Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana 2024 Review

The 2024 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana TDI600 sits towards the top end of the range, priced from $78,990 plus on-road costs.

There are five model grades in the Amarok range – Core, Life, Style, PanAmericana and Aventura – with four-cylinder turbo-diesel and turbo-petrol engines as well as a V6 turbo-diesel. Prices start from $55,490 and top out at $82,990 (all plus ORCs).

Given that the Amarok shares its platform with the current MY24.50 Ford Ranger, its closest rival is the Ford Ranger Wildtrak (from $74,840 plus ORCs).

Other key segment combatants include the Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain (currently from $67,990 drive-away), Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior (from $68,265 plus ORCs) and the Toyota HiLux GR Sport (from $74,310 plus ORCs).

The 2024 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana gains model-specific upgrades to enhance its aesthetic such as PanAmericana decals, a front bumper in X design, black 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres, sports bar and side steps in black as well as roof rails.

Other key equipment includes IQ. Light LED Matrix headlights, foldable and heated exterior mirrors with courtesy lamps as well as LED fog lamps and tail-lights.

Inside, there’s ‘Cricket’ leather trim, 10-way adjustable front seats with heating, a premium Hardon Kardon sound system, dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning, and plenty more.

Metallic paint, of which the test car is painted in Deep Red, is a $1100 option and there are a host of genuine accessories available.

The Volkswagen Amarok is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with scheduled servicing occurring every 12 months or 15,000km and a five-year care plan offered at $1900.

The 2024 Volkswagen Amarok TDI600 PanAmericana is one of the safest dual-cab utes on sale and scores a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted in 2022.

There are nine airbags, including curtain airbags that extend to the second row.

Active safety tech is covered off via autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, lane assist, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control with stop/start, rear cross traffic alert, predictive speed limiter and road sign recognition.

Eschewing car park oopsies is made easier by 360-degree cameras as well as front and rear parking sensors.

Further proof of the migration away from workhorse status is the amount of tech crammed into the 2024 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana TDI600.

The PanAmericana grade features a 12-inch portrait-style infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and wireless smartphone charging.

Ahead of the driver is the crisp and concise 12.3-inch digital cockpit display as well as the multi-function steering wheel with physical buttons.

Dual-zone climate control features as well as USB-A and USB-C ports, though there are none in the back which is an oversight.

The 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine is almost the star of the show with the 2024 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana TDI600.

Codenamed ‘Lion’, the unit was engineered by Ford and is also used in the Ranger.

As the nomenclature would suggest, there’s 600Nm of torque at play, with that muscle coming in from as low as 1750rpm. And while it musters 16kW less than the previous-generation Amarok’s V6 oiler, 184kW remains more than enough power, especially in terms of rolling speed.

It isn’t just a powerful unit either. Yes, there’s traditional diesel acoustics, but the 2993cc V6 is tractable and refined. There really is daylight between this powertrain and the ones used in various rivals.

On paper, the smaller twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel is more efficient than the V6, with the 2024 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana TDI600 returning 8.4L/100km on the official combined cycle as opposed to 7.2L/100km.

Throughout our week of testing across various conditions we couldn’t manage to replicate the claimed figure, with our average coming in at 9.9L/100km.

While Ford has announced its plans for a plug-in hybrid version of the Ranger, Volkswagen is yet to announce what may or may not be in store for the Amarok.

From the driver’s seat, the 2024 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana TDI600 is impressive. And that’s without adding ‘for a dual-cab ute’.

For a vehicle with such a high centre of gravity and off-road-centric tyres, the PanAmericana handles twisty tarmac far better than its physics should allow.

The PanAmericana receives Volkswagen’s ‘Dynamic’ suspension, resulting in taught body control and limited roll when cornering. Monotube dampers are added to the independent front and live-spring rear axle for handling characteristics that verge on car-like.

The ride quality is firmer than you’d expect but not uncomfortable. However, if you intend use your ute as more of a weekend tourer, then opting for a lower grade, like the Amarok Style, might be a better option as it isn’t fitted with the Dynamic suspension.

