The Volkswagen Amarok continues to be an underdog in Australia’s large 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 additionally the nation’s favorite new car bar none, with no fewer than 22,000 examples offered up to now in 2025.
The Amarok, meantime, has discovered 2434 new houses in the identical interval, making it the lowest-selling established ute nameplate domestically. In fact, not like virtually all of its rivals, the second-generation Amarok is out there in Australia solely in dual-cab 4×4 ute type, that means there’s no single-cab or prolonged cab variations, and no guide or 4×2 choices, so there’s a smaller vary with increased costs and extra tools 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 identical powertrain for the Amarok.
Volkswagen’s ute did carry 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 must be?
WATCH: Paul’s video evaluation 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 take a look at right here, nevertheless, is the 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Life TDI500 double-cab pickup. That appears like a mouthful, nevertheless it’s virtually 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 material seat trim and 17-inch wheels, together with an unlined tub and different such stripped-back facilities. The one means 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 do you have to 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 corresponding 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.
Exterior of that duo, the dual-can 4×4 ute crowd is as giant as ever. There are nonetheless the standard names – Toyota HiLux, Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, and Nissan Navara – competing towards 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 effectively, whereas the JAC T9 is working to determine an Australian following.
Volkswagen’s ute remains to be pricier than all the above.
To see how the Amarok stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparison tool
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.
In contrast to the D-Max/BT-50 sister fashions, through which the interiors are virtually equivalent other than nicer seats within the latter, the Amarok looks like an try to inject edgier Volkswagen styling right into a ute it wasn’t designed for.
That stated, a lot of the sensible advantages that include cheaper Rangers have been carried by right here. There’s an identical phone-sized cubby forward of the gear selector, a pair of cupholders, a cut-out on prime 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 material upholstery and sufficient bolstering to maintain entrance passengers comfy 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 screen, bar the only real shortcut button under it to open the local weather menu.
That is in stark distinction to the Ranger, which has a collection of knobs and buttons under. The Amarok’s array of buttons might look cleaner, however the practicality of bodily local weather controls is way 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 under.
The steering wheel is a traditional Volkswagen design, and we like that every one the buttons are completed in sturdy plastic. They’re all bodily too, which implies they’re simple 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 practical and easy, which implies it’s simple to dwell with. Just like the infotainment display screen although, it’s the smaller of the 2 screens seen throughout the vary.
The few menus out there to scroll by are navigated utilizing the buttons on the correct of the wheel. This space is the place you’ll discover a lot of the Amarok’s bodily controls, with these few buttons and off-road controls on the centre console making up the remaining.
That makes for a cabin that’s intuitive sufficient to be comfy, however in any ute we’d nonetheless prefer to see a extra conventional strategy with extra buttons. A minimum of the armrests are mushy, and the centre storage bin is large enough for a spread of odds and ends.
Entering into the again is a small hike, however the facet working boards make it simple to step up and in. These are just like different Amaroks, although they’re fabricated from black plastic as an alternative of metallic.
The door opening is sq. however not as giant as we’d like, which implies – when mixed with the excessive flooring – loading bigger objects like a toddler seat could also be troublesome. When you’re in although, there’s loads of area for passengers and their cargo.
If you could match a toddler 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 aren’t any USB retailers to interrupt up the swathes of scratchy plastic.
The rear bench seat itself is upholstered in the identical material as up entrance, and may fold up or right down to reveal small spots to retailer issues. Headroom is suitable, and legroom ought to be fantastic for folks 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 shortly scratch by regular use. The Amarok could 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 with no motorised operate. You’ll discover our tester is fitted with Volkswagen’s ‘Premium Fashionable Cover’, one of many many real equipment on supply.
The flexibility right here is superb because of this. You may 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, maintaining every little thing safe however accessible when wanted.
That each one makes the Amarok Life a strong workhorse, however its inside falls in need of justifying the $60,000-plus price ticket.
| Dimensions | Volkswagen Amarok Life double-cab pickup |
|---|---|
| Size | 5350mm |
| Width | 2208mm (1910mm excl. mirrors) |
| Top | 1886mm |
| Wheelbase | 3270mm |
| Floor clearance | 235mm |
| Tub size | 1544mm |
| Tub width | 1224mm |
| Tub depth | 529mm |
To see how the Amarok stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparison tool
What’s underneath 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 a 10-speed automated transmission.
| Specs | Volkswagen Amarok Life TDI500 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl bi-turbo diesel |
| Energy | 154kW |
| Torque | 500Nm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automated |
| Drive sort | 4-wheel drive with selectable 2WD and low vary |
| Weight | 2317kg (kerb) |
| Gasoline financial system (claimed) | 7.2L/100km |
| Gasoline financial system (as examined) | 8.1L/100km |
| Gasoline sort | 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 interior suburbs. The stop-start driving of the latter contributed to our increased gasoline financial system determine, though there was no load within the again.
To see how the Amarok stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparison tool
How does the Volkswagen Amarok drive?
Ford’s twin-turbo diesel four-pot feels solely applicable within the Ranger, and it’s no completely different within the Amarok.
NOTE: Volkswagen Amarok Type pictured all through this part.
