The Volkswagen Amarok continues to be an underdog in Australia’s big ute market, even when it shares its DNA with the nation’s present head honcho.
Its twin-under-the-skin is, after all, the Ford Ranger, which not solely continues to be Australia’s top-selling ute, but in addition the nation’s favorite new car bar none, with no fewer than 22,000 examples bought to date in 2025.
The Amarok, meantime, has discovered 2434 new properties in the identical interval, making it the lowest-selling established ute nameplate domestically. In fact, in contrast to nearly all of its rivals, the second-generation Amarok is accessible in Australia solely in dual-cab 4×4 ute kind, which means there’s no single-cab or prolonged cab variations, and no handbook or 4×2 choices, so there’s a smaller vary with larger costs and extra gear to replicate its premium positioning.
However there’s additionally growing competitors within the ute market, together with from new rivals just like the BYD Shark 6 and different cheaper Chinese language dual-cabs, in addition to overhauls for standard fashions just like the Mitsubishi Triton and vary expansions for utes just like the Ranger, with the addition of 4 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants. And there’s nonetheless no concrete phrase on an analogous powertrain for the Amarok.
Volkswagen’s ute did deliver a latest MY25 replace that shifted some pricing and specs, and added a tray choice to a number of variants to create the primary double-cab/chassis variations. Hardly groundbreaking updates, however did they have to be?
WATCH: Paul’s video assessment of the Volkswagen Amarok Life
The Amarok already supplied one of many extra various powertrain lineups of any ute in Australia, even with out electrification. There are three turbo-diesel powertrains together with a V6, and turbo-petrol engine that not even the Ranger affords right here, regardless of the very fact it traces its roots to high-performance Fords just like the Focus ST and Mustang EcoBoost.
On check right here, nevertheless, is the 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Life TDI500 double-cab pickup. That seems like a mouthful, but it surely’s nearly so simple as the Amarok will get and it’s positioned second from the underside of the vary.
The Life TDI500 is powered by a four-cylinder biturbo-diesel, has fabric seat trim and 17-inch wheels, together with an unlined tub and different such stripped-back facilities. The one method the Life can get extra barebones is by becoming an aluminium tray, however that provides $4000 to the $62,000 drive-away value as examined right here.
Is that this the candy spot within the Amarok vary? Do different variants do it higher, or must you simply go for a Ranger?
How a lot does the Volkswagen Amarok price?
The Life sits one rung above the underside of the Amarok vary, and prices $61,990 drive-away. That’s $6000 up on the bottom Core, and a whopping $10,750 lower than the following everlasting variant above it, the Type TDI500 with the identical engine.
| Mannequin | Drive-away value |
|---|---|
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Core TDI405 double-cab pickup | $55,990 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Core Tray TDI405 double-cab chassis | $59,990 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Life TDI500 double-cab pickup | $61,990 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Life Tray TDI500 double-cab chassis | $65,990 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok 10 Deserts Version TDI500 double-cab pickup | $69,990 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Type TDI500 double-cab pickup | $72,740 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Type Tray TDI500 double-cab chassis | $76,740 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Type TDI600 double-cab pickup | $76,740 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana TDI600 double-cab pickup | $79,990 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Aventura TSI452 double-cab pickup | $79,990 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Type Tray TDI600 double-cab chassis | $80,740 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Aventura TDI600 double-cab pickup | $82,990 |
The Amarok Life is most similar to both the Ranger XLS or XLT biturbo 4×4 dual-cabs – even when the mannequin lineups aren’t fairly in sync. These utes price $57,630 and $63,640 earlier than on-roads respectively.
Outdoors of that duo, the dual-can 4×4 ute crowd is as giant as ever. There are nonetheless the same old names – Toyota HiLux, Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, and Nissan Navara – competing in opposition to the Amarok.
There’s additionally a handful of rivals from China that proceed to place strain on these stalwarts. The GWM Cannon and LDV T60 aren’t brand-new however proceed to promote nicely, whereas the JAC T9 is working to ascertain an Australian following.
Volkswagen’s ute continues to be pricier than all the above.
To see how the Amarok stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What’s the Volkswagen Amarok like on the within?
Unremarkable, particularly by Volkswagen requirements.
