2017 Ford Ranger XLT vs Volkswagen Amarok V6 | CarAdvice 

Grabbed an Ultimate 4 weeks ago and very happy. And yes owned a brace of fords and to me change can be good as a holiday. Quality interior and engine/transmission sold me. Mind you I don't have rear passengers other than a dog. Use mine more as a car with occasional trip to the farm.

You have failed to test the braking of the two vehicles on gravel. The Amarok has an off road setting for the ABS brakes which makes a huge difference.

It kind of depends on what your intended use is, for us very occasional rear occupants. Very little value in the trickery like lane assist etc. We are probably leaning towards the amarok because we are drivers not tech junkies.

Just gotta keep in mind the Amarok is a 2010 vehicle with a facelift. The reason why its behind in safety is because it was class leading when it came out, everyone else brought out new models catch up and eventually overtook it, some some manufacturers have had 3 models come out in the time amarok has been out.

Well done guys , finally an objective, fair and no bullshit comparison , I recently traded in my 2016 Navara for a Wildtrak , I run a company where we go off road to track and repair pipe lines , my opposite number runs a fleet of Rangers opposed to my Nissan and v6 Amaroks ,Rangers run rings around us in all perspectives

Rear airbags, really? 4motion Auto was the reason I did not buy my 4th Ranger and went Amarok. For the family, I don't need features that help in a crash, I prefer features that REDUCE the chance of a crash and the Auto box on the Amarok is leaps ahead of the Ranger......So 4years later, 86 000km covered and not one breakdown for the Amarok, not one issue and still going strong...so the order for the V6 has gone in.

Looking forward to buy one UTE in Greece. Ranger here comes in 2,2 Limited Edition and it costs around 28k euros (for farmers) including Navi, leather heated seats, off road pack and front parking sensors. On the other hand new Amarok costs about 29k, but it lacks all the above accessories, plus rear airbags. But this V6 engine plus the automatic 8 speed gearbox with 4motion (need this more like a car, than a workhorse) make Amarok look soooo tempting, that it makes the obvious decision (ranger) not so obvious finally. Think I'm going for the Ranger, but this engine makes my heart hurt...

they are completely right the ford ranger has been the best truck since 2012

VW Amarok all the way, I do drive one .. Taking it everywhere so car like inside is great and the best payload in the class. VW diesels awesome.

And I like the previous generation Toyota Hilux SR5 the most :) Yes, these are better in any measurable way... but the legend is a legend!

They do't mention some of the major issues the Ranger has the headlights like candles. Ford has had some major issues with this diesel engine.

150 watts and a hairdryer. That's going to take a looooong time. :D

Another thing, I'm surprised that so many people in the comments think that Ute's are just for tradies. I think you'll find (I fall into this category) that these flashier Ute's (I just bought a Wildtrak) are used by outdoor professionals like Engineers, architects etc. I for one need a laptop, and in my outgoing Amarok that meant buying an inverter that lived in my glove box. I also have a baby seat in the back for my 2 year old. Now airbags in the back and a 230v outlet are HUGE bonuses for me and I couldn't a flying nuns fuck about putting a pallet in the tray - just as long as I can throw my bike in there and shit from Bunnings on the weekend and when I go camping.

Had to admit, I thought this sounded a lot like a Ford ad, until they mentioned all the missing stuff in the amarok, then I could see why the Ranger won. The Rangers are very thirsty though, and really quite shoddily built (paint, suspension, interior, gearbox) which obviously never finds it's way into a review.

I bet nobody who has driven the V6 Amarok buys a ranger

So the Ranger is the best because it has rear airbags? 0-100 in 10.7 vs 8.2? Wider like a proper truck in the USA? Amarok wins in my book, huge difference in performance. Would pay 10+k for that difference in performance, no contest. Should compare them side by side, it would be a total humiliation in an acceleration test

Iv test drove both.... Amarok v6 is on order!

