Gathering of "collective farmers": Volkswagen Amarok, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi L200 or Toyota Hilux Pick Up. Which pickup to choose? New comment What is better amarok or ford ranger

What people can think of to experience an unforgettable moment of excitement from driving their car. Today we will introduce you to the test drive of pickups not in a simple way, but by connecting it with aeronautics. Our goal was to examine the characteristics of models such as the Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara and Amarok. So, we pressed the gas pedal all the way and rushed ...

Pickups plus balloons

It's still dark outside. The surface of the landfill shines with its virgin purity. Not a single mark from tires, nor other crossbreeds of our hectic life.

Nissan Navara is a powerful and not so old pickup

Aeronauts are a special people. They are always fussing, although it is early to soar into the sky before the first gusts of wind. After all, in most cases it begins with the first rays of the sun that appear on the horizon. So, we tie one pickup truck to a balloon, like some kind of ballast.

The candidate turned out to be a soundly “knocked down” and not very old Nissan Navara (190 hp 2.5 liters). But here we are in for a little disappointment. As it turned out, the Navara does not have a rear towing eye. Of course, we found a way out, because every Russian is an inventor at heart. However, no one expected such a trick from a pickup truck.

Ford Ranger - the second candidate, a relatively new car

Looking at the huge sheet of the balloon, one cannot believe that in fifteen minutes it will turn into a huge “flying skyscraper”. But it's all right. The fan started working, the roar of flames pierced the night darkness and it started! In a few minutes, the balloon filled with burning gas and soared into the sky.

We stood for a while, watching as the majestic symbiosis of the balloon and the pickup truck soared into the sky, and focused all our attention on the remaining pickups. The main one, of course, was the Ranger (2.2 liters, 150 hp). However, Amarok should not be discounted either.

Volkswagen Amarok- the third candidate for heroes among pickups

Having loaded Ford Ranger - you can forget about comfort

The first was the Volkswagen Amarok. It’s not for nothing that such a pickup truck was given such a long accelerator pedal stroke. He confidently and powerfully “floated” along the mud waves. At the same time, the main task of the driver was to turn it on, and the electronics itself would pull the car forward.

However, it should never be forgotten that reverse gear in such a car, the most that neither is ordinary. And moving back such a “tractor” will be worse than moving forward.

Nissan Navara at the same time showed the softness of the gas, intuitive reactions, thrifty power and special torque. At the same time, the car was well controlled and showed its power in full force. This is a real fighter, fighting to the last.

Off-road is the second element of these pickups

The Ford Ranger is not inferior in its capabilities to the Nissan pickup, except for a sharp reaction to gas, therefore it requires more careful handling. Ford car also walked confidently along the track. But the electronic lock settings are not something that interferes, they are just alarming.

Rationalism plus functionality

Looking at the roughness of the interior of pickups, you don’t doubt for a moment their functionality. Each of them must have:

• impressive boxes;
• huge glove boxes;
• not small “burdocks” of mirrors.

If you choose cars in maximum configuration, then you will be waiting for:

• leather seats;
• cameras for rear view;
• climate with two zones;
• parking sensors;
• monitors of various systems.

But the priorities are immediately visible. Here Ford Ranger clearly looks prettier: eye-catching instrument dials and a variety of color paints on. All this harmony creates modern design and style. The seats feel spacious with just the right amount of support and additional adjustment ranges (electric).

At first glance, it is clear that Ford test Ranger you understand that such a car has excellent ergonomics. Everything here is top notch and at your fingertips.

You can only point out the lack of adjustment of the steering column in the longitudinal direction and ill-conceived switches. Probably, they were made in countries where no one needs such functions. Such a trifle is very striking in a spacious and comfortable cabin.

The Amarok is not the best this time around, because usually when it comes to assessing the interior, Volkswagen comes first. Nissan test Navara showed that everything is in its place here and there is no evidence of savings anywhere. However, the same cannot be said for Ford.

You can only praise the outlet. It was skillfully placed on top of the front panel - just the dream of that driver who sometimes connects additional equipment to the car.

Ford Ranger is just a dream, convenient and everything is at hand

Slippery and flat seats, small ranges of adjustments, especially longitudinal ones, make you even more sad. At the same time, it will be inconvenient for the driver to put the steering wheel in the correct position, and for some even to consider small characters on the switches.

