2018 Volkswagen Amarok V6 Highline review

Not to be outdone by the entry of the ram 1500 pick-up truck, Volkswagen NZ have released a longer wheelbase Amarok XXL to the market to indent order.

The Amarok V6 Highline XXL arrives hot on the heels of the launch of the new high-power 190kW Amarok Aventura V6, but it retains the lesser powered 165kW TDI V6 engine allied to an eight-speed automatic and 4Motion all-wheel-drive.

The XXL wheelbase option has been available to European markets through Volkswagen dealers since 2013, and it was largely designed to cater for commercial users who were carrying bulky items or emergency services looking for an all-terrain ambulance.

In the local market Volkswagen New Zealand boss Tom Ruddenklau believes the Amarok XXL will appeal to buyers in the rural and forestry sectors who will value its extra capacity but still want the driveability that the all-wheel-drive V6 4Motion model offers.

For the sum of $16,700 the wheelbase of the standard Amarok V6 Highline is extended by another 650mm between the rear wheel arches and the back of the cab body. All 650mm of extension goes into the rear tray which now has a length of 2205mm, and the Amarok XXL has an overall length of 5904mm.

There is also the option of a shorter 310mm wheelbase extension called the XL for the asking price of $12,700.

Both the XL and XXL Amarok models have a braked towing capacity of 3100kg, while the non braked towing capacity is 750kg, and both have a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3290kg.

Fuel consumption for both the XL and XXL is quoted at 8.1l/100km and C02 emissions are 212g/km.

However the XXL has a payload capacity of 911kg in the extended tray which is fewer than the 951kg payload capacity of the XL. Naturally the XXL has a higher kerb weight of 2379kg in comparison to the lighter XL at 2339kg.

The extension to the tray and chassis are carried out by a Volkswagen factory approved supplier in the Netherlands called Veth Automotive. Veth Automotive also supplied the hard-wearing waterproof spray in liner found in the Black Amarok XXL pictured here as well as the extended side bar.

Other accessory options available from Veth Automotive for the Amarok XXL and XL include a “Mountain Top” roll cover for the tray and an integrated chromed Sports bar. Custom built canopies and other options for the tray are also available upon request.

Apart from the extended wheelbase, lengthened drive shaft, and modified rear leaf spring suspension, the XXL is no different to the standard 165kW Amarok V6 Highline, in terms of overall performance, comfort and handling on the road.

However, you do really notice the impact of the extra 650mm of length, when trying to find an on street car park in urban areas and also when manuevering the beast in tight spaces such as supermarket car parks and the like.

Specification wise the XXL mirrors the standard length Amarok V6 Highline. Inside it retains the same two-tone leather upholstery, multifunction leather clad steering wheel, multifunction display screen, touchscreen multimedia system, optional seat heaters, and cruise control function.

Despite the challenge of finding a big enough parking space for it, overall we enjoyed our time with the Amarok XXL, and made practical use of the extended tray when taking a load of green waste to the local refuse transfer centre.

But we believe that prospective buyers are more likely to use the Amarok XXL for leisure activities rather than as a workhorse because it will easily accommodate mountain bikes, trail bikes, surfboards, skis, windsurfers and many other types of sports gear in that enormous rear tray.