Volkswagen Amarok Aventura offers luxury and performance
Murali Naidu
The all-new Volkswagen Amarok Aventura now has a million rand price tag. It delivers the versatility that excels at heavy-duty work and a luxurious family vehicle.
There are 16 double cabs and three single variants to choose from. It ranges from the entry-level starting Amarok 2.0 TDI manual at R 599 000 and the top-of-the-range Amarok Aventura 3.0 TDI V6 priced at R1,138,200, which we sampled.
Design-wise, the front has horizontal LED daytime running headlights with High Beam Assist, a helpful feature in night driving situations, a front bumper, and a grey X-shaped grille with the car painted striking blue.
The Amarok Aventura came with standard half-round wheel arches and 21-inch Varberg alloy wheels. Towards the rear end, it has a beefy and muscular presence. It's rounded off well. You also have the slim taillights, the prominent "Amarok" logo, a folding rear bench, sidestep plates, and silver roof rails. It's also powered by a rollover that can be operated using the key fob or inside the cargo area.
Inside the cabin, you'll notice similarities to its Ford counterpart. The central console has a spacious 12-inch display and a multi-information display digital cluster. Still, the set-up resembles the Ford Ranger with minor nuances; the control buttons, electronic shifter, and dials are in the middle.
However, the multifunction steering wheel is distinctly Volkswagen. All the expected modern amenities are present, including climate control, heated seats both for the rear and front occupants, the front seats are also electrically adjustable, and provisions for USB, 12-volt, and AC220-volt charging options.
Some additional features include lane-keeping assist, Adaptive cruise control, seven airbags and a tire pressure monitor followed by an electric childproof safety lock switch.
Ample storage space is available within the door panels, central console, and storage cubby. Overall, the interior of the Amarok provides a comfortable environment to spend time, whether during the monotonous hours of traffic or traversing through rugged terrain.
The Aventura model pushes out 184kW and 600Nm of torque from the 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine paired with a ten-speed automatic gearbox. Its Acceleration time is 0-100km/h in 9.1 seconds.
It offers more torque than the V6 TDI in the previous-gen Amarok and two additional gears in the transmission. It's solid and capable of towing up to 3,500kg, surpassing the previous bakkie's 3,100kg capacity, which was exclusively equipped with full-time AWD.
You can choose between 2WD and 4WD with a low-range ratio, and the vehicle features a rear diff-lock and a terrain response controller. The wading depth has also improved to an impressive 800mm compared to the previous Amarok's 500mm.
The new Amarok maintains highway speeds effortlessly and provides an enjoyable driving experience. The steering is light and easy to wield; overall, it's a refined torque-rich motor paired with a delightful suspension that tactfully absorbs the bumps and uneasy road conditions; the Aventura has cultivated a fine blend of smoothness in city driving coupled with off-roading prowess.
When using active cruise control for autonomous braking and throttle control, the bakkie returned an average fuel consumption of 11.4l/ 100 kilometres, which falls short of Volkswagen's claimed 8.4l/100km.
The competition includes the Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 double cab Legend RS auto, priced at R1,003,000 and the Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 Wildtrak 4WD, going for R1,026,400- yes, the Amarok shares the same engine and platform.
Still, it looks different on the exterior but wears that VW badge proudly, even if it is a Ford beneath the bonnet; however, it might depend on personal preference; one must decipher which vehicle gives the best maintenance plan and warranty services.
Indeed, for the price tag, you get luxury and power. Feeling like a king is par for the course.
The Volkswagen Amarok comes with a Five-year/100,000km maintenance plan and a Four-year/120,000km warranty plan.
Also worth a look: the Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen Touareg.
FAQ
Q: What does the Volkswagen Amarok Aventura cost in South Africa?
The Volkswagen Amarok Aventura 3.0 TDI V6 costs R1,138,200 in South Africa, making it the most expensive model in the Amarok range that starts from R599,000 for the entry-level 2.0 TDI manual.
Q: Is the Volkswagen Amarok Aventura worth buying?
The Amarok Aventura is worth buying if you need a premium bakkie that combines luxury family transport with serious work capability, though at R1,138,200 it's definitely a significant investment that puts it in luxury SUV territory.
Q: What engine does the Amarok Aventura have?
The Amarok Aventura features a 3.0-litre TDI V6 diesel engine that delivers excellent performance for both heavy-duty work and comfortable highway cruising.
Q: How many variants of the Volkswagen Amarok are available in South Africa?
Volkswagen offers 19 Amarok variants in South Africa, including 16 double cab models and three single cab options, with prices ranging from R599,000 to R1,138,200.
Q: What luxury features does the Amarok Aventura include?
The Amarok Aventura comes with heated front and rear seats, electrically adjustable front seats, a 12-inch central display, climate control, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and seven airbags as standard equipment.
Should You Buy It?
The Volkswagen Amarok Aventura at R1,138,200 is a tough sell when you consider that money could buy you a proper luxury SUV instead. Yes, it's impressively equipped with 21-inch alloys, heated seats all round, and enough tech to make your smartphone jealous, but crossing the million rand mark puts it in seriously premium territory. If you genuinely need a bakkie that can haul a boat on weekends and impress clients during the week, the Aventura delivers on both fronts with style. However, for most South African buyers, the mid-range Amarok models offer 90% of the capability at significantly less cost. Buy the Aventura if money isn't a major concern and you want the absolute best bakkie available, otherwise, consider the excellent value proposition of the lower-spec models in the range.