Wish Ford and Holden would have done V8 versions of their 4x4 utes

I have the wiltrack, company car and am impressed. VW are very good at disappointing customers when things go wrong (often), bad satisfaction index over a long period of time.

Great comparison review video. Not even keen on buying any of these cars but was informative and entertaining enough to watch!

Id go the vw any day also fit a steel bulbar. 580 WOULD BE NICE

Ok, having looked at a few CarAdvice comparisons now , a few things have come to my attention- 1. Any vehicle can win a comparison depending on the criteria set. eg- which car has the most Ford badges. 2. The trend is listing the number of features rather than the benefits any of these features might provide. 3. A lack of real world facts or evidence as it's faster and easier just to form an opinion. Any chance of a full comparison? Maybe one with some real world owners or potential buyers.

dude with the beard has really improved....well done !

you guys are so fun to watch... great footage and comments

the brake test in the others test stop at 37 meters way better than ranger, after I drove amarok all the others UTE feels just not ride as good as amarok. amarok wins

I have a tremedous experience with the ranger. It is the way to go sometimes i forget that im driving a heavy pick truck.

and that why i got 2016 ranger wildtrak , love it

Another brilliant report keep up the good work boys.

Ranger forever! Ford Ranger in Argentina is exactly the same + 7 airbags. Protection all around! Besides, Ford has had a long lasting reliability in this kind of cars. VW has recently started to produce them! Give it a thought!

I'm getting a Danger Ranger when the start selling them in the US.

Does Ford Ranger 2016 model still have any transmission issues?

VW gives you a 12 year rust warranty bet that ford doesn't you can chip a v6 to 207 kw and 770nm at the wheels with stock everything no other comes close and the build quality is far superior with VW than other brands but the price of parts lets them down I have had a tourag for 5years 170000 kms trouble free 7.5 kms per 100 kms I will not buy anything else Just traded it for a v 6 amarok winning Drive one and see

I don't like many wont agree. I drove both, VW is in its own league, only rear space where there is a slight compromise....Also don't test the brakes with one stop, standard ISO test is min, max and average for 10 stops. Vent discs far superior on Amarok and also the reason Raptor will be specified with Rear Discs....

The ranger has quiet enough power. I was in my mates mark two ranger on Frazer island and it pulled a stuck Toyota hilux out like a twig

I havent driven a Ranger yet, but heres my personal experience on the V6 Amarok : great engine, as said, and thats where it ends. The brakes, specially when towing 2 tons, REALLY need to be pushed to get the vehicle to stop quick. The 2020 Toyota Hilux 2.8GD6 does a WAY BETTER job with the same weight. The Auto gearbox doesn't kick down to the lower gear when Cruise Control is activated. I cruised at 120km/h with the trailer, and on a long uphill it just lost speed all the way down to 95km/h without kicking down. Very annoying. And everybody complains about the Ranger selecting different gears TOO much. 🤔 After 600km, the seats feel like bricks. We HAD to get out for a break. As said, rear seat space is compromised. I am 6"4, and my son is 6"2, the wife only 5"6. So sitting in the rear, my son was constantly complaining on the whole trip. And there is no power seat adjustments up front. All manual. I agree with other commenters that a person dont REALLY need all the gismos and gadgets that the other UTE's have, but the Amarok is lacking in safety with no rear airbags, and i get it, there are awesome owners/drivers out there that have NEVER caused an accident before. But there are tons and millions of total idiots driving on public roads, that can drive into the innocent guy, and i am SURELY not taking a chance with my kids or even other rear seat passengers, without any rear seat airbags. The Amarok is basically copying 70's and 80's principles like the F250's, Chevy C10's from even earlier years: take the biggest UTE out there, plonk in an extremely powerful engine, and forget the rest. Not good by today's standards. Then fuel consumption : i dont know what a Ranger would achieve, but the V6 Amarok, on a full tank of fuel, open road, cruising at 120km/h, towing 2 tons, only managed to get 380 km. If the Amarok was priced better than the Ranger, i guess all could be forgiven, but being more expensive???? I am really disappointed with the package that is the V6 Amarok. And by the way, i drove the Amarok along 2200km over 3 days.

