Volkswagen Amarok 2020 review: Highline 580 Black

Volkswagen turned the tables on its competitors when it flexed its corporate muscle and reached into its parts catalogue to offer a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 in its Amarok range.
The Amarok, once scoffed at by some die-hards for its European roots and its 2.0-litre engine, had surged to the front of the pack as the most powerful dual-cab ute you could buy in Australia.
The only catch? To get the most powerful engine option you’d need to spend north of $70k for the Ultimate trim level.
Now, though, Volkswagen has made the bigger engine more affordable than ever, offering it in the lower ‘Highline’ trim.
So we were shipped thousands of kilometres from the nearest major city, to the middle of the Simpson Desert, to put this new Highline 580 through its off-road paces.
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[@paulron3563]

Best diesel I've had so far. Intercooler,full exhaust,no dpf,high flow turbo and custom tune. 246awkw and 850nm. Surprises many other sports cars.

[@HotHeadCJ]

Can the 6 speed manual transmission handle the tuned v6?

[@livenloud6697]

Good luck with that

[@livenloud6697]

Yeah no low range. No wheel studs, fuel filter under the body. Try doing the air filter in a hurry

[@danalvares9181]

My dream pickup but not available in my place.

[@martinwolmarans1833]

😎😎😊😊

[@shawsie5780]

Love my rok, my last ute was a Hilux and wildtrak before that, shits on both of them, after a $1k remap she’s pumping out 240kw and 740nm, 0-100km in 5.8sec

[@fpv88hsv]

Ian 57 🤦‍♂️

[@strider88888]

Did you start with the latest 580 Ultimate or one of the previous V6's? I have a MY17.5 V6 Highline. Its a beast but I might be tempted... I live in Brissie - who did the re-map for you?

[@shawsie5780]

Brian Frederick mines a 2018 dark label (550), revo castle hill (nsw) did the tune, mate has done 50000km on his tuned highline and it’s been rock solid, well worth doing!

[@shawsie5780]

bkjm stick to your coffee and muffin

[@strider88888]

@@shawsie5780 Sweet :)

[@dperk1757]

Best dual cab I’ve owned. Rear airbags would be great and hopefully VW will add them in future, but airbags are not the full crash safety story.. I’d definitely buy another V6 Rok 👍

[@MaZEEZaM]

I can’t believe they still didn’t put rear airbags in, it was the one major criticism from basically all reviewers of the current model.

[@shawsie5780]

Agree but look up the crash test and it rates better then others with airbags

[@strider88888]

I have a V6 and thought about this vs the Wildtrack for a quite a bit. It still has ANCAP 5 so is a safe vehicle. An airbag going off in the side of a kids face might save their life in a really bad accident, but could also give them quite severe consequential injury caused by the bag itself. ie: In a low speed accident a child in the back seat might be worse off. Nevertheless the world has decided that rear airbags are advisable and most manufacturers have them now so this will continue to be griped about until they include them.

[@unknownskyman2156]

Absolutely no excuse for Volkswagen to leave rear airbags out!!.. Definitely will not be buying one...

[@Evan-3355]

I’ve got a 2018 Highline V6, love it besides no rear air bags, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise. Auto emergency braking would be handy but I tend to concentrate when I’m driving. For the price you pay, the mentioned things should really come as standard, if I had my choice again, I’d definitely buy another one.

[@bluecent]

Yeap, it trails in terms of safety kit. Rear air bags, AEB, lane keep & adaptive cruise. Surely blind spot monitoring can’t be too hard to fit?

[@itzanopinion]

damn! Wish they sold this in the USA!! Love this truck!

[@mervharris5183]

Mine is 17 Ultimate and just cruised the Oodnadatta Track in July 19. No issues ..... instead of going up to 580 I reckon a tune is next.

[@joelewis3634]

Brilliant review

[@kingisback1995]

Well done VW I love it they always do a great job 👏👏👏

[@andrew.whitfieldcook]

Nice, although short, review. I'd love to see a review on handling with >2tonne towing (on/off-road & sand), plus how it handles reversing under load and getting out of sticky situations, please. (Jeez that's a long sentence!)

[@bearup1612]

Andrew Whitfield-Cook mate I have had no problems towing a caravan from sapphire to Canberra and over the blue mountains my only gripe is AD blue towing the caravan I get average 12 >15 liters per 100K around town 8.7 per 100K unsealed road no problem have not towed through sand yet

[@tumimabotha1808]

what kit do you have on it? and what colour is that?

[@bluecent]

Were those K02 BF’s on that car?

[@0whc]

Do they hate rear passengers?

