all-new VW Amarok driving REVIEW 2023 - Volkswagen’s Ford Ranger or more different than you think?
all-new VW Amarok driving REVIEW 2023 - Volkswagen’s Ford Ranger or more different than you think?
This is our in-depth review of the 2023 all-new VW Amarok. We’re taking a look at Exterior, Interior and the driving experience.
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00:00 all-new VW Amarok is a Ford Raptor sibling!
00:30 Mid-Blue Amarok Aventura
00:54 Amarok Panamericana in Beige
01:00 Amarok Style in Red
01:12 Base trim in White
01:26 Length, chassis and Ranger comparison
03:29 Rear design, towing and payload
03:51 Rear hatch and loading bed Double Cab
04:34 First look Single Cab
04:41 Measurement cargo area Double Cab
05:02 Low trim Single Cab vs high trim Double Cab
06:25 More Single Cab loading details
07:20 Roof tent (Alu Cab)
07:36 Interior: key fob and doors
08:05 Seating position and steering wheel
08:56 Base fabric seats
09:26 Animal skin seats in Aventura and Panmericana
09:42 Seating comfort and cockpit overview
11:04 Digital instruments
11:35 Infotainment system
12:59 Apple CarPlay and harman/kardon sound
13:28 Offroad driving modes
14:14 Lower middle console
14:29 Rear seats / bench double cab
15:50 Single Cab base trim interior
16:33 Engine choices
16:56 Driving all-new VW Amarok
17:17 Amarok vs Ranger steering and suspension
19:03 RWD or Auto AWD mode
20:45 Comfort while driving
20:28 Amarok onroad and Ranger offroad?
23:54 3.0 l V6 Diesel fuel economy vs 2.0 TDI
23:35 Gravel off-road driving
26:36 4H permanent AWD driving
28:23 4L rock climbing
#VWAmarok #VolkswagenAmarok #VW
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Content
0.84 -> Madam
1.68 -> Sir
2.721 -> welcome to this review of the all-new VW Amarok
6.36 -> here with Thomas on Autogefuhl for you
8.469 -> in 4K, full screen, and full length.
11.28 -> Let's go!
11.94 -> In this review, on-road and off-road.
15.24 -> How capable is the new Volkswagen Amarok
18.561 -> and also the sibling here, the Ford Ranger.
22.02 -> They are built together in the same plant.
23.82 -> We've had that one as the Raptor recently.
26.7 -> How similar are they?
28.68 -> What are the differences?
30 -> We'll tell you all about it.
31.2 -> This one here is in Mid Blue,
33.6 -> beautiful Thomas Blue color.
35.576 -> The Aventura trim, one of two top trim levels.
38.52 -> There you can see
39 -> the silver contrast right here.
40.62 -> Looks really beautiful.
41.82 -> It looks strong, but clean at the same time.
44.4 -> Big Amarok stamping right here.
46.735 -> Then headlamps, LEDs standard.
48.72 -> Matrix LED, the IQ.light is an option.
51.6 -> But we'll also have other trims for you today.
54.081 -> For example, the other top trim level
55.62 -> would be the PanAmericana.
57.06 -> That one in a beige color.
59.64 -> Or if you go a trim below that,
61.86 -> the Style trim here in the red vehicle color.
64.26 -> That will already have some design elements
66.78 -> but a little bit less, for example,
68.52 -> just the lower contrasting part.
70.401 -> And also what about the base trim level
73.02 -> here in the white vehicle color.
74.52 -> Then you have more plastic
75.84 -> at the lower end, for example,
77.4 -> and less design elements.
79.08 -> But also, lower entry price.
81.598 -> We'll soon also compare the interior
84.24 -> but let's continue here with the strong exterior.
86.82 -> You like my hat here for today?
88.26 -> You know, I always try to
89.82 -> dress accordingly to the vehicle.
91.62 -> That's one of my hobbies.
92.94 -> So some of it works very well.
95.16 -> Sometimes not too good.
96.72 -> But I think today, it does work, right?
98.94 -> The length in the new generation,
100.58 -> 5.35 meters or 211 inches.
103.14 -> And that means an overall length increase
105.24 -> of about 10 centimeters or four inches.
107.28 -> And the wheelbase increased even more,
110.94 -> 17 centimeters or seven inches.
114 -> Also has to do with the new Ford Ranger generation
116.7 -> because they are building it together
118.02 -> in the Ford plant here in South Africa.
121.44 -> The Raptor is built in Thailand
123.42 -> in a separate plant because
124.62 -> it also uses different parts,
125.94 -> but the chassis is the same
127.68 -> Ranger and Amarok indeed.
129.54 -> They have different stylings here.
130.92 -> For example, this Aventura, top trim,
132.84 -> comes with these chrome-like mirrors.
136.14 -> Sidesteps.
138.24 -> Roof rails, contrasting.
140.817 -> Then you have this massive sports bar right here
144.486 -> also with the Amarok Aventura logo.
147.585 -> This is a very beautiful styling indeed.
149.46 -> And about wheels, 16 to 18 inch.
152.58 -> It's also maximum available
153.78 -> with the all-terrain.
154.86 -> And then road tire's up to 21 inch.
158.04 -> These here are the biggest road tires
159.84 -> and they have a massive look.
161.16 -> Looks really cool,
162.812 -> but might they also reduce comfort?
164.22 -> We'll find out in their driving part.
166.32 -> So this one here is basically the road version.
169.425 -> VW also has indeed more road focus than Ford.