You must put a bodily key into the ignition to start out the Life, which I typically desire to a push-button, nevertheless it takes a second to regulate your mind behind the wheel of such a contemporary (and costly) car.
Firing it up reveals a comparatively clean 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 gives an honest push within the again, and the engine feels fairly completely happy underneath load, which is strictly what you need from a powertrain in a ute.
We keep that 10 gears are far too many for a car like this, as essentially the most vital suggestions it gives is fixed shifting underneath acceleration.
Nonetheless, it’s a strong powertrain setup, and the base-spec leanings of the inside tie in effectively with the utilitarian traits of the diesel up entrance.
On the transfer, the Amarok Life displays a sometimes bouncy trip. That is particularly evident unladen, because the rear of the car will clatter over bumps even when highway noise is acceptably subdued.
We don’t thoughts this tendency, because it’s nonetheless much more compliant than the trip you get on the bigger 18- or 21-inch wheels fitted to the dearer grades.
The chunkier rubber right here additionally means you have got extra leeway when tackling tough roads – sealed or not.
Just like the Australian-developed Ranger it’s primarily based on, which stays the ute benchmark relating to 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 observe. Forcing it to show at velocity will induce some tyre squeal, however the Life’s on-road efficiency nonetheless stands up effectively towards the extra lifestyle-oriented Aventura.
Regardless of sporting giant 4Motion stickers, the Amarok truly 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 injury.
Rear-wheel drive interprets to decrease gasoline consumption on the highway, and the biturbo diesel doesn’t have the heart 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 distinct 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 virtually 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 preserve issues shifting alongside over the tough stuff.
We didn’t get the prospect to correctly take a look at the Amarok’s off-road capabilities throughout our week with the automotive, however you possibly can take a look at ourvideo review of the Aventura for a greater thought.
When the velocity picks up, the Life stays comfy and affords loads of overtaking energy, nevertheless it’s not as easy as a V6 Amarok, whereas will stroll up snottier inclines and tow a big van or boat with far more ease.
Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless a complete suite of security gear, even when numerous 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 operate. It’s dependable in apply, and makes long-distance commuting a breeze with its skill to appropriately observe lanes and sustain with visitors round you.
We’ve had few hiccups with these techniques in the actual world beforehand, though the higher-spec Aventura did throw up false distraction warnings throughout a earlier take a look at. Rangers additionally have a tendency to do that, largely in the event that they deem your fingers 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 remains to be good, although the optionally available cover does create a letterbox within the rear-view mirror.
| Off-road dimensions | Volkswagen Amarok Life double-cab pickup |
|---|---|
| Observe 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 towards its rivals, use our comparison tool
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 under the grades above when it comes to commonplace tools.
2025 Volkswagen Amarok Core tools 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
- Material upholstery
- 6-way guide driver seat
- 4-way guide 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 carry 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 guide 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 carry (275mm whole floor clearance)
- Composite underbody safety
- Black tonneau cowl
- 10 Deserts badging
- All-weather flooring mats
Amarok Type provides:
- 18-inch ‘Amadora’ alloy wheels
- Chrome facet mirrors and door handles
- Plastic tub liner (pickup solely)
- Chrome 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
- Delicate 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 towards its rivals, use our comparison tool
Is the Volkswagen Amarok protected?
The Volkswagen Amarok has a five-star ANCAP security ranking primarily based on testing performed in 2022. This end result was drawn from testing of the intently associated Ranger, with further frontal offset and facet affect checks performed on the Amarok by Euro NCAP, which has harmonised testing protocols with ANCAP.
| Class | Volkswagen Amarok |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 86 per cent |
| Baby occupant safety | 93 per cent |
| Susceptible highway person safety | 74 per cent |
| Security help | 83 per cent |
Commonplace security tools 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 Pace Limiter
- Lane-keep help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reversing digital camera
- Swerve Steer help
- Pace 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 towards its rivals, use our comparison tool
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 |
| Whole capped value service price | $2302 |
Service pricing, correct as of July 1, 2025, is detailed under:
| Service | Worth |
|---|---|
| 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, clients should buy a five-year ‘Care Plan’ for $2200.
To see how the Amarok stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Tackle the Volkswagen Amarok Life TDI500
The place different Amaroks cater to life-style patrons, the Life is pitched extra in the direction of tradies, which is a job it doesn’t tackle convincingly.
The MkII Amarok has all the time been a extra premium model of the Ranger. It’s dearer, however to your cash you usually additionally get nicer supplies and the perfect tech out there, even when it comes on the expense of the ‘life-style ute’ tag.
However the Life strips issues again with no value reduce in equal measure. Don’t get us incorrect – it’s nonetheless a well-built and dependable dual-cab 4×4 pickup, however should you’re going to go for an Amarok at this value you could as effectively 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 finest from the Type degree up. Its inside is a way more cohesive bundle, and it’s usually 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 remains to be a high quality engine with loads of punch.
Meaning it could possibly nonetheless tow comfortably and supply a really respectable payload within the tub. The optionally available 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 comfy sufficient, even when it occupies a bizarre area 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 awesome ute, however we predict tradies are higher off saving their money and shopping for one thing else.
Concerned about shopping for a Volkswagen Amarok? Let CarExpert discover you the perfect deal here
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