[@bearup1612]

I have 2017 ultimate ( The wife demanded a blue one ) and I have had no problems towing a caravan from sapphire to Canberra and over the blue mountains my only gripe is AD blue towing the caravan I get average 12 >15 liters per 100K around town 8.7 per 100K

[@waynebridges.9289]

They really should look at the back seat it's way to straight ➕ air bags in the back end.

[@MrCk076]

Does anyone know what tyres are fitted to this vehicle?? Thanks

[@rudvs]

Roof platform or roof racks ?

[@kevintan2307]

You went all that way but didn't show us 4x4 capability content?

[@janesalisbury4703]

It an amarok it doesn't have any

[@martinwolmarans1833]

@@janesalisbury4703 Realy?

[@tc1uscg65]

We won't see this in the USA. Sad... Just got a Atlas. Wish is had a TDi version. Had a 2013 Passat TDI but sold it back, waiting, hoping, they would fix the black eye they got. But, seems they are looking at electric for the future.

[@grantskelton3442]

I'm getting one of these in 2 weeks...

[@tankq888]

liked and sub. Thanks for the review. Going to check the review on the hilux now.

[@ingmarmaul4464]

Hi nice review and and good to know that the most powerful engine is also available down under. I like the roof rack/platform do you know the manufacturer? Thx and regards from Germany.

[@strider88888]

In Aussie we were able to get the V6 without ad-blue from Argentina and the Ad-blue from Germany for a while. I think they all come from Argentina now for us. I have just put a set of Rhino Racks on my V6 MY17.5 www.rhinorack.com.au/fit-my-car/results/283/volkswagen-amarok-4dr-ute-dual-cab-2h-02-11-on Looks even better than those in the vid. Just google Rhino Rack. There are 3 different types - one flat like in the vid, another with just left and right sides, and the 3rd type has four sides. There are also pods you can get similar to Thule pods which will attach to rails.

[@carljean5461]

Does it come in a manual.

[@andrewstav3398]

3 things. 1- This car is awesome. 2- has Jeremy clarkson revolutionised car review? 3- why do aussies talk like they’re sitting in front of a class of 6 year old in every single review.

[@-zerocool-]

Proud to own one of these beasts, though mines 650nm, wonder if I can get a 650 badge ;)

[@paulm5817]

how many years will it take before they upgrade that tiny screen......seriously so many great points bar that awful screen

[@shahg25]

No low range?

[@Mrfacts_ge]

The guy who play the role in Harry potter as Ron 😍💥😂

[@bobbytrendswestsyd9736]

I like this truck

[@barney0081]

Nice video, what are the specs on the tyres you have on?

[@martinwolmarans1833]

I'd say they Are BF KO2's. Looks like 265/60R18 or maybe 265/65R18. Looks good but heard on wet tarmac they are awful.

[@NoOne56488]

And with most dual cabs diesels they still suffer DFP issues if you don't do any decent longish drives with them. Being tall at over 6foot I'm finding it harder and harder to find anything decent anymore, that i can fit in that is not a dual cab diesel. Guess i will stick with my v8 sedan until a petrol dual cab comes out.

[@kensouza9239]

The equipment VW offers are pretty expensive because they work unlike others and when they upgrade the vehicle with those options, the price could reach close to Touareg here in this case.

[@MaZEEZaM]

Toyota’s always work.

[@kensouza9239]

Let Toyota offer first Apple car play and android auto which is already years due.

[@HeathCarson]

Yeah because Android Auto and Apple car play are soooo important in a 4wd compared to, you know, like a 4wd drive train.

[@tcmx712]

@@MaZEEZaM DPF's don't haha. (Or too soon?)

[@strider88888]

@@MaZEEZaM I have a Prado and a V6 Rok. The Rok slaughters the Prado in most areas. The Prado 4 cylinder has gained about 30kw since its inception in the Toyota Surf in Australia in the 1980's. The V6 TD is the same donk that goes into a Porshe Cayenne V6 TD albeit tuned up. VW would wipe the floor with Toyota if they had the brains to release an Everest like SUV.

[@AMDbikeCar]

Good pic up💓💜💛💚

[@endzmeetmusic9053]

What a nice refined driving Ute. Fuel efficient and powerful. Typical VW drive

[@ESPLTD322]

258 Horsepower, 428 Ft./Lbs. of torque? That’s crazy out of a little 3.0L. It’d move that little truck around quick.

[@ojbarberena7090]

All that and no real off road review?

[@kvt9788]

Dream car 😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@craighill746]

Peoples' Carsguide.

[@Mrfacts_ge]

VW 😍😍😍❤️

[@jimbarrows4069]

Nice heaps better than toymota

[@janesalisbury4703]

Ummmmmm Its TOYOTA

[@jasonlast7091]

Every ute on the market right now feels like a let down. All we need is THIS engine in any other ute of this segment.

