Volkswagen Amarok V6 Ultimate vs Ford Ranger Wildtrack review

Volkswagen Amarok Highline: from $67,990 plus on-road costs. 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel; 165kW/550Nm; 8-spd auto; 7.8L/100km; AWD

Ford Ranger Wildtrack: from $60,090 plus on-road costs. 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo diesel; 147kW/470Nm; six-speed auto; 9.0L/100km; 4WD

Value

Amarok

At $67,990 (plus on-road costs), the range-topping Amarok V6 Ultimate is the most expensive dual-cab ute currently on-sale in Australia, and therefore starts this test on the back foot against the top-of-the-line Ranger Wildtrack.

For that, the Volkswagen has the most powerful engine in its class, comes standard with an eight-speed automatic, rides on 19-inch alloy wheels, has a full leather interior with heated front seats, dual-zone climate control and an 8.0-inch multi-media screen with sat nav, reverse camera, Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay.

But it's also missing some key safety gear, including airbag coverage for rear seat passengers and the latest active driver aids such as adaptive cruise, emergency braking and lane departure warning ? all of which are included in the Ranger.

Ranger

The Ranger XLT which sits one rung below the Wildtrack has been Drive's Best Ute champion in our Car of the Year awards for the past two years. At $60,090 (plus on-road costs) when fitted with a six-speed automatic, it immediately offers a compelling case against the Amarok.

When you consider it also comes with a leather-trimmed cabin that features dual-zone climate, heated front seats and a multi media display with Ford's latest Sync3 capability that includes sat nav, Bluetooth and smartphone mirroring, the Ranger doesn't lack for anything in comparison.

In fact, it picks up more gear as it has curtain airbags for rear seat passengers, a full suite of active driver aids plus a bed liner in the rear tray and a lockable tonneau cover.

Winner: Ranger

Inside

Amarok

The Amarok has been praised for its more car-like interior ever since it first arrived in 2010, and the updated model introduced this year with the V6 continues that theme with a host of features that are familiar from within the VW passenger car line-up.

The seats are comfortable, the driving position is great, and the quality of the leather feels genuinely premium. The instruments are clear and easy to read, the multimedia screen is lifted straight from a Golf, meaning it's intuitive to use and has good functionality.

There's also decent space in both the front and the back with enough rear legroom for adults to travel without too much hassle.

Ranger

The Ranger's cabin is a little more colourful than the Amarok's, which suits the more adventurous nature of the Wildtrack.

The overall design and quality of materials is just as good as it is in the VW, but instead of full leather trim it uses fake cowhide on the bolsters of the seats only and a more durable, body-coloured fabric for the cushions.

Ford's latest Sync3 is also easy to use and the Ranger's instruments are more comprehensive with the inclusion of the active driver aids.

The Ranger is just as spacious but comes with a few more thoughtful touches such as a cooled centre console bin and a household power point in the back seats that can re-charge a lap top, power tools or run a low-voltage light for a while.

Winner: Ranger

Engine

Amarok

As far as leapfrogging the competition goes, the Amarok has jumped to the top of the heap with the fitment of the most powerful engine in its class. The 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel features in other Volkswagen group products such as the Touareg and Audi Q7 SUVs and the previous-generation Porsche Panamera limousine and produces 165kW of power and 550Nm of torque in the Amarok with a claimed average fuel consumption of 7.8L/100km.

It's a cracking engine that is more car-like than others in its class, with a linear power delivery, an immensely strong mid-range and it's quiet at highway speeds.

Ranger

The Ford has a unique 3.2-litre five-cylinder configuration that has served the Ranger well in terms of balancing strong outputs with respectable levels of refinement. It can't quite match the Amarok's numbers, generating 147kW and 470Nm, and consumes slightly more diesel, with a claimed average of 9.0L/100km. But, in the real world, it doesn't feel that short of the mark with a strong surge of pulling power once on boost and a unique warbling exhaust.

Winner: Amarok

How it Drives

Amarok

The Amarok's arrival changed the perception that dual-cab ute drive like trucks, and this updated model incrementally improves on that. While it maintains its rough-and-ready underpinnings ? with a traditional ladder frame chassis and leaf-spring rear suspension set-up ? the Amarok is easy and comfortable to drive with good steering and well-tuned suspension. A key attribute in achieving these attributes is that it rides on road-biased Continental tyres rather than dual-purpose rubber.

The eight-speed automatic shifts smoothly, but the broad spread of ratios and small powerband of the engine means it changes often under acceleration.

Ranger

One of the big reasons why the Ranger has taken out our Car of the Year crown in the Best Ute category for the last two years is because of its nicely balanced ride and handling traits. It's a close contest between this par as to which is more comfortable on the road; the Ranger soaking up bumps with a little more compliance and yet its dual-purpose tyres are noisier at highway speeds.

Winner: Amarok

Workability

Amarok?

First things first, the Amarok doesn't actually have a low-range transfer case gearbox, instead relying on a mainstream permanent all-wheel transmission with a diff lock and electronic smarts to get it through the rough stuff. In some situations, that makes it a lot simpler to operate as there's only a few buttons to press. In the more extreme conditions though, it might not go as far off the beaten track as the Ranger. The tyres don't help its cause there either.

As for towing capacity, it can pull a maximum of three tonnes with a braked trailer. It has a payload of 864kg and four tie-down points in the tray, which is unique in that it can fit an Australian pallet between the wheel arches, has a light on the sports bar and features a spray-on, anti-slip protective coating.

Ranger

The Ranger is as tough as they come, and smarter than the Amarok in terms of its workhorse status. For starters, it can tow more (up to 3500kg), carry more (with a 950kg payload) and its combination of slightly higher ground clearance, a low-range transfer case transmission and dual-purpose tyres gives it the edge in off-road ability.

Its tray is slightly smaller in width and length but it has a more durable plastic tubliner, a lockable, retracting hard tonneau cover and a 12V power outlet.

Winner: Ranger

Verdict

Amarok

Volkswagen has raised the bar in terms of engine performance with the Amarok's V6, and continued to develop an impressively flexible and comfortable ute with a taste of the good life from within the cabin. Problem is it is hugely expensive and lacks the safety credentials.

Ranger

The Ranger, on the other hand, sets the benchmark for safety with a suite of driver aids not found on any of its rivals. That it drives just as well on the road, can go further off the road and carries and tows more than the Volkswagen makes it the ideal playtoy for adventurous families.

Winner: Ranger