Passengers sitting in the back in such a car will feel left out. They got seats that did not look like armchairs, but like benches with a low cushion. Here you feel constrained, and tightness in the knees clearly interferes.

Hassle with Amarok?

Ford and Volkswagen pickups have similar equipment, only slightly different in power (150 and 163 hp). They put gears on them.

The Ford Ranger deserves second place anyway. At least for the price. It's also worth remembering that Ford adapts well to poor road conditions.

The Nissan Navara isn't good enough by today's standards. Suspension, brakes and amenities for rear passengers needs to be improved. By changing this, you can again see Nissan in all its glory and brilliance of its brand. Which car do you like out of these three?

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The Russian village is dead. Most Russians are convinced of this. Meanwhile, agricultural production is growing, and Russia is becoming an increasingly significant player in the international food market. Pickup truck sales are on the rise. Our trip in four pickup trucks to the Tver region was supposed to answer the question: “Is there life on village?

ford ranger

Previously, there were two Ford Ranger: American and Thai. Since this year, Ford has only had one mid-size pickup, and it's in front of you. In Russia, cars are available with a single and one and a half cab and three engines to choose from: petrol 2.5 (166 hp) and diesel 2.2 and 3.2 (150 and 200 hp). Gearboxes - 5-speed manual transmission for gasoline cars and 6-speed manual transmission and automatic transmission for diesel. All vehicles are all-wheel drive. Our Ranger has a double cab, 6-speed automatic and 2.2 diesel. Prices: from 1,112,000 to 1,541,000 rubles.

Outside and inside

In America, the Ranger has never been a real farm car, it's too small for that - you can't transport a steer on this one. But surfers, crossmen and other outdoor enthusiasts across the ocean have always loved mid-size pickups. And the new Ranger does a great job of being the chariot of an adrenaline junkie. Even the long-wheelbase ATV Stels ATV600GT got into the body! Body length - 1549 mm, width - 1560 mm. And how famously the American pickup truck looks - the real star of the beach party - even though it is going to Thailand! But the interior turned out to be too "cartoonish" and not very comfortable. The support for resting the left leg shakes with minimal pressure, and it is installed so inconveniently that it is more comfortable to simply keep the foot on the floor. The multimedia system menu is confusing, and the control buttons are inconvenient. But there are a lot of places! You can comfortably sit behind yourself, which is not typical for a mid-size pickup truck. Still, the stock of rear passenger legroom has increased by 5.5 cm.

In move

But the main changes are on the go, because the Ranger has become much more modern and, as a result, more perfect. Thanks to the rack and pinion mechanism, the number of turns of the steering wheel from lock to lock has decreased from four to three, and the steering wheel has finally appeared Feedback. And not just appeared: this controllability is now more likely passenger car than a truck. You can even joke around! Moreover, the suspension has become softer, and the feed no longer jumps on bumps like crazy. And on slippery surfaces, ESP gives confidence, which is now put “in the base”.

Only with a load in the back it is better to forget about the dynamics. There are not so many strengths, the turbo lag is large, and the “automatic” is not too quick. As a result, on the way to the village of Verkhnyaya Trinity, which is 280 km from Moscow, I had to carefully think over each overtaking. But the weight of the “quadric” is 350 kg, what will happen with a larger load? In a word, if you carry heavy loads, immediately take the Wildcat version with the top 3.2 engine. But the suspension copes well with weights - there is almost no buildup. The tailgate did not let us down either, despite the fact that rear wheels Stels stood almost on its edge: the board did not lead, and the hinges did not bend. In addition, the Ranger body is equipped with rails with lashing eyes, which allow you to securely secure cargo of almost any size.

Off-road "by geometry" Ranger gets a solid five. The angle of entry and exit is an impressive 28 degrees! The depth of the ford to be overcome is 80 cm! The rest nervously smoke on the sidelines! But everything spoils the lack of a locking rear differential, even as an option. It's good that you can turn on the lowering, and with the regulator near the gearshift lever, forcibly block the center clutch. Keeping this in mind, and at the same time about the "quadric" in the back, we tried to avoid really serious off-road, but the Ranger coped with the slush without problems.

