What Van? Britain's biggest and best van buyers' guide

Volkswagen’s Amarok pick-up truck is returning to the UK market after an absence of three years. 

When the original model took its leave it seemed we may have seen the last of its manufacturer’s presence in a shrinking UK sector that had also waved goodbye to the Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara and Mercedes X-Class. Volkswagen proceeded to convert the Hanover plant that had built Amaroks for European markets into the factory that now produces the electric ID Buzz range so that, many assumed, was that.

The Amarok, however, is back, but while its predecessor was a standalone VW product the new iteration is based on Ford’s all-conquering Ranger as part of the product collaboration between the brands.

Volkswagen insists it has stamped its own identity on the Amarok, which it will again target at the luxury end of the pick-up sector, from where the withdrawal of the X-Class will do its prospects no harm.

Volkswagen is offering the double-cab only Amarok in four specification grades: Life, Style, PanAmericana and Aventura. Its donor model, Ford’s Ranger, comes in seven trims and includes a single-cab in the entry-level XL grade.

The Amarok’s power outputs range from 170hp to 205hp for the 2.0-litre TDI engine through to 240hp for the 3.0-litre TDI V6.

The 170hp (Life only) version is offered with six-speed manual transmission as standard but all other variants come with ten-speed automatic transmission as standard.

Potential customers should be aware that the flagship Aventura is not exempt from VAT as it has a payload of 842kg with, or 877kg without the optional Towing pack, both of which are beneath the 1.0-tonne threshold.

Having reviewed the V6 in left-hand drive mode in February, this time we focussed on the 2.0-litre 205hp Amarok in mid-range Style grade, which equates most closely to the Wildtrak or new Tremor trim in the Ranger line-up.

Most of the differences with the Ford model are cosmetic, the Amarok’s exterior looks more sculpted, with a high waist and flat-top wheel arches. It gets distinctive horizontal upper radiator grille crossbars and integrated narrow LED headlights. The rear features new C-shaped lights and a full-length tailgate embossed with the word ‘Amarok’.

Piggy backing the Ranger platform has given the Amarok more space and increased it’s off-road ability: At 5,350mm, the new truck is 96mm longer than its predecessor, while its 3,270mm wheelbase has increased by173mm. The principal beneficiaries are the rear seat passengers, who get more leg room. With ground clearance of 237mm the Amarok’s wading depth has increased by 300mm to 800mm thanks to shorter overhangs, towing capacity has gone up from 3.1 to 3.5t and the permissible combined weight of vehicle and trailer has increased from 6.0 to 6.5 tonne.

The ten-speed auto shift-by-wire system is consummately smooth on road and comes with four selectable driving modes: 2H, 4H, 4L, for challenging off-road conditions, and 4A, which distributes drive force to all four wheels via a multi-plate clutch and can be selected for improved traction on varying road conditions. There are six driving modes to cater for a variety of on- and off-road conditions.

Electromechanical power steering supplants the previous hydraulic system and delivers lighter, less strenuous steering without sacrificing feedback. It also facilitates the integration of driver aids such as park assist and lane assist, which are numbered among 20 new ADAS features, according to Volkswagen.

The ride is soft, comfortable and the cabin quiet, overall its more SUV-like than any other pick-up truck you’ll find.