Nissan Navara vs VW Amarok - which is better for off-roading?

Cars.co.za contributor and #CarsAwards judge Francisco Nwamba enlists the help of 4x4 expert Alan Pepper to put the all-new Nissan Navara and recently facelifted Volkswagen Amarok through their paces on a 4x4 course to see how well the double cab pick-ups will deal with tricky off-road obstacles...
There are many similarities between these two rival products, so when the going gets rough, will the Nissan or the Volkswagen be best vehicle for the job. This video also includes helpful tips and tricks for the novice off-roader and be sure not to miss Alan Pepper's expert recommendation at the end of the clip.
0:00 Intro
0:38 Nissan Navara Stats
1:05 VW Amarok Stats
1:24 4x4 Expert Opinion
1:51 Hill Climb
3:34 4x4 Expert Off-Road Opinion
4:16 Interior Design & Features
5:24 4x4 Expert Final Thoughts & Conclusion
6:53 Outro

[@dwayne_]

These videos don't do justice to how beautiful the Navara looks.

[@levigauaseb975]

Navara is beautiful

[@abulelekufa7898]

No matter what u say. I love the Navara!!!

[@abulelekufa7898]

NAh it wont do any justice. It will be just an expensive bakkie that will be softer than the Navara!

[@flameaxe1012]

You obviously haven't driven an amarok buddy

[@idkwhobro951]

Me too i love th na varaaaa

[@gmf62v84]

I love the old navara

[@dperk1757]

I used to be a “must have low range” 4WD owner. I bought an Amarok mainly out of curiosity and to try a comfortable 4WD thinking I’d be swapping back fairly soon and I’ve not had an issue. It’s very true that there are better off road vehicles, but unless you’re talking 70 series Toyota, I’ve not seen any in the dual cab ute market. I’ve used the Navara and it’s a good vehicle too, but the VW 4WD system easily matches the Navara’s low range, and if you want a crawler gear for heavy off road towing or extreme 4x4 then don’t buy either of these vehicles.

[@bulldog100able]

Every time a motor journalist tests a auto amarok, they complain about it not having low range but not one has been able to show us a place where the amarok cant go where all the other bakkies with low range go. And the fact that it has full time 4x4/awd is a major plus, especially on high speed gravel roads where majority of off road travel takes place

[@af1n]

I can tell you where no amarok can go. Just go a little bit outside of the city where you have a bit of gravel, a bit of sand or a bit of mud. If the Amarok ABS system will not kill you by completely disabling the brakes you will get stuck because the ESP/TC systems will cut the power to the motor. Sorry but the Amarok is at most a light off road capable vehicle. For serious offroading you have to remove a lot of electronic shit or just use a better platform. I own a 2011 TDI Amarok with Torsen and without a diff lock. The 4x4 selectable with diff lock are slightly better.

[@adambennett1193]

you do realise you can turn off TC systems? lol

[@af1n]

The only way to turn the TC system off on the Amarok is to pull the ABS fuse out, which instantly results in engine fault on the dashboard. The off road button does not fully disable the TC nor the ABS on the Amarok. ABS will still try to kill you on gravel. Generally it's very handy to have an ODB/KL interface with you when you own this car, but it's hardly a solution for everyone.

[@adambennett1193]

assuming when you say TC your meaning traction control? you must have an old model mine has a button to turn on and off

[@adambennett1193]

iv taken mine to Stradbroke island multiple times on the sand without issues. But yes if you leave the TC on you will bog down and not go any where. This is was even told to be from the salesman to turn TC off before hitting the sand

[@rickspence1824]

Hello from Australia! Great videos man! The NP300 is a great vehicle out of the box but benefits greatly from better tyres and a tiny 2 inch lift (which I can attest to!), if you do these two things it will transform your Navara into a true offroad weapon I promise you!

[@alin0791]

Rick Spence How true! 2” lift and bigger tyres! I’m happy now!

[@gmf62v84]

I love the old navara

[@musaceletv6596]

Im waiting for the 'Where is Ciro' comments.

[@chrisk4709]

Where is Ciro?

