Cheaper than Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux? 2023 Volkswagen Amarok servicing costs shock!

Volkswagen has released basic scheduled service pricing for the new-model Amarok, with falls across the board compared to both the previous-generation version, as well as key rivals the Toyota HiLux and related Ford Ranger.

According to VW, buyers have a choice of five individual services as per the Amarok’s 12-month/15,000km intervals, with prices set at $329 for the first two, $414 for the third, $329 for the fourth and $400 for the fifth.

At the time of publishing, a VW spokesperson said that these prices apply to all versions of the all-new, NF-series Amarok, from the base 2.0-litre single-turbo and 3.0-litre V6 diesels to the exclusive-to-Aventura 2.3-litre four-pot turbo petrol version.

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Alternatively, VW is also offering a capped-price ‘5 Year Care Plan’, that takes in an upfront payment of $1800 for the first five basic services.

While this represents a saving of just one dollar as the total cost of paying for separate services is $1801 under the scheme, it presumably safeguards against future prices rises over the five services as the total amount would already have been paid in advance.

Note as with all car company claims of this nature, prices are subject to change.

So, how does this compare to the MY23.50 Ford Ranger?

Keeping in mind that these prices are for all ‘Customer Type’ categories as selected on Ford’s website, the 2.0-litre diesel with the same time and mileage intervals as the VW for the first five years comes to $385, $455, $485, $710 and $385 respectively, adding up to a total of $2420. That’s nearly $620 more for the Ford.

Similarly, the Ranger V6 diesel’s respective service amounts from the first to the fifth visit are $400, $470, $505, $745 and $500, adding up to $2620, opening the price chasm between it and the VW to almost $820.

That said, all versions of the Ranger offer condition-based capped-price servicing for the first four visits, at $329 apiece, making them $81 cheaper to service than the Amarok over the same period.

Ford actually publishes prices for the first 12 years/180,000km, while VW sticks to five years/75,000km, so what the long-term differences are isn’t known at this time.

The Ranger has the same servicing time and mileage as the Amarok.

Still, advantage, Amarok.

And what about Australia’s best-selling vehicle, the Toyota HiLux?

According to Toyota’s website, an SR5 Dual Cab 4x4 must be serviced every six months or 10,000km, at $290 per visit and $580 annually. 

After year three however, those prices jump up significantly, with services at 70,000 and 80,000km respectively costing $328 and $748 for a $1076 year-four total, and $517 and $428 for intervals 90,000 and 100,000km for a $945 year-five cost.

After five years, the servicing costs for a HiLux run up to $3761, more than double the costs of the Amarok, making the HiLux the most expensive (and inconvenient) of the four-cylinder turbo-diesels listed.

The HiLux must be serviced every six months.

Again, advantage Amarok.

Finally, how does the new version stack up against the old ute?

Selecting a 2021 Amarok fitted with a 132kW 2.0-litre diesel 4WD, its corresponding price per dealer visit is $545, $746, $850, $858 and $745 respectively. That’s $3744 for the old ute versus $1801 for the new one. Less than half the cost.

Likewise, the 2021 Amarok with V6 power (in this case the 165kW 3.0-litre diesel 4WD auto), is also roundly beaten by its successor, costing $586, $852, $943, $852 and $786 for the first five services respectively, adding up to an eye-watering $4019 for the first five services. That’s $2218 more expensive than the latest version.

Clearly, VW is wanting a bigger slice of an ever-expanding dual-cab ute market pie, highlighted by the fact that it has managed to outmanoeuvre Ford even though the Amarok and Ranger share the same powertrains, while showing up the HiLux.

Please note that there are procedural differences between the three brands’ servicing regimes, as well as varying benefits that impact the pricing as well as the customer experience. An example is the conditional free loan vehicle Ford offers at some dealers.

Are these prices enough to make you want to buy an Amarok over a Ranger or HiLux? Please let us know in the comments below.