173.481 -> They also trim the suspension
175.26 -> a little bit stiffer
176.52 -> and also make the steering
177.72 -> a little bit more direct.
178.62 -> Whereas Ford, or of course also with the Raptor,
182.04 -> the maximum offroad version
183.935 -> more goes into this offroad direction.
186 -> But make no mistake,
187.44 -> this one is also very off road capable.
190.02 -> It has also like an 80-centimeter wading depth
192.84 -> or also the round 30 degrees
194.82 -> approaching angle in the front.
196.62 -> Of course, in this case then
197.94 -> you would need the all-terrain tires.
199.98 -> We'll also use them later on
201.12 -> on a different vehicle which is
202.56 -> more suitable for offloading.
203.88 -> But this one here to me,
205.02 -> the most beautiful road version there is,
207.24 -> both from Ranger and Amarok.
209.94 -> In the rear, a modern styling.
211.8 -> Really strong.
212.794 -> Here, cool signature with the taillamps
215.22 -> and then stamped-in Amarok badging right here.
218.637 -> Interesting that when you have
219.6 -> the V6 diesel, the strongest engine,
222.48 -> then you can also have
223.56 -> 3.5 tonnes in towing capacity.
226.26 -> It really depends on
227.52 -> the individual engine version.
229.618 -> Payload is 1.2 tonnes overall.
232.08 -> Oh, we already collected some dust here.
234.12 -> No wonder.
235.08 -> Then, let's open this rear hatch.
239.04 -> On the hatch actually, it's quite cool.
240.84 -> We have some cup holders.
242.94 -> And behind this rubber lip,
244.14 -> there's a measurement scale
245.04 -> for example, measuring like
246.48 -> a piece of timber that's on here.
248.22 -> On the Ranger Raptor,
249.24 -> we have these clamp openings here
250.92 -> that you can really secure it
251.88 -> but that's not the main purpose
253.56 -> of this vehicle here.
254.662 -> Of course, you can always have
255.66 -> a nice picnic on here.
256.68 -> And either from the front cabin,
258.42 -> you can open it
259.38 -> or with a button right here.
261.13 -> Then you can open this
262.68 -> top cover electronically.
264.06 -> It's a very cool feature
265.14 -> if you have that option.
266.16 -> But it looks fancy
267.06 -> and is of course a very practical thing
268.2 -> that I don't have to open it manually.
269.52 -> This is the double cab.
271.801 -> That means more cabin space,
273.07 -> less loading length.
274.5 -> There's also a single cab version
276.06 -> available then with a longer bed.
277.68 -> For example, for markets
279.72 -> like here, South Africa.
280.98 -> Europe concentrates on the double cab.
282.96 -> Here, the length overall
284.34 -> in the double cap is about
286.56 -> 1.60 meters or 61 inches.
288.96 -> And the width right here at the entry,
292.38 -> that's important, 1.20 meters or 47 inches.
296.541 -> Rugged material,
298.029 -> but it can also be a little bit more simple
300.692 -> as we show you here in the low trim.
303 -> And this is a direct comparison,
304.68 -> the top trim luxury version,
307.62 -> so to speak here, the Amarok Aventura
310.14 -> or the PanAmericana.
311.96 -> And then on the other side,
312.72 -> this is the workhorse here.
314.64 -> Single cab for the commercial vehicle variant
318.3 -> and also lowest trim here.
320.52 -> See here, the plastic clading
322.62 -> and everything in a simple style.
324.06 -> But I think it also looks pretty cool.
327 -> Here then, of course,
328.38 -> with the longer bed
330.238 -> and then of course a little bit less space.
332.82 -> So no rear bench in the front
335.28 -> and also a simpler interior.
338.34 -> We'll also compare it then
339.84 -> later on in the interior part.
340.98 -> You know, we are a channel of details.
343.26 -> Then we can take a detailed look here.
344.94 -> Look at that, the daytime running light
346.8 -> in the top trim.
347.64 -> And here, comparison to the base trim.
349.56 -> It's also different.
351.36 -> So...
352.329 -> This one also doesn't look bad at all.
354 -> But of course, you know,
354.9 -> this span here looks even more,
357.66 -> you know, just a little bit
359.34 -> more modern and luxurious.
360.66 -> And it becomes even more obvious here
362.82 -> when you activate the turning indicators
364.5 -> or hazard lights.
365.16 -> Here then, it replaces the daytime running light
367.44 -> and the same thing happens
369 -> on the other side then right here.
371.1 -> And in the back, base one here gets
373.32 -> a normal light bulb as turning indicator
375.54 -> whereas the top LED trim here
377.46 -> gets a small LED...
379.86 -> really small turning indicator.
381.96 -> Yeah, LED then
382.98 -> but it's tiny for such a huge truck, isn't it?
386.16 -> The double cab here
387.24 -> comparison to the singer cab,
389.94 -> the overall length is the same.
391.62 -> It's just this trade-off then
393 -> passenger versus more cargo space.
395.28 -> I think it really looks cool here
396.63 -> also in the commercial base version
397.86 -> when it's available in your market.
399.06 -> So why not save a lot of money
401.58 -> and go for that one then?
403.08 -> The battery of the cargo
version, the base version,
405.3 -> it folds down in a heavier way.
407.28 -> So the other one is indeed dampened.
409.02 -> Very interesting.
410.52 -> And then, you might remember...
411.84 -> Yeah, you can put like this here.
413.64 -> This water tank here.
