Volkswagen Amarok Aventura petrol joins local line-up

A new top-specification Volkswagen Amarok has joined the local line-up in the form of the petrol-powered Aventura.

The diesel equivalent has of course been on sale in New Zealand since mid-2023, a model which we felt was a well-suited alternative to the Ford Ranger upon which it is based for those wanting a Euro-badged ute. But VW knows that not everyone wants to pay road user charges, or figured they didn’t like the smell of diesel, hence the introduction of the petrol.

“With Amarok already being a Kiwi favourite, the all-new Aventura turbo petrol model is hot property and of course includes all the usual impressive Volkswagen DNA both inside and out. It’s the perfect city ute,” says Kevin Richards, General Manager of Volkswagen Commercial vehicles.

To state the obvious, the only difference between the petrol and diesel is what lies under the bonnet, with the former sporting a 2.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 222kW and 452Nm of torque rather than a 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel V6 with 184kW/600Nm at its disposal.

Power is still sent through a 10-speed automatic transmission with selectable four-wheel drive, while the new top-spec Amarok also retains its industry-standard braked towing capacity of 3500kg.

The petrol is equally as endowed with top-of-the-range features, with the exterior getting 21-inch alloys, Matrix LED headlights, and chrome accents among other shiny bits.

It’s the same story inside, with a Harmon Kardon sound system pumping tunes to your heart’s desire, in addition to a heated leather steering wheel and seats, wireless device charging, a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen that can be controlled by voice, and more.

Volkswagen reminded us that the Amarok also comes with a five-star ANCAP safety rating, which is thanks in part to the ute’s dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting curtain airbags, as well as the driver and passenger knee airbag. There’s also a standard-fit central airbag.

Pricing for the petrol-powered Volkswagen Amarok Aventura comes to $93,000 – the same price as the diesel – and is available to test drive at your nearest dealership now.