VS
At a Glance
Power
154 kW
125 kW
Torque
440 Nm
405 Nm
Fuel
7.5 l/100km
7.7 l/100km
Towing
3500 Kg
3500 Kg
0-100 km/h
10.4 s
—
Engine
2151 cc
1996 cc
Choosing between the Kia Tasman and the Volkswagen Amarok is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Kia Tasman delivers 154 kW while the Volkswagen Amarok produces 125 kW. On fuel, the Tasman returns 7.5 l/100km while the Amarok uses 7.7 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R679 995 for the Tasman and R689 700 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
154 kW
125 kW
Torque
440 Nm
405 Nm
0-100 kph
10.4 s
—
Top Speed
185 Km/h
180 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2151 cc
1996 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
diesel
diesel
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
8
10
Drive Wheels
rear
rear
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
7.5 l/100km
7.7 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
80 l
80 l
CO2 Emissions
198 g/km
202 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5410 mm
5350 mm
Width
1930 mm
1910 mm
Height
1930 mm
1884 mm
Wheelbase
3270 mm
3270 mm
Ground Clearance
231 mm
237 mm
Kerb Weight
2192 Kg
1935 Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
1212 l
—
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
3500 Kg
3500 Kg
Load Capacity
1123 l
1125 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
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
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
—
Tow Bar
—
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
5
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
150000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
—
Service Plan Years
6
—
Service Plan Distance
90000
—
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Kia Tasman
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Tasman
Fuel Economy
Tasman
Value
Tasman
Practicality
Tied
Pros & Cons
Kia Tasman
More powerful engine (154 kW)
Better fuel economy (7.5 l/100km)
Lower starting price (R679 995)
Factory service plan included
Few notable weaknesses
Volkswagen Amarok
Well-rounded specification
Higher fuel consumption (7.7 l/100km)
Less power than rival (125 kW vs 154 kW)
Higher starting price
No factory service plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Tasman or Amarok?
The Tasman uses 7.5 l/100km and the Amarok uses 7.7 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Tasman 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 Tasman or Amarok?
The Tasman produces 154 kW and 440 Nm of torque while the Amarok delivers 125 kW and 405 Nm of torque. The Tasman is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Tasman and Amarok?
The Tasman starts from R679 995 and the Amarok from R689 700. The Tasman is cheaper by R9 705 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Tasman or Amarok?
The Tasman 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 Tasman 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.