414.72 -> With these tension belts,
416.04 -> you can secure up to 400 kilograms then.
418.2 -> That's also very interesting.
419.52 -> And the length, you might remember
421.14 -> it was 1.60 meters or about 62 inches
423.84 -> with the double cab.
424.8 -> Here the single cab is way longer
427.44 -> because no rear bench
428.28 -> but then you have bought like
429.84 -> 2.35 meters of the length
432.07 -> or about 92 inches.
433.86 -> You can see here, this two meter
435.24 -> or 88 inch stick here disappears completely.
440.64 -> And you can also get some
441.96 -> interesting third-party equipment,
443.58 -> not available from works,
444.96 -> but they're different suppliers
446.46 -> offering this, for example
447.54 -> like this roof tent.
448.56 -> Because this roof can also carry
450.42 -> 350 kilograms of weight.
452.46 -> So off-road outdoor camping, way to go!
456.868 -> This is the car key.
457.8 -> This is then clearly for design.
461.022 -> Not too great but also not bad.
463.089 -> Then, door closing sound here,
466.08 -> also not too good, not too bad.
468.9 -> Inside of the doors,
470.492 -> interesting is it's the same, of course,
471.9 -> for the Ranger and the Amarok.
473.1 -> Here, this special opening lever
476.22 -> is a very unique solution indeed.
478.08 -> And the materials here are also
480.18 -> more or less basic.
481.08 -> But important thing is here for your elbow,
483.48 -> you have this soft touch leatherette here.
485.7 -> Steering vision and steering wheel...
488.88 -> The hell!
490.5 -> Oh yeah, we got the steering
494.76 -> on the right side here for today
495.84 -> because these are the earliest
497.7 -> production versions, you know,
498.66 -> the South African market, for example
500.16 -> gets of course then,
501.42 -> the steering on the right side.
502.8 -> But there will also be
504.18 -> the left steering available
506.22 -> of course at a later stage.
508.498 -> Then let's take a look at the steering wheel.
510.055 -> It's really the same, of course.
511.32 -> Real buttons here on the steering wheel.
513.39 -> And this, the steering wheel,
514.68 -> like the controls,
515.58 -> this is more premium here in the VW version
518.1 -> than in the Ford actually.
520.258 -> And up and down, in and out,
523.14 -> it's a nice and smooth process indeed.
525.96 -> By the way, if you see
526.92 -> a contrast stitching right here,
528.3 -> that means it's an animal-skin wrap.
530.28 -> But base versions can also be
532.44 -> bought without an animal-skin wrap then
535.56 -> if you want to go completely animal-free.
537.24 -> As for the seats, the base version
539.34 -> would start with fabric seats
541.2 -> and they are actually the most breathable ones.
543.36 -> And then you can also keep the price low.
544.92 -> Mid-trim level Style,
546.54 -> we can not show you that one today
548.46 -> but that would be a seat with microfiber.
551.58 -> That could also be a cool solution
553.56 -> because mid-trim, already some more premium touch.
557.16 -> Not too much more money,
559.282 -> then also breathable microfiber.
561.66 -> It also looks more premium
563.04 -> than the pure fabric version.
564.18 -> That could be a cool tip.
565.62 -> And then these ones here in the Aventura,
568.44 -> these are actually animal-skin
570.12 -> seats with perforation.
571.26 -> And in the PanAmericana,
572.962 -> different structure without perforation.
575.58 -> Also animal-skin.
576.78 -> So if you want to go animal-free,
578.22 -> it's mid-trim level with the velour
580.44 -> with the microfibre, or base fabric.
582.66 -> And seating position and comfort is really good.
585 -> Also for long journeys,
586.86 -> no problem at all.
587.88 -> And yeah, there's plenty of headroom left
589.74 -> even with 1.89 or 6'2
592.534 -> The interior of the Amarok,
593.88 -> similar with the Ranger in a way
595.98 -> that we have the vertical screen layout.
598.38 -> We haven't seen that from Volkswagen yet.
601.172 -> However, will it change for Volkswagen?
603.72 -> We will see very soon.
604.56 -> Stay subscribed here.
606.225 -> And then you have the steering wheel.
607.68 -> We already showed that to you
608.88 -> with the real nice buttons
610.02 -> and digital instruments.
611.4 -> But you have two different sizes actually.
614.04 -> This is the big setup.
615.9 -> 2x around 12 inch.
617.938 -> The smaller would actually start 10 inch here,
620.7 -> and 8 inch on the other side.
622.74 -> However, you also still have
624.84 -> some manual buttons.
625.98 -> For example, in the lower part here,
627.42 -> a manual volume knob
629.34 -> with some clicking sound.
631.568 -> And also a drive-mode selector, for example.
633.84 -> Then you can pick the
different driving modes here.
636.84 -> And the front part here,
638.82 -> inductive charging pad.
639.96 -> USB-A and USB-C charging.
642.66 -> Then this shifting lever here,
644.22 -> really big, really massive.
647.4 -> That's what I said!
648.42 -> 'D' and 'R', reverse,
652.68 -> and also the reverse camera gets active
654.42 -> also with a fake drone view from above.
656.46 -> And the fun thing is
657.66 -> when you have it on Drive mode
658.98 -> and then shut down the engine
661.08 -> because you're finished driving,
662.88 -> here, it automatically goes forward.
665.16 -> Digital instruments,
666.54 -> looks really fancy indeed.
668.16 -> And the cool thing is
669.06 -> when you switch the driving modes,
671.04 -> then you have very nice visualizations
674.22 -> for each driving mode.
