2023 Volkswagen Amarok Life - Are Corners Cut At The Cheaper End? | Drive.com.au

[@stephenwhitworth7701]

Thanks for a no bull review. Your frankness and preparedness to call it, allows those considering the vehicle to have an eyes wide open frame of mind.

[@AJ93HD]

Interesting to see these listed as a demo for 52-53K D/A and 56K D/A new. Not the 64K this review is based on. I guess they’re not selling well and at the price definitely better value.

[@codprawn]

Good review. I have just swapped a Ranger 2022 Wildtrak for a 2024 VW Amarok Life - all my lease company had. Obviously it is a Ford Ranger underneath. Engine pretty good. Auto gearbox not the best. The Life is missing a lot of the Ranger wildtrak toys. No carpets - not a problem if you like offroading Key start - I spent ages looking for a button - better security though! No roof bars No side steps - I normally hate them but this is much higher than the last Ranger for some reason No 240v socket No USB ports in the back No leather or electric seats - but they are actually better. No heated front screen - better in summer but not in winter Manual climate control - actually better because the auto system would blow hot and cold The touch screen is crap - sometimes you have to hit the button several times The new style gear lever not as good as the old one - sport mode not as good either No Matrix headlights - they are a game changer. My Wildtrak didn't have them either but I think most models do now. Old headlights on the Ranger were better than these Amarok ones Electric handbrake instead of a manual one - I preferred the manual one No locking read diff on this model - shame Bonus points will be the same as the 2024 model Ford Disc brakes all round 4 wheel drive system now has an automatic feature which means you can finally use 4x4 on tarmac as well without transmission windup. Proper man sized tow hitch with 3 height settings - brilliant. The new Ranger has a plug in receiver style which isn't as robust. I got 27.8 mpg in the Wildtrak - I expect this will be the same. I do drive VERY hard. They tow very well. I suspect the next model up would be better for most people but this is about £5k cheaper apparently .

[@christopherguzzi1316]

Please bring these to the U.S. VW!!!

[@Ederson9926]

VW set this variant in a very budget mind

[@allensaro8673]

Wow! That is exactly a car of my dream

[@CrystalClearWith8BE]

I didn't know the Volkswagen Amarok is also sold in Australia, not just Europe.

[@perpetualgrin5804]

Not only sold ,these are our most popular vehicle ,a small car is symbol of extreme poverty.

[@redxdestroyer5]

@@perpetualgrin5804 dont talk kak man

[@ProfessorSprinklesGaming]

Does the life come with heated seats or is that only in the top range

[@Drivecomau]

Heated seats aren't available on the Amarok Life (or Core), but are standard equipment on the Style, PanAmericana, and Aventura.

[@codprawn]

Cloth seats so considered not to be needed. Seats are a bit more comfortable than the leather ones.

[@kmuinde]

I don’t mind it. I would buy it

[@That_chere]

I'm from South Africa and your Amarok Life model is different from the range we have here.

[@TshidisMommy]

What are the differences? I’m considering buying one. Is our model here in SA better?

[@trevorevans7101]

Thanks for your review. I must say that a number of your assessments aren’t really my experience.

[@stevenjalopnik1342]

I see 30+ new rangers a day but can’t recall seeing one new amarok this month. What would sway someone to get one of these over a ranger. Poor decision from vw. Watch them discontinue it soon because “nobody wants a premium Ute” just like the x class, when they did nothing to stand out except reskin another vehicle

[@benno8175]

To be honest I have been looking for a ranger lower spec they want 4 k less than this model. No alloys no steps no brake controls for towing. Which to me seems like better value than the ranger. Understand what your saying with the premium models though

[@81Amarok]

Thank you for the interesting video! I get my new Amarok life next week😊 In Europe the Amarok has one 4WD mode more. Many greetings from Austria, and no... we have not kangaroos😂

[@MM-yp1oy]

How do they justify no push button start on 64k car.

[@jasonjoo9923]

Yes, it's really annoying.

[@petertaylor233]

I haven't been impressed at all with the new Amarok and can't see a reason to buy another over my older 4banger. The aircon controls turn me off in particular. I feel VW has been tricky rather than practical, lazy rather than innovative. They cut corners with simple things like 12v plugs in the back of a 80k utility. Whilst Ford's reliability and service aren't great, at least Rangers are a practical vehicle when they are going.

[@mfromaustralia1]

Excellent NO CLIMATE CONTROL - nothing costs more to fix and that includes pulling the dashboard out, to fix the stupid sensors on a climate control system. Fantastic !

[@codprawn]

I agree. My 2022 Ranger wildtrak system was crap. Set it to 21C - too hot one minute - then too cold the next. Aircon was very feeble even in a UK summer.

[@davidscott820]

Geez ...way too expensive.

[@Emptyheads.]

Why not go for GWM instead.

[@Drivecomau]

GWM gives you a lot of ute for your money, without a doubt, but as good as they might be they're still a little down in a few areas like power, torque, payload, and towing capacity. There's also some differences in the useability and functionality of things like the infotainment system - but of course for plenty of buyers, the money saved more than makes up for the differences.

[@redxdestroyer5]

This is actually horrible quality for that amount of money. Rather spend your money on a Ranger XLT or a GWM Cannon-XSR.

[@ryanryanabc]

there must be a reason why aussie dont buy this car. Amarok is definately not competitive.