You probably don’t need reminding after all this time, but the latest Volkswagen Amarok is a Ford Ranger in disguise. In some respects not a great disguise, because shared hard points mean it still looks very much like the Ford donor vehicle from some angles; but a comprehensive one at the same time, because it has different body panels (check out its signature-Amarok squared-off wheel arches) and a different interior, including unique seats and a VW-specific skin over the infotainment operating system.
Click here to read our Volkswagen Amarok Aventura review
VW has also gone to great pains to create an Amarok-identity with unique models, especially at the top end of the range.
We’ve previously tested a couple of Aventura models, the V6 turbo-diesel and one of a limited-run of turbo-four petrol models. To recap: Aventura is the more glitzy, road-oriented luxury model.
But we’ve just had a refresher in the PanAmericana, which is the more rugged, 4x4-focused version. No, there’s nothing dramatically different about this model to the one launched back in 2023, other than the fact we haven’t spent much time in it to date, and it’s now available in this stunning Reed Green Metallic colour. Hey, we’ll take it.
We said it back at launch and we’ll say it again now: VW has done a great job of making Amarok its own.
The PanAmericana is $5000 cheaper than the Aventura, but there isn’t really a hierarchy here; they’re more just two different expressions of the same top-end truck. The difference is more down to the likes of the Aventura’s bigger wheels and flasher upholstery... including more sumptuous floor mats.
If you prefer the bling of the Aventura feel free, but for our money the more off-roady character of the PanAmericana is more pleasing to the eye and, ironically, more comfortable for on-road driving anyway because it’s a little softer.
You can only have the PanAmericana with the big 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine and it’s a delight, serving up a wave of lazy torque.
Reality check: powertrain-wise, both are identical and both carry their components straight over from Ford. Same ground clearance, approach/departure angles and wading depth (800mm) too, so any real difference in 4x4 ability comes down to the PanAmericana’s smaller wheels/all-terrain tyres and more compliant suspension. And perhaps the fact that the Aventura looks way too shiny to be driven over rocks, whereas a load of mud and even a bit of superficial damage would look right at home on the PanAmericana.
You can only have the PanAmericana with the big 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine and it’s a delight, serving up a wave of lazy torque that propels the big truck forward effortlessly. That’s thanks entirely to Ford (the engine’s from Ranger, but ultimately sourced from the American F-150). Big ups to VW for giving the Amarok’s chassis its own character, though.
Make no mistake, Amarok is very much a version of the Ranger, just as the new Transporter van is derived from the Ford Transit. But we said it back at launch and we’ll say it again now: VW has done a great job of making Amarok its own.