In fact, the Ford roots are apparent, but it doesn’t really feel as refined. The rounded air vents of the Ranger have been sharpened, and there are a good few uninspiring shapes and surfaces dominating the sprint and centre console.
Not like the D-Max/BT-50 sister fashions, wherein the interiors are virtually similar aside from nicer seats within the latter, the Amarok appears like an try to inject edgier Volkswagen styling right into a ute it wasn’t designed for.
That stated, many of the sensible advantages that include cheaper Rangers have been carried by means of right here. There’s an analogous phone-sized cubby forward of the gear selector, a pair of cupholders, a cut-out on high of the sprint, and a lidded cubby above the glovebox – all very helpful for tradies.
The seats within the Life are additionally work-friendly, with hardy fabric upholstery and sufficient bolstering to maintain entrance passengers snug in bends. These laborious surfaces will stand up to put on and tear higher than any extra premium supplies, whereas the leather-based steering wheel trim is a worthwhile luxurious.
Fitted to this variant is a ten.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a smaller unit than the 12.3-inch various discovered from Type degree. It sits awkwardly on the dashboard with thick shiny bezels, however was responsive and snappy throughout our testing.
You continue to get wi-fi smartphone mirroring as commonplace, which labored reliably throughout our time with the automotive. Local weather management is – sadly – tucked away on this display, bar the only real shortcut button beneath it to open the local weather menu.
That is in stark distinction to the Ranger, which has a collection of knobs and buttons beneath. The Amarok’s array of buttons could look cleaner, however the practicality of bodily local weather controls is much preferable.
In any other case, you’ll discover a USB-A and -C ports, a 12V outlet, a trailer brake controller, and even a wi-fi charging pad within the cubby beneath.
The steering wheel is a basic Volkswagen design, and we like that every one the buttons are completed in sturdy plastic. They’re all bodily too, which suggests they’re straightforward to make use of – particularly in comparison with the shiny haptic controls in different fashionable VWs.
Behind the wheel is an 8.0-inch digital instrument show, flanked by easy meters for temperature and gasoline. It’s certainly not flashy, however as with the Ranger it’s useful and easy, which suggests it’s straightforward to dwell with. Just like the infotainment display although, it’s the smaller of the 2 screens seen throughout the vary.
The few menus out there to scroll by means of are navigated utilizing the buttons on the appropriate of the wheel. This space is the place you’ll discover many of the Amarok’s bodily controls, with these few buttons and off-road controls on the centre console making up the remainder.
That makes for a cabin that’s intuitive sufficient to be snug, however in any ute we’d nonetheless prefer to see a extra conventional strategy with extra buttons. A minimum of the armrests are tender, and the centre storage bin is sufficiently big for a spread of odds and ends.
Getting into the again is a small hike, however the facet working boards make it straightforward to step up and in. These are much like different Amaroks, although they’re product of black plastic as a substitute of steel.
The door opening is sq. however not as giant as we’d like, which suggests – when mixed with the excessive ground – loading bigger objects like a baby seat could also be tough. When you’re in although, there’s loads of house for passengers and their cargo.
If it’s worthwhile to match a baby seat, there are two ISOFIX and two top-tether anchor factors to utilise. There’s a fold-down centre armrest within the center and a 12V outlet on the again of the centre console, however there are not any USB retailers to interrupt up the swathes of scratchy plastic.
The rear bench seat itself is upholstered in the identical fabric as up entrance, and may fold up or all the way down to reveal small spots to retailer issues. Headroom is suitable, and legroom needs to be wonderful for individuals lower than two metres tall.
As anticipated for a base-spec ute, the bathtub lacks any protecting plastic lining. This isn’t the top of the world, however the paint will rapidly scratch by means of regular use. The Amarok may be optioned with a ‘Modular Bedliner’ although.
Disappointingly, there are additionally no energy retailers within the tub, as they’re reserved for higher-spec Amaroks, however tailgate help makes it simpler to shut and not using a motorised perform. You’ll discover our tester is fitted with Volkswagen’s ‘Premium Trendy Cover’, one of many many real equipment on provide.
The flexibility right here is great consequently. You’ll be able to go for the facet home windows in three mixtures of lifting or sliding, whereas there’s electrical opening for all three panels, commonplace central locking, and built-in LEDs inside, preserving all the pieces safe however accessible when wanted.