676.4 -> And this also basically comes
678.3 -> from this Ford idea.
679.62 -> They did that for the Ranger.
681.56 -> VW has implemented their own 3D animations,
685.8 -> and that looks really really fancy as well.
688.5 -> I love that.
689.46 -> It's an emotional feature.
690.54 -> You could say it's more like playing around.
693.391 -> But something just lovely to look at, isn't it?
695.94 -> Infotainment system,
696.84 -> it is the Ford back-end
698.7 -> but it is the VW front-end actually.
701.58 -> That is very interesting.
703.02 -> And you can see here, this is the GPS.
705.6 -> The car internal one.
708.6 -> It's actually also quite responsive
710.34 -> and it is one that is actually very reusable.
712.74 -> And here VW profits from Ford
714.6 -> because Ford has a better back-end at the moment
717.42 -> for the infotainment system
718.62 -> and so it's also more stable.
720.66 -> The temperature is selected
722.88 -> right here like this or like this.
724.86 -> Not my favorite thing indeed.
727.05 -> This is the seat heating.
728.22 -> Or here, the whole climate menu
730.26 -> where you can also then actually control
733.68 -> where the vents are coming from.
735.981 -> Like this.
736.68 -> This is also a very nice realization, isn't it?
739.44 -> And this top part here,
741.96 -> once again, the main menu,
743.34 -> here, you also have the vehicle settings.
745.246 -> You can, by the way here for this display,
748.905 -> select different modes.
750.36 -> So for example, Auto mode
752.4 -> or Dark or Light.
753.6 -> This would be the new Light mode.
755.82 -> There we go.
757.101 -> I prefer the Dark mode,
758.4 -> or set it to Auto so it adapts
761.22 -> according to the light.
761.94 -> Now what about the voice input
763.38 -> if the temperature unit's so complicated?
766.2 -> Set temperature to 22 degrees.
770.76 -> -Setting temperature to 24 degrees.
775.2 -> Well...
776.014 -> So it works in theory,
777.18 -> but that was the wrong direction indeed!
780.06 -> And Android Auto or Apple CarPlay integration.
783.12 -> It's really large indeed.
784.8 -> So let's take a look at that.
786.84 -> Here we go.
787.98 -> This is the overview,
788.94 -> or like this looks really crisp and clear indeed.
792.36 -> So I like that.
793.44 -> And yeah, that's old-school Trance music.
797.22 -> Harman Kardon sound system.
801.78 -> It's decent sound.
802.92 -> Not the best ones I've heard, you know.
805.08 -> But yeah, for music lovers,
807.12 -> you should go for the Harman Kardon system.
809.025 -> Then the drive mode selector.
810.12 -> This would be rear-wheel drive.
812.887 -> 4A is the all-wheel drive automatic.
815.58 -> It's predominantly rear-wheel drive
817.14 -> and just some front axle on demand.
820.989 -> That's actually the ideal mode
822.48 -> for most situations.
824.312 -> This one then, for offroad driving, 4H.
827.432 -> This is with the center differential lock then
829.38 -> that you have a 50-50 permanent
832.44 -> all-wheel drive actually.
834.18 -> 4L, then you have to put
836.76 -> the driving selector also to neutral
839.22 -> that it actually works.
841.544 -> And then there's the offroad
843 -> gear reduction for 4 Low
845.169 -> if you have even more
846.66 -> extreme offroad situations.
847.74 -> If it gets even more extreme,
849.658 -> then you have the rear
850.98 -> differential lock right here.
852.968 -> Front differential lock
853.86 -> like in the Ranger Raptor is not available.
855.48 -> Cupholders also with adaptive function.
858.429 -> It's decent.
859.681 -> And this armrest here is not that well attached.
862.217 -> That wouldn't happen in a VW vehicle, actually.
864.403 -> There you see it's more
865.144 -> the Ford build quality indeed.
867.303 -> Here underneath then with some more space.
870.114 -> Yeah, this is typical, you know,
872.074 -> a comment, this is like a meme here,
874.048 -> [Timestamp]: 'Thomas in the rear seats'
875.911 -> because sometimes it looks funny
877.658 -> when me as a tall person
878.996 -> sitting here in the back.
879.984 -> Headroom is no problem actually.
881.934 -> It works out for tall people
883.447 -> but legroom is very limited indeed.
885.733 -> So it only works if I use this recess.
888.536 -> So the front seat would need to be
891.227 -> a little bit higher.
892.948 -> Maybe like this.
894.12 -> Then it works.
894.9 -> But you know, as the seat was
896.76 -> as I was driving,
897.54 -> it's really cramped with the knee
899.46 -> so there's not much legroom
901.32 -> here in the rear.
902.16 -> That's for sure.
903.548 -> Then you can see here.
905.16 -> You can...
908.54 -> There it is.
909.04 -> Yeah, it's a tough one.
909.54 -> The cupholders, not adaptive though.
912.345 -> More basic build quality here indeed.
915.18 -> And with a rear bench here,
916.92 -> you can do to following things...
919.424 -> By the way in the lower part,
920.4 -> you'll also have 12-volt power supply
922.26 -> and a real power socket here.
924.72 -> That's quite cool.
926.001 -> Then here with that rear bench,
927.24 -> you can either fold down
929.1 -> this one here completely.
932.148 -> Not sure if is much used or something.
934.784 -> Maybe if you want to put some
936.72 -> more ragged things on here
938.04 -> and don't want to damage the seats.
