Volkswagen Amarok vs Nissan Navara

As the name suggest, the Ultimate has all the extra fruit and is the most expensive Amarok. Good though it is, the cheaper Trendline ($47,990) with part-time 4WD and low-range gearing is better for off-roader buyers. Ultimate has a permanent 4WD system without low-range but gets leather, CD player, comfort suspension, dual-zone climate airconditioning, side steps and a sports bar.

You can't pay more for a Navara than this. But you get the best. The 550 flicks the 2.5-litre turbo-diesel four in favour of Renault's 3-litre V6 diesel with 170kW/550Nm. It mates this to a seven-speed sequential auto and electric part-time 4WD system with low range. Features are comprehensive, including a six-speaker, six-CD audio with Bluetooth, dual-zone airconditioning, steering wheel controls and a hard tonneau cover over a ray with brilliant Utili-Trak rails.

This is arguably the prettiest and purposeful 4WD dual-cab on the market. Everyone who saw this just wanted one. It is efficient too, being the only on in its class to fit Euro or Aussie pallets sideways in the back. The cabin is typical Volkswagen - neat and clean but a bit plain. Argentine build quality is very good. The 19-inch wheels look good but give poor after-market tyre options, especially if you want to go off the bitumen.

Unlike the Amarok, the Spanish-made Navara doesn't win many hearts. It looks old fashioned because it is old. But the dashboard is easier to use than the VW and the steering wheel controls are excellent. Seating is reasonable at the front and the cramped, knees-up position in the back is poor. VW fares a lot better here. The locakable ute lid is a great idea. Nissan has put a lot more gear into this than its rival.

Australia gets only the 2-litre bi-turbo diesel engine across the Amarok range. Don't complain - it may be the smallest 4WD ute engine but with 400Nm from 1500rpm, it's probably the best. A permanent all-wheel drive system runs through a Torsen centre diff and there's a switchable electric diff lock at the back. The rest is all conventional dual-cab ute muscle.

This is the first showing of the V6 in a 4WD, but maybe not the last as it's probably going into the Patrol. That, and the seven-speed auto, are the techno highlights. The rest is, like the VW, purposefully conventional to remain rugged, durable and together over the rough stuff. This and the Amarok have near-identical suspension - coil-overs with wishbones at the front and leafs at the back.

The five-star crash rating is good news for tradies, off-roaders and families. It complements the usual comprehensive safety gear - ESC, ABS and so on - but adds a secondary mode that compensates for off bitumen roads. There's seating for five and five lap-sash seatbelts.

This gets only three stars despite having two more airbags than the Amarok. So, you see, it's not just about counting airbags. It adds stability control and ABS with an off-road mode. Like the VW, it has rear drum brakes. Braking performance is still great but in today's market these brakes are a tad quaint. Navara also has five lap-sash seatbelts.

The Amarok range comes only with a six-speed manual gearbox. Until the auto arrives - early next year - it will dull some interest. The shift quality is firm, even stubborn, and not as good as VW's front-drive models. But the engine never stops giving. It's a bit noisy but is economical (7.9L/100km) and has 400Nm of torque from 1500rpm that means it can be easily putted around at low speeds. Despite the small engine, the gear ratios are perfect. It easily won my sand dune climb test against the Navara. On the road it's also surprisingly comfortable.

This can out-accelerate most cars on the market. It's not only unexpectedly rapid off the mark - thanks to that 550Nm of torque from a low 1750rpm - but it's smooth and very quiet. The seven cogs in the box suit the engine and the fact it's an auto makes it fine for the family. It's also comfortable. What lets it down just a bit is the uncommunicative steering that reduces precision while cornering. The driving position is good though the seats need more support.