Volkswagen Amarok vs Volkswagen Touareg

In-depth comparison in South Africa covering price, performance, fuel efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership costs.

Volkswagen Amarok

3.0 V6 TDI Double Cab Aventura 4Motion AT Diesel Automatic

Switch Variant

Change Car A

ZAR 1,252,200 ex-showroom

⚡ 125 kW (168 hp)

🔧 400 Nm

⛽ 12.8 km/l

Volkswagen Touareg

3.0 TDI V6 R-Line 190kW Tiptronic Diesel Automatic

Change Car B

ZAR 1,799,200 ex-showroom

⚡ 250 kW (335 hp)

🔧 450 Nm

⛽ 11.4 km/l

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Quick Winners

⚡ Performance Touareg

⛽ Mileage Tie

🔑 Ownership Tie

Overall Comparison Score

🏆 Winner

Touareg

/ 100

+21

pts

Amarok

/ 100

Moderate difference between the models.

Executive Summary

Touareg holds a noticeable edge over Amarok, especially in key ownership areas.

Key Differences At A Glance

Performance Touareg +7 pts

Efficiency Equal

Safety Touareg +2 pts

Practicality Touareg +12 pts

Ownership Equal

Category Score Breakdown

🏆 Overall Winner

Touareg

Performance 20/20

Efficiency 7/20

Safety 20/20

Practicality 19/20

Ownership 12/20

Amarok

Performance 13/20

Efficiency 7/20

Safety 18/20

Practicality 7/20

Ownership 12/20

Pros & Cons

Amarok

Pros

No major strengths identified

Cons

Less powerful engine setup
Less comprehensive safety features
Less practical in daily usage

Best For: General Use

🏆 Overall Winner

Touareg

Pros

More powerful engine output
Stronger safety package
More practical for daily use

Cons

No major weaknesses identified

Best For: Highway Driving Family Usage

Who Should Buy Which?

Amarok

Buyers looking for a balanced all-round vehicle

Touareg

Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Large families needing more practicality and usability

Full Specification Comparison

Specification	Amarok	Touareg
Ground Clearance	192	228
Wheelbase	3097	2904
Length	5254	4878
Width	1944	1984
Height	1834	1702
Kerb Weight	2095	2055
Gross Vehicle Weight	3150	2760
Seating Capacity	5	5
Boot Space	0	810
Towing Capacity	3500	3500
Front Track Width	-	1663
Rear Track Width	-	1660
Turning Radius	-	6.0

Specification	Amarok	Touareg
Engine	2.0L TDI Turbo Diesel	3.0L V6 TSI Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Type	Inline 4 Turbocharged Intercooled	V6 Turbocharged TFSI
Displacement	1968	2995
Cylinders	4	6
Valves per Cylinder	4	4
Power	125	250
Torque	400	450
Fuel System	Common Rail Direct Injection	Direct Injection
Turbocharger	Twin Turbo	Single Turbo
Top Speed	180	245
0-100 km/h	10.5	6.1
Power @ RPM	-	4500-6000 rpm
Torque @ RPM	-	2500-3500 rpm
Compression Ratio	-	11.5:1
Engine Position	-	Front Longitudinal

Specification	Amarok	Touareg
Transmission	8-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Tiptronic Automatic
Drive Type	4Motion AWD	4WD
Drivetrain Layout	Selectable 4WD	4Motion AWD
LSD Available	Electronic Rear Differential Lock	Optional
Transfer Case	High and Low Range	Standard
Paddle Shifters	-	Standard
Differential Lock	-	Optional

Specification	Amarok	Touareg
Traction Control	Standard	Standard
Electronic Stability Control	Standard	Standard
Airbags	6	10
ABS	Standard	Standard
Brake Assist	Standard	Standard
Hill Descent Control	Standard	Standard
ISOFIX Mounts	Standard	Standard
Child Safety Lock	Standard	Standard
Engine Immobiliser	Standard	Standard
Alarm System	Standard	Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor	Standard	Standard
Hill Start Assist	-	Standard
Central Locking	-	Standard
Side Impact Beams	-	Standard

Specification	Amarok	Touareg
Claimed Mileage	12.8	11.4
City Mileage	9	9
Highway Mileage	13	13
Fuel Tank Capacity	80	90
Emission Standard	Euro 5	Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity	-	Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop	-	Standard

Specification	Amarok	Touareg
CO2 Emissions	225	225
Start Stop System	Yes	Standard
Hybrid System Type	None	Not Applicable
Noise Level	-	63

Specification	Amarok	Touareg
Cruise Control	Standard	Adaptive
Adaptive Cruise Control	Not Available	Standard
Lane Keep Assist	Not Available	Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring	Not Available	Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Not Available	Standard
Parking Sensors	Front and Rear	Front and Rear
Rear View Camera	Standard	Standard
360 Degree Camera	Not Available	Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking	Not Available	Standard
Lane Departure Warning	-	Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert	-	Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition	-	Standard