939.718 -> And you can also here in the front,
941.52 -> you can pull out this one here
943.199 -> and then lift them bench up.
945.909 -> And then there's, for example here,
947.7 -> you know, like for changing tires and so on.
949.62 -> So some more small spaces.
951.48 -> And interesting also here,
952.74 -> the interior comparison in
954.36 -> the single cab and lowest trim.
956.34 -> Here first of all, with fabric seats.
958.68 -> So this is actually fitting quite nicely.
961.44 -> And they're also quite comfortable.
963.18 -> They also have some side support,
965.348 -> and they are actually a little bit
966.9 -> more breathable than the slick materials.
969 -> So very interesting indeed, why not?
970.56 -> Here, also with a manual gearbox.
972.66 -> And also the other screens,
975.24 -> told you earlier,
976.02 -> this one here is a little bit
977.52 -> smaller screen then here.
979.449 -> So a small screen on the left side
981.3 -> and also the smaller digital instruments.
984.12 -> And here, this is also the PU steering wheel.
986.22 -> So hard touch.
987.954 -> But actually overall,
989.637 -> for a base low trim level version,
991.44 -> it makes a good quality impression indeed.
994.08 -> Under the hat...
995.16 -> Under the hood, there is either
997.8 -> a 2.0L TDI
999 -> 150 horsepower/170 horsepower.
1001.28 -> Or with around 200 horsepower,
1003.14 -> then with twin turbo.
1004.22 -> Next up would be this one here,
1005.96 -> the 3.0L V6 TDI with around 250 horsepower,
1009.74 -> strongest diesel.
1011.178 -> Then you can also get on petrol side,
1012.02 -> a 2.3L EcoBoost by Ford.
1014.84 -> This one then with 300 horsepower.
1017.36 -> Welcome to Thomas's driving lounge
1019.34 -> here with the VW Amarok
1020.9 -> in the new generation.
1022.708 -> I'm driving the 3.0L V6 diesel,
1026.104 -> and this is the very powerful
1027.74 -> torque-intensive engine indeed.
1030.08 -> Here around 250 horsepower,
1033.291 -> so a very torque-intensive engine that is,
1035.72 -> so I always have good performance
1038 -> accelerating it out.
1039.2 -> First of all driving performance,
1041.42 -> what counts for all
1042.68 -> the different engine models is
1044.501 -> indeed, the VW has tuned the steering
1046.4 -> to a more direct input.
1048.352 -> The Raptor already for the Ranger version
1051.26 -> has a quite direct input.
1052.88 -> But here, the base VW input
1055.4 -> is just more direct in itself.
1057.618 -> It feels more passenger car alike.
1060.08 -> It is easier to steer,
1061.76 -> more fun on-road driving.
1064.16 -> And we'll see later on also,
1066.08 -> if it makes any problem in offroad driving.
1069.8 -> So what I mean by that here,
1072.02 -> look at that.
1072.74 -> There's no dead zone area from the steering.
1075.44 -> Always good command on the road.
1077.765 -> It's a lot of fun to steer it indeed.
1080.48 -> And yeah, oh...
1081.68 -> Yeah, here in South Africa,
1083.465 -> it can happen that you get
1084.56 -> from a road situation to an offroad situation.
1087.269 -> And then a vehicle like this is
1088.82 -> of course, a very suitable one.
1091.28 -> Yeah, we also have another
1092.48 -> beige Amarok in front of us.
1095.556 -> Now pulling out the camera
1096.86 -> to film us behind probably.
1099.185 -> Yeah, that looks really amazing indeed
1101.12 -> with the dust now.
1102.209 -> Yeah, and the thing is
1102.98 -> here with the 21-inch top wheels,
1105.68 -> yeah, they do reduce the comfort
1108.08 -> significantly indeed.
1109.58 -> So I would advise for better driving comfort.
1113.42 -> Stay with smaller wheels indeed
1116.524 -> even if it's road use.
1117.5 -> These wheels are, of course,
1118.76 -> best to show off to your friends.
1120.935 -> And when the road is even,
1122.884 -> then it's no problem at all, you know?
1125.605 -> As soon as you have some bumps in the road
1127.34 -> or some soft offroading,
1128.6 -> they will significantly reduce your comfort.
1130.82 -> So again, my tip would be
1132.32 -> stay with some smaller wheels.
1133.88 -> The suspension is not bad at all.
1136.52 -> But then in combination with the big wheels,
1138.92 -> a lot of bumps are being
1140.9 -> transported indeed to your body.
1142.88 -> That's what you have to put up with.
1145.46 -> Usually here, you would stay
1146.9 -> either in the rear-wheel drive-only mode
1148.64 -> or you would go with the 4H mode
1150.8 -> which I'm on at this moment.
1152.18 -> Because then predominantly,
1154.22 -> the rear wheels are always driven or powered.
1157.58 -> But then again, if you need
1159.62 -> some traction on the front wheels,
1161.9 -> it is always possible
1163.22 -> and they descend to the front wheels.
1165.32 -> And like this, you know,
1166.4 -> situation like here uphill
1168.8 -> and then maybe I accelerate
1170.54 -> a little bit harder or something,
1172.94 -> and then also the front wheels
1174.874 -> are attacking the road.
1176.3 -> There is also a gauge here
1178.04 -> in the instruments I can take a look at,
1179.66 -> and then I can always see
1181.16 -> the all-wheel-drive distribution in that case.
1184.16 -> So it's a very practical thing definitely.
