Volkswagen Amarok vs GWM P Series

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Includes a historical vehicle

Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.

GWM P Series Discontinued model
Volkswagen Amarok in South Africa

Volkswagen Amarok

DC Aventura 3.0 V6 TDI 4Motion 10AT Diesel Current
ZAR 1,259,700 ex-showroom
⚡ 184 kW 🔧 600 Nm ⛽ 14.5 km/l
VS
GWM P Series in South Africa

GWM P Series

2.0T Double Cab LX 4x4 Diesel 8-Speed Automatic Discontinued model
ZAR 599,900 last listed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 480 Nm ⛽ 9.8 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance Amarok
⛽ Fuel Economy Amarok
🛡 Safety P Series
📦 Practicality Amarok
🔑 Ownership P Series
Recorded price context Amarok: current from ZAR 596,800 · P Series: last listed from ZAR 444,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec Amarok P Series
Maximum Power 184 kW 110 kW
Maximum Torque 600 Nm 480 Nm
Engine Size 2993 cc 1996 cc
Claimed Mileage 14.5 km/l 9.8 km/l
Ground Clearance 237 mm 210 mm
Boot / Load Bay - Not confirmed
Airbags 6 6
Kerb Weight 2023 kg 1985 kg
Seating Capacity - Not confirmed
Warranty 3 years / 120 000 km 5 Years / 100,000 km

= leads in this spec

Archived models stay fully comparable. Verified specs remain visible; historical fields that were not source-confirmed are marked Not confirmed instead of being guessed.

The Bottom Line

Both Amarok and P Series are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Amarok +30 pts
Efficiency Amarok +16 pts
Safety P Series +44 pts
Practicality Amarok +6 pts
Ownership P Series +39 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Amarok

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency Family Usage
🏆 Overall Winner

P Series

Strengths
  • Stronger safety package
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

Amarok

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

P Series

  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.

Spec Amarok P Series
Model Introduced Year 2010 2020
Generation Latest Amarok generation brings improved performance and modern safety features The P Series sold in South Africa is the first generation marketed under the GWM banner locally, derived from Great Wall's POER platform launched in China in 2019. Local specification differs from the Chinese-market POER in suspension calibration (firmer for higher payload), 4x4 system tuning (greater bias to load-carrying durability over technical off-road performance) and trim levels (the South African range is more equipment-loaded than the domestic Chinese equivalent at the same price point).
Facelift History Major redesign in 2023 introducing new platform, updated engines, and advanced tech Since its 2020 South African launch, the P Series has received two notable updates. A 2022 mid-cycle refresh introduced the larger 10.25-inch infotainment screen on LS and above, updated driver-assistance calibration to reduce false lane-departure alerts on SA rural roads, and added wireless Apple CarPlay on the LT and LX. A 2024 specification update added the 360-degree camera as standard on LT trim, upgraded the rear-camera resolution across the range and revised the suspension damping after South African dealer feedback noted the original tune was firmer than ideal on Eastern Cape gravel.
Facelift Launched Since 2023 2024
Facelift Version Ending Current Not confirmed
Body Style Pickup Not confirmed
Body Type Cab Pickup Double Cab
Color Note White, Silver, Black, Grey, Blue, Red Not confirmed
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup Not confirmed
Drivetrain Note 4x4 configuration for the local line-up Not confirmed
Model Year Current Not confirmed
Production Status published Not confirmed
Segment Pickup Not confirmed
Vehicle Type Pickup Not confirmed
Tare Mass Kg 2023 kg 1985 kg
Spec Amarok P Series
Drivetrain Layout 4x4 Front Engine Rear Wheel Drive
LSD Available Not Applicable No
Transfer Case Confirmed 4WD derivative Yes
Differential Lock Not Applicable Yes
Paddle Shifters Not Applicable No
Gearbox Automatic 8-Speed Automatic
Final Drive Ratio Not Applicable 3.54
Number of Gears 10 8
Transmission Type Automatic Automatic
Clutch Type Not Applicable Not confirmed
Gear Shift Indicator Not Applicable Yes
Drivetrain 4x4 4x4 AWD
4WD Engagement Available Electronic rotary dial
4WD Hi Range Available Yes
4WD Lo Range Available where 4WD low range is fitted Yes
4WD Selector Confirmed 4WD derivative Not confirmed
Automatic Shift Paddles Not Applicable Not confirmed
Drive Mode Selector 4WD/off-road drive mode support Not confirmed
Front Differential Lock Not Applicable Not confirmed
Gearbox Type Automatic Automatic
Low Range Ratio Not Applicable Not confirmed
Low Range Available where 4WD low range is fitted Not confirmed
Axle Layout 4x4 Not confirmed
Rear Differential Lock Not Applicable Not confirmed
Transmission Speeds 10 8
Gear Shift Type Automatic Automatic
Engine Position - Front Longitudinal
Steering Turns Lock to Lock - 16.5:1
Differential Type Front - Open
Differential Type Rear - Open / Lockable
Reverse Gear Warning - Yes

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

P Series leads by 4 points

Both Amarok and P Series are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Winner 70 /100
Lead 4 points
Data 94% confidence
70
#1 Winner

P Series

94% data confidence 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 94 Check Efficiency 41
Performance 61
Efficiency 41
Safety 94
Practicality 81
Ownership 65
Leads by 4 points
66
#2

Amarok

82% data confidence 2 strong categories
Best at Performance 91 Check Ownership 26
Performance 91
Efficiency 57
Safety 50
Practicality 87
Ownership 26
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Amarok +30 Efficiency Amarok +16 Safety P Series +44 Practicality Amarok +6 Ownership P Series +39

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

P Series

Performance 61/100
Efficiency 41/100
Safety 94/100
Practicality 81/100
Ownership 65/100

Amarok

Performance 91/100
Efficiency 57/100
Safety 50/100
Practicality 87/100
Ownership 26/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 GWM P Series wins with 70 pts vs 66 pts for Amarok

In structured scoring, P Series emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Amarok may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the P Series edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: Amarok 57 vs P Series 41. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: Amarok 50, P Series 94. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: Amarok 26, P Series 65. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: Amarok 87, P Series 81. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: Amarok 91, P Series 61. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The P Series edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The P Series scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between Amarok and P Series in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Amarok scores 91 vs 61.

Efficiency: Amarok scores 57 vs 41.

Safety: Amarok scores 50 vs 94.

Practicality: Amarok scores 87 vs 81.

Ownership: Amarok scores 26 vs 65.

Final structured scoring gives P Series the advantage in this comparison.