RV FEATURE
VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK
Like the Ranger , the Amarok is getting on in years , but also like Ranger it is still one of the best utes out there for towing , despite the many newer arrivals .
The 2L engine is great , easing away from idle with little hesitation and , as the tachometer needle swings in its arc towards redline , the near-perfect linear torque delivery is unlike the Amarok ’ s competitors . You expect turbo lag in a turbodiesel engine , but the Amarok has almost none .
The Amarok 2L Core is the best value but doesn ’ t have quite the towing capacity of its V6 brother – it ’ s 3000kg versus 3500kg . However , for a couple more thousand dollars , you can slip into a TDI 500 V6 Core , and while you ’ ll use slightly more fuel , you ’ ll have as much towing capacity and performance as you ’ ll probably ever need .
There can be some fore-aft pitching when towing but , otherwise , the Amarok tows a van almost as if it is not there . It is very stable and offers strong performance and good fuel economy and range .
QUICK SPECS
• Priced from : $ 47,590 ( TDI420 Core , plus on-road costs )
• Engine : 2L biturbo-diesel
• Output : 132kW / 420Nm
• Transmission : Eight-speed automatic
• Towing capacity : 3000kg / 300kg
• Kerb weight : 2022kg
• GVM : 3040kg
• GCM : 5550kg
ISUZU MU-X Soon to be pensioned off as an allnew model arrives , the Isuzu MU-X on paper would seem to not offer anything exceptional in size or weight in its class , yet its towing stability is one of the best in the business .
Yes , the MU-X is getting on : it ’ s gone through several revisions but it has remained essentially the same since 2012 . In several towing tests , the MU- X didn ’ t yaw at all and pitching was minimal . On some surfaces , the suspension feels a little too soft when towing , the front in particular taking a while to settle .
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