[@MegaBandit1250]

Need to also compare price, service cost/intervals.

[@tredfxman]

Were is Ciro?

[@Keepingitrespectfulmostly.]

For use and driving within the UK only for example I don't think climate control, AC, Cruise control really required.... Currently rivals to the Navara being Ford Ranger, VW Anorak, Toyota Hilux from what I can see. I use to hear many horror stories about maintenance costs for auto gearboxes when they start to develop faults so I haven't touched an automatic car for ages... I wondered have they improved any over the years at all? Which is more economical manual or auto or no major difference? I got my first 4 x 4 3 years ago and I own a dog hence my screenname... I decided to start off with a moderate size vehicle and happened upon a Freelander TD4 at a local (ish) garage... After doing research and reading up articles in Which magazine and reading dozens of online posts and feedback via word of mouth.... As it happens the TD4 turned out to be quite a good choice.. I only have the 3 door option but love it.. I love chunky solid looking vehicles but I don't go for the new look Range Rover or Disco.. After owning a couple of Daimlers I like the Land Rover badge.. very noble I think.. Anyway I am going to try to get a test drive in a Navara as its way overdue time for a new toy.. My conclusion Re: Above or any other similar video is what I always usually say...It does not matter one jot who says or does what? People pays their money and takes their choice and that way you can never blame anyone else (other than yourself) if you end up disheartened or disappointed.

[@jeanorban9540]

The Amarok has 420nm, not 400nm as you stated.

[@gmf62v84]

True

[@rohyco]

Where is Ciro?

[@InfoHubZA]

It would only make sense for you to tell us when you remove Ciro the screen.

[@ukaszsojewski4811]

I'll stay with Navara 👍

[@gmf62v84]

The old navara for me

[@chrisliebenberg9549]

Why do you not test with the manual Amarok?

[@mikeykeyes]

Weird- in Australia everyone of the car reviewers put the Navara last without giving any really valid reason! They push the VW a lot. Yet South Africa has similar gnarly tracks and the Navara does just fine.

[@Drifty325i]

Great review ! He's a talent. Mmm I think I would take the VW but it's close!

[@kaylinclaudepillay268]

All you journalist that say Amarok cant do proper off roading need to actually test it to be sure. Andre De Villiers(Off Road Legend) did test it on Rpm Tv and the Amarok did everything as well as any other old fashioned bakkie with low range. Clever engineering beats old tech always.

[@Kavi4GP]

Kaylin Claude Pillay both Navara and Hilux have pedigree in the toughest race in the world...AMAROK while very capable is a family double cab thats it, the rest are built for multipurpose uses.

[@mrkruger5108]

Kaylin Claude Pillay You need locking diffs in tough conditions. Traction control will only get u stuck. Jeeps quaddra drive 2 is probably the best system in the world. Especially on the wk grand cherokee from 2007 to 2011. They had front center and rear locking diff traction control system whereas the latest grand cherokee only has a rear locking diff

[@jasonhsiao4020]

no, Quadra-Drive II is still standard in GC trail hawk and overland, optional for laredo(5 or 6 grand in OZ cant remember exac), only limited does not have it. best four wheels system agreed, only Mercedes G can match it.

[@af1n]

Selectable 4-motion amaroks come with true low range and a rear diff lock. The quality of diff lock is questionable, a lot of diffs are blown when you look at the forums. The transfer case on the other hand is well built.

[@113ultimatum6]

navara is better and it has a solid build, personally l find vw very fragile, l know interior might be a bit better on vw but we're buying a truck not a house...

[@DevotioOfficial]

Nora Berisha I found the opposite to be true. I found Nissan's engines quiet asthmatic and their 4 speed transmissions are prehistoric.

[@bamphmx-5548]

Nora Berisha don’t you get the V6 engines in the Amarok in South Africa? Since the facelift, it’s V6 only...

[@SuperSphelele]

Nora Berisha got that right...

[@stupidboy1746]

Nissan has titan v8 double cab so dont brag about v6 please

[@stupidboy1746]

Elsa how do you get so much views i want to make channel with lots of views by taking other people's videos coz its easy so how must i get lots of views ???