1186.98 -> In general, the driving
position is very comfortable.
1189.44 -> You can also imagine longer rides.
1192.926 -> The microfiber seats or the fabric seats
1195.425 -> to me probably would be even more comfortable.
1197.6 -> I'm looking forward to drive
1199.58 -> the microfiber seats at a later stage.
1201.62 -> Because here, no matter if animal skin
1204.14 -> or leatherette surface,
1205.04 -> the slick surfaces are always
1206.6 -> a little bit harder from the surface.
1211.41 -> Here at the moment, I already have
1212.84 -> some power on the front wheels
1214.4 -> but more power on the rear wheels.
1216.02 -> So the rear-wheel bias indeed remains.
1218.36 -> Is there a big difference driving
1219.86 -> the Ranger and the Amarok.
1221.48 -> Indeed the difference is that
1222.62 -> the steering input here to me
1223.94 -> is a little bit more precise with the Amarok.
1225.86 -> That's what I really like.
1228.56 -> Suspension, I was talking to the engineers
1231.14 -> and they said they tuned it here
1232.7 -> a little bit stiffer for the Amarok
1234.2 -> to again, have a little bit more road focus.
1237.174 -> So when you're driving off-road,
1238.7 -> then it will be better with the Ranger.
1240.2 -> On-road, you will have more feeling
1242.48 -> for the car with the Amarok once again.
1245.272 -> Other than that, since chassis is also the same,
1248.369 -> it won't be the biggest difference.
1250.494 -> What I've felt now, you know,
1252.44 -> bit by bit is however that
1255.14 -> some of the materials being used
1256.94 -> and the user interface and so on,
1258.86 -> knobs on the steering wheel,
1260.548 -> is a little bit better with the VW.
1262.16 -> So when you're driving this one here,
1265.1 -> you may feel, let's say,
1268.28 -> less 'offroad rugged cool'
1270.86 -> but you feel a little bit more sophisticated.
1273.68 -> I think that's this kind of differentiation
1276.32 -> also from the exterior design.
1278.9 -> And it also delivers
1280.88 -> what it promises, you know?
1281.9 -> The Ranger with a little bit
1283.88 -> more offroad focus and this
1285.62 -> offroad design, exterior and interior.
1288.2 -> And the Amarok then,
1289.46 -> more with this 'on-the-road' emphasis
1292.168 -> both in exterior and interior design,
1293.78 -> and also driving-wise.
1295.16 -> And I think that's actually
1296.78 -> a quite clever choice to do that in that way.
1300 -> And if you want that, by the way,
1301.58 -> why have VW gone away from
1304.28 -> this separate setup anyway?
1305.9 -> Well if they would not have
1308.36 -> done this cooperation here with Ford,
1310.28 -> the Amarok would have died.
1312.44 -> There would have been no Amarok successor.
1315.86 -> And in this case for everyone
1320.3 -> who still wants to have an Amarok,
1322.744 -> you can still have it.
1324.376 -> Now they're waiting for us.
1325.58 -> Yeah, shall we get them the shots for the camera?
1328.58 -> Yeah, of course.
1329.9 -> The driving mode selector, I mean,
1332.12 -> usually, you could just leave it
1333.8 -> in the normal mode and that's it
1334.94 -> but there are different modes.
1336.905 -> For example, this is a slippery mode for example.
1341.3 -> Also here, deep snow and sand and so on.
1343.04 -> And then also the offroad functions
1345.74 -> adapt to that accordingly.
1347.54 -> But more to that definitely
1349.58 -> soon in our offroad driving part.
1351.2 -> On-road driving here so far is a lot of fun.
1354.08 -> You feel sophisticated.
1355.58 -> It is a truck and you get a lot of attention.
1357.98 -> We were driving just a couple of minutes and
1359.9 -> you know, people were lowering the windows
1361.76 -> like, 'Oh, what a cool truck!'
1364.1 -> It's really awesome.
1365.12 -> People love it actually design-wise.
1368 -> At the same time, it literally drives
1371.249 -> not like a huge truck
1372.5 -> but it drives as easy as
1374.66 -> a normal passenger car.
1375.92 -> And fuel economy, if you do some
1378.26 -> efficient driving here with the 3.0L V6,
1381.26 -> around 11 liters on 100 kilometers.
1384.02 -> 12 liters on 100 kilometers
1386.12 -> if you use the power a little bit more,
1388.46 -> if you also have some soft off-roading sections
1391.1 -> like gravel roads and so on.
1392.48 -> So that's around the 20 mpg mark US,
1395.84 -> and around 25 mpg UK.
1399.08 -> The smaller diesel's expected to
1402.08 -> consume a liter less of fuel on 100 kilometers.
1406.04 -> So a little bit, a couple more mpg plus.
1409.52 -> And the 2.3L petrol engine,
1412.76 -> we have to see about that.
1414.64 -> Probably also around in that range.
1416.96 -> And now to some offroad driving,
1419.06 -> we switched to a vehicle
1420.68 -> with 18-inch all-terrain tires.
1422.72 -> And I also can tell you more
1425.42 -> about differences then to the Ford Ranger Raptor.
1428.48 -> We've driven that one earlier.
1430.64 -> And here first of all,
1433.04 -> I'll just stay in the normal road mode
1435.74 -> because this is then...
1437.18 -> you can still for this car
1438.8 -> count as soft off-road driving.
1440.36 -> I also see the all-wheel drive
1443.18 -> distribution right here.