As long as there was an ATV weighing under 350 kg in the back, everything was great. Slightly "stupid" automatic gearbox? Well, after all, we are going with ballast! Steering some vague and sloppy?! So the "muzzle" is unloaded! The intricate logistics of the keys on the built-in radio did not even bother me. We're driving long distances in a truck! Got one radio wave?! Here, rejoice! But they were flowers. When the ATV was removed, the berries jumped, in the literal sense. Slowly, slowly overcoming impassability, I still felt like a jumping devil on a spring, jumping out of the chest. And on a smooth highway, you got the impression that you were not in a car, but at the helm of a light aircraft, which, no, no, and would be thrown to the side by a stream of air. In general, I have a mixed impression of the new Ranger.

Nissan Navara

The Japanese pickup comes to us from Spain exclusively with all-wheel drive and a double cabin, but there are two engines: diesel 2.5 and 3.0. The junior motor is aggregated with a 5-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed automatic transmission, and the power of the flagship engine is transmitted to the wheels through a 7-speed automatic transmission. The Navara shares a platform with the Pathfinder SUV, but differs from it with a solid axle with springs instead of an independent rear suspension. Price range: 1,296,000 - 1,876,000 rubles.

Outside and inside

Navara has always been between "proletarian" mid-size pickups and luxurious and powerful full-size trucks imported from across the ocean by gray dealers. The Spanish "Japanese" has always been more powerful, more luxurious, more prestigious and more expensive than other pickups officially presented on our market. It was Nissan that opened the segment of comfortable pickups suitable for everyday driving of a prosperous middle class representative. Solid appearance, identical to the rather prestigious Pathfinder, rich equipment, spacious interior - in this it is not a shame to drive up to a good restaurant or even a theater. Now, when all the main competitors have gone through an update, the distance between Navara and the rest of the classmates has decreased, but still remained. Nissan is still more expensive and richer. Decent Bose music with a subwoofer, a large touch-screen display, a convenient navigation system, a scattering of buttons on the steering wheel - you won’t immediately say that you are sitting in a pickup truck. Even the interior architecture itself seems to be written off from Infiniti!

The body of the Navara is not the largest in the test, and this is easily explained, because the legroom for the rear passengers is the largest in the quartet. Moreover, the upholstery of the driver's seats with reverse side soft, so that even if the legs rest on the chair, then at least they do not hurt. But there are problems with geometry: the back of the sofa is too vertical, and the seat itself is set too low. Landing in the driver's seat personally suits me completely, but the ranges of adjustment are small, and the seat itself is located high enough that it dictates a landing with bent legs. So I fully admit that there are many people who find Nissan uncomfortable.

In move

Even basic nissan engine more powerful than the top-end VW and Toyota engines, so it's no surprise that the empty Navara feels almost like a supercar. It seems that you can even "make" some hot hatches at a traffic light. And here chassis, alas, is already inferior to younger competitors. Nissan is the only car in this test where you can feel the movement rear axle. If you have experience driving frame machines with a bridge at the rear, then problems should not arise, but those who are accustomed to light reactions can be confused by the food floating above the bridge. At high speeds, you often need to correct the trajectory with the steering wheel, but if you are familiar with Land cruiser or Tahoe, then there will be no problems. But, I repeat, against the backdrop of Ranger and Amarok japanese pickup seems tough.

But the declared load capacity is 800 kg. Just what's the point if the body is the most compact in the quartet: 1511/1560 mm. In width, any "quad" will fit into it, but our Stels were not included in length. But it is most convenient to secure cargo in Nissan thanks to the proprietary C-Channel system, which consists of three rails located on the front and side sides of the body, and lugs that can be moved along these rails. Nissan “softens” with a load, but the smoothness of the competitors is still better. But the powerful engine of the "Japanese" does not seem to notice the load.

However, rigidity does not interfere with handling. Sure, the steering wheel is long enough and the feedback isn't as good as the Amarok or Ranger, but it's still easier and more enjoyable to corner in a Nissan than in a Toyota. The Navara's off-road arsenal makes it a good "rogue": a classic plug-in all-wheel drive with a lowering row and locks of the center and rear center differentials allows you to confidently cope even with quite serious off-road conditions. In addition, during the recent restyling, the geometric cross-country ability of the car was improved. Approach angle is now 30 degrees (was 29). Congress: up to 24 (22). Inflection: up to 22 (18).