[@Owl566]

No t case 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@bluecent]

Daniel Fish saves on weight & no need

[@Owl566]

David Burt fair call on the weight but it depends on what you want to do. Most of not all of the reviews I’ve watched say it depends on how seriously you want to go off road as to whether the lack of t-case is a deal breaker or not

[@EWBnery]

I miss the low gear.

[@bluecent]

Ewb Vasconcellos it has 8!

[@bearup1612]

Ewb Vasconcellos The 8 speed Auto first gear is so low you can walk faster and it will pull you out of shitshit

[@bluecent]

Doesn’t seem to worry the 4x4 review experts who clearly describe the Amatil as their dual cab 4x4 choice

[@unfrggnbelievble8320]

For fucks sake the ONLY thing making me go for a wildtrak over the Amarok line is no rear airbags like how tf do U not put that in your “sporty, family, so on ute” just a plain n simple let down in that department.

[@vassyjointaccount6799]

Hate this will never be sold in the US

[@bmt973]

Never is a long time... VW and Ford have teamed up to work on the next generation of Ranger/Amarok. Why don't you import? www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/ford-ranger-tie-up-with-vw-amarok-is-go-75217

[@jimmymcgovern5318]

No ABS breaks.....duh.....???? Plat kop

[@ishaqthkr]

He said AB "AS" STANDARD, AUTONOMOUS BRAKING. NOT ABS

[@johankriek1306]

Note: that rear seat of the Amarok is definitely NOT comfortable over long distances with its upright seating position. The Ranger, Trton and even Hilux are much more comfy and car-like in the rear.

[@samscott8727]

Hahahahahah yeah no

[@samscott8727]

100% not true, been in the back of all of them and the amarok is the best, especially with the head room. At 6 foot 6 it's the most comfortable car I've sat in the rear of and can clearly see out the front.

[@johankriek1306]

@@samscott8727 It might have space, but the seating is upright, and there's little "under-leg" support. (I drive various DC's as company vehicles) The Navara and it's X-Class sister also have that issue. If you take the Ranger as an example, the back-part is more reclined to give a car-like seating position and a longer "under-leg" section for support (and I am comparing this to an E32 740i), and the Ranger have a nice armrest with cupholders too. These stuff only get an issue once one sit for more than 60 minutes in the back seat though! (But my passenger's comfort is important to me)

[@samscott8727]

@@johankriek1306 you may have a point on the seat recline, i have sat in the back of a ranger for about 30 mins and my brother owns a triton. our work cars are hilux's. by a long shot if you are my height or even over 6.2 i wouldnt recommend being in the back of any other car. basically you pay for what you get as im sure you agree. better models have better seats.

[@bmt973]

VW is playing catch up to the double cab game. They will improve on the next generation. All double cabs keep improving the rear legroom and seating...

[@jackoutback1605]

What about the transmission issues lol.

[@bluecent]

jack Outback what about them? ZF is a very reliable box.

[@clint2169]

I want your job.

[@silviofontana3666]

But, the Amarok still has less safety features than the others in the same class

[@martinwolmarans1833]

It's German. 4 wheel disc brakes. AWD. What is the obsession with lane keep assist and blind spot monitoring etc. Do people or know how to drive and turn their necks. Rather have an awesome motor and see for wet weather

[@MrZ00000M]

Cars in 2050 fly and volkswagen same design.

[@jamiemitchell6322]

What sort of BS review was that? thumbs down

[@shaunsnyman5107]

The e amaroko's gears feels like a citi golf, low quality

[@bluecent]

In English?

[@RicardoMNogueira]

Just one word #Dieselgate

[@bluecent]

Ricardo M. Nogueira on an Amarok?

[@danlugo4365]

I wouldn't touch a vw

[@thiagolima7344]

Fca too , Renault too ...

[@bluecent]

dan lugo that’s great! I would.

[@bearup1612]

@@danlugo4365 Your loss

[@shaunsnyman5107]

Wouldnt want to be seen in a car with a vw badge

[@bluecent]

Shaun Snyman however plenty would, and for valid reasons

[@shaunsnyman5107]

@@bluecent because thats all they know

[@leopold7148]

@@shaunsnyman5107 well... up to this day they haven't given me any reasons to change so why not...

[@shaunsnyman5107]

@@leopold7148 just my opinion dont like vw

[@ufenorrr9010]

This is very smal pick up truck!! With ugly design

[@ansett7687]

Great looking ute, and when it comes to real four wheel driving bigger is not better

[@martinwolmarans1833]

Small? So what are rangers and hilux t then? Dinky toys