VS
At a Glance
Power
292 kW
125 kW
Torque
583 Nm
405 Nm
Fuel
11.5 l/100km
7.7 l/100km
Towing
2500 Kg
3500 Kg
Engine
2996 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 292 kW while the Volkswagen Amarok produces 125 kW. On fuel, the Ranger returns 11.5 l/100km while the Amarok uses 7.7 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R1 299 000 for the Ranger and R767 500 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
292 kW
125 kW
Torque
583 Nm
405 Nm
Top Speed
—
180 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2996 cc
1996 cc
Engine Layout
V
inline
Cylinders
6
4
Fuel Type
petrol
diesel
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
10
10
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Low Range
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
11.5 l/100km
7.7 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
80 l
80 l
CO2 Emissions
262 g/km
202 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5360 mm
5350 mm
Width
2028-2225 mm
1910 mm
Height
1926 mm
1884 mm
Wheelbase
3270 mm
3270 mm
Ground Clearance
272 mm
237 mm
Kerb Weight
2432 Kg
2023 Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
2500 Kg
3500 Kg
Load Capacity
—
1167 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
—
Keyless Entry
✓ 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
Volkswagen Amarok
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Ranger
Fuel Economy
Amarok
Value
Amarok
Practicality
Amarok
Pros & Cons
Ford Ranger
More powerful engine (292 kW)
Higher fuel consumption (11.5 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Volkswagen Amarok
Better fuel economy (7.7 l/100km)
Lower starting price (R767 500)
Higher towing capacity (3500 Kg)
Less power than rival (125 kW vs 292 kW)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Ranger or Amarok?
The Ranger uses 11.5 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 292 kW and 583 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 R1 299 000 and the Amarok from R767 500. The Amarok is cheaper by R531 500 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 2500 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.