VW’s Amarok with 222kW priced
Bakkies have become seriously expensive; that’s just the honest reality of the times we’re in. You want one? And with decent performance? Be prepared to part with seven figures, easily. Take the VW Amarok Aventura, for instance. At around R1.2 million, it costs what supercars once did. But the market has changed, and bakkies now blend luxury, performance, and practicality in ways that were unheard of a decade ago.
That’s where the Amarok 2.3L Panamericana comes in. Slightly more accessible at R1,099,000, it brings many of the same traits buyers love: premium feel, punchy performance, and plenty of tech, but in a package that bridges the gap between the 2.0-litre BiTDI and the V6. Under the bonnet sits a 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 222kW and 452Nm.
And here’s where it gets interesting. While the 222kW Amarok isn’t trying to square up to the Ford Ranger Raptor, it does aim to deliver something similar but with a more refined, road-focused twist. The Raptor, as we know, is a desert-storming, off-road bruiser. It’s built to take a beating, conquer dunes, and make even the toughest terrain look like a playground. It’s loud, wild, and unapologetically aggressive. The 222kW Amarok? Not so much with its more plush disposition.
With regard to the engine, it’s none other than Ford’s familiar 2.3-litre EcoBoost, the same one that powered the previous-generation Mustang and, in some markets, the Ranger and Everest. It’s a proven unit, and the outputs here mirror those of the Ranger 2.3 EcoBoost sold overseas. It’s also mated to Ford’s 10-speed automatic gearbox.
In terms of performance, it looks downright impressive. VW claims a 0–100 km/h time of 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h, figures that put it on par with the previous-generation Amarok V6, which had 190kW and 580Nm. Back then, that V6 felt seriously quick for a bakkie, so this new petrol-powered version is bound to deliver the same kind of impressive punch. It’s not quite playing in the Ford Ranger Raptor’s league, with the off-road bruiser sprinting to 100km/h in about 5.8 seconds, but then again, it’s not trying to.
It also comes well-equipped right out of the box. You get 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tyres, a styling bar, a power-operated roller shutter for the load bin, a towing hitch, and VW’s impressive LED Matrix headlights with IQ.Light tech and automatic high-beam control are all standard.
Inside, the premium feel continues with a 12-inch Active Info Display, a digital instrument cluster, and a Harman Kardon sound system. Both the driver and front passenger seats offer 10-way electric adjustment, while safety is covered by features like a multi-collision braking system, a 360-degree camera, and adaptive cruise control.
Looking at the price tag, it’s not exactly what you’d call affordable, but then again, what bakkie is these days? The reality is, double cabs have evolved far beyond their workhorse roots. They’ve become lifestyle machines, part luxury SUV, part rugged utility. So yes, R1.1 million is a lot of money, but when you factor in the performance, the tech, and the sheer refinement that comes with the Amarok Panamericana, it starts to make sense. It’s not the cheapest, nor the wildest, but it strikes a sweet spot, and in today’s world of expensive bakkies, that balance might just be the Amarok’s biggest win.
