VS
At a Glance
Power
222 kW
125 kW
Torque
452 Nm
405 Nm
Fuel
9.3 l/100km
7.7 l/100km
Towing
3500 Kg
3500 Kg
Engine
2261 cc
1996 cc
Choosing between the Ford Ranger and the Volkswagen Amarok is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Ford Ranger delivers 222 kW while the Volkswagen Amarok produces 125 kW. On fuel, the Ranger returns 9.3 l/100km while the Amarok uses 7.7 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R899 000 for the Ranger and R931 600 for the Amarok. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
222 kW
125 kW
Torque
452 Nm
405 Nm
Top Speed
—
180 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2261 cc
1996 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol
diesel
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
10
10
Drive Wheels
rear
all
Full Time 4x4
—
✓ Standard
Low Range
—
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
9.3 l/100km
7.7 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
80 l
80 l
CO2 Emissions
213 g/km
202 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5350 mm
5350 mm
Width
2015-2208 mm
1910 mm
Height
1886 mm
1884 mm
Wheelbase
3270 mm
3270 mm
Ground Clearance
237 mm
235 mm
Kerb Weight
2133 Kg
2132 Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
3500 Kg
3500 Kg
Load Capacity
967 l
1148 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
—
Airbag Count
7
7
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
—
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
4
5
Warranty Distance
120000 Km
150000 Km
Service Plan
Optional
—
Service Plan Years
6
—
Service Plan Distance
90000
—
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Ford Ranger
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Ranger
Fuel Economy
Amarok
Value
Ranger
Practicality
Tied
Pros & Cons
Ford Ranger
More powerful engine (222 kW)
Lower starting price (R899 000)
Higher fuel consumption (9.3 l/100km)
Volkswagen Amarok
Better fuel economy (7.7 l/100km)
Less power than rival (125 kW vs 222 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Ranger or Amarok?
The Ranger uses 9.3 l/100km and the Amarok uses 7.7 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Amarok is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Ranger or Amarok?
The Ranger produces 222 kW and 452 Nm of torque while the Amarok delivers 125 kW and 405 Nm of torque. The Ranger is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Ranger and Amarok?
The Ranger starts from R899 000 and the Amarok from R931 600. The Ranger is cheaper by R32 600 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Ranger or Amarok?
The Ranger has a braked towing capacity of 3500 Kg and the Amarok can tow 3500 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Ranger or the Amarok?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.