[@edsonmissael8102]

Navara ❤

[@debeerpaul]

Brick Top from Snatch showing us how its done.

[@hansmostert232]

Id choose the Amarok as well.

[@mbizozo6271]

Hey, Francisco! On looks alone the Navara takes it, but as we all know there's more to a bakkie thank just looks.

[@Terrorvilla]

Volkswagen Amarok 3,0 TDI V6 165 kW 4Motion Auto Highline Plus: R716 600 Volkswagen Amarok 3,0 TDI V6 165 kW 4Motion Auto Extreme: R748 600 What else does it come with this Amarok at that price of R748 600.. while Fords most expensive I know is R 624 900 for the 3.2XLT Wiltrak Auto.. While Toyota on the other corner comes with a special edition Raider for R604 300 2.8 GD6.. versus a trusted brand on offroad Nissan Navara 2,3D LE 4×4 AT DC: R584 900.. What is it that the Germans are smoking that is soo strong that the others aren't when they don't even have 10 years in the 4X4 market?

[@zavier1304]

Tshiamo Mabula The Navara would be my choice,for some reason it is always seen as the underdog,but a proper,reliable bakkie.The previous generation 2.5 is indestructible.

[@bhekigiven6477]

You forgot the honest brand Isuzu

[@paulkatopa5406]

2022 and the amarok extreme is price is over a million

[@3slaautomotive137]

Where is Ciro ???

[@zx10kris]

But this is new Navara and old Vw 2.0TD. New Amarok you can buy only with 3.0 V6 TD and the price is this same.

[@hapesethathi2742]

zx10kris why are you lying? You can still get the 2.0 and the price of the v6 is not the same. The latter comes at a hefty premium.

[@zx10kris]

Hape Sethathi - In Europe (in Poland) 2.0 in Amarok has been replaced 3.0. 6 months ago.( it's not possible buy 2.0) Maybe somewhere in the world they sell yet with 2.0? Some cheap version. Where are you living?

[@StormFlank6]

zx10kris This is a South African car channel and right here in South Africa the 2.0 TDI is still available here.

[@hapesethathi2742]

zx10kris we are in South Africa. You get both engines here.

[@Terrorvilla]

www.carmag.co.za/news_post/volkswagen-amarok-v6-heres-how-much-it-costs/ check that price out.. It is ridiculous for a Polo interior feel and yet one of the most expensive bakkies to maintain..

[@garychapman8120]

Why not test the 3.0 V6 Tdi?

[@Kavi4GP]

Gary Chapman costs more

[@mrkruger5108]

Gary Chapman I love the V6 motor just funny to me that my grand cherokee V6 crd has almost the same spec as the latest amarok V6. Amarok 165kw. Jeep 160kw. Amarok 550nm Jeep 510nm. And my jeep is 10 years old

[@thanapolroorakdee5105]

NAVARA😍😜

[@3slaautomotive137]

Please start to race automatic transmitted bakkies aswell... not manual because driver depends there

[@3slaautomotive137]

on a straight open racing track maximum speeds

[@slm2neb1]

Navara is the best 👍😍😘🤠😘😍👍

[@user-pv8ec2io5w]

np300😘😘😘

[@michaelappeah3575]

If the 2.0 Amarok didn’t get stuck in the off road test even without the low gear then the V6 will fly over the Navara . The cabin of the Amarok is also better. VW das auto !

[@stupidboy1746]

you don't compare highest range of vw double cab with middle range Nissan double cab you must compare the v6 with the v8 Nissan titan

[@af1n]

It's a das auto for the first 100k km. Then it magically transforms itself into das shit.

[@gortech7812]

Michal Slonina, lol, I agree with that. I have owned a number of German vehicles which have turned into das shit!

[@balwizimukata6814]

I also would go with the amarok home and I think it would do better if it had low range but surely comfortable very I mean ....... navara improved very much though we had to wait for so long for a new face nd all .

[@wyndts4]

Navara is robust, that is what the off road expert said.... 2.0 l of Amarok vs 2.3 l of Navara....

