Words: Kyle Cassidy | Photos: Kyle Cassidy
Published 22 August 2026
The second-generation Volkswagen Amarok launched a couple of years ago with a few different variants. There was a worker-spec ‘Life’ starting at $65,000, and an up-spec 2.0-litre Style version as well, the latter more of a Wildtrak competitor. But neither really fired in a sales sense, with prices higher than those of other four-cylinder trucks on the market.
The Amarok has always done better when powered by a V6. As such, the four-cylinder models are gone, the line-up now powered solely by the V6, and it has a new entry-point model.
The Amarok Style V6 is a ‘limited supply’ model, however, and comes in at $89,990. That’s a handy bit cheaper than the other variants, the V6 PanAmericana costing $99,900 while the V6 Aventura is $105,900. Yet despite its $10k lower price point, it doesn’t miss out on much compared with the PanAmericana; the differences are mainly cosmetic.
The Style is powered by the 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6, which makes 184kW and 600Nm. It’s hooked up to a 10-speed automatic (not that it really needs so many gears) and has various drive modes for the switchable 4×4 drivetrain. The latter can run in 2H and 4H modes, as well as a 4A auto mode (switching between the two to suit conditions), and there’s a low-range setting. Consumption is rated at 9.6L/100km.
Payload is stated at 964kg, and it has the requisite 3500kg braked towing capacity. It’s also nice to have scheduled servicing for three years/45,000km included in the price, along with a five-year/150,000km warranty.
The Style gains IQ.Light LED Matrix headlights, chrome exterior detailing and 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, you get heated leather seats, a 12-inch infotainment system and a configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. There’s also a surround-view monitor.
Like its name suggests, this is a stylish truck inside, full of quality-lined surfaces and with relatively few hard plastics, especially for a ute. And especially compared with the Ranger Wildtrak, although this is more expensive, the Ford costing ‘only’ $86,000. The Amarok has much nicer seats, trimmed in higher-quality leather.
One minor gripe is that the additional bolstering on the seat squab makes it just that little bit harder to climb aboard. The Amarok is already towering off the ground, and it’s just another 50mm you have to clear. But once you’re in place, you’ll find the form and fit superior to most trucks out there.
While it shares its architecture with the Ford, Volkswagen has done enough to make it feel like it belongs in its own line-up, with familiar graphics for the instruments and touchscreen, along with some VW-specific switchgear. It’s an easy affair to use too, with enough buttons and not too many gadgets you’ll never use. There’s a charge pad, wireless connectivity and built-in navigation.
Those in the rear do okay for legroom and seat comfort, but you’d probably wish you were in a proper passenger vehicle during a long trip.
The V6 suits the Amarok’s higher-spec positioning. It’s quieter and smoother than a four-cylinder, and it has abundant torque. Turbolag is barely noticeable, and whenever it’s in the 1500-3000rpm range it simply hauls. It sounds suitably powerful too.
It’s not too bad on fuel either, at least when unladen. We found urban usage returned around 12L/100km. While the price of diesel has dropped recently, it’s still high and, coupled with road user charges, running one of these things is not cheap at present.
While it’s a big ute at more than 5.3m long, it’s not unwieldy, the Amarok among the front-runners in terms of dynamics in this segment. It has quality steering characteristics and solid road holding.
While it felt a little bouncy in the rear at urban speeds, it rides better at highway pace. And that would likely settle further if you actually had something in the tray or attached to the tow hitch.
Helping with its towing and hauling duties is the handy 4A setting, which sorts out traction needs when things get slippery. It’s a good setting to have regardless of what you’re doing, really. For off-road duties, you also get a rear diff lock, hill descent control, low range and several traction control settings.
There are just enough safety systems; the lane departure warning gently reminds you that you’re approaching the lane markings, there’s no driver monitor, and while there is speed-sign recognition, it doesn’t chime at you constantly. The camera system eases parking and reversing duties, especially if a trailer is involved.
The Amarok is certainly a ‘nice truck’, but you’re paying quite a nice sum for it too. Even in its entry-level guise, it fills its niche at the top end of the ute pecking order rather well.
Volkswagen Amarok Style V6
$89,990 / 9.6L/100km / 254g/km
0-100 km/h 8.2s
Engine 2993cc V6 / DI / T
Max power 184kW@3250rpm
Max torque 600Nm@1750-2250rpm
Drivetrain 10-speed auto, 4×4
Weight (claimed) 2386kg