That each one makes the Amarok Life a strong workhorse, however its inside falls wanting justifying the $60,000-plus price ticket.
| Dimensions | Volkswagen Amarok Life double-cab pickup |
|---|---|
| Size | 5350mm |
| Width | 2208mm (1910mm excl. mirrors) |
| Peak | 1886mm |
| Wheelbase | 3270mm |
| Floor clearance | 235mm |
| Tub size | 1544mm |
| Tub width | 1224mm |
| Tub depth | 529mm |
To see how the Amarok stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What’s below the bonnet?
The TDI500 engine fitted to the Life and Type is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder biturbo diesel shared with the Ranger. It produces 154kW of energy and 500Nm of torque, with drive despatched to all 4 wheels by means of a 10-speed computerized transmission.
| Specs | Volkswagen Amarok Life TDI500 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl bi-turbo diesel |
| Energy | 154kW |
| Torque | 500Nm |
| Transmission | 10-speed computerized |
| Drive kind | 4-wheel drive with selectable 2WD and low vary |
| Weight | 2317kg (kerb) |
| Gasoline economic system (claimed) | 7.2L/100km |
| Gasoline economic system (as examined) | 8.1L/100km |
| Gasoline kind | Diesel |
| Gasoline tank | 80L |
| CO₂ emissions (claimed) | 189g/km |
| Payload | 913kg |
| Braked towing capability | 3500kg |
| Gross car mass (GVM) | 3230kg |
| Gross mixture mass (GCM) | 6350kg |
Our week with the ute comprised a number of freeway commutes, and a number of journeys all through Melbourne’s inside suburbs. The stop-start driving of the latter contributed to our larger gasoline economic system determine, though there was no load within the again.
To see how the Amarok stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
How does the Volkswagen Amarok drive?
Ford’s twin-turbo diesel four-pot feels solely applicable within the Ranger, and it’s no totally different within the Amarok.
NOTE: Volkswagen Amarok Type pictured all through this part.
You’ll want to put a bodily key into the ignition to begin the Life, which I usually favor to a push-button, but it surely takes a second to regulate your mind behind the wheel of such a contemporary (and costly) car.
Firing it up reveals a comparatively easy diesel idle that quickly quietens down as issues heat up. It’s completely habitable and slots into Drive utilizing a chunky gear selector, simply because it does in most different Rangers and Amaroks.
Setting off from a standstill supplies a good push within the again, and the engine feels fairly completely happy below load, which is strictly what you need from a powertrain in a ute.
We preserve that 10 gears are far too many for a car like this, as probably the most important suggestions it supplies is fixed shifting below acceleration.
Nonetheless, it’s a strong powertrain setup, and the base-spec leanings of the inside tie in nicely with the utilitarian traits of the diesel up entrance.
On the transfer, the Amarok Life reveals a usually bouncy trip. That is particularly evident unladen, because the rear of the car will clatter over bumps even when street noise is acceptably subdued.
We don’t thoughts this tendency, because it’s nonetheless way more compliant than the trip you get on the bigger 18- or 21-inch wheels fitted to the costlier grades.
The chunkier rubber right here additionally means you will have extra leeway when tackling tough roads – sealed or not.
Just like the Australian-developed Ranger it’s based mostly on, which stays the ute benchmark in the case of trip/dealing with, the Amarok confidently retains itself in test in bends due to a well-sorted front-end in a strong ladder-frame chassis design.
You’ll discover a little bit of physique roll, however the steering is properly weighted and pointy sufficient to maintain you on monitor. Forcing it to show at pace will induce some tyre squeal, however the Life’s on-road efficiency nonetheless stands up nicely in opposition to the extra lifestyle-oriented Aventura.
Regardless of sporting giant 4Motion stickers, the Amarok really runs in two-wheel drive more often than not. That’s as a result of the TDI500’s four-wheel drive system is designed for unsealed surfaces, and extended use on paved roads could cause driveline harm.
Rear-wheel drive interprets to decrease gasoline consumption on the street, and the biturbo diesel doesn’t have the center to correctly break traction except the roads are greasy anyway, and the well-sorted traction/stability management system takes excellent care of that.
It’s a special story with the Amarok’s extra highly effective engines, although including weight to the bathtub dulls issues down a bit.
