EXPERT RATING
8.0

Likes

Handsome design
Upscale interior (on up-spec grades as tested)
Good to drive

Dislikes

Steering too light for some tastes
Not cheap
Fiddly console controls
Byron Mathioudakis

Contributing Journalist

2 min read

The VW Amarok Style kicks off from  $66,990, before on-road costs, and – as with all the new and second-generation Amaroks – is based on the T6.2 Ford Ranger. They share the same platform, body structure and drivetrain.

That said, the sheetmetal is unique, as is much of the interior, while the steering and suspension tune also differ. And the VW is built in South Africa, not Thailand like Australian-bound Rangers.

The Style offers two engine choices. The first is a 154kW/500Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder 'BiTurbo' twin-turbo diesel dubbed TDI500, or – for $4000 more – there's a 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre V6 diesel called the TDI600. Both use a 10-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. But only the latter engine ushers in permanent 4WD, as opposed to selectable 4WD.

The new Amarok offers over 20 fresh driver-assist systems that finally brings in Autonomous Emergency Braking, as well as nine airbags as standard. The Style also boasts tech like a blind-spot monitor, lane keep/departure, swerve-steer assist, traffic sign recognition and rear-cross traffic alert.

You'll find that all new Amaroks are fitted with LED headlights, alloy wheels, DAB+ digital radio, a rear centre armrest, adaptive cruise control, digitalised instrumentation, a portrait touchscreen with voice-command, a reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors, wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, rain-sensing wipers, auto on/off headlights, side steps, a factory-fitted towbar, electric folding mirrors, tailgate with lift-assist and roof rails.

But above the Life grade's fog lights, auto-lock tailgate and rear privacy glass, the Style includes matrix LED headlights, keyless entry/start, an insulated windscreen, dual-zone climate control with rear seat air vents, ambient lighting, a stitched leather-like dashboard cover, powered/heated front seats, a 12.0-inch touchscreen, a 360-degree area-view camera, a rear sports bar, cargo bed liner, alarm, automatic park assist and 18-inch alloys. As such, it's gunning for the Ranger Sport 4x4.

Read the full 2023 Volkswagen Amarok review

Volkswagen Amarok 2023: Style Tdi600 4Motion

Engine Type Diesel Turbo V6, 3.0L
Fuel Type Diesel
Fuel Efficiency 8.4L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $49,390 - $56,760
Safety Rating

Pricing Guides

$51,885
Based on 150 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$34,990
HIGHEST PRICE
$92,990
Byron Mathioudakis

Contributing Journalist

Byron Mathioudakis connected with cars right from the start. His earliest memory is a dream of him driving an Austin A30. Soon after, Byron fell in love with movies watching Duel (1971) where a Valiant sedan takes on a murderous Peterbilt truck. Meanwhile, at Tottenham Primary, teacher Mr Chitty prised opened his world with Wheels magazines, later leading him to perform a one-person musical about the then-new Ford XD Falcon. Everyone thought he was strange. Eager to keep his car passion separate from work, he graduated from Advertising at RMIT, but wasn’t happy in that industry, so did the ‘90s Gen X thing of back-packing, with stints in hospitality, exploring his love of music working in a record store, tending bar, acting, dancing, modelling and even being a singing telegram, thankfully in faraway Canada. His eventual YouTube debut happened as an extra in a Violetine video of that era, You Know. Anyway, by 28, Byron realised he wanted to write about cars and nothing else, and on the eve of his 30th, landed a job at John Mellor’s Australian Automotive Business, a predecessor to GoAuto, where he still feels he belongs after four decades, breaking through with an unsolicited road test of his mother’s Peugeot 306. Going freelance in 1999, he worked at the long-defunct eauto.com.au (it’s still on Wayback Machine), then picked up a gig at Wheels magazine, citing 11 years of Car of the Year judging as a life-changing employment experience. Among scores of amazing people, it was there he became great friends with Peter Robinson, the editor of that first car magazine he devoured back in ’77. Do meet your heroes. In 2020, Byron started at CarsGuide, where he is a Contributing Journalist to this day. Other regular media outlets he writes for include the RAC WA and Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine. Note: though Byron has many old cars he loves, he has never owned an Austin A30, Valiant, XD Falcon or Peugeot 306. To paraphrase Bjork, to do so may break the charm. You can find Byron on LinkedIn. Education Associate Diploma in Advertising, RMIT | 1987-1990 Awards 2024 Newspress Australia Road Tester of the Year Featured Publications GoAuto | 1997-2022 Wheels | 2009-2021 CarsGuide | 2020-present RAC WA Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$34,990
Lowest price, based on CarsGuide listings over the last 6 months.
For more information on
2023 Volkswagen Amarok
See Pricing & Specs

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