The foreman has arrived. It’s the Volkswagen Amarok of course, but not one we’d be expecting is put to work with its low-profile tyres and unique engine. While the original version got rid of its petrol powertrain long ago, this latest generation of Amarok has added one back.
It’s quite the contrast to what most people tend to go for in Australia, because in rivals like the Toyota HiLux , Nissan Navara , and even other Amaroks, the diesel engine is generally the pick of the bunch...
or the only option. The current Amarok shares most of its oily bits with the Ford Ranger . That partnership brought with it a turbocharged petrol engine Volkswagen has chosen to employ as an option only at the top of the model range.
On test here is the equal-most expensive Amarok available right now, the 2024 Volkswagen Amarok Aventura TSI452. Under the bonnet it packs a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – a similar unit to what you’d find in a Ford Mustang High Performance or Focus ST .
It’s an unusual powertrain setup, but does it hold up as well as it needs to? Or would you be better opting for the V6 diesel TDI600 for the same price? The Aventura TSI452 is one of the two most expensive Amarok models available, sliding in at just under $83,000 before on-roads. To see how the Amarok stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool . If you somehow got inside without noticing the tray, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was simply an SUV.
It’s a nice interi.