When you’re off-road, the Amarok is greater than able to getting you to nearly any campsite. There are a number of off-road modes to select from, together with a locking rear differential, low-range gearing, and loads of floor clearance to assist hold issues transferring alongside over the tough stuff.
We didn’t get the prospect to correctly check the Amarok’s off-road capabilities throughout our week with the automotive, however you’ll be able to take a look at ourvideo assessment of the Aventura for a greater thought.
When the pace picks up, the Life stays snug and affords loads of overtaking energy, but it surely’s not as easy as a V6 Amarok, whereas will stroll up snottier inclines and tow a big van or boat with way more ease.
Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless a complete suite of security gear, even when loads of it’s simplified for entry-level Amaroks.
Discover out extra
Discover out extra concerning the automotive
You get adaptive cruise management for one, albeit with none cease/go perform. It’s dependable in observe, and makes long-distance commuting a breeze with its potential to appropriately comply with lanes and sustain with site visitors round you.
We’ve had few hiccups with these programs in the true world beforehand, though the higher-spec Aventura did throw up false distraction warnings throughout a earlier check. Rangers additionally have a tendency to do that, principally in the event that they deem your arms to be off the wheel, however the Amarok Life stayed quiet.
Sadly, you don’t get a surround-view or perhaps a front-facing digital camera, which might vastly enhance manoeuvrability when off-roading or navigating carparks.
Visibility continues to be good, although the non-compulsory cover does create a letterbox within the rear-view mirror.
| Off-road dimensions | Volkswagen Amarok Life double-cab pickup |
|---|---|
| Monitor entrance and rear | 1620mm |
| Floor clearance | 235mm |
| Strategy angle | 30.0 levels |
| Departure angle | 25.6 levels |
| Ramp breakover angle | 22.0 levels |
| Wading depth | 800mm |
To see how the Amarok stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What do you get?
The Life sits above solely the bottom Core in Volkswagen’s Amarok vary as a mildly extra premium variant, however a good distance beneath the grades above by way of commonplace gear.
2025 Volkswagen Amarok Core gear highlights:
- 17-inch ‘Cobra’ alloy wheels
- Entrance disc, rear drum brakes
- Locking rear differential
- Energy-folding facet mirrors
- Aspect steps
- Mud flaps
- 2 x entrance tow hooks
- Metal underbody safety
- Plastic gasoline tank safety
- Tow bar
- 12-pin trailer plug
- Black facet mirrors, door handles
- Guide locking tailgate
- 6 x tie-down factors in tub (pickup solely)
- Exterior tie-down rails
- Cargo field LED lighting (pickup solely)
- Computerized LED headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Computerized high-beam
- Halogen tail lights
- Vinyl flooring
- Gray headliner
- Cloth upholstery
- 6-way handbook driver seat
- 4-way handbook entrance passenger seat
- 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- 4-speaker sound system
- Wired and wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wi-fi charger
- Single-zone air-conditioning
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Trailer brake controller
ABOVE: Volkswagen Amarok Type
Amarok Life provides:
- Rear disc brakes
- LED entrance fog lights
- Physique color facet mirrors and door handles
- Heated, power-folding facet mirrors with puddle lamps
- Locking wheel nuts
- Tailgate elevate help (pickup solely)
- Energy tailgate lock (pickup solely)
- Privateness glass
- Six-speaker sound system
- E-shifter
- Electrical park brake
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
- Carpet flooring
- Eight-way handbook entrance seats
- Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
Amarok 10 Deserts Version provides:
- 17-inch black ‘Cobra’ alloy wheels
- Continental CrossContact all-terrain tyres
- 40mm suspension elevate (275mm complete floor clearance)
- Composite underbody safety
- Black tonneau cowl
- 10 Deserts badging
- All-weather ground mats
Amarok Type provides:
- 18-inch ‘Amadora’ alloy wheels
- Chrome facet mirrors and door handles
- Plastic tub liner (pickup solely)
- Stainless-steel sports activities bar (pickup solely)
- 12V socket in tub (pickup solely)
- 230V sockets in tub (pickup solely)
- 400W inverter
- Matrix LED headlights
- LED tail lights
- Leather-based-look dashboard and door inserts
- ArtVelour microfibre upholstery
- Heated entrance seats
- 10-way energy driver’s seat
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Rear air vents
- Insulated windshield
- Proximity entry and push-button begin
- Alarm system
ABOVE: Volkswagen Amarok Aventura
Amarok PanAmericana provides:
- 18-inch black ‘Amadora’ alloy wheels
- All-terrain tyres
- Dynamic suspension
- Black facet mirrors and door handles
- PanAmericana decal
- Black sports activities bar and steps
- Gentle tonneau cowl
- Roof rails
- Spray-in tub liner
- Leather-based upholstery
- Energy passenger seat
- Eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
- Black headliner
Amarok Aventura provides:
- 21-inch ‘Varberg’ alloy wheels
- Chrome bumpers, mirrors, handles
- Rear sailplane
- Electrical curler cowl
- Leather-based seats (Savona)
To see how the Amarok stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
Is the Volkswagen Amarok secure?