[@djskeedledoo]

Hardworking Truck and Towing go to Navara Smooth driving Truck go to Amarok

[@snehabose7634]

Amarok Because It's My Favourite.

[@geraldomoller8924]

Amarok

[@user-bm7jo5wu6n]

Навара❤.

[@angrynas9668]

Navara is best!and in some years it splits in two!so you end having two cars!!

[@freshy4204]

easy profit

[@philipsnyman1407]

Why doesn't anybody just install 4×4 tyres on the flippen things!!

[@philipsnyman1407]

Uncle Jezza this is an ofroad comparison!

[@philipsnyman1407]

Uncle Jezza almost every single bakkie owner i know uses generals or bf goodrich tyres , you are not getting my point.

[@philipsnyman1407]

Uncle Jezza i do but you are arguing for no point at all. A 60/40 tyre for ofroad so that the ofroad aspects are bit more accurate for this is the whole idea of this comparisson. We own 3 bakkies so yeah i can.

[@4WDG]

Soon most manufacturers will have no LR Transfer Case and just crawler a gear - I said it first.

[@MuchiriMwangi]

Let the experts finish ....

[@FernandoRodriguez-wj8fe]

Navarra is better in all aspects. When Í worked in an official point of wolsvaguen, the Amaroks was whit problems. Every days the same vehicules whit problems. But when I worked in a Nissan oficial point, in four years, I have seen only 3 Navara whit little problems. Amarok is not build for off road. Navara is for all type of terrain. Sorry for my english. It's very bad.

[@ahmedamber]

My vote FOTON Tunland

[@dragonz_breath4072]

Navara is 👑

[@garthwillmore2381]

Firstly- the Amarok does have Low Range...I think it depends on which gearbox you opt for. Not 100% sure. But personally I would take the Amarok...in a manual transmition🙌🏻

[@beersmurff]

Doesnt have low range. it has 8 step automatic that is great, but it is not a good off roader compared to the others. How ever 90% who buy a pickup, dont need true off roading. Just the basics for gravel, small rough country driving etc. and here the VW does just as good as the others. if not better. But off roading. No.

[@nazeirpennicooke774]

Best pickup is the vw amrock mostly powerful pick up

[@msibigerald2874]

I would prefer Amarok

[@jeremycubs8331]

The amarok looks like the 1st generation L200 only bigger lol.

[@lesediteleko3597]

The Amarok is really a powerful off-roader

[@endzmeetmusic9053]

Amarok all day long

[@zavier1304]

Your Great Grandfather did not know what a vehicle looks like.

[@rubenvd3913]

I'll take Japanese over German anytime. Even if it does have a lot of Renault parts.

[@corriejacobs5876]

Navara will always loose and I like an LDV that the people say is shit, the proof is on the Road

[@AHMEDMOOSAJI]

Navara is obviously better Exterior it wins, drivetrain and performance it wins, interior ya... not the best but I don't see what's so grand about the amaroks interior way to plasticy.... and looks very cheap Looks like a Renault dusters dash Edit: the way auto journalist praise the amaroks interior like it's on Audi level or something they clearly being biased Maybe it's only me but I really don't see the hype of it

[@kaylinclaudepillay268]

Ahmed Moosaji 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@muazzamhassim5678]

Ahmed Moosaji I agree!

[@mrkruger5108]

Ahmed Moosaji i agree

[@pratik1568]

the interior looks quite decent and renault duster isn't that bad either, i dont kno why u think new navara looks better but since both have almost the same capability i would take the amarok for its clean exterior and interior design

[@joshlouw1]

"biased"...? Sort of like your comment you mean? :)

[@DlomoBreez]

lets be real...most people don't go hardcore offroading with their bakkies...90% or more...we buy them just for status...the leading bakkie in terms of quality for an ordinary person...is the vw amrok.

[@af1n]

Owning one I have to agree. It's well built, comfortable and handles like a family car. The reliability of the engine is the biggest problem. Usual diesel stuff breaks dpf, EGR, dual mass.