While it’s a Ford steering wheel, you’d be hard-pressed to think of it as anything other than a VW product in terms of tactility. It isn’t just for show as it’s attached to a relatively quick rack, one that’s light when you want it to be and appreciably communicative – for a dual-cab ute.

The brakes are strong and arrest the almost 2.4-tonne VeeDub well with a progressive pedal, which is a good thing given the grunt underfoot.

The 10-speed auto is slick and it feels more at home with the Lion engine than any other unit, shifting almost imperceptibly – it’s just a shame the gear lever can be awkward to use.

Despite the rather large measurements – this truck is 5362mm long and 1917mm wide – the Amarok does start to shrink around you. It could seem daunting at first, but thanks to the confidence-inspiring handling and the ease of use the Amarok presents, it really isn’t intimating.

The only time the dimensions prove an issue is when manoeuvring tight CBD car parks.

For the uninitiated, the 2024 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana TDI600 is far more accomplished off-road than you might expect – or ever feasibly need.

The PanAmericana is aimed at those who want to venture off the beaten track and is fitted with Goodyear Wrangler Territory all-terrain tyres (255/65R18) which wrap the 18.0x7.5-inch ‘Amadora’ wheels.

Making sure that extra grip is harnessed is the full-time, dual-range 4MOTION four-wheel drive system that also offers two-wheel drive, automatic all-wheel drive as well as locked 4x4 high and low range.

There’s also a locking rear differential with various drive modes including Normal, Eco, Slippery, Mud, Snow/Sand and Towing.

Other off-road specs include ground clearance of 235mm and a wading depth of 800mm.

Approach, departure and breakover angles are impressive for the class with 30, 25.6 and 22 degrees respectively.

A key feature of the first-generation VW Amarok was its ability to carry a pallet between its wheel-arches. This attribute continues with the 2024 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana TDI600.

The load bed measures 1544mm in length and 1224mm in width for a useful space, but sadly the PanAmericana’s tray doesn’t score a 12-volt outlet despite it being offered in other variants – and the Ranger.

There is a spray-in bed liner, sports bar and a power tailgate lock.

It’s a heavy hauler, too, with the PanAmericana offering a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity (750kg unbraked) and an overall gross combined mass (GCM) of 6400kg.

Additionally, the payload is 956kg and the tow ball download is rated at 350kg.

For an idea of how proficient the Amarok is at lugging loads, check out our recent tow test.

If the driving dynamics of the 2024 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana feel car-esque, then the cabin is the true tangible representation of the progression dual-cabs have made.

Styling is subjective, but the ‘Volkswagenisation’ of the Ranger interior is clear, with prominent VW graphics and processes – the indicator is even switched to the left-hand stalk.

The ‘Cricket’ leather trim offers intrigue, too, while the finer details like the stitched dash heighten the sense of quality. The cabin is cocooned by sound deadening, with tyre roar and general noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) impressively suppressed.

There are ergonomic gripes, however.

Key controls, like switching driving modes and turning off the auto stop/start system, all require delving into the large touch-screen to do so. Even the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) controls demand screen time.

This isn’t a new phenomenon for modern cars, it’s just frustrating given the Ranger provides an easy-access button for all these actions.

The wheelbase (3270mm) has been extended by 175mm over the usurped generation, meaning there’s now greater legroom in the back. However, the rear seatback remains quite vertical, so you sit very upright.

The Mitsubishi Triton’s sculpted rear seats do afford a more reclined position as a result.

The short answer is yes. If you’re in the market for a dual-cab ute that can be a workhorse during the week and a fun, family-hauling adventure-seeker on the weekend, then the 2024 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana is hard to overlook.

While some might scoff at the price being more than $80K on-road, one glance at the sales charts reveals many don’t.

The VW ute’s under-the-skin twin, the Ford Ranger, regularly sits atop the totem pole, while the Amarok regularly wins Wolfsburg’s own popularity contest.

Overall, the Amarok Style TDI600 offers much of the same kit for less money, making it somewhat of a Goldilocks pick, but the popularity of the PanAmericana with buyers – Volkswagen says it can’t supply enough – suggests it’s finding its own sweet spot.

2024 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana TDI600 at a glance:
Price: $78,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel
Output: 184kW/600Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 222g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2022)