 Ford Ranger |
VS |  Volkswagen Amarok |
Welcome to the 2013 Ford Ranger Vs the Volkswagen review and comparison. Both are new generation SUV utes or light commercial vehicles designed for not just work duties but for family transport as well. While the Ford Ranger (released earlier in 2012) shares it’s platform and parts with the Mazda BT-50 but you can’t tell since there is enough exterior, interior and other technical differences to not get them confused.
The all new Ford Ranger was developed in Australia for world markets is a great effort in terms of exterior and interior design. The exterior design looks like a smaller version of the F150 and the interior looks stylish and modern. In the showroom and on the road the Ranger is quite a large car, making the Hilux look its age and the Amarok look like last year’s model.
In terms of build quality the Ford has the edge on it’s twin the BT-50 due to silver garnishes and although the Amarok has better quality interior plastics and trim highlights which give the impression of better build quality. Taking a closer look and poking around the Ranger and Amarok both are pretty good too, admittedly if you ignore the parts VW have fitted to the Amarok from its passenger car range and the softer touch dash both are equals. Of note the top of the range Ford Ranger Wildtrak is a equipment and cosmetic upgrade but quite expensive for a ute. Admittedly the Navara ST 550 is just as good value with the most powerful engine currently available in the class.
The interior packaging of the Ranger is relatively conservative but modern and better than the Amarok despite having soft rubber dash. The Amarok’s interior design looks good too but there is nothing special about it. Nonetheless we are overall disappointed at the lack of interior holes and slots for storing stuff compared with small SUVs. Otherwise we are happy with the Amarok’s layout.
The engine options and specification for the initial Ford Ranger release is a single high tech and powerful turbo diesel engine and is currently identical to the Mazda BT-50 with plenty of power for whatever you decide to do with the car. However a petrol engine option would add more appeal. The Amarok has a single petrol turbo engine and a single turbo diesel set at different power levels. The Amarok now has a single 8 speed gearbox which includes extra low range gears for its 4WD system which presumably works well. However promoting that as a technical advantage is laughable as technically the Ford Ranger has 12 gears. It’s like Great Wall Motors boasting how cheap to buy their cars are without mentioning that – it could cost you your life literally (Asbestosis anyone?).
Unfortunately it goes down hill further from here as we already said when we compared the Amarok with the BT-50. We think the VW Amarok packages insults the purchaser by offering the same engine in different states of turbo boost. If the engines where actually different then it makes sense but when they are identical then you are being ripped off no matter what version you buy. Three different settings for the turbo and charging thousands of dollars more – what planet are VW from? If you add the service costs to the package the Amarok essentially falls of the list. The finance package for the Amarok really needs to be examined as the costs difference over ANY ownership term is higher. Is it a luxury or prestige SUV/Ute? definitely not – you’ll be laughed off the yard. It’s a ute with high running costs that rips you of by charging thousands of dollars more for changing the turbo boost setting LOL!
The Ford Ranger meets all our expectations in terms of a brand new ute. As a light commercial based SUV for the family the Ford Ranger there is very little to complain about. As for the Volkswagen, the finance and maintenance along with the engine choices ruin the Amarok even a consideration amongst the competition. Until VW reduces the price, maintenance demands and not rip us off with uneconomical engine choices amongst other things we say avoid the Amarok – there are better choices.
|
|
|
| Ford Ranger | Volkswagen Amarok |
 |
 |
| Engines | |
|
Duratorq IL5 (P5AT) Duratorq IL4 (P4AT) Duratec IL4 (DPAT) |
TSI300 CDBA TDI340 DDBA TDI400 DDBA TDI420 (TBA) |
| Weight | |
|
FROM Approx 2100Kg |
FROM 2047 Kg |
| Fuel capacity & consumption | |
| Up to 80 litres P5-AT Diesel 9.6 lts per 100km |
Up to 80 litres |
| Other specifications | |
| 6 speed Auto or Manual Overall height/width 1821/1850 Overall length/wheelbase 5365/3220 Tray Lxxxxmm x Wxxxxmm x Dxxxxmm Total payload capability 1000kg (Approx) ANCAP safety rating 5/5 |
6 speed manual or 8 speed Auto |
| Capability | |
| Angle of: (degrees) Approach xx Departure xx Breakover N/A Minimum ground clearance xxmm Water Fording depth N/A 4WD system: Part time 4WD High & Low range |
Angle of: (degrees) |
| Performance | |
| 0-100kph 11.1secs (TDI400) | |
| Pricing | |
| 2012 $19,990 – 59,390 AUD (2WD & 4WD) *Always check with the dealer for up to date pricing and specials accessories etc… |
2012 $43,990 – 58,990 AUD (4WD only) 2012 FROM $29,990 – AUD (2WD only) |
|
|
|