Read also:
ryobi electric blower vac review bauhn 55 inch tv review ozito blower vac replacement bag eulactol cuticle and nail cream teka heat pump dryer review lg gb-310nwl review safe n sound millenia review bas phillips gel memory foam pillow
Volkswagen Amarok 2H (2011-Present) (page 7 of 7)
Reviewer Photos & Videos
PastyHobart
- 8 reviews
Competent all wheel drive
The Amarok TDI420 dual cab is a competent all wheel drive. Volkswagen has given it all the electronic superpowers you would expect in a modern car and tuned all them all to be barely noticeable - except down hill cruise-control. Even the base model - which I have - has a dozen three letter systems, abs, asr, edl, esp, brake assist, hill start, etc., good for you if you know what all these mean, in this car you don't need to know, they work when needed and they work unobtrusively.
The fun police can be felt quietly settling the more rowdy at...Read more
tempts to slid the car through gravel corners. But often the stability control light will be flashing and the car will be straightening up before you feel - or hear - the stability systems working. Traction control does its best work when one rear wheel is off the ground. The engine is small (it must be said), the auto box is super smooth and with the car`s weight & constant four wheel drive, traction control wont be taxed on dry asphalt. Think of the traction control as part of the off-road "let's not get bogged" system. The aftermarket rear locking diff the most used "traction control" system in the previous ute - Mazda BT50 - wheel spin was a constant pleasure / problem in that car, locking the rear axle was the only way to make it to behave. The Amarok's locking rear diff serves a less critical role, in normal driving the all wheel drive & traction control will sort most problems before you go looking for the diff lock button. Locking the rear diff for pulling a trailer up a wet boat ramp or a horse float across a greasy paddock maybe? The base model driver has only 3 ways to interact with the car's systems, the dirt road button, the esc button, and the Drive / Sport gear box modes. - The dirt road button changes a lot, the fun police swaps out the big city detective for a generous country copper, the gearbox gets more playful and lets the engine rev a bit more, and, you get down hill descent.1 comment
Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
MrNuclearYeronga
- 3 reviews
- 4 likes
Workhorse with style
I'm reviewing the TDI420 8-Speed Auto (2013) which I've had now for 4 months. I absolutely love this ute, my rating (if I could give it) would be 4.5, it just lost a half a point for a few minor issues.
Firstly the good: It drives like an SUV and I found it similar to my dad's Subaru Forester in terms of handling. You do notice that you're driving a big ute but it's nowhere near as cumbersome as say a Navara or Hilux (which I've driven both occasionally). The interior is top class and I'd recommend forking out the little bit extra for the l...Read more
eather seats as these make the world of difference. I got them mainly so they'd be harder wearing but they are just all class. Very roomy inside. The looks, obviously - classic VW styleing. The little things like 12V port on top of the dash for GPS and in the trayback, tie-down points, storage compartments under front seats, large door pockets. The multi-attachment points are great and worth a mention - I've got a third-party mobile phone holder (Brodit) that is fantastic, the phone sits in there solidly and doesn't bounce about. I'm thinking of getting the cupholder attachment for the passenger side one. Very capable offroad, the only thing I wish I had gotten were slightly bigger tyres (All-terrain) and kept the road tyres in the garage for resale. Underbody like a tank and well covered with paint. Tray light hidden in rear-window brake light. And the not-so-good: indicators on the left - not as big a deal now I'm used to it, but when I get in my wife's car I do keep turning the wipers on by mistake. To fold the back seat down is a hassle (tab at either end), lucky you don't have to do it very often, just taking the child seat in & out. Cruise controls are fiddly little buttons on top of indicator arm. The voice assist button thing is on the steering wheel and I keep pressing it accidentally when palming the wheel, so it interrupts my music and says 'main menu' before I press it again. First world problems, I know. The main downside is the 'Turbo-lag' - when in 1st, starting from a dead stop, there is a lag in acceleration which is annoying, at best. When there's a break in traffic and you need to go quickly, you don't and you end up pulling out slowly in front of someone.. Now, I've heard from other sources online that the problem is rectified after about 15,000 kms, as I've only done 5,000 I can't comment on that. If, after 15,000 it does go away, my review is changed to a 5. offroad ability, comfort, carrying capacity, style tubo-lag?, minor stuff1 comment
Euro car's indicators are on the left side -- that inc. Ford Mondeo. Yep you need to get used to it and keep your head clear if you have another car that's not an European...... like I do......
Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
horseslaveToodyay, WA
- 13 reviews
- 11 likes
Family vehicle that can tow a horse float
I bought the TDI420 - the automatic model. I'm not an off roader, but I live in the country on a gravel road and have a few acres, so use 4WD options sparingly, though I do need them at least half a dozen times a year.
When I started out looking for another dual cab ute to replace my ageing Navara, I thought I was looking for the best towing capacity vehicle that I could also use as a family car. Once I drove the Amarok I changed my criteria to the best family car that could also tow a horse float.