Vakhtang Koltsov, PR manager

A car for those who love comfort and - at the same time - are not afraid of off-road. A modern, fairly comfortable interior with a lot of options, the panel is literally stuffed with buttons and levers, the inclusion of downshifts is displayed on the joysticks-twist. And even a foppish Bose speaker system is worth it, although the sound quality is unlikely to be so important for a person who needs a pickup truck for work. However, deep clay puddles on low gears the car accelerates confidently. On the road, the car gives the feeling of driving in a mid-size crossover, and setting it to comfort completely makes you forget that this is a pickup truck.

Toyota Hilux

The most popular pickup truck in Africa and Asia has finally come to Russia, where it immediately became one of the market leaders. The car is sold only with a double cab and all-wheel drive, but there are two engines: diesel 2.5 (144 hp) and 3.0 (171 hp). The first is available exclusively with a 5-speed "mechanics", the second - with an "automatic" with the same number of steps. Prices are in the range between 1,090,000 and 1,605,500 rubles. Our pickup truck is in the top configuration with a three-liter engine.

Outside and inside

You look at the Hilux, look away and… you forget what it looks like. This has not happened with Japanese cars for a long time! You get into the salon and… am I in a modern Japanese car? "Japanese" is true, but there are problems with "modern". Everywhere is hard and cheap plastic, the skin is more like leatherette, the seats are very uncomfortable. So much so that your back starts hurting. The backrest cannot be placed vertically, its profile is unfortunate, lateral support is minimal, and the leather is very slippery. The steering wheel is too low, and its adjustment is not enough. Toyota is the only one in the test to have all-wheel drive controlled by a lever rather than buttons or knobs. Needless to say, the lever trembles like an aspen leaf in the wind?

Another disappointment was the music system. Not only does it sound bad and looks like it was bought at the Mitinsky radio market, it also broke down on the way. At some point, the radio tape recorder stopped playing songs from flash drives and iPods. The sound just disappeared, although the songs were played.

But the back seat is spacious, and the landing is almost no different from it in some midsize SUV. It is spacious and comfortable, because the back of the sofa is not in a pickup style. You can only complain about the low position of the sofa, because of which the knees are too pulled up. But this can cause inconvenience only on a very long journey. The pillow of the back sofa can be raised, a couple of hiding places are hidden under it, but the backrest is fixed rigidly.

In move

The empty Hilux seems to be the toughest car in the test. On the "speed bumps" there is a feeling that the rear suspension does not work at all! But this is only a feeling, because the Japanese pickup truck overcomes gentle bumps unexpectedly softly, practically not inferior to our leader in terms of smoothness, the VW Amarok. True, as soon as a quad bike was registered in the body, Toyota softened so much that its behavior began to resemble a ship: buildup and solid rolls. But if you do not turn the steering wheel sharply, then on a long journey the Hilux is very pleasant. The main thing is that transverse waves of asphalt come across less often on the road, otherwise it can rock you. But, I repeat, on a good road, Toyota is a miracle how good! Regardless of the load, the driver feels the vibrations of the unsprung masses stronger than in other pickups.

But there is not much to say about controllability. On the one hand, the steering wheel is "longer" than the VW and Ford, but still shorter than the Nissan. On the other hand, it is “empty”, and the unfortunate location of the steering wheel itself discourages any desire to be active behind the wheel. The same "gray" and acceleration dynamics. It seems that there are no problems, but no matter how strong impressions there are from the combination of a sufficiently powerful engine and an old “automatic machine”, there is no left. Overtaking even with a load is much easier than on Ford and VW, but Nissan is not sure.

Off-road, the Toyota driver feels less confident than the “steering” Amarok and Navara, because the rear differential lock is not available even for a surcharge. Moreover, cars with an "automatic" do not even have a self-block! In the Hilux arsenal, there is only a lowered transmission range. On a broken road with a load, you literally have to sneak around, because due to the buildup, the “quad-rick” can damage the glass or sides of the car.

In general, Hilux disappointed with its cargo capabilities. The eyes are located only on the floor of the body, and the loading platform itself is very narrow - not the widest Stels 800D ATV hardly climbed between the arches. Body dimensions: 1547 mm long and 1515 mm wide. 10.5 cm narrower than the Amarok, which even includes a Euro pallet between the arches!

