2023 Volkswagen Amarok prices revealed

Australians love their utes and another high-quality dual-cab workhorse is headed our way and it has a big Aussie connection.

2023 Volkswagen Amarok Aventura

Australia’s ute wars are heating up.

Volkswagen is the latest maker to beef up its arsenal in an attempt to grab a bigger piece of the popular and profitable dual-cab ute market.

The new Amarok is due to arrive in Australia shortly and has been co-developed with the Australian designed and engineered Ford Ranger.

Volkswagen’s new Amarok is almost here.

The pair share many mechanical similarities but according to Ryan Davies, the head of Volkswagen Australia’s commercial vehicle division, there are plenty of differences.

“The Amarok has been designed to be visually, ergonomically and dynamically distinctive; so too is the extent of its equipment and its positioning,” says Mr Davies.

Prices start at $50,990 (before on-road costs) for the Amarok Core fitted with a manual transmission. Adding a six-speed automatic gearbox costs an extra $2000.

That’s $5710 more than its cousin, the entry-level diesel, all-wheel-drive Ford Ranger XL.

The entry-level Amarok is well equipped, with 17-inch alloy-wheels, LED headlights, 10-inch central display and an eight-inch digital driver display. There’s a wide range of active safety equipment, too.

VW expects the more high-end models to be the most popular.

It’s still a tough work ute, though, with manually adjustable fabric seats, vinyl floors, mud flaps and a towbar.

Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine making 125kW/405Nm.

The Life variant is priced at $56,990, it gets a 10-speed auto and a more potent twin-turbo four-pot diesel unit making 155kW/500Nm.

There is added standard equipment, too, such as LED fog lights, power tailgate lock, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter and carpet flooring among others.

It shares its mechanical underpinnings with the Ford Ranger.

The mid-spec Style has the choice of either the Life’s twin-turbo four-cylinder engine or a Ford sourced 3.0-litre V6 diesel making 184kW and 600Nm.

Its priced at either $66,990 or $70,990 depending on the engine choice.

Equipment is boosted with 18-inch alloys, LED matrix headlights, sports bar, a 12-inch touchscreen and 12-inch digital instrument display.

Ambient lighting, faux leather appointed seats, dual zone aircon and keyless entry and start further boost it appeal.

The top-spec models dial up the premium feel.

Next up is the $75,990 PanAmericana.

The PanAmericana improves the Amaroks looks, with lots of black exterior styling highlights covering the 18-inch alloy wheels, bumpers, side mirrors, door handles and sports bar among others.

A leather covered dashboard and heated and electronically adjustable leather front seats give it a premium feel.

Topping the range is the Aventura that is available with the V6 diesel or a 222kW/452Nm 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine.

It costs $79,990 regardless of engine choice.

That’s $8800 more than the equivalent Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6, which costs $71,190 plus on-road costs.

It rides on huge 21-inch alloy wheels and is covered in chrome highlights and gets a more premium leather inside.

The Aventura and PanAmericana are the first models to arrive as Davies explains the top-end of the range is where the most demand is expected to be. The Core, Life and Style versions will follow soon after.