The Volkswagen Amarok has a five-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on testing carried out in 2022. This outcome was drawn from testing of the intently associated Ranger, with extra frontal offset and facet affect checks carried out on the Amarok by Euro NCAP, which has harmonised testing protocols with ANCAP.
| Class | Volkswagen Amarok |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 86 per cent |
| Youngster occupant safety | 93 per cent |
| Weak street consumer safety | 74 per cent |
| Security help | 83 per cent |
Customary security gear throughout the vary contains:
- 9 airbags
- Knee
- Centre
- Entrance
- Aspect curtain
- Rear
- Adaptive cruise management
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian and bicycle owner detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Entrance, rear parking sensors
- Clever Velocity Limiter
- Lane-keep help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reversing digital camera
- Swerve Steer help
- Velocity signal recognition
- Tyre strain monitoring
Amarok Life provides:
- Adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go
Amarok Type provides:
- Park Help semi-autonomous parking
- Encompass-view digital camera
- Trailer help
To see how the Amarok stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Volkswagen Amarok price to run?
Like the broader Volkswagen Australia vary, the Amarok is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Volkswagen Amarok |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 12 months free, then service-initiated |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped value servicing | 5 years |
| Common annual service price over 5 years | $460.4 |
| Complete capped value service price | $2302 |
Service pricing, correct as of July 1, 2025, is detailed beneath:
| Service | Value |
|---|---|
| 12 months, 15,000km | $415 |
| 24 months, 30,000km | $415 |
| 36 months, 45,000km | $539 |
| 48 months, 60,000km | $421 |
| 60 months, 75,000km | $512 |
Alternatively, prospects should purchase a five-year ‘Care Plan’ for $2200.
To see how the Amarok stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Volkswagen Amarok Life TDI500
The place different Amaroks cater to life-style patrons, the Life is pitched extra in direction of tradies, which is a process it doesn’t tackle convincingly.
The MkII Amarok has at all times been a extra premium model of the Ranger. It’s costlier, however to your cash you typically additionally get nicer supplies and the most effective tech out there, even when it comes on the expense of the ‘life-style ute’ tag.
However the Life strips issues again and not using a value minimize in equal measure. Don’t get us improper – it’s nonetheless a well-built and dependable dual-cab 4×4 pickup, however when you’re going to go for an Amarok at this value chances are you’ll as nicely flip a coin with a Ranger XLT, and even an XLS and pay rather less.
It’s not accident there are simply 4 work-oriented variants within the Amarok’s 12-grade lineup.
The Amarok is at its greatest from the Type degree up. Its inside is a way more cohesive package deal, and it’s typically slightly sharper in most areas with out compromising an excessive amount of on its utility.
The bones you get with the Life are undoubtedly strong. It will not be out there with the meatier diesel V6, however the biturbo 4 continues to be a top quality engine with loads of punch.
Meaning it will possibly nonetheless tow comfortably and provide a really respectable payload within the tub. The non-compulsory cover fitted to our tester additionally improves each space for storing and safety, providing added peace of thoughts and turning the Amarok considerably into the Everest wagon for which Volkswagen has no reply.
The Life TDI500’s inside can also be snug sufficient, even when it occupies a bizarre house between the ruggedness of the Ranger and the SUV-ness of the Amarok PanAmericana, not to mention the Aventura.
All that makes the Amarok Life an excellent ute, however we predict tradies are higher off saving their money and shopping for one thing else.
Thinking about shopping for a Volkswagen Amarok? Let CarExpert discover you the most effective deal right here
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