Vakhtang Koltsov, PR manager

Probably, the name Hilux speaks of the “highest luxury”, however, only the silver insert on the dashboard. In all other respects, this is an ordinary car, but this is precisely its charm: it literally exudes confident reliability. Simplicity is not always a minus. In principle, this car resembles a Japanese foreign car of the mid-90s, where everything in the interior was made of one-color gray plastic. A loaded car in its behavior is not much different from an empty one, it does not “goat”, does not force the engine to spin up for acceleration, and even slows down just as well. Irregularities are generally more pleasant to overcome with a load, since then the body, planted on springs, does not jump. The inclusion of all sorts of "lowers" reminded UAZ, where nothing will work without a crunch and creak.

VW Amarok

The German manufacturer offers the largest number of versions of its pickup truck. Three types of transmission: rear-wheel drive, with plug-in and permanent all-wheel drive. Two cab options: single and double. Two transmissions: 6-speed manual and 8-speed automatic. 2013 model year cars will be equipped with three diesel engines: 122, 140 and 180 liters. with. There are also two versions of the suspension: with three- and five-leaf springs. Our 2012 Amarok has 163 horses under the hood.

Outside and inside

Strict Amarok turns out to be a real dude: chrome-plated roll bars and steps, a beautiful body lid, chocolate inserts on the front panel and doors, chocolate leather seats - beauty! And behind the wheel, you don’t understand at all that you are in a utility truck - the landing is easy! The adjustment ranges are simply huge, and the landing is no different from a passenger car. The interior itself is assembled from blocks that are well known from the brand's passenger models. The rear seats are almost as spacious as in the Nissan, and you don't sit too upright. The interior of the German pickup truck is the most thoughtful in the quartet. There are the most compartments for small things, three sockets at once, two large cup holders, an ashtray into which it is convenient to throw garbage, and the back of the sofa folds down and the pillow rises. Bravo!

Unfortunately, the Amarok that we got was equipped with a body cover, which helps to keep the cargo safe and sound, but does not make it possible to put a quadric into the body, so we were unable to load the VW solidly. Theoretically, there should be no problems with transportation, because the cargo platform of the "German" is the largest. Its dimensions are 1555 mm long and 1620 mm wide. And the ride at the same time will be the most comfortable, because even an empty Amarok is comparable in smoothness to, say, a loaded Nissan Navara.

In move

The feeling that you are in a passenger car, and not in a pickup truck, does not leave in motion either. On the move Amarok is the most comfortable pickup in the test. Even with a completely empty body, “goat” is almost not felt, and the energy intensity of the suspension is such that speed bumps can be overcome if desired. The handling of the VW is also the best in the four. The steering wheel is “short” and informative, and the effort on it is the most natural. Amarok willingly dives into the turn, and no bumps are capable of knocking it off the intended course. The clutch pedal travel turned out to be unexpectedly short for the products of the VAG concern, but the short-stroke manual transmission lever with clear gear shifts was not a surprise.

But not everything is so rosy. The weakest point of VW is the engine. Two liters is still too little for a pickup truck. Traction is desperately lacking, the motor starts to drive only after 1500 rpm, but by 2500 it already turns sour. It is often necessary to switch, which tires both the driver and the box. Amarok owners complain about broken synchronizers. Of course, there is a wonderful 8-speed "automatic", but with it the car loses the reduced transmission range and locking center differential with which the "mechanical" machine is equipped. Therefore, the buyer must choose: comfort or patency. If you have chosen a car with "mechanics", and even equipped it with an optional rear differential lock, then the patency becomes simply immense. The only limiters are the geometric cross-country ability and grip properties of standard tires.

Dmitry Kuzmin, columnist editor

In my opinion, the best suspension among all known pickups. The car not only withstands the load, but even with an empty body it holds the road superbly and works out bumps. The Germans “sharpened” their truck not for a brutal “stupid” dump truck, but with an eye for operation purely for “smart” commercial purposes. It turned out: a minimum of emotions, a maximum of modern technological solutions, electronic devices and everyday practicality.

SUMMARY

So, won VW. It is closest to passenger cars, while being very strong off-road, and its cargo platform is larger than the rest. Add here the largest number of modifications and ... VW is not the market leader! Moreover, the backlog from Mitsubishi L200 and Toyota Hilux exceeds 20%. Most likely, the matter is in the absence of the "machine", which appeared in Amarok only recently. The trouble is that all the variety of versions does not allow you to create the perfect pickup truck. Our comfortable version blew the competition apart in ride, but the slightly stiffer Ranger can carry twice as much cargo! The Heavy Duty version makes the VW nearly as tough as the Nissan. “Automatic” is good, but with automatic transmission, the “German” loses its off-road arsenal.

