We like
Effective turbo-petrol power, smooth shifting 10-speed auto, no-nonsense four-wheel drive grip, comfortable and well-specified cabin, proper payload and towing capacities

Room for improvement
It will set you back +$80K on-road, there is a hint of wind noise off the wing mirrors, some touchscreen features are a little fiddly, would ultimately benefit from better A/T tyres

Overview

 

IF YOU think you can’t get into a petrol-powered dual-cab four-wheel drive ute that comes loaded with all the mod cons you and the family need for safe and comfortable off-road adventures, think again.

 

Volkswagen’s Amarok Aventura – with its Ford-sourced 222kW/452Nm 2.3-litre turbo-petrol ‘four’ – might be up there in terms of price (from $79,990 plus on-road costs) but is comprehensively well stocked in terms of style and substance.

 

Hooked up to a 10-speed automatic transmission and multi-mode four-wheel drive system, the Amarok Aventura TSI452 is something of a surprise package among a sea of diesel-powered rivals, offering not only energetic petrol power necessary in busy urban environs, but also the dirt road cred required to get out amongst it on the weekends.

 

The Aventura scores big 21-inch alloy wheels, a chrome version of the ‘X-Design’ front bumper found elsewhere in the Amarok range, chrome exterior mirror caps, door handles, rear bumper and side steps, an electronic roll cover, a load bed liner, sail plane and Savona premium leather upholstery.

All paints apart from white are optional at $990, while the Aventura’s Savona leather is also available in the Style variant for an extra $3000.

 

These features come in addition to the lengthy list of standard equipment found throughout the Amarok range. However, if you want petrol power elsewhere in the line-up, you’re plumb out of luck – the TSI452 option is found exclusively in the flagship variant.

 

We have an extensive range of information available on the Amarok range here and in the links below, so let’s get started on the feel behind the wheel.

 

Driving Impressions

 

The previous generation Volkswagen Amarok set the standard for on-road driving prowess, with SUV-like full-time four-wheel drive grip and a planted yet comfortable chassis, its ride and roadholding capabilities were revolutionary for the time.

 

So, it was a set of rather large shoes the Ranger-based successor found itself having to fill… and though there are obvious similarities between the VW-developed Amarok and the co-developed newbie, there are also plenty of carry-over ‘smarts’ that present themselves as distinctly vee-dub.

 

We’ve said previously that the Ranger is a bloody good ute, and we stand by our claim. And just like the Ranger, the Amarok is a decidedly modern offering with agile cornering, a commendable ride, and sweetly accurate steering that, were it not for the tub in your rear-view mirror, would almost have you believe you’re driving a large SUV.

 

Ranger and Amarok share suspension hard points and the same mechanical package, but the VW is tuned to give its own character. It is an accurate and well-mannered drive on-road that can turn its attitude to tackle an unsealed track without so much as flinching. Road noise, too, is well contained, though we did find a little wind rustle present from the wing mirrors at highway speeds.

 

But it’s what’s under the bonnet that perhaps offers the biggest surprise. With fat, torquey diesel power available elsewhere in the range, the Mustang-sourced 2.3 might seem a little skinny. However, in being paired to a massive ratio spread – and with a lustful taste for revs – this zesty ‘four’ is a capable fit, even in scenarios strictly better suited to the off-road biased PanAmericana.

 

Get past the step-off lag and the four-pot engine builds speed well, slicing through the gear ratios briskly to the legal limit. Hit the twisty stuff, and the lighter front axle weight brings a sense of playfulness that we must admit feels very un-ute-like… the Aventura TSI452 is downright enjoyable. There, we said it.

 

And it’s also a damn good stopper. Disc brakes at all four corners and a well-metered pedal let you accurately control deceleration, even on loose (read: sketchy) four-wheel drive tracks. With the PanAmericana’s tyres, the Aventura could arguably be the perfect family adventure package – and don’t forget, it can still tow up to 3500kg.

 

But what about fuel economy…? Well, we’re glad you asked. You see, driving the Amarok Aventura TSI452 for over 600km in city traffic, on the open road, on unsealed tracks and on some gnarly trails, we managed to keep proceedings to a respectable 12.4 litres per 100km.

 

Admittedly, we didn’t drive with economy in mind, and of course there’s the fact the Amarok weighs in at a chunky 2332kg. But when you, err, weigh it all up, that’s a pretty good result.

 

Away from the hard and fast driving details, the Amarok is just as commendable for family use. The rear seat accommodation is more spacious than many in this class, while the cabin offers amenity and comfort levels that, as we’ve said, rival many family-sized SUVs.

 

Add to that a long list of safety technologies that function very well across every kind of terrain we dared to tread, and it shows that Volkswagen (and Ford, of course) are serious about making this generation of Amarok (Ranger) as much for mum, dad, and the kids as it is in providing a safe working environment for trade and agricultural buyers.

 

We loved the crisp instrument panel and the easy-to-follow thumb controls set on the steering wheel spokes, and we found the four-wheel drive system virtually idiot-proof.

 

If we had to be picky, we’d have liked a little more ‘meat’ to the gear selector (it’s easy to run past Reverse and straight into Park) and some larger landing tiles for some of the touchscreen’s options. But really, these are preferences that don’t have much bearing on the vehicle’s functionality and are quirks you quickly learn to live with.

 

At the start of this review, we questioned whether an EcoBoost powered ‘four’ with a road-bias was the pick of the litter for anyone wanting a ute for work and play… and the short answer is: almost.

 

Truthfully, the effortless torque of the diesel V6 in the PanAmericana, its A/T rubber and extra off-road smarts make it a more rounded package, and one that will tow the boat, float or the van with a lot less fuss.

 

But for those who want eight-tenths of the ability off-road– with ten-tenths of the road manners the rest of the time – or who simply prefer a petrol engine, then the Aventura is a ripper alternative.