Volkswagen Amarok vs Ford EcoSport in South Africa – Comparison

Overall Comparison Score

EcoSport

63

🏆 Winner

6 Point Difference

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

Amarok

57

Executive Summary

Both Amarok and EcoSport are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Key Differences At A Glance

Performance Amarok (+5)

Efficiency EcoSport (+2)

Safety Equal

Practicality EcoSport (+5)

Ownership EcoSport (+4)

Pros & Cons

Amarok

Pros

More powerful engine output

Cons

Lower fuel efficiency
Less practical in daily usage
Shorter warranty coverage

Best For: Highway Driving

🏆 Overall Winner

EcoSport

Pros

Better fuel efficiency
More practical for daily use
Better long-term ownership value

Cons

Less powerful engine setup

Best For: Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

Who Should Buy What?

Amarok

Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power

EcoSport

Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Large families needing more practicality and usability
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Category Breakdown

EcoSport

Performance – 8/20

Efficiency – 9/20

Safety – 18/20

Practicality – 12/20

Ownership – 16/20

Amarok

Performance – 13/20

Efficiency – 7/20

Safety – 18/20

Practicality – 7/20

Ownership – 12/20

Full Specification Comparison

Spec	Amarok	EcoSport
Ground Clearance	192	200
Wheelbase	3097	2519
Length	5254	4325
Width	1944	1765
Height	1834	1653
Kerb Weight	2095	1290
Gross Vehicle Weight	3150	1740
Seating Capacity	5	5
Boot Space	0	352
Towing Capacity	3500	950

Spec	Amarok	EcoSport
Engine	2.0L TDI Turbo Diesel	1.0L EcoBoost Turbo Petrol
Engine Type	Inline 4 Turbocharged Intercooled	Inline 3 Turbocharged
Displacement	1968	998
Cylinders	4	3
Valves per Cylinder	4	4
Power	125	92
Torque	400	170
Fuel System	Common Rail Direct Injection	Direct Injection
Turbocharger	Twin Turbo	-
Top Speed	180	185
0-100 km/h	10.5	10.5

Spec	Amarok	EcoSport
Transmission	8-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Automatic
Drive Type	4Motion AWD	Front Wheel Drive
Drivetrain Layout	Selectable 4WD	FWD
LSD Available	Electronic Rear Differential Lock	None
Transfer Case	High and Low Range	None

Spec	Amarok	EcoSport
Traction Control	Standard	Standard
Electronic Stability Control	Standard	Standard
Airbags	6	6
ABS	Standard	Standard
Brake Assist	Standard	Standard
Hill Descent Control	Standard	None
ISOFIX Mounts	Standard	Standard
Child Safety Lock	Standard	Standard
Engine Immobiliser	Standard	Standard
Alarm System	Standard	-
Tyre Pressure Monitor	Standard	Standard

Spec	Amarok	EcoSport
Claimed Mileage	12.8	17.2
City Mileage	9	12
Highway Mileage	13	17
Fuel Tank Capacity	80	52
Emission Standard	Euro 5	Euro 5

Spec	Amarok	EcoSport
CO2 Emissions	225	150
Start Stop System	Yes	Standard
Hybrid System Type	None	None

Spec	Amarok	EcoSport
Cruise Control	Standard	Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control	Not Available	None
Lane Keep Assist	Not Available	None
Blind Spot Monitoring	Not Available	None
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Not Available	None
Parking Sensors	Front and Rear	Rear
Rear View Camera	Standard	Standard
360 Degree Camera	Not Available	None
Autonomous Emergency Braking	Not Available	None

Spec	Amarok	EcoSport
Seat Material	Fabric	Premium Leatherette
Seat Adjustment	Manual	Manual Height Adjustable Driver Seat
Heated Seats	Not Available	None
Ventilated Seats	Not Available	None
Steering Type	Power Assisted	Electric Power Steering
Steering Adjustment	Tilt and Telescopic	Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting	Not Available	Ambient Footwell Lighting

Spec	Amarok	EcoSport
Climate Control	Automatic	Automatic Climate Control
Power Windows	Front and Rear	Front and Rear
Keyless Entry	Remote Key	Smart Key
Push Button Start	Not Available	Standard
Wireless Charging	Not Available	None
Sunroof	Not Available	None
Electric Tailgate	Not Available	None

Spec	Amarok	EcoSport
Infotainment Screen	8-inch Touchscreen	8-inch SYNC Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay	Standard	Wired
Android Auto	Standard	Wired
Bluetooth Connectivity	Standard	Standard
USB Ports	Front and Rear	-
Number of Speakers	6	6
Navigation System	Optional	Integrated
Digital Instrument Cluster	Not Available	-

Spec	Amarok	EcoSport
LED Headlamps	Halogen Projector	Projector Halogen
Daytime Running Lamps	LED	LED
Fog Lamps	Front	Front
Roof Rails	Not Available	Silver
Alloy Wheel Design	17-inch Alloy	17-inch Alloy

Spec	Amarok	EcoSport
Approach Angle	29	23
Departure Angle	24	32
Wading Depth	500	550
Terrain Modes	Offroad Mode	None
Locking Differential	Electronic Rear Lock	None

Spec	Amarok	EcoSport
Tyre Size	255/65 R17	205/50 R17
Wheel Type	Alloy	Alloy
Front Brake Type	Ventilated Disc	Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type	Drum	Drum

Spec	Amarok	EcoSport
Front Suspension	Double Wishbone	MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension	Leaf Spring	Torsion Beam
Chassis Type	Ladder Frame	Monocoque

Spec	Amarok	EcoSport
Service Interval	15000 km / 12 months	15000 km / 12 months
Approx Service Cost	Moderate	Moderate
Battery Warranty	24 Months	24 Months

Spec	Amarok	EcoSport
Warranty Years	3	4
Warranty Kilometers	120000	120000
Roadside Assistance	3 Years	4 Years

Final Verdict

In structured scoring, EcoSport emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Amarok may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Based on structured category scoring, EcoSport performs better overall in South Africa. However, final choice depends on driving priorities.

Amarok scores 7 while EcoSport scores 9 in efficiency. Real-world mileage may vary based on driving conditions.

In safety scoring, Amarok scores 18 and EcoSport scores 18. Both offer competitive safety packages in this segment.

Amarok scores 12 versus EcoSport scoring 16. Warranty coverage and ownership value influence this result.

Practicality scoring gives Amarok 7 and EcoSport 12, reflecting cabin space and usability.

Performance category shows Amarok scoring 13 compared to EcoSport scoring 8, indicating stronger overtaking capability.

While resale depends on market demand, ownership and brand positioning suggest EcoSport may hold stronger long-term value.

Off-road suitability depends on drivetrain and ground clearance. Refer to the full specification comparison for detailed technical differences.

Efficiency and ownership categories influence running costs. EcoSport performs slightly stronger overall in structured scoring.

Value depends on feature set, performance and ownership coverage. Structured comparison gives EcoSport the overall advantage.

Detailed Comparison Analysis

The comparison between Amarok and EcoSport in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Amarok scores 13 vs 8.

Efficiency: Amarok scores 7 vs 9.

Safety: Amarok scores 18 vs 18.

Practicality: Amarok scores 7 vs 12.

Ownership: Amarok scores 12 vs 16.

Final structured scoring gives EcoSport the advantage in this comparison.