Assessed against 2020-2022 criteria, the ANCAP safety rating for the Amarok is based on testing of the closely-related Ford Ranger, combined with additional frontal offset (MPDB) and side impact tests conducted on the Amarok.

The Volkswagen Amarok comes equipped as standard with dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting curtain airbags, as well as a driver and passenger knee airbag. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also a standard offering.

ANCAP results include ratings of Good, Adequate and Marginal performance.

A mix of Good and Adequate injury risk scores were observed across the range of crash tests featuring adult dummies, with some areas of Marginal performance noted.

Good levels of protection were observed for both child dummies in the two Child Occupant Protection crash tests, and full points were scored for the protection of children in those tests. New car buyers using the Amarok to transport young children should note however that the installation of child restraints in the centre seat of the second row is not recommended as a top tether anchorage is not fitted in this position.

As with the Ford Ranger and many other utilities and large Sports Utility Vehicles, the Amarok was shown to pose an increased risk to occupants of oncoming vehicles in a crash, and a 3.57 point 'compatibility' penalty was applied.

The Volkswagen Amarok is fitted with a broad range of collision avoidance systems capable of responding to pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles in forward and turning scenarios.

Good scores were awarded 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 test scenarios revealed an overall Adequate level of performance.

Kondinin Group hopes to get behind the wheel of the new Amarok in the next month or so.