Volkswagen Amarok – What you need to know

The all-new, second-generation 2023 Volkswagen Amarok is due to arrive Down Under early next year, but there’s plenty of life left in the German brand’s original pick-up range, which is still being expanded – most recently by the Walkinshaw-developed W580X special-edition off-roader.

Over more than a decade on sale in Australia, the Volkswagen Amarok has cemented itself as one of the most refined utes in its class.

Indeed if you want a workhorse that doubles as plaything, the Argentinian-built Amarok offers class-leading ride comfort, a car-like cabin and German design and engineering.

All Amaroks are now dual-cab 4x4 models powered by either a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel or, for the base TDI400 and TDI420, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel.

Sitting at the commercial end of the 2022 Volkswagen Amarok range are the Core models, with more lifestyle features added as you ascend the range from Sportline to Highline, Aventura and the locally-developed W-Series flagship variants.

All Amaroks are dual-cabs and equipped with 4MOTION (either selectable or permanent) four-wheel drive, the choice of four-cylinder biturbo-diesel or V6 turbo-diesel engines, and either six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions, with prices ranging from $45,890 to $81,490 plus on road costs.

So which one is right for you? The 2022 Volkswagen Amarok range is opened by the Core TDI400 4x4, which comes standard with the following equipment:

An $885 option for the Core models is the Driver’s pack, comprising driver’s seat lumbar adjustment, auto headlights, rain-sensing wipers and an additional 12-volt socket.

Individual options for Core models include fog lights ($415), a lockable tailgate ($120), driver’s seat lumbar support adjustment ($365) and an extra 12-volt outlet ($165).

Metallic and Peal-effect paint finishes relieve of a you further $710.

Every 2022 Volkswagen Amarok model has anti-lock brakes with multi-collision braking system, brake assist, emergency brake display, stability/traction control, rollover mitigation, hill hold, hill descent and both front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger – but not rear occupants.

There’s also a reversing camera with guidelines plus rear parking sensors, and making it easier to crawl out of difficult terrain is an electronic diff lock for all Amaroks.

Towing stresses are reduced with the trailer sway control, but only if you have a genuine Amarok towbar and wiring, while an off-road mode optimising the brakes, traction, transmission and hill decent control systems.

And if front parking sensors are crucial, opt for the TDI550 Sportline that also brings dusk-sensing headlights and rain-sensing wipers as standard.

Standard across all 2022 Volkswagen Amarok models is a 6.33-inch infotainment screen from where you operate phone and music streaming, the AM/FM radio and CD player.

The unit is MP3/WMA compatible, has a USB socket and includes vehicle service settings, and most of the functions can be operated from the steering wheel or with voice commands.

The multi-function driver’s display that shows trip computer functions is monochrome in the Core, Sportline and Highline, but colour in premium variants from Aventura levels, which also add animated screen transitions.

But unless you’re happy using your smartphone for sat-nav, you’ll need to go for the Highline and its second integrated SD-card slot that's compatible with the map data SD-cards.

If passenger car comforts like leather seat trim are what you are seeking in your Amarok, then make a beeline for the high-spec Aventura as lesser variants come with cloth trim.

Having chosen the Aventura you'll be pleased the front seats are heated and the driver seat has 14-way power adjustment including electric lumbar support.

The Aventura's steering wheel has gearshift paddles and if you look down, you'll see the sports pedals and illuminated side steps.

In the back is a protective coated tub-liner so what you carry doesn't destroy the cargo area and to finish it off the Aventura has a body-coloured moulded styling bar and 20-inch alloy wheels.

How about the comfort of dual-zone air-conditioning? Core models come with single-zone manual air-con so it’s the Sportline as a minimum, which also brings a more upmarket cabin.

Gone is the rubber floor covering in the Core, replaced by carpet in the Sportline – along with superior cloth trim, aluminium dash inserts and chrome garnish on the air-vents and ancillary switches.

The Sportline also caters for rear-seat dwellers with cup-holders and a centre console. Then there's the added convenience of storage compartments under the front seats and in the roof console.

Outside, the Sportline includes body-coloured and chromed door mirrors and a handy 12-volt socket in the tray.

Although Core and Sportline variants have halogen headlights, the latter adds a coming and leaving lights-on function, tinted tail-lights and a lockable tailgate.

Is privacy glass on the wish list? Then buy the Sportline as a minimum, giving you dark tinting on the rear and rear-side windows.

Unlike the Core models, the Sportline's exterior is embellished with painted door-handles and mirrors, a chromed grille surround, and a chromed rear step bumper.

Manaus-style 18-inch alloys grace the Amarok Sportline and you get a full-size alloy spare too.

If you are out and about at night the extra brightness of bi-xenon self-levelling headlights will come in handy and you’ll find them on the Highline, which also adds LED daytime running lights and fog lights with integrated cornering lamps.

Adding to the Highline's appearance are extended wheel-arch flares and a stainless steel styling bar, along with underbody engine protection, side steps and Rawson-style 18-inch alloys.

The Highline also has a tyre pressure monitoring function and keeping your belongings safe is an alarm system that monitors the interior.

For W580S and W580X extras, click here and here respectively.

The 2022 Volkswagen Amarok model designations are Core TDI400 and TDI420, Core V6 TDI500 and TDI550, Sportline TDI550, Highline TDI580, Aventura TDI 580 and W-Series TDI580, with the numerals signifying each model's peak engine torque.

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder biturbo-diesel Core TDI400 produces 132kW of power and 400Nm of torque, and if you like shifting gears yourself it’s available with a six-speed manual and selectable 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

If you want more grunt in your Core, the TDI500 is also offered with a six-speed manual with selectable 4MOTION but bolted to a 3.0-litre V6 diesel outputting 165kW/500Nm.

All other Amarok models come with an eight-speed auto and benefit from permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

The TDI550 Core and Sportline variants share their 165kW/550Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, while the TDI580 engine found in Highline, Aventura and W-Series modes ups outputs to a class-leading 580Nm and 190kW (up to 200kW in overboost mode).

It's a given that the extra grunt of the V6 diesel, which accounts for 85 per cent of all Amarok sales Down Under, makes it the pick of the powertrains here, and if you have the coin then the Aventura delivers plenty in the way of comfort, features and refinement.

And of course if you’re willing to splash about $80K on a ute, the road-focussed W580S and (upcoming) off-road oriented W580X are the ultimate Amarok V6 models.

But if you must balance your desires and budget, the TDI500 Core with a manual gearbox is a solid all-round choice. The extra torque is always welcome, the level of kit will keep most onboard content and you’ll own the only V6 manual ute on the market.

How much does the 2022 Volkswagen Amarok cost?
TDI400 Core – $45,890
TDI420 Core (a) – $48,890
TDI500 Core – $50,890
TDI550 Core (a) – $53,890
TDI550 Sportline (a) – $57,990
TDI580 Highline (a) – $63,490
TDI580 Black Edition (a) – $64,090
TDI580 Aventura (a) – $73,990
TDI580 W580X (a) – $77,390
TDI580 W580S (a) – $81,490

*Prices exclude on-road costs