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Volkswagen Amarok vs Ford Ranger

What's the difference?

VS
Volkswagen Amarok
Volkswagen Amarok

$45,888 - $98,990

2023 price

Ford Ranger
Ford Ranger

$36,880 - $89,190

2024 price

Summary

2023 Volkswagen Amarok
2024 Ford Ranger
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
Diesel

Diesel
Fuel Efficiency
7.1L/100km (combined)

7.8L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Suspension might be too stiff for some
  • 10-speed gearbox is fidgety
  • Entry-level cabin feels like an entry-level cabin

  • No rear passenger air-vents/USB
  • Front camera malfunction
  • Not much else
2023 Volkswagen Amarok Summary

Flagship utes have gotten both very good, and very expensive, haven't they? The new Amarok, for example, tops out at just under $80k for the top-spec Aventura.

But what if your still waters don't run deep with cash? Well, there's good news, because the cheapest Amarok options – the Core and Life – are still pretty well equipped, and both start well below the $60k barrier.

What's more, I reckon one of them might just be the pick of the entire Amarok range.

Which one, you ask? For that, you'll need to stay with me as we explore the Amarok Core and Amarok Life.

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2024 Ford Ranger Summary

The 4x2 segment of Australia’s light commercial vehicle market is where you’ll find utes primarily designed for hard yakka. These base-model workhorses come in a variety of body types including single cab, extra cab, dual cab, ute or cab chassis.

Buyers are typically government and commercial fleets, tradies, farmers, couriers and other business owners with a sharp focus on minimising costs.

In that context, base-model 4x2s are popular, as they not only avoid the added complexity/expense of 4x4 but also have minimal standard equipment.

Toyota has long dominated this segment with its 4x2 Hilux variants, but more recently its market share has diminished in the face of increasing competition from numerous rear-drive rivals, headed by Isuzu’s D-Max and Ford’s Ranger, which was recently crowned Australia's top-selling motor vehicle.

We recently spent a week aboard the blue oval's 4x2 workhorse offering, to see how it measures up in this increasingly competitive market segment.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Volkswagen Amarok 2024 Ford Ranger

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