Specification	Amarok	Touareg
Seat Material	Fabric	Leather
Seat Adjustment	Manual	Electric 16-Way with Memory
Heated Seats	Not Available	Front and Rear
Ventilated Seats	Not Available	Front
Steering Type	Power Assisted	Electric Power Assisted
Steering Adjustment	Tilt and Telescopic	Power Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting	Not Available	Multi-colour
Folding Rear Seats	-	40/20/40 Split
Front Armrest	-	Standard
Rear Armrest	-	Standard

Specification	Amarok	Touareg
Climate Control	Automatic	4-Zone Automatic
Power Windows	Front and Rear	All Doors
Keyless Entry	Remote Key	Smart Entry
Push Button Start	Not Available	Standard
Wireless Charging	Not Available	Standard
Sunroof	Not Available	Panoramic Roof
Electric Tailgate	Not Available	Power
Automatic Headlamps	-	Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers	-	Standard
Auto Dimming Mirror	-	Standard

Specification	Amarok	Touareg
Infotainment Screen	8-inch Touchscreen	15-inch Premium Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay	Standard	Wireless
Android Auto	Standard	Wireless
Bluetooth Connectivity	Standard	Standard
USB Ports	Front and Rear	4
Number of Speakers	6	16
Navigation System	Optional	Standard
Digital Instrument Cluster	Not Available	12-inch Digital Cockpit Pro
Wireless Apple CarPlay	-	Standard

Specification	Amarok	Touareg
LED Headlamps	Halogen Projector	Full LED Matrix
Daytime Running Lamps	LED	LED
Fog Lamps	Front	LED
Roof Rails	Not Available	Standard
Alloy Wheel Design	17-inch Alloy	21-inch Premium Alloy
Chrome Exterior Finish	-	Not Available
Body Cladding	-	Not Available
Rear Spoiler	-	Not Available

Specification	Amarok	Touareg
Approach Angle	29	-
Departure Angle	24	-
Wading Depth	500	-
Terrain Modes	Offroad Mode	-
Locking Differential	Electronic Rear Lock	-

Specification	Amarok	Touareg
Tyre Size	255/65 R17	285/40 R21
Wheel Type	Alloy	Alloy
Front Brake Type	Ventilated Disc	Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type	Drum	Ventilated Disc
Spare Wheel Type	-	Space Saver

Specification	Amarok	Touareg
Front Suspension	Double Wishbone	Air Suspension with CDC
Rear Suspension	Leaf Spring	Air Suspension with CDC
Chassis Type	Ladder Frame	Monocoque
Power Steering	-	Electro-Hydraulic
Steering Column	-	Power Tilt and Telescopic

Specification	Amarok	Touareg
Service Interval	15000 km / 12 months	15,000 km or 1 Year
Approx Service Cost	Moderate	Approx R10,000
Battery Warranty	24 Months	Not Applicable
Maintenance Plan	-	Optional

Specification	Amarok	Touareg
Warranty Years	3	3
Warranty Kilometers	120000	100000
Roadside Assistance	3 Years	3 Years
Anti-Corrosion Warranty	-	6 Years

Final Verdict

🏆 Volkswagen Touareg wins with 78 pts vs 57 pts for Amarok

In structured scoring, Touareg 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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Frequently Asked Questions

Based on structured category scoring, Touareg performs better overall in South Africa. However, final choice depends on driving priorities.

Amarok scores 7 while Touareg scores 7 in efficiency. Real-world mileage may vary based on driving conditions.

In safety scoring, Amarok scores 18 and Touareg scores 20. Both offer competitive safety packages in this segment.

Amarok scores 12 versus Touareg scoring 12. Warranty coverage and ownership value influence this result.

Practicality scoring gives Amarok 7 and Touareg 19, reflecting cabin space and usability.

Performance category shows Amarok scoring 13 compared to Touareg scoring 20, indicating stronger overtaking capability.

While resale depends on market demand, ownership and brand positioning suggest Touareg may hold stronger long-term value.

Off-road suitability depends on drivetrain and ground clearance. Refer to the full specification comparison for detailed technical differences.

Efficiency and ownership categories influence running costs. Touareg performs slightly stronger overall in structured scoring.

Value depends on feature set, performance and ownership coverage. Structured comparison gives Touareg the overall advantage.

Detailed Comparison Analysis

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

Performance: Amarok scores 13 vs 20.

Efficiency: Amarok scores 7 vs 7.

Safety: Amarok scores 18 vs 20.

Practicality: Amarok scores 7 vs 19.

Ownership: Amarok scores 12 vs 12.

Final structured scoring gives Touareg the advantage in this comparison.

Volkswagen Amarok vs Volkswagen Touareg

Volkswagen Amarok

Volkswagen Touareg

Quick Winners

Overall Comparison Score

Touareg

Amarok

Executive Summary

Key Differences At A Glance

Category Score Breakdown

Touareg

Amarok

Pros & Cons

Amarok

Touareg

Who Should Buy Which?

Amarok

Touareg

Full Specification Comparison

Final Verdict

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People Also Compare

Frequently Asked Questions

Detailed Comparison Analysis