Volkswagen Amarok VS Toyota Hilux
Over the last year I often check to see which articles gets the most hits on my blog. To my surprise, my article about the Scirrocco VS Gholf 6 is the hot pot favourite, month-on-month! I decided to take up the challenge of test driving two cars again, this time with a little twist. As you know by now, I am a small town girl who comes from Robertson aka Toyota country. Like my close friend Louise once said: “Robertson is so patriotic towards Toyota that even the messed up old “bakkies” are Toyota”!
But this last week I decided to go the different route.... Volkswagen just launched their brand NEW “bakkie” called the Amarok which I decided to test drive and compare to the Hilux. This is only my personal opinion based on my own personal experience.
I don’t want to bore you with “silly” specs, but I need to mention a few very interesting facts before I run you through my experience (pssssst... keep it in mind when you try to persuade your husband or boyfriend to buy one for “himself”)! The Amarok is Volkswagen’s first bakkie ever to be produced in Argentina. It is built with a 2 litre engine unlike its counterpart, the Hilux, that’s a 3 litre engine. Now some of you may think a 2 litre means less power compared to a 3 litre..... I might just prove you otherwise (see the table below)! As you all know, everything and anything is going green these days! It’s not just a fashion statement it is a necessity and it’s here to stay! The reason why Volkswagen decided on a 2 litre bakkie is because it works/drives on much less fuel (7.9 litre per 100km) compared to the Hilux (10.5 litre per 100km).
Another big reason for the 2l is because from next year ALL bakkies will be taxed on CO2 gas. This means that if you own a Amarok you will pay R7 524 tax per year and if you are the lucky owner of a Hilux you will be taxed R14 279 per year. Go and subtract the two..... R6 755! I could have bought a few pairs of shoes with that money! Thats only 2 reasons why.... Now you would wonder but does it still perform as well as the 3 litre Hilux in the sand or in the bush? According to Morne that went to a 4x4 Amarok course/day this Bad boy does. Apparently Toyota sent all of their car dealers on courses all around SA en Australia to teach them how to promote the Toyota Hilux against clients that might be more interested in the Amarok than their own Hilux. Now that’s damage control for you!
Don’t understand me wrong, I have nothing against Toyota! I drive a RUN X and I love my car, but times have changed and the world has to change too. Toyota over the last 5 years have brought out nothing new regarding the Hilux Raider group when it comes to specs and interior. Now that’s where the Germans were clever.... They had enough time to study Toyota and to bring out a bakkie that’s better than the Hilux in a many of ways. If you do not believe me, go for a test drive and you will be amazingly surprised, just like I was!
Here is just an interesting little table that I would like to add for all my male readers and female readers that’s as enthusiastic about cars as I am:
| Model | VW AMAROK 2.0 BiTDi HIGHLINE D/CAB | TOYOTA HILUX 3.0 D-4D 4X4 RAIDER D/CAB |
| PRICE | R 390 000 | R394 700 |
| CO2 (g/kg) | 208 g/kg | 287 g/kg |
| CO2 TAX in Rand | R7 524 | R14 279 |
| POWER | 120@4000 | 12@3400 |
| TORQUE | 400@1500-2000 | 343@1400-3200 |
| TRANSMISSION | 6 SPEED M, SELECTABLE 4WD, REAR DIFF LOCK | 5 SPEED M, SELECTABLE 4 WD, REAR DIFF LOCK |
| SUSPENSION F | DOUBLE WISHBONE, COIL SPRINGS | DOUBLE WISHBONE, COIL SPRING |
| SUSPENSION R | SOLID AXIE, LEAF SPRING | SOLID AXIE, LEAF SPRING |
| BRAKING | EBD, OFF ROAD, ABS, ESP, HILL DESENT ASSIST, HILL HOLD ASSIST | ABS |
| GVM | 2820 kg | 2760 kg |
| LENGTH | 5254 mm | 5255 mm |
| WIDTH | 1954 mm | 1835 mm |
| HEIGHT | 1834 mm | 1850 mm |
| WHEELBASE | 3095 | 3085 |
| FUEL TANK | 80 litre | 80 litre |
| LITRES/100KM | 7.9 litre | 10.5 litre |
| TOWING CAPASITY | 2800 | 1500 |
| PAYLOAD | 1047 | 870 |
| SERVICE PLAN | 5 years/90 000 km’s | 5 years/90 000 km’s |
| SERVICE PER HOW MANY KM? | 15 000 KM | 10 000 KM |
| WARENTY | 3 YEARS/100 000 KM | 3 YEARS/100 000 KM |
| FILTER REPLACEMENT FOR DIESEL | 15 000 KM | 10 00O KM |
|
Servicing after woods | Every 15 000 km R1400-R2200 and every 120 000 km R6850 (depends on garage labour cost) | Between R1600 –R2400 for a small service (every 10 000 km). Over R3500 for a big service every 40 000 km. (depend on garage labour cost) |
Now from a emotional point of view....
...I really enjoyed driving the Amarok! Not only is a great bakkie, it’s ascetically pleasing with stylish lines, elegant interior and the comfort of a Touareg! I put together a clip that I posted on YouTube where you can see how the test drive went (link below). I would love to share a few things that caught my attention:
- On the inside, as a 1.83m tall lady, I found there was more than enough leg room in the front and in the back. The seats cannot only adjust from front to back but also from side to side and the height is also adjustable. The back seats is what they call “cinema” seats which means that the angle follows the natural lines of your body. In a Toyota you sit up straight with minimal leg room.
- There is three 20W sockets in front where you can put your GPS, rather than sticking it on the windshield, as shown on the clip. There is also a socket on the back of the bakkie where you can plug in a fridge to keep your drinks or food cool when you go camping....
- The cup holders in the front can be used as a ashtray that is easy to use and clean.
- Climitronic... need I say more.
- My FAVOURITE – the REST button in front, which comes in handy when you go shopping and have to park in the sun. It basically keeps circulating cool air from the aircon that has been switched off to ensures that you get back into a nice cool bakkie rather than a oven!
- Then you can also add perks like Bluetooth which connects automatically to your phone when you get into the car .
- I love the fact that with a push of a button your bakkie can convert to a 4x4, even when driving 120km/h. Mind blowing! Rear dif lock, on-road traction control... you name it and it’s available with the touch of a button!
- Next year they will be importing a single cab so watch this space! Plus bakkies with less interior perks with the same specs but less in price.
- The amazing interior that makes you feel like you are driving a car rather than a bakkie!
- The aerial that you would normally find on the roof is now situated inside the side mirror!
- If you ever have to transport a wooden pallet that they use on farms, especially fruit farms, the Amarok manufacturers made sure that there is enough space to fit them in perfectly. Plus you have a button in the front to switch on the light inside the back of the Canope.
Volkswagen really did their homework well and improved on everything that the Hilux currently has. So now all you have to do is weigh the two up and decide for yourself. I finally realized the other day why Volkswagens indicator is situated on the left side and not on the right.... I broke my right arm and only then did it make sense to me to have all your functions together on the left side in order for you to control you car with one hand without it being a haste! Noggals slim!
Please enjoy my video on the following link and post me your comments.
Just a special thanks to Morne Visagie McCarthy Volkswagen who is passionate about cars as I am. If you would like to book a test drive with him or book for the 4x4 day that they will be planning soon you can contact him at +27 21 929 6000 or mornev@mcmotor.co.za
PS. Watch this post for the follow up 4X4 day article!
Ciao Till my next post
Sybil x