With a noticeable lag, Ford and Nissan took the second or third places. Ford is almost as good as VW, but it is much inferior to it in terms of dynamics and cross-country ability. But only Ford offers a one-and-a-half cab, and the declared load capacity of the Ranger is the highest in the class: more than 1136 kg!

Nissan is a bit old but still good. It is the most dynamic, well-equipped and premium car. And he could fight for the victory, if not for the loss in smoothness. The small body is also frustrating: does it mean that the Navara is a city slicker? And why would he then have the best cross-country ability in the test?

Toyota fell far behind and took last place, but in terms of sales, Hilux is in the lead, how so? By and large, the "Japanese" is seriously frustrating only with its narrow body and outdated interior. Otherwise, a decent average level.

Well, the village ... Poor, devastation, bad roads and at the same time stunning views, kind people and enthusiasts' attempts to breathe new life into the village economy. I would like to believe that the process of positive changes can no longer be stopped.

Text: Automotive Magazine

Both cars boast an automatic transmission that is relevant today in this segment, which was another important reason for the comparative test.

Represented

Sales of the current, fifth, generation Ranger started with us in the fall of 2012. It has grown significantly: in length by 279, in width by 62, and in the base by 220 mm, and, as a result, it literally went beyond the scope of a pickup truck in the European sense and approached overseas standards.

VW Amarok Double Cab Highline 2.0 bitTDI (180 hp) automatic transmission8: 1,670,000 rubles

Amarok, introduced in 2009, is Volkswagen's first independent experience in this class. Invading a new segment for themselves, the Germans immediately made big car with an eye to the Australian and South American markets rather than the European one. In Russia, this size of pickups is also honored. In 2012, our customers were pleased with the modification with permanent all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission, unique in the class.

Looked

In brutality, the Ranger has greatly surpassed its ancestors. Large headlights and a "grill", a metal insert in the front bumper leave no doubt - we have "Yankees" in front of us. The cab has a massive front panel and a wide center console in a deliberately off-road style. Behind without much hesitation can sit three.

Amarok, despite its size, is not without elegance. The headlights, radiator grille and front bumper are also not small, but they show a relationship with the brand's passenger models. The cabin is no less spacious in length and 100 (!) mm wider than the Ranger. The interior also has massive dashboards and a central tunnel. There is more German rigor in design than American scope.

Initially, pickup trucks were created as compact trucks designed to transport small loads - they were widely used by American farmers and private entrepreneurs. However, in our country they are often bought instead of ordinary all-metal SUVs, guided by - a vivid example of this is the "almost passenger" Volkswagen Amarok. But American companies as long as they remain true to tradition, for example, the Ford Ranger pickup truck has a payload capacity exceeding 1.2 tons! Therefore, in order to find out which car is better to buy for personal use - Ranger or Amarok, it is worth comparing the main parameters of pickups.

We carry cargo

It is clear that for the future owner of a pickup truck, not the last place in the characteristics of the car is the size of the cargo compartment. The Ford Ranger, with the most popular two-row cab, has a platform length of 1.4 meters and a height of 0.5 meters. Decent performance though Ford owners often complain about the small width (1.56 meters), as well as excessive loading height - almost 90 centimeters. For agricultural work or transportation of building materials, the Ford Ranger is ideal, but for loading household appliances - with a stretch. In addition, immediately after the board, the Ranger has a high step, which makes it difficult to put loads that are sensitive to shocks and other influences into the body.

In the field of cargo transportation, the Volkswagen pickup truck is not inferior to its traditional American competitor - its body length is 10 centimeters longer and its depth is 2 cm. In addition, the width of the Volkswagen Amarok platform, equal to 1.65 meters, should be especially noted - it helps to carry fairly large loads like modern refrigerators or LCD TVs. The step is almost invisible - thanks in large part to the thick plastic coating on the bottom of the Amarok body - it also protects the metal from corrosion and prevents damage to the load.

