The Volkswagen Amarok is now into its second generation and we’re family testing the PanAmericana grade.
The newly improved 4x4 capabilities and rugged good-looks suit the variant's namesake and suggests that this family ute can go the distance and tackle the tough stuff, just like its rivals – the Toyota HiLux GR Sport and Ford Ranger Wildtrak.
In this review, we explore how the PanAmericana handles family life and if it has any surprises in store.
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Volkswagen Amarok 2024 review: Core - GVM test
Volkswagen Amarok 2024: Panamericana TDI600 4Motion
| Engine Type | Diesel Turbo V6, 3.0L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | 8.4L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 5 |
| Price From | $78,990 |
| Safety Rating |
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Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 8/10
The Amarok is offered in five variants and the model on test for this review is the second-from-the-top PanAmericana TDI600. Its price of $78,990, plus on-road costs, positions it at the top of the market but not by much as the Ford Ranger Wildtrak is priced from $74,840 and the Toyota HiLux GR Sport is a smidge more affordable again at $74,310.
The standard equipment for the PanAmericana model include comfort items like 10-way powered front seats with heat function, two-toned Cricket leather upholstery with feature stitching, keyless entry, push-button start, trailer brake controller, rain sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control and LED cargo lighting in the tray.
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A suite of high-end technology rounds out the features with a 12.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system, satellite navigation, wired/wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless charging pad, Bluetooth connectivity, AM/FM and digital radio, and an eight-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system.
The equipment is what you would hope for at this grade level.
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Design – Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
The PanAmericana is distinguished from its siblings by its black accents in the thick sportsbar, side steps, x-design grille and the sports stripes across its sides.
The black 18-inch alloy wheels with their rugged all-terrain tyres just makes the PanAmericana look like it means business.
The second-gen Amarok shares some DNA with the Ford Ranger, so it’s not too surprising that you can find similarities between the two – like the large portrait multimedia system and a dashboard that features extra-large design elements in the air vents and wide panelling.
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But that’s where the similarities end inside because the PanAmericana has a distinct personality with its two-toned ‘Cricket’ leather upholstery and stitching that (you guessed it) looks like the stitching found on a cricket ball. My husband noticed the significance immediately ... I did not.
The men in my family think the interior looks masculine and refined, but the brown leather accents found on the door panels look like they need a good hit of moisturiser (my son thinks it looks like dinosaur skin).
Regardless, the cabin has a certain charm with its design and the PanAmericana is a pretty good-looking ute all round.
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Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside? 7/10
The Amarok offers space that is typical of a ute, that is, the front row gets the the most of it!
Occupants at the front are offered real comfort with the well-padded seats, ample head- and leg-room and heat function for the seats that alleviate some fatigue on a longer journey.
The rear row offers good head- and legroom for my 168cm height but might get squishy if you’re super tall. The bench-style seat is firm with no real side bolsters but you get a fold-down armrest which helps tuck you into place.
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Despite the PanAmericana getting a taller ground clearance (now 235mm), access to the cabin isn’t too hard because you get wide side steps and lots of grab handles for both rows. Although the high side lip of the front seats mean you’re really hooking your hip up to get in, and the side steps can be slippery when wet. The rear row has smaller door apertures too, but my son has no issues for access. You may be lifting younger kidlets into the cabin, though.
Individual storage is pretty decent up front with a glovebox that can fit a manual, second dash cubby for smaller items, sunglasses holder and a deep phone tray. Each row gets two cupholders and two drink bottle holders.
The rear is basic when it comes to other amenities and storage, with a single map pocket and no USB ports at all, but it does get a 12-volt socket. There are directional air vents but they’re not mounted on the ceiling, which is the best placement for a ute cabin.
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Charging options up front are much better with single USB-A and -C ports, a 12-volt socket and a wireless charging pad. However, the trailer brake controller also occupies the space and juts out, which makes it hard to see the USB ports from the drivers side.
The multimedia system offers clear graphics and easy functionality most of the time, but I would have preferred to have a dedicated climate control panel as it’s annoying to access the touchscreen for it. The system also has sat nav, wireless Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto. My phone connection maintained a strong connection.
There are ISOFIX child seat mounts on the outboard seats and two top tethers, so you can only fit a maximum of two seats, which might disappoint families with an extra tot in tow.