[@af1n]

I own an Amarok and I can tell you that for offroading it's shit. Fuel filter hangs as low as the front skid plate next to the wheel, it's easy to wreck it. The dual flywheel clutch is very fragile. You cannot completely disable ABS which nearly killed me once. You cannot completely disable TCS and it will keep cutting power when you need it. The diesel engine sucks, lots of problems with EGR valve and DPF filter. I don't know about Navara, but I would not buy the Amarok again.

[@ReverberatingTruths]

WHERE THE HELL IS CIRO??????????????

[@mrkruger5108]

Navara looks much better.

[@wesselerasmus9997]

Thing is though, if you going to do heavier off roading than what the Amarok can take then why bother with a Navara. Both are aimed as leisure bakkies and not heavy off roading. The Amarok is in most cases just as capable as the Navara for most people anyway. Should you want to do heavier off roading then a leisure bakkie is not for you. You should only look at a Hilux, we drove on soft sand and the plastic piece on the side skirt step of the Ford came off, as in the clips that keep in in place broke...

[@realman705]

Aamrok is best

[@maclawrenceamigable3260]

navara is the best

[@leonardohiguera1975]

Tradusir

[@mivuyoonkekoko7658]

"our great grandfathers"?????

[@user-um6xe8be3s]

Navaras are the biggest turds on wheels going around, nearly the whole d40 line is riddled with lemons- crank shafts snapping, cam shafts snapping, timing chains constantly stretching out, egr systems/valves flogging out, major transmission issues, pretty much what you would expect from a car manufactured in Thailand

[@lucio3284]

4 motion for real off road (sand or mud) doesn’t work

[@kabelompitimpiti7648]

All nothing but hilux wannabees. Ask the ranger, you can't keep up with that Japanese!

[@zavierroelwert1643]

kabelo mpitimpiti Toyota is also Japanese........The new Hilux has less power than the Navara,If you talked 15 years back, Toyota would have been my choice,not anymore.The new Toyota's are full lf plastic,soft,and the auto box is shit.

[@kabelompitimpiti7648]

The new hilux had less power than the ranger when it was still on the drawing board, there is on a point to consider here. The king does not compete, those who buy a Hilux know what they are looking for and power that will not be needed is simply not necessary. As for the soft plastic I assume you taking about the Atios or something, it comes with the price tag, economical vehicles cannot carry heave materials and still save on fuel.

[@pratik1568]

Toyota Hilux has shit chasis it failed the moose test twice

[@kabelompitimpiti7648]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2O0hKKdf89mm8U.....keep up with the times before advertising ignorance

[@vevohoeyo]

kabelo mpitimpiti the new hilux is rubbish. It's way behind 3 of the top utes

[@nikos_basha]

VW all the way

[@martinlabuschagne2732]

Cars.co.za is pathetic without Ciro... Epic fail

[@bhekigiven6477]

Variety in workplace is best

[@ognjenadamovic2311]

Vw has an optional low range gear box!! It's your problem that you didn't get it!!! Fools.

[@obituarycauseofdeath6272]

NISSAN 👍 \ VW 👎

[@idkwhobro951]

Th amarok is very total shit

[@patrickmbongo6838]

This stuff is whack, I'd take a Ford Ranger any day!

[@ChrisTrick]

Mthimkhulu Mbongo good luck keeping it running in the future ford makes all there vehicles inconvenient to work on they change the engine displacement very often they don’t stick to what they know also the ranger is gonna look super dated in 5 years like 2012 2013 models look now good car but when it gets out of warranty.. good luck

[@mrkruger5108]

Chris Trick The amarok looked dated the day it came out

[@johnjrambo5827]

Vw all the way !! I don’t like the new Nissan rust bucket . .

[@janhendrikloots598]

please stop the bull!@#$% and take the 2 bakkies to a place and demonstrate that the VW cannot do the same work or climb ability

[@muhammadsalajee4236]

A g class or Range Rover would be much better off-road than these 2

[@mrkruger5108]

Muhammad Salajee And a grand cherokee

[@sollymalanka4414]

Muhammad Salajee

[@toy7fsb.sute774]

Navara😥😥😩😩🙅🙅👎👎👎✊✊✊👐 Ford😄😄😄🙋🙋🙋👍👍👍👏👏👏👌