Ive had a 580 ultimate for over 3 years. It’s absolutely beautiful to drive. Fantastic on the highway. More quiet than most upmarket SUV’s, almost no tyre noise. Ive just ordered a W580s.
People are pretty quick to bash the Amarok but after owning one I bloody love it, had mine tuned to 240 kW after 5000km and it’s been problem free so far to 100,000km (2017 model)
Yep, my dad’s running a 2014 Amarok with over 220,000 kms with only minor issues (egr valve failure and the volume knob failed) which were both fixed under warranty. Funny enough he’s getting a new W580 next week (standard one) so this video couldn’t be more perfect timing, same colour as the one in the video
The regular Amarok is a kick ass car, I had a similar tune in mine and was really pleased while I owned it. Adding a Walkinshaw name to this model is my only gripe.
@@garyb4136 so you’re warning people in a thread that contains three satisfied VW customers? The odds are against you right here Gary. My family has clocked up more than half a million kilometres in VW’s and Audi’s over the last 5 years and haven’t had a complaint.
My god $81k for such an ageing platform with an extremely dated interior. No safety tech. No comfort features like adaptive cruise control. No off road capabilities. No rear airbags. Idk man, people who need these types of vehicles have very particular requirements but this thing seems like it was built for a different era and market, because it was. Volkswagen shouldn’t be charging $81k for this imo.
Expensive to buy and hugely expensive to maintain, agricultural internal tech 🤔 think I'd rather buy a second hand landcruiser for the price. Just my personal opinion. Thanks for a good review.
They just announced a big price reduction in servicing today by the way (they halved the price): www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/volkswagen-offering-a-range-of-service-pack-offers
I drive one and pretty much disagree with ‘expensive to maintain’. Very happy with the buttons and knobs etc. so easy to operate whilst driving. Most powerful and so comfortable.
$3-500 a service depending on the service interval. Tech has fallen behind but still offers the best ride and this came out in 2011. It changed the landscape of Utes. Everyone seems to forget that
I have an Amarok, now in its 4th year. Not sure what you mean by ‘expensive to maintain’. Haven’t found that at all. The services are pretty good. Drives beautifully. Most passengers are so impressed with the ride comfort for a ute. Drives more like a car than a ute. Fuel economy is pretty good-including better than most other caravaners pulling a few tonne. Very good off road but wouldn’t take it big-rock crawling. Absolutely love it but yes ‘showing its age’ and a little old school. With a new Amarok coming out I wouldn’t spend 80,000 on this one unless you need it to tow a BIG caravan. Best towing ute in its class for sure. Hardly know that you’re towing. Good and fair review. Extremely comfortable.
Yes I read and heard about that a few years ago. I must admit that whilst backing a 2.5 tonne caravan slightly uphill off-road it hasn’t happened to us yet. Originally the report was of a guy in soft sand towing and had the trouble you speak off. I’ve never tried that but in all of our off-roading it has never been a problem.
I think the main problem is just the price. It’s a really good platform and I like that its not so loaded with technology, if vw reduce the price obviously will be king of sales, I think if they update this model can keep going for a couple of years.
Just a tip for anyone who buys a W580: as Walkinshaw lift the front suspension by 40mm, as a result they adjust the headlights too low so I suggest you adjust them up as it can actually be dangerous driving at night on a dark country road. My dad and I found this out the night after we took delivery of our new W580 last week and we’ve had to adjust them up so we can see. Other than that, the car has been great, 5 days and ~250 kms into ownership Also: if you get a 2022 model (like us), you actually get heated seats on the standard W580 which for the 2021 was only on the W580S. In my opinion that’s even more reason to just get the standard one and not pay the extra for the W580S, which dealers are asking upwards of $90k for
I own a Amarok Core 2018 model and I love it , so much cheaper to buy than this one being tested ( $41990 drive away ) , the only things missing that are on this one is the V6 and the wheels, I know they don't have all the safety features that I have on my Mercedes CLA 45 but I do use it more than the Mercedes , it's just a nice ute to drive , that constant 4 wheel drive system make it feel so secure in wet conditions Paul , I was amazed that you said it didn't handle well in the wet, remember that it does weigh around 2.2 tonnes and I feel that you were a little hard on the steering , feels good to me , I tried what you did on mine and I don't see a problem, these 4 cylinder Amaroks are just as quick off the lights as my mates Colorado with 500 nms , I've proved it , Paul you do a great video on your tests , keep up the good work .
They have to be kidding, 81K for a 12 YO design, with no safety tech, & a little tuning and a W badge. They have lost the plot . Thanks for another great review
@@JDMEVOVIGSR Mr too. But I'm happy with how the dmax goes as is. I have a bf XR6 turbo ute, 306 rear wheel kilowatt tune. That's stupid fun. Dmax is great fun.