1444.701 -> And in that way, I predominantly
1447.14 -> drive rear-wheel drive.
1448.46 -> Not a strong obstacle yet.
1450.808 -> Here with these all-terrain tires,
1452.66 -> of course, I have been more confidence
1453.98 -> with these road 21-inch wheels
1456.02 -> where you have only hardly any dampening left.
1459.02 -> If you could directly compare it
1460.7 -> with the tires we had on the Ranger Raptor,
1463.16 -> of course, these were even more
1464.78 -> off-road suitable and softer.
1467.06 -> So the smaller you go with the wheels,
1470 -> the softer it will be
1471.14 -> and also better for offroad driving.
1473.42 -> And what you also feel in the Ranger Raptor,
1475.64 -> you had this adaptive suspension
1477.14 -> which did a great job actually
1479.54 -> in balancing everything out.
1482.24 -> That you had great road driving,
1483.62 -> at the same time,
1484.52 -> you also had great off-road driving.
1486.8 -> And here, definitely the VW setup
1489.14 -> from the suspension is
1490.04 -> a little bit stiffer on the road.
1491.6 -> That's good.
1492.498 -> But on off-road driving,
1493.64 -> this vehicle is still super capable, yes,
1496.1 -> but it's a little bit less
1497.66 -> comfortable then on off-road driving
1499.46 -> when it has this stiffer setup overall.
1502.34 -> The steering, as I said earlier,
1504.68 -> is also set out for road driving.
1507.294 -> Really cool-looking offroad track here, isn't it?
1509.729 -> However, the thing is that
1511.76 -> it's not too bad here either.
1513.26 -> So I don't need the
1514.4 -> off-road setup of the steering.
1515.6 -> I'd rather prefer the VW steering setup.
1517.88 -> It's a little bit more crisp,
1519.26 -> a little bit more direct.
1520.565 -> You feel what you're doing all the time.
1522.86 -> At the same time, when it gets
1524.42 -> a little bit more challenging,
1525.26 -> it's no problem at all actually.
1527.54 -> So it's a lot of fun to drive
1529.4 -> this vehicle off-road here.
1530.909 -> You have a good visibility here to the front.
1532.64 -> Here now with some, you know,
1534.68 -> leaning left and right.
1536.18 -> And so far, even that one,
1538.4 -> the car can easily do that
1540.62 -> in the normal driving mode.
1543.006 -> Because when I need some more
1545.42 -> torque on the front wheels,
1547.1 -> the car will do that automatically.
1548.6 -> As soon as it gets more challenging,
1550.972 -> then I would pick the 4H mode.
1553.82 -> That is then the permanent all-wheel drive,
1558.424 -> and it will be even stronger like
1560.66 -> with rock climbing and so on.
1562.34 -> This is then the time for the 4L
1564.86 -> then with the off-road gear reduction
1567.38 -> 4L, 4-Low.
1568.76 -> But you can really then
1570.14 -> adjust it to the situation and what you need.
1572.18 -> The thing is even when
1573.62 -> you're driving off-road,
1574.58 -> it is more fun to use the normal mode
1576.56 -> because you're just more flexible.
1578.12 -> You know, you have rear-wheel drive predominantly.
1580.565 -> When you don't need strong front traction yet,
1583.46 -> better leave it in that mode.
1584.9 -> You will have, you know,
1586.22 -> just more fun, just more maneuverability.
1590.24 -> Also when you drive a little bit
1591.38 -> faster offroad and so on,
1592.88 -> it will just feel more flexible, the whole vehicle
1595.4 -> and then you can adjust it bit by bit.
1598.58 -> Now it gets a little bit heavier
1599.9 -> and then we switch to the 4H
1604.64 -> and that means now we have
1606.38 -> permanent all-wheel drive
1607.46 -> because now I also needed front traction
1610.1 -> for this rock climbing, this crawling here.
1612.98 -> A little bit slower.
1614.18 -> I also have to pick my line wisely here
1617.72 -> because it's always critical
1619.1 -> that you do not damage the tires
1621.2 -> when you hit a stone in
1624.02 -> a very bad angle or something.
1625.58 -> And of course, it gets a little bit slower now
1627.38 -> but you know, this...
1629.24 -> Whoa!
1630 -> These offroad driving situations
1631.94 -> and the things on camera...
1633.32 -> I mean, you know,
1634.28 -> we were totally sideways now.
1636.02 -> And on camera, it looks so simple.
1639.32 -> But when you feel the G-forces
1641.66 -> here sitting in the vehicle,
1643.1 -> then you know what is actually happening
1645.68 -> and it's really an extreme situation.
1647.96 -> This vehicle is really
1650.18 -> very much offer capable.
1651.74 -> And I mean, this one I know...
1654.38 -> You know when we do off-road driving paths,
1656.24 -> there's always a comment like,
1657.44 -> "Oh, my Ford Fiesta can also do that."
1660.38 -> The first part, yes.
1661.46 -> This one, what we just did,
1664.34 -> probably not.
1667.172 -> And for now, the 4H is fine.
1670.7 -> This is not recommended for
road driving, by the way.
1673.94 -> You can theoretically,
1675.56 -> but you lose some agility
1677.3 -> because you have this distribution
1679.88 -> rear and front locked basically.
1682.04 -> I also see it here in the visualization.
1683.6 -> And you feel it when you turn in,
1686.06 -> it's not as extreme as with
1688.58 -> really old pickup trucks.
1689.78 -> But here you feel the turning circle
1691.46 -> is not as narrow and so on.
