Volkswagen Amarok 2026 review | Practical pickup with SUV-like character

What is the Volkswagen Amarok Mk2?

The Volkswagen Amarok is a pickup truck that competes with models including the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max. It used to have many more rivals, but due to emissions legislation and various economic pressures, competitors such as the Nissan Navara, Mercedes-Benz X-Class and Mitsubishi L200 are no longer on sale.

For this second generation model of the Amarok, Volkswagen and Ford have combined the talents and resources of their commercial vehicle divisions to maximise cost savings, meaning that the Amarok is a close relation of the hugely popular Ford Ranger.

Unlike the Ranger, the Amarok is only available in double-cab configuration. It’s also 96mm longer than its predecessor, with a wheelbase that’s been extended by 173mm to provide more space in the crew cab.

The Amarok can tow up to 3,500kg when equipped with an automatic transmission (up to 3,420kg for the manual gearbox), and its load area is capable of holding a payload of up to 1,113kg.

How practical is it?

Clearly, the Volkswagen Amarok is built with commercial needs in mind. Its towing capacity of up to 3,500kg (automatic models) is excellent, as is the 6,500kg gross train weight. Payload capacity is up to 1,113kg, and you can carry another 85kg on the roof while moving, rising to 350kg when the vehicle is stationary. The wading depth for this latest model is 800mm, up from 500mm in the previous Amarok.

That’s a lot of boxes ticked in terms of workhorse pickup credentials. But given the Amarok’s SUV-like interior, it might also be tempting to think of it as a viable alternative to a large family vehicle. And in terms of passenger space it could indeed fulfil that role. The rear seats will easily accommodate three adults, with headroom and legroom to spare, and unlike some pickups, the rear backrests aren’t so upright that they are uncomfortable over long distances.

There’s also a generous amount of room in the front seats, and plenty of adjustability in the driving position, meaning drivers of most sizes should be able to get comfortable. Interior storage is taken care of by a large bin under the armrest, two gloveboxes, a pair of cupholders, and a lidded compartment on top of the dash. It is strange, however, that in a vehicle this big, the doorbins won’t hold anything larger than the most compact of water bottles.

Where the Amarok – and indeed any pickup – becomes harder to justify as a family vehicle is in its luggage area. While the load bed might be large enough to accommodate a sideways loaded Euro pallet, it’s very high off the ground (529mm to be precise), exposed to the elements, and generally just quite awkward to use.

What's it like to drive?

To state the obvious, the Amarok feels vast to drive. Even by the standards of a large SUV, this pickup feels appreciably taller, wider and less nimble from behind the wheel. That said, it’s a long way from being agricultural. In fact, its light steering, good visibility (helped by its giant door mirrors), and predictable controls mean that you soon acclimatise to driving Volkswagen’s pickup on UK roads.

The engine range consists of two 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesels, which produce 168bhp with a six-speed manual gearbox or 202bhp with a 10-speed automatic. These can accelerate from 0-62mph in 11.6 seconds and 10.5 seconds respectively. At the top of the range, there is a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel with 237bhp and the 10-speed automatic, which can get from 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds.

All models come with 4Motion four-wheel-drive as standard. Automatic versions include an intelligent 4A mode that can vary torque distribution between the axles depending on conditions, while manual versions feature selectable high- and low-range modes. Drive settings include Normal, Eco, Mud/track, Sand, Slippery, and Load/trailer. We haven’t tested the Amarok extensively off-road, but with relatively short overhangs, a generous ride height, a rear differential lock and a selectable low-range ratio for its gearbox, there’s little doubting its ability when the going gets tough.

Back on the road, the Amarok is impressively quiet and refined. There’s still evidence of its rugged nature in the sometimes bouncy ride, but it’s far from uncomfortable. Note, our test to date has focused on the 202bhp 2.0-litre diesel in Style trim, which offers more than acceptable acceleration, along with pleasing mid-range pulling power.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

The Amarok’s interior is very similar in design and quality to that of the Ford Ranger. One questionable decision, however, is that Volkswagen has integrated the heater controls into the portrait-mounted touchscreen rather than retaining separate physical buttons. As a result, a task as simple as changing the temperature requires several presses of the screen, which seems like a backward step from a usability and safety perspective.

That gripe aside, the infotainment system – 10.1 inches as standard or 12 inches on high-spec models – is intuitive to use, responds quickly and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as standard. Combined with the digital dials (8.0 inches on the Life trim, 12.3 inches on all others) it makes for a very modern feeling interior, while the quality of the fit and finish is extremely good.

Trim levels are Life, Style, PanAmericana and Aventura. Life and Style specs are available with the 2.0-litre diesel engines, while PanAmericana and Aventura are V6-only in the UK.

Life includes 17-inch alloy wheels, electric folding door mirrors, manual air-conditioning, fabric seats, LED headlights and a reversing camera.

Style adds 18-inch alloys, chrome exterior detailing, side steps, dual-zone climate control, electrically adjustable seats with upgraded upholstery, the larger infotainment and digital display setup, IQ.Light matrix LED headlights and additional driver assistance features such as lane assist.

PanAmericana swaps chrome detailing for black exterior accents and adds leather seats, a Harman Kardon sound system, LED cargo area lighting, underride protection and a rear differential lock for improved off-road ability.

The range-topping Aventura model features 21-inch alloys with lower profile tyres, premium leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel and additional safety equipment.

Volkswagen Amarok Mk2 running costs

Even when powered by diesel, a vehicle as large and as heavy as the Amarok is never going to excel when it comes to fuel economy. Official figures show the 2.0-litre models return between 30.1mpg and 33.6mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, while the 3.0-litre V6 engine manages around 28mpg. In our test of the 202bhp 2.0 TDI, we saw real-world economy of 27-28mpg in mixed driving.

As a commercial vehicle, the Amarok can qualify for the flat-rate Benefit-in-Kind company car tax – provided you choose a version with a payload of at least one tonne (1,000kg). That can make it surprisingly affordable to run as a company vehicle, even though no hybrid or electric models are offered. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also sells the Amarok with its ‘5+ Promise’ package, which includes the first five services, three MOTs, a five-year warranty and five years of roadside assistance.

Where the Amarok is harder to justify is on outright price. Not because it represents poor value, but because it’s typically slightly more expensive than the closely related Ford Ranger.

Volkswagen Amarok Mk2 reliability

The Amarok shares many of its components with the Ford Ranger, so the 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey doesn’t make for particularly good reading. Ford and Volkswagen finished joint 24th out of 30 vehicle manufacturers, so you might want to consider a Toyota Hilux or Isuzu D-Max instead if reliability is a top priority.

As noted in the Running Costs section of this review, Volkswagen offers a standard five-year warranty for the Amarok. This outdoes the three years of cover offered on the Ford Ranger.