The Volkswagen Amarok is the latest vehicle to be awarded a five-star safety rating from ANCAP against the 2020-2022 testing protocols, with it narrowly scoring better than its Ford Ranger twin under the skin in one particular area.
This result was drawn from testing of the closely related Ford Ranger, with additional frontal offset and side impact tests conducted on the Amarok by Euro NCAP, which has harmonised testing protocols with ANCAP.
The Amarok scored 86 per cent for adult occupant protection, 93 per cent for child occupant protection, 74 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 83 per cent for safety assist.
The adult occupant protection score for the Amarok is technically higher than what the Ranger received, with the Ford receiving a score of 84 per cent. The Amarok fared better overall in whiplash protection.
ANCAP notes the Amarok had a mix of Good and Adequate injury risk scores across the range of crash tests with adult dummies, though there were some areas with Marginal performance.
In the two Child Occupant Protection tests the Amarok scored full points, with Good levels of protection observed for both child dummies.
The independent crash testing authority does highlight though that the installation of child restraints in the centre seat of the second row isn’t recommended as there’s no top tether anchor fitted.
Like the Ford Ranger and a number of other utes and large SUVs, the Amarok was shown to pose an increased risk to occupants of oncoming vehicles in a crash, with a 3.57 ‘compatibility’ penalty applied.
ANCAP says the Amarok comes with a “broad range collision avoidance systems” that are capable of responding to pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles in forward and turning scenarios.
It awarded Good scores for the Amarok’s performance in emergency lane keeping, lane keep assist, car-to-car autonomous emergency braking (AEB) tests, and car-to-cyclist AEB tests.
Car-to-pedestrian AEB tests revealed an Adequate level of performance though.
“The dual cab ute segment is always very competitive, and this five-star rating now elevates the VW Amarok in line with its contemporary peers,” said ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg.
The 2023 Volkswagen Amarok comes standard with the following safety equipment:
- Seven airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-keep assist
- Speed sign recognition
- Multi-collision braking
- Reversing camera
- Rear parking sensors
Moving to the Life adds:
- Blind-spot monitor
- Front parking sensors
Pre-orders for the new-generation Volkswagen Amarok have now opened ahead of its launch early next month.
The range opens from $50,990 before on-road costs for the Core manual, and stretches to $79,990 before on-road costs for the Aventura.
Volkswagen Australia expects the Style to be the top-selling model. It starts at $66,990 before on-road costs and goes up against the Ford Ranger Sport and Wildtrak, Toyota HiLux SR5 and Rogue and the top-spec Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain and Mazda BT-50 Thunder.
Volkswagen will offer three engines including a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four cylinder in two states of tune, a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, and a 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
The Aventura and PanAmericana will be the first Amarok models to arrive locally with the remaining models expected to follow close behind.
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