I love the tech and looks of the ranger, but i love the drivetrain of the amarok more. For me, ill wait a couple of years until either amarok adds the tech or ranger adds a EcoBoost v6 diesel

I'd really like to see a dual cab comparison, where they all have factory tow packs installed, and they go into the bush, and load it to the gunnels with firewood, where the terrain is bad enough that you should be in low range.

The ranger is a fantastic car! Glad to see it win again :)

The amarok is just better in any area so simple I don't know why everyone is getting crazy for the ranger

Not a fan of you calling it a 'Pickup' we are not American, also not much a fan of the music. Otherwise great review.

Hey guys, I am thinking about buying the Ranger but the XLS, could you tell me the difference between the XLS & the top of the range models mainly the XLT, is there any major differences or are the differences mainly cosmetic ? The main reason I like the XLS is the price .... Thanks Ed

Rather odd that the brake test was one application, the test should have been repeated stops or down hill with a load in the back.. I would suggest the Amarok would come out on top in those real world brake tests

I dont get it. When you guy's did your affordable ute test you said the amarok won by a long shot but the ranger in that test is pretty much the same as a wildtrack. The wildtrack just has some better gadgets and some shiny bits but drives the same and has the same drive train as a xls which was in that test but the v6 highline in this test is a much better car then then the core model that won the other test. So why do you think the ranger is better in every step in the way in the test but it looses to the 4 cylinder amarok?

Sure the VW has a big tub, but you’re forgetting to mention its payload capabilities. Even if it can have the width of a pallet, I doubt it could carry the weight.

I’ve got a 2013 tdi420 and she’s a great ride except I’ve had a few issues (and I’m not the only one). Both Passenger doors will now not open from the outside, so obviously there is a door actuator problem with VDUBS. Also the EGRs tend to develop internal leaks. I know several people who have these issues with their Amaroks. Fortunately the EGR was fixed under warranty (just) but now I’ve got to figure out how to fix the stupid doors without getting ripped off. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

If the Ford Ranger had a similar type of engine like the Amarok than it would be better.

I've driven these two back to back (I've owned a Gen 1 Amarok for 3 years also) and I have to say that the V6 in the Amarok is amazing; it pulls like a freight train! But in the end, I ended up buying the Ranger (Wildtrak) as it's interior is more practical with the 230v Inverter, Sync 3 is great (though I use Android Auto mostly. But still the 8" screen is larger and more responsive than that in the Amarok), there's no curtain air bags in the Amarok in the rear, and the Ranger cost less. Seriously though, the Amarok is hugely impressive and a very VERY close second.

So Australia has the same issue as the United states. Lots of expensive trucks for people that won't use it as a truck haha. I did like the base model Hilux you guys tested. The Isuzu seems to be a good value as well. Better suited for the tradesman.

Disappointed the Ranger has drum breaks. My Foton Finland has rear disc brakes with dull drums for the park brake

Great. ....drooling over the XLT. ....so nice.

Holy shit you guys are getting robbed in Aussie land. Just did the conversion from AUD to USD. Those mid-size trucks are almost $40k. You can get a real truck for less than that which are more capable, better built, better interior features, and better fuel economy.

I am buying a ranger in December as my Christmas gift

Hi! Can you please put on the front and the rear seats a person of 1,90 m? By the way, you did a very nice and well prepared comparision of those two pick ups, congratulations :)

So what is that in foot pounds of torque on the ranger?

Know what is a piss off about being in North America right now, RU-vid is the closest I will get to one of these 1/4 ton pickups

Great review and definitely the Ford all the way on paper, but once you've driven the two vehicles the paper seems worth a lot less.. The Ranger just feels like harder work on and off the road, I found myself wondering how to turn off the lane guidance, too much hard plastic, and with no rear passengers the VW power, feel and overall quality won me. I liked the Ranger a lot and nearly bought one, but the Amarok won the day.

