Comparative assessment of the 2023 VW Amarok and Ford Ranger trucks
The Ford Ranger Sport V6 and the Volkswagen Amarok Panamericana are two formidable pick-up trucks vying for the attention of discerning buyers. However, when it comes to on-road practicality, the Ford Ranger Sport V6 stands out as the clear winner.
The Ford Ranger Sport V6, priced at $66,690, boasts a 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine that delivers strong power (184kW/600Nm), ensuring smooth, tractable performance that enhances overtaking and trailer control on highways. This superior dynamic stability on-road sets it apart from the Amarok Panamericana, which is priced at $75,990.
Reviewers have praised the Ranger's suspension, which is well-tuned for both load carrying and on-road comfort. The softer suspension options in the Sport and Wildtrak trims deliver one of the most comfortable pickup rides available, surpassing competitors including the Amarok. The Ranger V6's quiet cabin and refined road manners also contribute to its on-road appeal, with less rattling and a more settled experience on city and freeway driving than many rivals.
While both vehicles manage road irregularities well, the Ranger's slight rear-end jiggle when unladen is a minor drawback. However, this is a trade-off that is justified by the Ranger's superior on-road performance.
The Amarok, which shares the same V6 engine, faces a challenge in balancing working capability and daily drivability. The Ford's chassis tuning and suspension setup give it an edge in this regard. The Amarok's V6 is described as smoother and more tractable than the base Ranger diesel and is tested favorably against the Amarok.
Fuel economy is not a strong suit for either vehicle, but the Ranger’s V6 performance justifies the trade-off in real-world practicality.
In terms of features, the Ranger Sport V6 comes equipped with leather trim for the steering wheel and seat bolsters, a 10.1-inch centre screen, and wireless charging for your phone and wireless connection to both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. On the other hand, the Amarok offers standard tyre pressuring monitoring, a 640W eight-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system, and a sleeker Digital Cockpit Pro screen in the dash binnacle.
The width across from the center console to the door is 60cm in the Ranger and 53cm in the Amarok. Access to the rear seats is reasonably good in both vehicles, although the Amarok's wider side steps (150mm versus 138mm) may cause discomfort if one leans into the vehicle. Selecting drive modes is quicker and easier in the Amarok than the Ranger.
Both vehicles use the same 2.0-litre Biturbo and 3.0-litre V6 diesel engines, and the Amarok also offers a 2.3-litre Ecoboost petrol engine. The Ranger's steps, notched into the side of the wraparound rear bumpers, make jumping into the back of the tray very easy. Rear legroom in the Amarok is marginally more generous than that of the Ford.
Both vehicles feature 80-litre fuel tanks, offering a typical distance of 1000km between fills. Braked towing is rated at 3500kg for both, and payload is more or less lineball too, 1030kg for the Ford, 1031kg for the Volkswagen.
The new generation Volkswagen Amarok is based on the Ford Ranger, which was launched last year. The Amarok features a ruler on its tailgate, six tie-downs, LED lighting, but no 12-volt connection. It also has a 3.5-tonne rated tow bar and a 12-pin trailer plug.
Each ute runs a version of Ford's Sync 4 system, Volkswagen's iteration heavily reskinned. It can be prone to dropping the wireless phone mirroring connection on occasion and then being unable to reacquire it without a hard reboot. The Amarok's forward collision alert system seems somewhat neurotic, sounding a loud and urgent beep when it thinks you're about to rear-end something.
In conclusion, while both the Ford Ranger Sport V6 and the Volkswagen Amarok Panamericana are capable pick-ups with similar powerplants, the Ford Ranger Sport V6 stands out for superior on-road comfort, controlled dynamics, and refined driving experience, making it more practical for everyday on-road use than the Volkswagen Amarok Panamericana.
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