Volkswagen Amarok 2023: Australian pricing and release date confirmed

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Volkswagen has unveiled official pricing for the Australian market with the premium-targeted Amarok ute starting at $50,990 before on-road costs.

The Amarok will be sold exclusively in dual-cab ute guise with a 4Motion four-wheel-drive system and unlike its Ford Ranger cousin will feature the option of a manual transmission.

Volkswagen has retained the ‘Core’ as the entry-level grade, but the Life has replaced the Sportline, Style replaces the Highline and the new Panamerica shares the top spot in the line-up alongside the Aventura.

The latter pair will arrive first in late April, with other grades set to follow thereafter. 

The arrival of a new generation has ushered in substantial increases of between $4100 and $7500 over the equivalent grades of the old model. All colours other than white will set buyers back an additional $990.

The entry price is higher than other rivals in 4×4 dual-cab ute guise such as Ford Ranger XL ($49,930), Toyota Hilux Workmate ($47,425), though Volkswagen said it has equipped the Amarok with enough standard equipment to justify this price point.

Higher specs and modern tech, but at increased cost

The Amarok will launch more than six months behind the Ranger. Volkswagen suggests it has spent time listening to owner feedback and designing a range with generally higher levels of specification than the Ford equivalent.

For context, the Ranger recently supplemented its core range by announcing the flagship Platinum grade which won’t arrive in Australia until May 2023.

Volkswagen commercial vehicles director Ryan Davis said they expect to see most buyers gravitate towards the higher grades.

“We’re landing Amarok with the high-level of specification that Amarok customers absolutely demanded of us,” he said.

“These are standard Amaroks, not special or launch editions. In time, it’s likely that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will decide on limited editions, but we won’t need to rush one to market on the basis that the standard ute isn’t equipped to the level customers require.”

What does each Amarok grade include?

Core 

Drivetrain: TDI405 2.0-litre diesel w/selectable 4WD in either manual ($50,990) or auto ($52,990)

Unlike its Ranger cousin, the Amarok is offered with a six-speed manual offering an entry price of $50,990 or $52,990 when equipped with a six-speed automatic.

Both options are paired with a 125kW/405Nm 2.0-litre single-turbo-diesel four-cylinder paired to a 4Motion four-wheel-drive system that now features low-range gearing.

Standard specification includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, mechanical locking rear differential, electric folding mirrors, mud flaps, cargo box with internal lighting, a manual locking tailgate and a towbar – though the brake controller is optional. 

Inside, buyers will find fabric seats, six-way manual adjustment for the driver and four-way adjustment for the front passenger, single-zone climate control and hard-wearing vinyl floor covering.

The new cabin design has ushered in modern technology like a 10.0-inch multimedia screen, an 8.0-inch digital driver’s display, a multifunction steering wheel, a four-speaker stereo and a wireless phone charger.

Safety has also been given a boost with the curtain airbags now extending all the way into the second row with no official safety rating from ANCAP but the ute is expected to earn the same five stars as its Ranger cousin.

Driver aids include multi-collision braking, lane keep assistance, adaptive cruise control, speed sign recognition, rear parking sensors and camera plus an emergency call option in the event of an accident. 

Life

Drivetrain: TDI500 2.0-litre twin-turbo-diesel w/selectable 4WD

Stepping up to the Life grade adds the more potent 154kW/500Nm twin-turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, mated exclusively to a 10-speed automatic transmission. 

The exterior also improves with the fitment of body-colour panels on the mirrors, front bumper and door handles along with LED fog lamps, front tow hooks, a heating function for the mirrors, power locking tailgate and locking wheel nuts.

Inside, buyers net the six-speaker stereo setup, eight-way manual adjustable front seats, floor mats in the front and rear complete with carpet flooring and leather upholstery on the gear shifter and steering wheel.

Other safety and convenience features include an auto-dimming mirror, blind spot monitoring, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights, plus front parking sensors.

Style

Drivetrain: TDI500 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel w/selectable 4WD ($66,990) or TDI600 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 w/full time 4WD ($70,990)

Offered in either a choice of a 154kW/500Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbo-diesel four-cylinder or a 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 the Style grade is mated to a 10-speed automatic.

The Style adds larger 18-inch alloy wheels, a step on the rear bumper, matrix LED headlights, a bed liner and the fitment of a sportsbar as standard. 

Taughting a more premium experience, the Amarok Style features Volkswagen’s ArtVelour upholstery, 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, an eight-way manual adjustable front passenger seat, with heating across the front row and dual-zone climate control.

Other luxury upgrades include a 12-inch multimedia screen, a 12-inch digital driver’s display, ambient lighting, a 360-degree camera and a self-parking function. 

Style buyers can opt for Savona-style leather interior trim, usually found only in the Aventrua, for an extra $3000.

Panamericana

Drivetrain: TDI600 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, full time 4WD, priced at $75,990

Sitting as one of two flagship grades alongside the Aventura, the Panamerica is equipped only with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission.  

Fitted with unique 18-inch alloy wheels, front bumper and grille design and matching black accents on the door hands and mirrors, the Panamericana stands out from its peers.

Exterior upgrades over previous grades include LED tail-lights, roof rails and spray-in bed liner, while on the inside buyers benefit from Cricket-style leather upholstery (including on the dashboard and door inserts), 10-way power-adjustable seats and an eight-speaker stereo.

Aventura

Drivetrain: TDI600 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 or TSI452 2.3-litre turbo-petrol; both with full-time 4WD and priced at $79,990.

The Aventura is the only grade offered with a 2.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, offering potent outputs of 222kW/452Nm though the 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 still remains available. Both use a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Setting itself apart from the Panamerica, the Aventura wears larger 21-inch wheels and features an electronic roll cover along with chrome finishing on areas such as the door handles, sailplane and side steps.

The interior features ‘Savona’ style leather upholstery and also features a leather-covered dashboard to add a more premium feel. 

Volkswagen Amarok 2023: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• Core 2.0L TDI405 (manual): $50,990 (+$5100)
• Core 2.0L TDI405 (auto): $52,990 (+$4100)
• Life 2.0L TDI500 (auto): $56,990 (-$1000 over Sportline V6)
• Style 2.0L TDI500 (auto): $66,990 (new option)
• Style V6 3.0L TDI600 (auto): $70,990 (+$7500 over Highline)
• PanAmericana V6 3.0L TDI600 (auto): $75,990 (new grade)
• Aventura V6 3.0L TDI600 (auto): $79,990 (+$6000)
• Aventura 2.3L TSI452 (auto): $79,990 (new option)