If you compare Amarok and Ranger, it may seem that Volkswagen is ideal for the role of a compact truck. However, the Ford Ranger has a payload capacity 1.5 times that of german car- 1.2 tons. Of course, the Volkswagen Amarok can be ordered in a special version of Heavy Duty, but reinforced five-leaf springs, which add 200 kg to the pickup truck, deprive it of the excellent handling that the manufacturer is so proud of. But Volkswagen can tow trailers weighing up to 3.2 tons due to the powerful engine and optimized transmission, while the Ford Ranger can only take 2.5 tons. But the Americans have one more "trump card" - a branded plastic superstructure that makes the body closed, for the Ranger it costs only 90 thousand rubles, while Volkswagen offers it for 150-175 thousand rubles, depending on the material and type of tailgate mechanism.

On the run

Off-road qualities

You can find some sense in buying a pickup truck for urban use, although it is quite difficult to call such an acquisition justified, so it will be a priority. Pickup truck owners have high hopes for the Ford Ranger, as it has been compared to the popular F-150 in the US, capable of overcoming very difficult obstacles. However, in the case of the Ranger, the driver will have to beware of deep holes, ruts and stream banks. Mechanical differential locks replaced electronic system that mimics their work. As a result, the Ford Ranger quickly gets bogged down in the mud and cries for help, spinning the posted wheels.

Not too good either - the 2.2-litre diesel drives the Ranger well on flat terrain, but quickly loses its enthusiasm when there is a slight rise. If the Ford pickup is fully loaded, the driver will have to get used to depressing the gas pedal by three-quarters or more, which will inevitably affect fuel consumption. Of course, in the model a number of Ford Ranger there is also a car with a 3.2 engine with a power of 200 Horse power, but with it, the fuel consumption of a pickup truck exceeds 15 liters per 100 kilometers. There are no complaints about the automatic transmission - it quickly adapts to the selected driving mode, allowing you to maintain high speeds off-road and save fuel when driving on the highway.

But you don’t expect any off-road adventures from the Volkswagen Amarok - with all its appearance, the pickup truck shows that it is designed for high-speed driving on high-quality asphalt. The Amarok's problem is exactly the same as the Ford Ranger's - the lack of mechanical interlocks prevents the driver from driving through particularly difficult stretches of eroded dirt road. However, the engineers who created the Volkswagen Amarok did not make a mistake by installing a Torsen differential in the all-wheel drive transmission. Although it does allow some slippage, the Amarok's transmission adjusts the distribution of torque very quickly - as a result, the same obstacles can be passed "on the go" by adding gas just before a difficult section.

The Volkswagen biturbodiesel has very good traction and does not annoy the driver of a pickup truck with the usual for supercharged engines traction dip on low revs. However, it is still quite difficult to manage it - in this case, it is not the lack of power that interferes, but its excess, which causes the wheels of the Volkswagen Amarok to slip on long climbs with a slippery surface. Therefore, the driver should not wear waders or heavy winter boots - to drive a Volkswagen pickup off-road, you need to feel the pedals perfectly. Eight-speed automatic transmission ideal for a heavy machine - it changes gears a little slower than the "mechanics" and always finds the perfect gear ratio for Amarok.

On asphalt

The impressions of driving a Ford Ranger on a good road are quite expected - in terms of its habits, a pickup truck is very similar to a GAZelle or other light truck. The Ranger bounces high on every bump and shakes the whole body even when going through deep cracks in the pavement, and trying to drive a speed bump at high speed can cause all four wheels to lift off the ground. Handling can be assessed no higher than the "troika" - the car frankly upsets with a slow reaction to turning the steering wheel and large exchange rate fluctuations when driving on a bad road. With a full load, the Ford Ranger goes much better - the truck stops jumping, but the thuds and jerks of the steering wheel do not disappear.

But the 2.2 turbodiesel, which is not enough to lift the Ford Ranger up the hill, when driving in normal mode, impresses with soft reactions - when you quickly press the gas pedal, the car accelerates quickly and without any jerks. Ford's six-speed "automatic" tries to save fuel - when driving evenly, it very quickly shifts into top gear and tries to keep it until the speed drops below 800-1000 rpm. In general, the Ford Ranger leaves a mixed impression - the car allows you to control traction very conveniently, but quickly "shakes the soul" out of the driver and passengers.