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The rear rows back rest folds as one piece, which means you have to pull it forward to hook the top tether point. This system feels a bit old now compared to its rivals and means if your child seat install is not a set and forget scenario, you’ll find this system to be frustrating. Especially if you have two seats installed and need to remove one because it means you have to uninstall both.
The tray of the Amarok can still fit a pallet and has a payload capacity of 956kg – so you should be able to tackle any DIY projects or a big trip to Bunnings. You don’t have an assisted tailgate function and while it's not heavy to lift, it has a seriously heavy drop. Watch for kiddies when opening.
The tray get high-mounted LED lights and while this model doesn't come with a tray cover, you can accessorise should you want one.
Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its engine and transmission? 9/10
The PanAmericana shares the same engine specs as the Ranger V6 and is a full-time four-wheel-drive with a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine that produces 184kW of power and 600Nm of torque.
This model also has a braked towing capacity of 3500kg, high and low range, as well as, rear diff locks.
The second-gen model gets an improved wading depth (up to 800mm), as well as, approach and departure angles at 30 and 25.6 degrees respectively.
If you want to adventure, you should be able to do it in this!
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Efficiency – What is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range? 9/10
The official combined fuel-cycle consumption figure is 8.4L/100km, and my real-world usage came out at 7.8L. That's after mostly open-road driving this week and while a great result, expect a higher figure in the city.
Based on the official combined fuel cycle and 80L fuel tank, expect a theoretical driving range of up 952km, which is good for the annual family road trip.
Driving – What's it like to drive? 9/10
The turbo-diesel engine offers plenty of power and it feels ready to go. Sometimes in big cars, it takes a bit to get moving but not so with the PanAmericana. That makes it feel more nimble than it should in stop/start traffic and you have plenty of grunt for hills.
Suspension is well-cushioned and despite being a tall ride, there’s not a lot of roll at all. The steering is in the goldilocks zone for weight and feel. The handling feels direct and responsive because of it in most scenarios.
The cabin is well-insulated and you still hear the wind/road noise, but it’s really dampened. Even at higher speeds, the cabin sounds refined and you can talk at a normal volume.
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The Amarok really does feel big with a bonnet that seems to go on forever and a stance that doesn’t make you feel like there’s much wriggle room in a tight city street. The visibility out of the windows is good though and the extra-wide side mirrors help counteract any ‘will I fit’ moments.
The only time the PanAmericana is let down is when you come to park it because it really reminds you how massive it is. It fills out a space and has a 12.8m turning circle, so it can feel clumsy in a small carpark. The 360-degree view camera system is most welcome in these scenarios.
Warranty & Safety Rating
Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating? 9/10
The Volkswagen Amarok has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2022 with the adult protection score sitting at 86 per cent, child protection score at 93 per cent, and safety assist systems score at 83 per cent, and it's vulnerable road sits at 74 per cent.
The Amarok has nine airbags, which is higher than you see on some family SUVs!
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Other standard safety equipment include blind-spot monitoring, driver attention monitoring, driver attention alert, SOS call functionality, forward collision warning, LED daytime running lights, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping aid, lane departure alert, traffic sign recognition, intelligent seatbelt warning, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree reversing camera, and front/rear parking sensors.
The Amarok has two ISOFIX child seat mounts and two top-tethers.
Auto emergency braking (AEB) is standard and features car, pedestrian, cyclist and junction assist detection, which is operational from 5.0 – 80km/h (180km/h for car).
Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs? 8/10
Volkswagen offers the Amarok with a five-year/unlimited-km warranty which is a usual term to see for the class.
You can pre-purchase servicing for up to five years and the five-year option is a flat $1900, which is very affordable for the class.
Servicing intervals are good at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.
Verdict
The Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana TDI600 is the ute you get when you want power, off-road capabilities and refinement. That’s a combination that’s not always easy to find in this segment!
There are a few things that its rivals do better but what the PanAmericana gets right, it totally gets right and the driving experience is up there with the best.
Pricing Guides
Range and Specs
| Vehicle | Specs | Price* |
|---|---|---|
| Core TDI405 4Motion | 2.0L, Diesel, 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC | $52,990 |
| Core TDI405 4Motion | 2.0L, Diesel, 6 SPEED MANUAL | $50,990 |
| Life TDI500 4Motion | 2.0L, Diesel, 10 SPEED AUTOMATIC | $56,990 |
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