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The 2023 Volkswagen Amarok range of configurations is currently priced from $39,990.
Our most recent review of the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok resulted in a score of 8 out of 10 for that particular example.
Carsguide Contributing Journalist Andrew Chesterton had this to say at the time: The Life might one of the more budget-friendly offerings in the Amarok range, but for mine, it's also among the smartest buys in the family.
You can read the full review here.
This is what Andrew Chesterton liked most about this particular version of the Volkswagen Amarok: Refined road manners, Capable off-road right out of the box, Five-star safety from entry-level model
The 2023 Volkswagen Amarok carries a braked towing capacity of up to 3500 Kg, but check to ensure this applies to the configuration you're considering.
This could be caused by any number of things. The engine might be struggling to run smoothly at low revs or small throttle openings, or you might have a fuel supply problem. Perhaps the engine’s idle speed is simply set too low. You might even have a broken or loose exhaust mount that is allowing the exhaust system to flail about at low revs when the engine harmonics set up the vibration to create a harmonic reaction. A broken or worn engine mount can also account for odd vibrations at different engine speeds.
But I’m also wondering if perhaps the problem is not with the engine at all, but something in the transmission. The good news is that your car used a conventional torque-converter automatic rather than the more problematic dual-clutch unit that some VWs used.
In any case, this sounds very much like a warranty problem, so take it back to the dealership and give Volkswagen a fair crack at making it right.
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The last decade of dual-cab four-wheel-drive utes have emerged as the tow-vehicles of choice, and you see them everywhere filling roles exactly like the one you have planned. Popular models include the Ford Ranger you’ve nominated, Toyota HiLux, Mazda BT-50, VW Amarok, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara and Isuzu D-Max. But there are also cheaper alternatives including makes like the South-Korean made Ssangyong and various Chinese brands like LDV and Great Wall.
Just make sure you know exactly how much you need to tow before making a decision as some of the cheaper models don’t have the same outright towing capacity and even if they do, some of them don’t have the engine performance to make towing as easy as it should be. For parts availability, the Toyota would be king in really remote areas, but any of the major brands are pretty well covered in Australia.
Meantime, don’t rule out ute-based wagons such as the Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuna. These offer better ride comfort when unladen thanks to more sophisticated rear suspensions and most have as much or almost as much towing capacity as their ute brethren.
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It sounds like you’re chasing a problem that is a bit elusive. If your initial suspicions were that the centre bearing was worn, what makes you think the rear universal joint is now the problem? You could spend a lot of time and money replacing things that, ultimately, don’t fix the problem.
The best advice is to take the car to a transmission specialist who will be able to diagnose what’s really going on and replace or repair those things. Even if the universal joint is worn out, replacing it can be a bit tricky as you have to maintain the driveshaft’s original alignment to avoid introducing new imbalance dramas into the equation. It’s not, therefore, as straight-forward as it looks on paper.
But don’t rule out a damaged, bent or unbalanced driveshaft as this can also cause the sort of symptoms that a worn universal joint can contribute.
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The Amarok is said to feature over 20 new safety and driver-assist systems compared to the old model – including Autonomous Emergency Braking, as well as nine airbags.
In all grades, you'll also find LED headlights, DAB+ digital radio, a rear centre armrest with cupholders, adaptive cruise control, air-conditioning, digitalised instrumentation, a portrait touchscreen with voice-command, a reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors, wireless charging, wireless app connect for Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, remote central locking, power windows, rain-sensing wipers, auto on/off headlights, side steps, factory-fitted towbar, electric folding mirrors, tailgate with lift-assist (but not drop), roof rails, 12V outlet in tub and alloy wheels.
The Volkswagen Amarok 2023 prices range from $45,430 for the basic trim level Dual Cab Core TDI405 4Motion to $82,830 for the top of the range Dual Cab Aventura TDI600 4Motion.
Given the Amarok is based on the Ford Ranger, there are a lot of familiar elements from that model. But Volkswagen has redesigned the cabin and it has its own VW flair. There is a big portrait-style touchscreen (10.0 or 12.0 inches), digital instrument cluster, and on higher grades, soft-touch materials with stitching. It's functional with lots of storage options, and the higher grades have a generally premium look and feel.
The Amarok Core will be exclusively offered with a single-turbo diesel unit offering up power and torque of 125kW/405Nm respectively, paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.
This is the only grade with a manual and the only one with the selectable four-wheel drive system. All other Amaroks use VW’s 4Motion permanent four-wheel-drive setup.
The Life uses a twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine pumping out 154kW/500Nm, paired with a 10-speed automatic.
Style grades are available with the twin-turbo and the meaty 184kW/600Nm turbo-diesel V6 also matched with the 10-speed unit. PanAmericanas come exclusively with the V6 and the Aventura has the V6 or the 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivering 222kW and 452Nm. This also has the 10-speed box and four-wheel drive.
The Amarok is a dual cab and has five seats. The seat comfort in the front is excellent. Style grades and higher come with leather upholstery.
The VW Amarok with the 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel engine is estimated to go from 0-100km/h in under 12 seconds.
The VW Amarok with the 2.0-litre twin-turbo (BiTurbo) diesel engine is estimated to go from 0-100km/h in under 10 seconds.
The VW Amarok with the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine is estimated to go from 0-100km/h in under 8.5 seconds.
The VW Amarok with the 2.3-litre single-turbo petrol engine is estimated to go from 0-100km/h in under 9.0 seconds.
Top speed for all is around 180km/h.
Tray length is 1544mm, tray width is 1224mm, while tray depth is 529mm. The tailgate opening height is 880mm.
Braked towing capacity continues to be rated at 3500kg, tub volume rises slightly, GVM and payload are up, there’s more ground clearance, overhangs are shorter front and rear, there are six cargo lashing rings rated at 400kg each, the tailgate has lift-assist closing (but not opening like Ranger) and you can still fit a Euro pallet between the wheel arches.
The Amarok also gains two front tow hooks and a static roof load rating of 350kg.
The Amarok petrol will tax your wallet more than the torquey diesels when it comes to refuelling.
The petrol’s official combined fuel consumption figure is 9.9 litres per 100km, compared to 8.4 for the V6 diesel, 8.0L for the 2.0L BiTurbo diesel, 7.2L for the 2.0L single turbo diesel auto and 7.1L for the latter’s diesel manual version.
Fitted with an 80-litre tank, this equates to an average range distance of about 805km (petrol), 950km (V6 diesel), 1000km (BiTurbo diesel) and 1110km (single-turbo diesel).
Note, too, that the petrol needs 95 RON premium unleaded.