2025 Volkswagen Amarok: Everything You Need To Know

31/10/2025 12:10 Share

2025 Volkswagen Amarok: Everything You Need To Know

The pick-up truck segment has noticeably evolved over the past couple of decades and arguably no model reflects this shift more pointedly than the Volkswagen Amarok.

From no-nonsense workhorse to lifestyle accessory, the average pick-up truck isn’t so average anymore.

While some keep a wheel in the past by prioritising the basics – generous payload, excellent towing ability, off-road grunt, durable materials – in lieu of outright flair and finesse, the pick-up truck of today needs to be as capable appealing on the road as it is unstoppable off it.

It’s this lurch towards a more lifestyle orientated market that is less hauling hay bales or heavy machinery and more transporting surfboards and camping gear that lured Volkswagen to make a high-profile entry in 2010 with the Amarok.

Fifteen years later and the Amarok is now deep into its second-generation, Volkswagen bringing some badge kudos into a mix comprising Ford, Toyota, Isuzu and Maxus.

So, without the benefit of experience compared to its main rivals, how does the Volkswagen Amarok stack up against the competition today?

A Handy Ar-Ranger-ment

Despite going to the effort and expense of developing its own platform to underpin the first-generation Amarok, for its second go Volkswagen have enlisted Ford to supply the oily bits in the form of its ubiquitously popular Ranger.

Just the latest in a string of platforms that Ford and Volkswagen have been sharing recently – including the Transit Custom/Transporter and Transit Connect/Caddy – it means the latest Amarok is built alongside the Ranger in South Africa.

What the Volkswagen Amarok might therefore lose in identity then, it gains by having arguably the most accomplished running gear to utilise.

That said, when lined up next to each other, there are differences to draw between them.

Though both retain the same muscular profile, the Amarok gets an entirely different front and rear-end treatment, while the interior layout is also unique to each model.

All-in-all, the Volkswagen Amarok is pitched at the more desirable end of the pick-up truck demographic than say a Toyota Hilux or Isuzu D-Max – but does that work to its advantage?

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2025 Volkswagen Amarok: Dimensions, Loads & Body Styles

In the UK, the Volkswagen Amarok differs from its Ford Ranger sister by only being available in a Double Cab style, though Single Cab versions are sold in other markets.

Despite sharing a visually similar silhouette to the Ranger, the Amarok has its own set of dimensions, even if the margins between the two models are negligibly slim.

At 5390mm in total length, the Amarok is one of the largest pick-up trucks on sale and this is immediately evident when you view it close-up, its sheer size against other vehicles on the road being accentuated by its beefy bodywork and robust shoulder line.

This naturally translates to one of the longest and widest load beds in the class stretching 1624mm in length and 1584mm in width. As a reference guide, it can accommodate two Euro pallets.

Such a large loading area hasn’t come at the expense of interior room either with the rear compartment proving spacious for three adults in the back, while access is made easier by the grab handles and running boards.

In line with other pick-up trucks in the class, the most versions of the Amarok can comfortably accommodate more than a tonne in payload with the entry-level 2.0TDI 170PS Life proving most generous at 1101kg.

It is worth noting though that the flagship 3.0TDI 240PS in Aventura trim comes in well below this benchmark at a payload capacity of 835-870kg.

Nearly every model, however, is capable of towing the maximum 3500kg, with the exception of the 2.0TDI 170PS Life, which is just shy of this at 3420kg.

2025 Volkswagen Amarok: Engine, Performance & Powertrains

The Volkswagen Amarok is available with the choice of three engines – 170 and 205PS versions of the 2.0-litre turbodiesel and a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel.

The 2.0-litre 170PS turbodiesel engine is reserved for the entry-level Life trim and produces 168bhp, while generating 405Nm of torque. Though it is the least powerful of the engine choices, it is the most economical with up to 34mpg capable on a combined cycle.

The mid-range 2.0-litre 205PS is noticeably more powerful with 202bhp on tap and a full 500Nm of torque, while it also makes use of a 10-speed automatic gearbox, whereas the smaller engine makes do with a six-speed manual transmission.

Upgrade to the 3.0-litre V6, however, and you’ll get a full 600Nm of torque on offer, making it the more favourable choice for heavy-duty tasks and particularly large tows.

It is the same engine that can be found in the performance orientated Ford Ranger MS-RT, though Volkswagen applies this to more premium, luxurious variants of the Amarok.

While the Amarok makes do with just conventional turbodiesel engines for now, there may be scope for Volkswagen to broaden the range to include a plug-in hybrid.

Indeed, Ford has recently launched a PHEV version of the Ranger and with the remainder of the line-up being reflected by the Amarok, there is a chance that the more economical and BiK tax friendly version could make its debut.

2025 Volkswagen Amarok: Specification, Features & Safety

The Volkswagen Amarok is offered with the choice of four trim levels – Life, Style, PanAmericana and Aventura – across its three engine choices.

The entry-level 2.0-litre 170PS turbodiesel engine is available exclusively in Life trim, while the 2.0-litre 205PS can be had in either Life or Style trim.

The flagship 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine is offered in Style trim, plus the upper end PanAmericana and Aventura trim levels.

Standard equipment on the Volkswagen Amarok Life trim, includes:

- 17” Alloy wheels
- Body-coloured bumpers
- Cargo area tie downs
- Mudflaps
- LED headlights
- Fog lights
- Air-conditioning
- 8” digital cockpit with colour screen
- 10” infotainment system with colour touchscreen
- DAB+ digital radio
- Electronic Stability Control
- ISOFIX child seat anchors
- Three-point seatbelts
- Driver/Passenger/Side/Curtain airbags
- Anti-theft alarm
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Lane assist lane keeping system
- Park distance control
- Cruise control
- Rear-view camera
- Dynamic road sign display

Standard equipment on the Volkswagen Amarok Style trim (in addition to Life), includes:

- Dual-zone climate control
- 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat
- 18” alloy wheels
- Chrome styling bar and grille
- 12” digital cockpit
- 12” infotainment with navigation
- Inductive phone charging
- Heated windscreen
- LED matrix headlights
- 360-degree camera view
- Tyre pressure monitoring system

Standard equipment on the Volkswagen Amarok PanAventura trim (in addition to Style), includes:

- Cricket leather seats
- 10-way power adjustable driver and passenger seats
- 18” alloy wheels
- Matt black styling bar
- Harman Kardon premium audio system
- Differential lock in rear
- Underride guard
- LED cargo area lighting

Standard equipment on the Volkswagen Amarok Aventura trim (in addition to Style), includes:

- Savona leather seats
- 10-way power adjustable driver and passenger seats
- 21” alloy wheels
- X-style body coloured bumper
- Harman Kardon premium audio system
- Led cargo area lighting
- Comfort suspension system

The Volkswagen Amarok has received a full five-star EuroNCAP safety rating during a round of crash testing for its 2022 model year.

It received an 84 per cent rating for adult occupant safety and a 90 per cent rating for child occupant safety.

2025 Volkswagen Amarok Compared with Pick-Up Truck Rivals

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