High-quality asphalt is the natural element of the Volkswagen Amarok pickup - it is felt after the first kilometers traveled. Vehicle with standard three-leaf springs in rear suspension gently goes through all the bumps, annoying with jumps only after the appearance of especially deep pits and speed bumps. The Amarok's handling can be called ideal for a pickup truck, because unlike other light trucks, it instantly responds to the steering wheel and does not stray from the driver's chosen course. When fully loaded, the Volkswagen Amarok has a tendency to wobble - one feels that the car was created more as a fashion car than to carry heavy loads. If you order a Heavy Duty modification with two additional leaves in the springs, you can experience the same jumps as the Ford Ranger, although the handling will still be much better.

The powerful Volkswagen biturbodiesel makes the driver of a pickup truck think that he is sitting in a large Touareg SUV - the dynamics of the car are so good. Its only drawback is too fast response to pressing the pedal, which makes you drive in a “torn” rhythm with frequent gear changes and jerks. Although this quality of the Volkswagen Amarok helps to confidently stay in the city stream with its frequent rebuilding and sharp overtaking. automatic box gears initially - only six of its steps are used in the city, the seventh is designed to achieve top speed, and the eighth - for uniform movement at speeds above 120 km / h. In general, the Volkswagen Amarok can be called one of the few pickups with the habits of a passenger car - if only we are talking about the Comfort modification with a standard suspension.

Comfort

If we compare the Volkswagen Amarok or the Ford Ranger with each other, then we cannot help but pay attention to the interior space available to the driver and passengers. Despite the fact that the Ford Ranger has remained true to the "cargo" traditions, inside it looks simply excellent - the center console attracts attention with a large LCD display located in a deep rectangular well, as well as a scattering of buttons and complex-shaped deflectors. The workplace of the driver of a Ford pickup truck is quite comfortable due to large-scale digitized instruments and a large four-spoke steering wheel. The car can be equipped not only with air conditioning, but also with dual-zone climate control, which significantly increases the value of the Ranger in the eyes of the domestic consumer. In addition, the Ford Ranger offers plenty of storage space for small items:

• Capacity behind the back of the rear sofa;
• Two drawers located under the rear seat cushions;
• Cooled box inside the armrest.

The front seats of an American pickup truck do not impress with particular comfort - it is felt that they were created more likely based on quick boarding and disembarking, which is extremely important for commercial vehicles. On a long journey, the driver of the Ford Ranger starts to hurt his shoulders and lower back, which is explained by a far from optimal back profile and a high pillow. But there can be no complaints about the back row of Ford pickup seats, since even three construction workers in full gear will fit here. If desired, backpacks can also be placed here, taking advantage of the space in the legs of passengers - it is not necessary to load them into the Ranger body, which is open to all rains and winds.

As already mentioned, the Volkswagen Amarok is similar to SUVs and crossovers of this manufacturer, and the similarity concerns not only behavior on the go, but also interior design. Its interior does not look like the interior of a truck - here you can find such interesting elements as a two-tone upholstery of the front panel or a multimedia system with a large touch screen. Devices are similar to those that are equipped with others Volkswagen models- between the two round dials is a small trip computer display. However, there is nothing to catch the eye - unlike the Ford Ranger, there are no specific design solutions in the Amarok.

The Volkswagen pickup seats are very good, despite the lack of automatic adjustments. The optimal profile supports the driver's back, allowing them to carry a long road without the slightest fatigue, and the low-lying cushion makes the landing in the Amarok closer to a passenger one. The rear is a little tighter than in the Ford Ranger - and this applies not only to the distance between the two rows of seats, but also to the width of the cabin. In addition, there is not that abundance of storage space for small items - in addition to the glove box, the driver is offered only a small box inside the armrest. The seats also recline forward, but there is almost no space behind them - Volkswagen owner Amarok can only put a work jacket and boots here, as the distance from the backrests to the rear wall of the double cab is very small.

Truck or car?

If you know what you want from such a specific car as a pickup truck, then you can easily make a choice between the Volkswagen Amarok and the Ford Ranger. For entrepreneurs, farmers, and others looking for a work vehicle, the Ranger is the right choice because it has a large payload and excellent traction control. However, you should not expect comfort from a Ford pickup truck, since its undercarriage is more focused on the transportation of bulky goods. For a comfortable ride around the city and country roads, it is better to purchase a Volkswagen Amarok. It can play a role equipped with a powerful turbo diesel engine, modern all-wheel drive transmission and comfortable lounge with a presentable finish.