2:37 - where you talked about lug nut caps, those are the actual lug nut themselves! Most Volkswagens of the modern era use a lug bolt - the wheel uses the wheel bearing cap to locate itself onto the hub
@@CarExpertAus the benefits of having had a Volkswagen loving mechanic for a father - Dad sadly passed away in 2013 and I've never forgotten anything I've ever seen on Volkswagens or any Volkswagen Group (Audi, Porsche, Seat, etc) car
Love our V6 dark label, great all rounder, plenty of power, reasonable fuel consumption, comfortable on London journeys and tows our 2.5 tone van with ease. I have no problems with the old interior as it does the job, build quality I’d great, would highly recommend this vehicle.
You'd still recommend it with thal price?? Either you have money to waste or just needing to make yourself feel like you didn't made a mistake buying yours
Amarok has been withdrawn from the UK and the rest of Europe for about a year now. Used V6 diesel’s are making very strong money indeed. We expect the Ford/VW model here some time late next year, probably South African built. The old model Amarok was sourced from Germany here in recent years but originally fro Argentina if I remember correctly.
Cause that “truck” has the best gearbox abs engine out as well the best ride. Not to mention they are actually fine off-road. Plenty of videos out there of them hitting the same tracks. The only issue would be downhill at the high country. But we all know hardcore off-roaders buy 79s
All wheel drive, monster engine and best seats in class are the features to the Ultimate 580 and best to drive around town by a mile compared to the other utes. Yes it's getting a little old in design but in reality if you want the best ute to drive with a silky V6 and 8 Speed Auto this is the king.
great review Paul - whilst a lot can be said about what the Amarok hasn't got it still has a number of tried and tested items which hopefully will work on mine - the problem I had was the wait times for the other Utes some of which are untested and price has not been set either.
I’ve driven a couple of these and I love the engine and the comfort but that’s about it. I don’t know why Volkswagen have made no effort to update this Ute and then they wonder why nobody buys them 🤦♂️
No rear airbags is a big issue. My uncle, with two kids aged 8 and 6, has just bought one. Told him about no airbags in the back, he just said ‘cars never used to have airbags’.
Structurally the rear holds up better than any other Ute out there. Jump on modrock heaps of photos of collisions where the rok is unscathed including rear passengers
You'd probably feel fine putting the kids in a Polo with rear airbags though 😂 Your uncle sounds like he has common sense and can't be bothered listening to your lack of common sense hysterics.
The last time I checked, you could buy and use Amaroks anywhere in Australia not just Sydney! Did you spend anytime thinking before you typed that out?
you only live once, if you can afford it, get it, still looks better than most even 10+ years later, each to their own guess we are kinda lucky in aus we get to have these type engines for a couple more years to come
Was going to get an Amarok Adventura but the back seat room is such a let down for my teenage kids. I ended up buying a VX Prado which i only waited 3 weeks for and I'm more than happy with. If i waited for the Amarok i would be waiting another 6months. To be honest the power difference isn't that much and the Prado isn't slow as you would think, while getting 9l per 100 with only 450kms of mixed driving on the clock.
Ugh. Feels like getting into a pre-scandal VW timemachine. They aren't even trying at this point. Probably just trying to get that extra dollar out of Australia before they too leave the market entirely. It looks like a P-plate supercheap auto partsbin upgrade.
- Old headlights - Old key - 12 years old - Moulded plastic everywhere - Average sound system - Tiny screens - No safety tech - No wireless phone charging - Need 2 people to get the jack out (wtf???) - Weird backseat cup holder - No second row air con at all - No knee room - Laggy engine - $85,000. ... bargain!
Will Walkinshaw Produce a similar special vehicle for the new gen of VW Amarok (Ranger) utes?? Since VW wont have access to the Raptor?? If so, will they go beyond wheels and stickers??
Don’t have a walkinshaw. Have a sportline v6 Best drive on road of any Ute. Haven’t had a problem off-road. Goes where every other Ute goes. Lacking in tech but the engine, gearbox and ride comfort make up for it
They don’t actually cost $81k, dealers are charging $90k+ for the S, the W580S isn’t worth it imo, you’re better off getting just the regular W580 as you don’t miss out on much (twin exit exhaust tips, sat nav, heated power leather seats, rear sailplane, bonnet stripes and a colour screen in the gauges) or if u want some of those extras, get the Highline or Aventura
Paul, this comment is not solely focused on this review. But I think you will find that the overwhelming majority of drivers do not care for AEB and lane keep assist. I have driven many different modern cars (albeit not nearly as many as you I'm sure) and have found that most car brands do this tech quite poorly and it becomes extremely intrusive and at times very dangerous. They're simply ticking the box. The Lack of airbags in this vehicle is a concern but you may be a little out of touch if you think the average punter gives a hoot about "active safety tech". I'm sure you will pull up a stat about majority of vehicles sold having the tech but you should know that there is a distinct difference between correlation and causation.
I think that Auxiliary port is an INPUT not an OUTLET. There was also a V6 Ranger too! Please would you include breakover/rampover angle in your 4WD/Off-road vehicle reviews? Cheers.