You can’t run a hairdryer off a 150W/240V socket mate.

Amarok is powerful, faster (8 sec Amarok VS +11 secs Ranger) and toooo much confortable on the road. And of you like it off -road VW has better tech spects, systems and results. load_ a pallet space vs a old, slower and overated Ranger. Also touch media are modern , they both are the top an the segment, but overall i prefer the Amarok. Two turbo system and 8 automatic transmition is a plus on the Wolskwagen Amarok.

VW lies about everything, are you seriously thinking that it has 180kw In over boost. VW just got charged with lying to the customers about the power, torque and the economy

would like to compare the 2.3 d nissan navara

Ford.. 'uses 9L per 100km' - switch to Amarok.. '.. it has 180kw of POWER!'... Couldn't you two have compared more consistently? So how much fuel did that Amarok use?

ranger vs Colorado?

Is it usa truck or another country truck?

Ford ranger so much easy on the eye

I hope he was joking about a 150w outlet running a hair dryer....150w is pretty impressive though! I got a vw v6 but 😁

It is very obvious that what ever the outcome, you were going to say the Ford Ranger. Very biased video.

Why Me :(

My daughter bought an AMAROK. She pulls a horse float. The 2lt shit box cannot pull it. Put the groceries in it from the supermarket and it is over. 2lt twin turbo doesn't work as described. The engine has to work overtime to go anywhere. German know how!

WTH, I want all the trucks you Aussies get to be available here in America. I don't get why car companies do this.

why dont they say how much the amarok can take

If its only about visually feeling then Ford Ranger is still the King and first choice!

They put the trailer hitch sleeve in upside down

i would take the vw anyday. the rear airbags is an issue but i really do not understand why you need all the technology in the ford

Good review, can we please have some men test these things next time however, and I hope the testers didn't find those fire trails and semi rural areas too scary.

Should do base model

Very interesting but need to get them against the king of 4x4 the defender

Nice one guys

Honestly what has the car world come to?? If Toyota were to produce brand new 2004 model Toyota Hilux's again then I would buy one in a heart beat.

It is quite anecdotal that this channel has multiple reviews of these two vehicles and in some VW wins and in some Ranger wins. I have recently had to choose either Mercedes X250d, Amarok V6 and a Ranger. Rangers built quality is abysmal, the ride is horrid and the engine noise is very loud. It was a tough choice between the Amarok and Mercedes, but ultimately Mercedes won because of how fuel efficient it is and the quality of the ride. It was a hard choice, but Ranger wasn’t even in the same decade as these two. I have no clue how people choose Ranger over an Amarok.

Pickups aren't about fancy interior, they are work horses! Makes me laugh when sales reps have pickups and they moan they don't have much gizmo!😂 for me I'd go with the ranger more reliable, get parts anywhere you look plus I have a supercab ranger so I can fit in more than the amarok! RANGER WINS ALL DAY

I live in the UK and I've had a Ford Ranger Limited double cab pick up for 2 years now, I work in the construction industry and do on and off road driving plus towing as well. I have to say the Ford is a very good vehicle BUT I have also had 2 previous Nissan Navara Tekna double cab pick ups that both did 140 / 150 k miles, don't think there is anything to choose between these two really good 4x4 pick up trucks, before anyone mentions - I haven't had the N300 model.

I have a amarok 2.0 manual my neighboors have a ford each we tug them both with same street tires and they lost..._What?What can you say to me about fords? Amarok is the badass

the best: ford ranger

can you do one with the hilux

How about comparing factory support too? Both Ford & VW have terrible customer relations records. The Ranger blows turbos, steering pumps & brake rotors are still warping (the bane of Ford for 20+ years now). The VW has dodgy emission programming, oil consumption issues and no rural support. The dealers & manufacturers want nothing to do with their sub standard products. Not like Mazda, Toyota or Mitsubishi. The Japanese rule when it comes to owning a reliable, well designed and supported product.