It only has a 3 tonne towing capacity, b...Read more
ut when I reviewed my needs, I realised this was quite within my requirements - I probably wouldn't be happy towing above that weight with this sort of vehicle, even it some claim they can handle 3.5 tonne. I found this vehicle drives like a car, even though it looks rather truck like. On paper I didn't see too much that I thought would change my mind, but once I DROVE the thing, I was converted. Minor drawbacks are the European layout with the indicator and wipers swapping sides from what I'm used to driving. Some of the buttons are fiddly. Takes some getting used to but I'm getting there. Doesn't have a temperature gauge.5 comments
Am having some minor problems with the torque convertor at present, hopefully VW will be able to sort out for me.
Hi, thanks for the review. I'm looking to buy one, though I have heard there has been quite a few recalls on the vehicle and the gear boxes and very noisy (clunking out of first gear). Has this happened to you?
The only issue I've had is with an error message (flashing spanner alternating with gear selection) which occasionally pops up when the vehicle is first driven in the morning - apparently something to... Read more
do with the torque convertor. If I pull over and turn off the engine and restart, it's all fine. As it's an 8 speed I don't think it's the quietest gearbox I've ever heard, but it's quieter than my Navara was. I kind of expect a bit of noise from a diesel. It has never clunked out of gear.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Find out how Volkswagen Amarok 2H (2011-Present) compares to other Utes
Know better, choose better.
Hard coreBRISBANE
- 3 reviews
- 1 like
Not off road, but a nice ride
Amarok 2 wheel drive may not be on your register, but for $15,000 less than the off road version, it is the same body, interior, suspension and engine drivetrain, except for the additional 300Kg load provided by the 4WD componentry.
Beautiful dash. Same as all the VW range - nice, clean, 'modern', simple and well designed.
No wonder it won 4WD of the year last year.
Rear seats are comfortable, plenty of leg room.
Tray is wide enough for a full sized palet. Takes two palets at a time. Entry level model allows for tailgate to be lowered vertically for heavy loads such as stone baths, packs of marble, etc.
Simple twin turbo solution makes it fast, torquey, efficient and only 7.2ltrs/100 klm.
...Read more
1 comment
I agree with HardCore to a certain extent but our Amarok seemed lethargic after a few months. We not sure if it is because we are so used to other utes like our VNT Hilux and Ford Ranger. We got them... Read more
(dual cabs with air cond) within 14 months. The worst part is when I inquired for certain spare parts for the Amarok out of curiosity and was shocked at how costly it was!!! Many moving parts in the Amarok is not covered by normal warranty. Strangely what I find the Amarok now to be not as fun to drive as it was when new.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Questions & Answers
Mubarak P.asked
Is it good car amarok tsi 2.0 2012 model?
1 answer
Mine has got to 98000Klm. So far, the brakes needed to be changed discs and pads. VW charge like wounded bull to change. Idler/tensioner pulley about to fail, changed at same time. I have the manual 6spd. Drops out of gear in 5th and 6th towing along highway. I'm told by VW that nothing is wrong with vehicle as they couldn't get it to fault. It stalls in 1st gear and doing steep off-road work, in tight corners etc. Auto is very flat on acceleration, don't expect great things. Goes well on highway. Just had alternator go at 98000Klm as well. Ford Ranger would definitely serve you better. Look into Landrover V6TDI if you have the $$$. Much better vehicle, if you don't especially need a utility or trayback. Good luck mate.
Arthur A.asked
Has anyone had issues on Amaroks with water getting into tail lights and causing extensive damage, becoming dangerous to drive by going into limp mode or cutting out, and ridiculous quotations to repair?
2 answers
I HAVEN'T.I have other serious problems and have huge issues dealing with them.
before having fun with an Amarok, prepare the car !!! put on breather-kits on the gearbox and axles . isolate wiring as much as possible . these cars (standard ) are NOT for off-road ! a simple toyota hilux from the 90's is better prepared, has it's own breathers, is better protected to drive in high waters/dirt/off-road.
I've seen these problems with the amarok .....only a couple a hundreds kilometers, and the box completely destroyed.
Paulasked
Are the lights the same on a 2015 and 2018 Amarok and can you put the LED lights in the 2015 model
No answers
ieatwords.com.au has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence our content moderation policies in any way, though ieatwords.com.au may earn commissions for products/services purchased via affiliate links.
Pasty
After 6 months of the VW Amarok I haven't changed my mind on the car. It is still competent, stable, and comfortable and has no squeaks or rattles. Something fell of inside the drivers door but was ... Read more
fixed under warranty. The 2 litre engine is a gem, humming along the highway or crawling up a muddy track loaded with firewood I rarely wish for more. More litres would help overtaking, and with gravel road drifting, but, with the cruise control on 100km you wont be overtaking, and the stability control doesn't allow opposite lock anyway. Sure a 3 litre engine wouldn't hurt, but I no longer want one.