Amarok test/review

**craigy** · 10-12-2009, 09:46 AM

http://www.carsales.com.au/reviews/2...n-amarok-17667.

I think they are kidding themselves if they think that being dearer than the overpriced Hilux will be acceptable.

**phaeton** · 10-12-2009, 12:08 PM

Good review

**apom** · 02-01-2010, 06:21 PM

What a disappointment! I was hoping for the brilliant 3.0 V6 diesel to be the engine of choice and at least 3000kg towing capacity.

Towing 2800kgs with this engines on long trips sounds like a slog to me!

**Transporter** · 03-01-2010, 12:18 AM

Who knows? Maybe R version later on will get V6 TDI.

**Sharkie** · 03-01-2010, 06:39 AM

For me a dualcab 4x4 is a "Family Utility Vehicle" FUV ....

.... Go on the beach, do Bunnings runs, cart stuff around, take the family bikes in the back somewhere to go for a ride etc etc etc ....

I'm looking at replacing a Mitsu DC this year and would have loved to say the Amarok is an option .... but I'm afraid probably not .... for 3 reasons.

1. I believe the 2.0TDI is just not going to cut it ...

... the V6s (FSI & TDI) would have been a much better bet. (or even the 2.5TDI)
2. It is beautiful to look at .... much too nice to use a workhorse or a FUV ...

... I'll be too worried about it to get much use out of it.
3. Too many electronic systems that can go wrong when you use it. It needs to be foolproof & environment proof. Sometimes a bit basic & rugged is better for a workhorse ....

**phaeton** · 03-01-2010, 07:49 AM

Looks capable enough to me

ps the 1.4 TSI engine isn't a slow coach nor has performance being altered since the cubic capacity have been taken down a notch or to; Amarok will be the same with the 2.0L BiTDI

**phaeton** · 03-01-2010, 07:56 AM

Amarok at the 2010 Dakar

**Sharkie** · 03-01-2010, 07:15 PM

Sorry Ben, but that does nothing to improve my opinion I'm afraid. I suppose I'll have to wait and see how it holds up at the Dakar .....

Rear looks quite bad actually, front is really good looking ...

I treat my Mitsu quite rough and it has never let me down. I have never had a VW (and I'm on my 7th now) that would have taken the same abuse without having some kind of problem, so workhorse tough ... I doubt the Amarok has it ...

Too much tech and not enough toughness ....

... be happy to be proven wrong though

**Sharkie** · 03-01-2010, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by phaeton

Looks capable enough to me

ps the 1.4 TSI engine isn't a slow coach nor has performance being altered since the cubic capacity have been taken down a notch or to; Amarok will be the same with the 2.0L BiTDI

Don't need a high performance small turbo (and the 2.0BITDI is just that) in a workhorse .... don't believe it has the long term reliability and ease of maintenance (and lower cost) of a bigger more "agricultural" engine ....

And these places they took these proto's to, I could easily take the Tiguan to as well, does not prove toughness by any means ....

BTW, my wife loves it and wants 1, but I think we'll wait and see how it stacks up. Let 4x4Australia have 1 and do a comparison test 1st.

**apom** · 07-01-2010, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by Sharkie

Sorry Ben, but that does nothing to improve my opinion I'm afraid. I suppose I'll have to wait and see how it holds up at the Dakar .....

Rear looks quite bad actually, front is really good looking ...

I treat my Mitsu quite rough and it has never let me down. I have never had a VW (and I'm on my 7th now) that would have taken the same abuse without having some kind of problem, so workhorse tough ... I doubt the Amarok has it ...

Too much tech and not enough toughness ....

... be happy to be proven wrong though

sadly, i agree!!! I want a proper ute with a decent motor and the option of automatic for towing