If the Amarok has "permanent 4x4".... doesn't that basically make it an AWD vehicle? -_-

Alot of VW fanboys hurt. The ranger won primary because it was better value for the price. Personally I have a Triton, even better value.

Vw all the way you don’t need the tech that’s in the ranger after all it is a Ute

I want to the see them compared to the bargain Mitsubishi Triton, which is as fast as the Amarok to 100kmh. The D-Max would be good too

The American ranger is way better

Ah well in 2 years time these two will be the same ute

What would happen if you tow 3501kg in these utes.

I really like the Ranger but put it back to basics, Its a work horse not a Rolls Royce. Put that extra shit on as an option. It would probably make the unit $5.000 cheaper

please compare to the navara d23 np300

What a "fluff" piece. These two are more impressed with how many LCD screens and tech that you'll never use and will probably fail rather than driving experience, quality of materials etc,. And yet again these clowns have to mention 3500 towing on the Ranger which is absolutely unusable in the real world - it is a fallacy and is NOT a selling point but they probably had to say it because it was in the script Ford gave them. Hey, show us how you got in the back seat of the Ranger if the Amarok is so bad and then mention that the rear appears bigger only because your legs are propped up closer to your chin because that's how it looks in the video. So the VW loses out because it is faster, has better driving dynamics, more interior room, better fit & finish, higher quality materials, larger tray........but no rear airbags, 'silly' cup holders instead of an outlet for your hairdryer and a 6.4" infotainment screen rather than 7". Yeh right.

The ford interior is BLAND! No way my wife would let me buy one. The VW though is really very nice inside. Also the 3.2 Ford has oil problems plus head gasket problems and even bent chassis problems. Cant find any issues at all when researching the VW.

A stupied question. But why does it seems that australians like pickups so much? Is that because of tax benefits or is there a cultural reason?

I have to ask you blokes, did you set the front seats the same in both utes? I am 5'2", and could not get into the rear seat of a Ranger when the driver is tall. No matter how far I set the Amarok front seats back, there is always room for some one to sit in the back seats. In the Ranger, even a short arse like me couldn't fit. Seriously! I couldn't even squeeze my little legs in between the back of the front seats and the rear seat! Next question. Not everyone is 6 feet tall. How about you set the front seat of the Ranger to suit a short person. Firstly, can you get in without hitting your head on the sloping A pillar? I doubt it! Does the seat stay in the position you set it? NOPE, every time you get into and out of the Ranger the seat adjuster is pushed down and the seat moves down. If you aren't 6 feet tall, and I doubt your wife is, she will need to adjust the seat EVERY DAMN time she gets into the car! Additionally, she will need to watch her head as she gets in, because she most likely will bump it on the "A" pillar! I drive both an Amarok and a Ranger every day on alternate weeks. Guess which one I put my hard earned dollars on? Neither is perfect, but one doesn't need me to constantly re-adjust the seat. I forgot to mention, the waist height on the Ranger is higher than the Amarok. For short arses like me, the Ranger is bloody dangerous to drive, especially at night. The right side vision is obstructed by the dash, "A" pillar and the rear view mirror. Think about your wife when you choose your next vehicle. Just because you may be able to see clearly doesn't mean she, as usually a shorter driver, is able to do so. The Amarok doesn't have rear seat air bags. It still achieved 5 star ANCAP ratings AND shorter drivers are able to see around the vehicle when driving, are able to get into and out of the vehicle more easily, don't have to constantly reset the seat every time they get in. Think again about which vehicle is safer for your family. You just may change your opinion.

I want to see them with the hilux in extreme off road conditions.

I love the VW amarok I think I am in love with it signed maleeha daughter of zak