1693.62 -> So the car feels less agile,
1696.32 -> but you need it then, of course,
1697.58 -> for that front-wheel drive traction
1699.32 -> while offroad driving.
1700.28 -> Really beautiful offroad track
1701.54 -> we have here in South Africa
1703.46 -> near Cape Town today.
1704.9 -> And now it's time for 4 Low indeed.
1706.94 -> Put it to the neutral gear selector here,
1710.6 -> then I can switch it to the 4L.
1712.28 -> Is it off completely?
1713.96 -> Now I'm in 4L
1715.58 -> and this is then the mode of gear reduction
1718.94 -> so I have more... I cannot drive
1722.66 -> in a high speed or fast way now.
1724.94 -> But now I'm really slowly here
1726.68 -> getting on these trails.
1729.028 -> Now I have the best torque,
1731.24 -> the best traction for driving.
1733.684 -> Wow, this is...
1734.72 -> once again, on the camera,
1736.34 -> it looks not extreme, but it is extreme.
1739.4 -> Now there was some spin detected
1742.52 -> since I have now the offroad mode available.
1745.084 -> Yeah, and that might also be a case now...
1748.04 -> I might try the rear differential lock
1750.68 -> so that it's available then
1752.48 -> just with the press of the button
1754.16 -> because when the rear differential is locked,
1757.04 -> it does not activate it.
1757.7 -> It can happen.
1758.48 -> But for example, when one
1760.82 -> doesn't have traction at all,
1762.26 -> they just keep spinning, spinning, spinning.
1764.514 -> But that way now with a rear differential lock,
1767.06 -> both tires, left and right at the rear,
1769.76 -> they then work in the
1773.48 -> very, very same speed because
1774.68 -> they're locked by the differential lock.
1776.42 -> And then you have, you know,
1777.98 -> slowly even more traction
1780.02 -> at the side where you have
1782.42 -> traction on at this moment.
1784.16 -> And then you can almost get up anywhere.
1786.62 -> And yeah, we heard it earlier,
1787.94 -> the ascendance angle's also around 30 degrees.
1790.16 -> So you can really approach a lot of big things.
1793.16 -> Very important often driving technique is
1795.5 -> by the way, when you have something really
1797.54 -> you know, big head or like a big dip or something,
1800.9 -> we just did that as well,
1802.7 -> then you can approach it
1804.92 -> a little bit sideways with the front wheels.
1807.32 -> Because the same way,
1808.52 -> imagine you are going up a hill straight
1811.64 -> or you're going a hill up
1813.86 -> in serpentines, you know,
1815 -> like in curvy roads.
1816.2 -> That way, it's easier basically
1818.78 -> and not that steep.
1819.68 -> And the same happens with the front wheels
1823.34 -> that you can basically, you know,
1826.28 -> have a less steep approach then to it.
1829.04 -> A very important technique.
1830.729 -> Here of course, I can just go
1832.82 -> straight more or less.
1834.62 -> Now I'm not driving too fast,
1836.24 -> but I have to keep on the gas now
1837.98 -> that we can still make this up.
1840.38 -> Big challenge now for the vehicle.
1842.25 -> Whew! That's a lot of fun.
1845.54 -> Getting really rough now.
1847.1 -> Steady speed is very important.
1849.8 -> Slow but steady speed.
1851.06 -> And you've seen now here also,
1852.92 -> I'm keeping my thumbs on the steering wheel,
1855.2 -> not in the steering wheel
1856.52 -> as I recommendation for road driving.
1858.08 -> Because the steering wheel
1860 -> might change direction quite quickly
1862.7 -> and that could actually dislocate my thumbs.
1865.46 -> And yeah, if you still want to
1867.14 -> see some Autogefuhl reviews in the future,
1868.7 -> that might not be a good idea
1870.56 -> to dislocate the thumbs right now.
1872 -> So here now, going in these really big dips.
1875.48 -> Car's also sliding a little bit
1877.04 -> because the ground is a little bit sandy.
1879.26 -> So a very challenging offroad terrain here
1881.36 -> but yeah, definitely very offroad capable.
1883.82 -> Not as offroad capable
1885.44 -> as the Ranger Raptor, of course,
1886.88 -> because that is just such a special version then
1890.06 -> of the Ford Ranger sibling.
1892.34 -> But definitely for
1893.42 -> a more or less 'normal' VW Amarok,
1896 -> yeah, definitely also a step ahead.
1898.28 -> So if you compare the offroad capabilities,
1900.62 -> previous generation to this generation Amarok,
1903.74 -> it definitely has been enhanced
1906.2 -> and even more comfortable
1907.04 -> with more offroad-ish tires.
1909.534 -> And you know, with even smaller rims.
1913.1 -> But overall, still also
1915.32 -> very impressed with this one here.
1916.55 -> You can do off-road
1917.6 -> and also in a very, let's say, easy manner.
1920.42 -> You don't have to be
1921.32 -> the biggest offroad expert.
1922.82 -> Of course, I already have some
1924.44 -> offroad experience meanwhile
1925.88 -> over the last 10 years.
1926.9 -> But it's very, you know,
1929.3 -> a very likeable handling
1930.74 -> also here on offroad driving.
1931.76 -> And now tune in to the Ford Ranger Raptor review
1935.3 -> recently in this new generation
as well to compare it.
1938.3 -> Or, the previous generation Amarok
1940.46 -> if you want to buy one used.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGV3ZoXZ4kQ