inch display for the instrument cluster and infotainment system.

Finally, the Amarok Pan-Americana comes fitted with 18-inch alloys wrapped in all-terrain tyres, LED tail lights, a black sports bar, soft tonneau cover, leather upholstery and dashboard and an upgraded eight-speaker sound system.

Volkswagen Amarok Colours

The MY23 Volkswagen Amarok will be available in the choice of eight exterior colours, including Frozen White, Blue Lightning, Moroccan Blue, Diffused Silver, Lucid Red, Carbonized Grey, Agate Black and Moondust Silver.

What’s Under the Bonnet?

Volkswagen says that the MY23 Amarok lineup will feature a choice of four engines that offer impressive power and torque figures that will culminate in a powerful workhorse, off-roader, or towing powerhouse.

The entry-level Amarok will receive a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 125kW of power and 405Nm of torque, which is paired with a part-time 4x4 system, mechanical locking rear differential and the choice of a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Stepping up higher into the range adds a twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel unit that produces 154kW of power and 500Nm of torque, which is paired with a ten-speed automatic and a part-time 4x4 system.

There’s also the option of a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder sourced from Ford that produces 222kW of power and 452Nm of torque.

The final engine option for the VW Amarok comes in the form of a 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel unit producing 184kW of power and 600Nm of torque which receives a full-time 4x4 system and the addition of a low-range transfer case to help out while off-roading.

On the topic of off-roading, Volkswagen says the Amarok will come fitted with six separate driving modes including a tow/haul mode, mud, snow, sand, slippery, eco and normal driving mode.

What’s New Inside the Volkswagen Amarok?

Inside, the Volkswagen Amarok’s cabin has been massively overhauled with an emphasis on a clean and spacious cabin that picks up a heap of technology as standard.

With the help of the new platform, the new Amarok offers a significantly larger cabin for those seated in the rear of the dual-cab variant, while interior space and practicality in the front of the cabin look to be very impressive.

There’s a massive 10-inch vertically-mounted infotainment system fitted in the entry-level Amarok, as well as an 8-inch driver display, wireless smartphone charging, DAB+ digital radio and both Apple CarPlay & Android Auto adds to the high-tech and sophisticated cabin.

Stepping up higher into the range adds a 12-inch digital instrument cluster for the driver and an upgraded 12-inch infotainment system, as well as ambient lighting.

In terms of switchgear, Volkswagen has taken a minimalist approach with the cabin’s design which features a row of physical buttons located below the display, with storage options behind the gear lever and inside the folding armrest.

How Big is the MY23 Volkswagen Amarok?

The latest-generation VW Amarok offers an additional 96mm of length over its predecessor, and measuring in at 5350mm long, with a wheelbase 173mm longer than its replacement which translates to more space inside the cabin.

The Amarok measures in at 5350mm long, 1910mm wide, 1880mm tall and has a wheelbase spanning 3220mm.

So far, Volkswagen has said that the wading depth has been increased from 500mm to 800mm, with improved performance when it comes to approach and departure angles.

In terms of pulling power, Volkswagen says the Amarok is rated with a braked towing capacity up to 3500kg, while the payload figures have increased up to 1200kg.

Is it Fuel-Efficient?

While Volkswagen is yet to confirm fuel economy figures for the upcoming Amarok lineup, we do know that it shares a number of engines and even rides the same chassis as the latest Ford Ranger, so we can use that as a point of reference.

Using fuel economy data for the latest Ford Ranger, we can expect to see Volkswagen’s latest Amarok return fuel economy figures of between 7.6L/100km for the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, rising to 8.4L/100km for the six-cylinder turbo-diesel variant.

Keep in mind that these are just a reference point, with fuel economy data set to be released by Volkswagen ahead of the Amarok’s launch in March.

Is it Safe?

The latest-generation Amarok is yet to be officially tested by ANCAP, however, its twin-under-the-skin, the Ford Ranger has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

As standard, the Amarok comes fitted with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assistance, a rear-view camera with parking sensors and an emergency call feature.

Stepping up higher into the range adds a surround-view camera, blind spot monitoring, front-mounted parking sensors, and a parking assistant.

Five Specs You Need to Know About the VW Amarok

1. Shared platform and engines with the latest Ford Ranger

2. Six-speed manual/automatic, and ten-speed automatic transmissions available

3. New platform measures 5350mm long; 173mm longer than replacement

4. Braked towing capacity up to 3500kg

5. Payload figures have increased to 1200kg

Volkswagen Amarok Competition

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