Volkswagen Amarok 2013 Long-term review - 1

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory & delivery charges): $53,990
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Metallic Paint $490
Crash rating: Five-star (ANCAP)
Fuel: Diesel
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 8.3
CO2 emissions (g/km): 219

There are good reasons why 4x4 utes form one of the fastest growing new vehicle segments in Australia, where only small cars are more popular.

Aside from greater off-road capability than many SUVs, dual-cab versions -- which account for the majority of sales -- have long offered the seating and load capacity that makes them the perfect dual-purpose vehicle for both work and play.

But what’s changed with the raft of new models in the class is a dramatic uplift in equipment, refinement, handling dynamics and, most importantly, safety -- which has rightly become one of the chief prerequisites for new-vehicle customers.

No longer do ute buyers need to endure primitive, noisy interiors, a dearth of convenience features, rickety ride quality, handling more like a Mack truck or inferior crash safety.

Most one-tonners from most of the mainstream car-makers now come with a maximum five-star safety rating, thanks in part to potentially life-saving car-based technologies like stability control and curtain airbags.

Yes, although Toyota’s top-selling HiLux lags behind its rivals and many tradies rate value ahead of safety by opting for one of the many Chinese options now available, the twin-cab ute has come a long way in the past few years thanks to stiff competition from new players.

Chief among them is Volkswagen’s first modern one-tonner, the Amarok, which was launched here in early 2011 and now offers the choice of single-cab and dual-cab body styles in ute and cab/chassis configurations, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines, 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains, manual and class-leading eight-speed automatic transmissions and three equipment grades.

The Amarok 4x4 is one of just a few VW models not to undergo a serious sales slump in 2013, following an unprecedented barrage of bad press around a recall of some dual-clutch models, with sales up almost 30 per cent this year.

But with 4632 registrations and a five per cent segment share, Amarok 4x4 sales remain tiny compared to the major players, led by the HiLux and also including the Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi Triton, Ford Ranger, Holden Colorado and Mazda BT-50. So far this year even the Isuzu D-MAX and Toyota LandCruiser ute have proved more popular.

That’s a shame because, as we said after our first drive two and a half years ago, for around the same price as the HiLux the Amarok sets new standards for safety, refinement and on-road dynamics, and a month behind the wheel of a TDI420 Highline 4MOTION has only reinforced that.

Plenty of new dual-cabs have graced our rural household for extended periods over the years, but none have endeared themselves more than the Amarok.

I’m not sure if it’s the high driving position, plush Highline seat trim, car-like steering and bump absorption or ride comfort that’s bettered only by the Ranger’s softer set-up, but the Amarok is the first one-tonner my missus actually enjoys driving.

Call them spoilt, but all of my kids have also preferred to travel in the Amarok than any other test vehicle parked in our driveway over the past month, thanks to the expansive glass area, seamless Bluetooth connectivity and rear seats that offer enough legroom and seatback angle to make a Holden Crewman look silly.

Me? I love the vault-like body rigidity, the interior’s Teutonic practicality, the lusty 420Nm of torque on tap from just 1750rpm and the plush eight-speed auto that, with the twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel barely idling on the highway, has helped keep fuel consumption under the 10.0L/100km mark -- despite plenty of enthusiastic use elsewhere.

I also like the cavernous door pockets, the handy dash-top shelf with third 12-volt outlet, the class-leading tray volume that can swallow 2.52 square metres of firewood, a pallet between its wheel-arches and dirtbikes up to 65cc with without dropping the tailgate, and the ingenious load-illuminating lights (with timer) mounted on the nicely integrated rollover bar.

And when’s the last time you saw a new vehicle with a chromed steel bumper bar (just like the original Beetle’s), let alone one with a built-in step you can actually stand on while securing your load?

Yes, the Amarok’s load area lacks the adjustable cargo rails of the Navara and, like all utes, needs an extra centre tie-down point up front to handle two bikes more easily, but cup-holders in the tailgate and a fourth 12-volt outlet in the back are nice touches.

We took delivery of our Amarok with just 721km on the clock and, after more than 3000km in the first month, it’s presented no problems.

That said, our first long trip didn’t start well, with an engine oil warning light appearing after the first stop. Turns out the Amarok engine can sense when it has both not enough and too much oil, since after franticly checking the sump plug and dip stick on the side of the road in the dark I discovered it was slightly over-full.

With that easily rectified and a suspected blown globe turning out to be the lack of one (this functional German ute only has one reverse light), our Amarok remains fault-free with 3801km on its clock.

Watch this space.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...

Don't forget to register to comment on this article.