The engine and full time four wheel drive is this model’s unique selling point. Otherwise it is a dressed up plain-Jayne. The double wheel arch extensions on this model are particularly ‘1990’s’ and really quite ridiculous and ugly in my opinion. One of my contractor’s has a V6 diesel very similar to the featured one but without the ultra-expensive ‘Walkinshaw’ stickers, and he has terrible repetitive issues with both its cats and DPF’s. Not sure whether he said he’d had Adblue issues as well. Luckily it is still under warranty but he is very concerned as to whether to keep it once out of warranty or whether to cash it in while values are still really strong.
@@THEROADSMITH Not my vehicle and I don’t remember how much he said the combined warranty repairs wold have cost. It was up in the several thousand UK Pounds. Up until now he only used it to commute some 12 miles to and from work daily as he has an old Isuzu for work. That has now been de-registered to limited use only, which is possible in the UK and can now run on red rebated fuel [although the rules for that may have changed a few days ago?].
Great Review! Is it possible if you have any stock available of having a detailed review of the Nissan Pathfinder 2022. I'm looking to buy it this year, and I'd like to see some more information of it as the only reviews are American. Thank you!
@@HughRussell06 It has a USB port but possibly only a charging port at that age of design. My current car has three USB A in the dash, only one connects to the infotainment system which I use to charge phone and CarPlay, the others are used for a wi-fi hotspot dongle and a front dash cam. It also has two charge ports in the side of the seat backrests, one of which is often used to charge a passenger’s phone. One in the centre of the back of the console for even more second seat users and two for third row seats, one of which I use for a rear dash cam. On top of which it has a wireless charging pad built in for when I want to charge but not connect by wire for the CarPlay. Yes, it’s rather old fashioned in that it doesn’t have wireless CarPlay and Android Auto but as you can probably surmise, it is several generations ahead of the woeful VW infrastructure. No CD either. Does anyone buy and use CD’s any longer, especially in dusty pickups?
Just brought my 5th amarok, a w580, Brilliant cars, never had any problems. Not anymore expensive to own / service etc than other utes, yea no airbags and tech, but still a great ute .
No, the only new Amarok that comes with the 2 litre is the cheapest version of the core (the base model). Everything else in the range has the V6 as standard
Huh? who the hell said you have to buy this top spec Amarok just for work! They do sell other V6 Diesel Amaroks models and at much more reasonable and competative prices. But, if you feel you need justify your Isuzu purchase by such riciculous statements, then pat yourself on the back.
Nice reviews as usual Paul Agree that $ 81000 is way too much.Will be interesting to know how much went to Wakinshore, only % wise. They have to make some money for their excellent work, not totally in this case, but in general. Compared to aftermarket fitment off most of the same suspension stuff, what will the saving be, if any? Also wondering if the Ford 3 0 twin turbo V6 petrol engine will make it to the new model.VW dit says they are not going for a competitor to the Ranger Raptor, but we often see, that what they say and what they do, are not the same thing.
Personally have never cared for the design of the Amarok, but the build quality always seemed great. 80k is a big price though for behind the times tech and an interior that's almost as dated as the Navara.
Did you try reversing up an incline with a load.? Little known fact that VW detunes the V6 in reverse. This could have been such a great vehicle but on the whole just exemplifies VW meanness.
The only thing stopping me buying an Amarok is the TBM. Tows 3.5tonne but a TBM of only 300kg.. I'm cutting it too fine. Also $81k is silly money for something as old as my 2010 prado.
If anybody tows 3500kg in ANY of the current Dual-Cab utes for sale in Australia (Not, the American Pick-up trucks), then you are bloody stupid, period! Do this, and you'll barely be able to carry people or luggage legally and it'll be out-right dangerous. The Max would be 3000kg. This 3.5T towing is pure Marketing fluff.
Still so frustrating that VW refuses to sell this in the US. As a result, i will not buy the brand any more after I sell my GTI. They could be using it as the perfect platform to make an all electric truck as some bed space can be used to install extra batteries. As with so many Euro brands, VW doesn't think the North American market is that important. Well, then they don't need me as a customer. Auf wiedersehen!
My last company gave me one to take on long trips (agricultural work). Despite only really doing long hours and country kms, there was a warning light illuminated
Love my 2022 580 and looking at all the other Utes in the rearvision mirror ha ha. PS I don't like all the safety tech so bought the 2022 the last of a true VW. The new one is a Ford.
I’m to a certain extent a VW fanboy but not for the Amarok, not now at least, when it first got the V6 and to a slightly lesser extent when it first got the torque converter auto it was sharp end of the pack but still a little expensive though. Now it’s outclassed and way overpriced, it’s certainly got it’s good points but no where near enough to justify the price.
Definitely too rich for what it is. Why would anyone buy it is my thoughts. You can buy a Triton and a camper trailer plus all the camping gear easily for this price.
Let’s be honest, if tested by ANCAP today against current criteria, this is zero star rated - maybe that might finally make people who put their kids in the back of these actually think twice. Just wait for new gen, this (outside of the V6 diesel donk) is long past it’s sell by date
