Volkswagen Amarok vs Nissan Qashqai in South Africa – Comparison

Overall Comparison Score

Qashqai

62

🏆 Winner

5 Point Difference

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

Amarok

57

Executive Summary

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

Key Differences At A Glance

Performance Amarok (+3)

Efficiency Qashqai (+2)

Safety Equal

Practicality Qashqai (+6)

Ownership Equal

Pros & Cons

Amarok

Pros

More powerful engine output

Cons

Lower fuel efficiency
Less practical in daily usage

Best For: Highway Driving

🏆 Overall Winner

Qashqai

Pros

Better fuel efficiency
More practical for daily use

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

Qashqai

Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Large families needing more practicality and usability

Category Breakdown

Qashqai

Performance – 10/20

Efficiency – 9/20

Safety – 18/20

Practicality – 13/20

Ownership – 12/20

Amarok

Performance – 13/20

Efficiency – 7/20

Safety – 18/20

Practicality – 7/20

Ownership – 12/20

Full Specification Comparison

Spec	Amarok	Qashqai
Ground Clearance	192	180
Wheelbase	3097	2665
Length	5254	4425
Width	1944	1835
Height	1834	1625
Kerb Weight	2095	1420
Gross Vehicle Weight	3150	1950
Seating Capacity	5	5
Boot Space	0	504
Towing Capacity	3500	1500

Spec	Amarok	Qashqai
Engine	2.0L TDI Turbo Diesel	1.3L Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Type	Inline 4 Turbocharged Intercooled	Inline 4 Turbo
Displacement	1968	1332
Cylinders	4	4
Valves per Cylinder	4	4
Power	125	110
Torque	400	250
Fuel System	Common Rail Direct Injection	Direct Injection
Turbocharger	Twin Turbo	-
Top Speed	180	198
0-100 km/h	10.5	9.2

Spec	Amarok	Qashqai
Transmission	8-Speed Automatic	CVT Automatic
Drive Type	4Motion AWD	4x2
Drivetrain Layout	Selectable 4WD	Front Wheel Drive
LSD Available	Electronic Rear Differential Lock	Electronic
Transfer Case	High and Low Range	Not Applicable

Spec	Amarok	Qashqai
Traction Control	Standard	Yes
Electronic Stability Control	Standard	Yes
Airbags	6	6
ABS	Standard	Yes
Brake Assist	Standard	Yes
Hill Descent Control	Standard	No
ISOFIX Mounts	Standard	Yes
Child Safety Lock	Standard	Yes
Engine Immobiliser	Standard	Yes
Alarm System	Standard	-
Tyre Pressure Monitor	Standard	Yes

Spec	Amarok	Qashqai
Claimed Mileage	12.8	16.5
City Mileage	9	12
Highway Mileage	13	17
Fuel Tank Capacity	80	55
Emission Standard	Euro 5	Euro 6

Spec	Amarok	Qashqai
CO2 Emissions	225	145
Start Stop System	Yes	Yes
Hybrid System Type	None	None

Spec	Amarok	Qashqai
Cruise Control	Standard	Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control	Not Available	No
Lane Keep Assist	Not Available	Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring	Not Available	No
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Not Available	No
Parking Sensors	Front and Rear	Rear
Rear View Camera	Standard	Yes
360 Degree Camera	Not Available	No
Autonomous Emergency Braking	Not Available	Yes

Spec	Amarok	Qashqai
Seat Material	Fabric	Cloth
Seat Adjustment	Manual	Manual
Heated Seats	Not Available	No
Ventilated Seats	Not Available	No
Steering Type	Power Assisted	Electric
Steering Adjustment	Tilt and Telescopic	Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting	Not Available	Standard

Spec	Amarok	Qashqai
Climate Control	Automatic	Dual Zone Automatic
Power Windows	Front and Rear	All
Keyless Entry	Remote Key	Yes
Push Button Start	Not Available	Yes
Wireless Charging	Not Available	No
Sunroof	Not Available	No
Electric Tailgate	Not Available	No

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

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

Spec	Amarok	Qashqai
Approach Angle	29	18
Departure Angle	24	22
Wading Depth	500	300
Terrain Modes	Offroad Mode	Normal and Eco
Locking Differential	Electronic Rear Lock	No

Spec	Amarok	Qashqai
Tyre Size	255/65 R17	215/60 R17
Wheel Type	Alloy	Alloy
Front Brake Type	Ventilated Disc	Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type	Drum	Disc

Spec	Amarok	Qashqai
Front Suspension	Double Wishbone	MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension	Leaf Spring	Multi-Link
Chassis Type	Ladder Frame	Monocoque

Spec	Amarok	Qashqai
Service Interval	15000 km / 12 months	15000 km / 12 months
Approx Service Cost	Moderate	Moderate
Battery Warranty	24 Months	2 Years

Spec	Amarok	Qashqai
Warranty Years	3	3
Warranty Kilometers	120000	90000
Roadside Assistance	3 Years	3 Years

Final Verdict

In structured scoring, Qashqai 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, Qashqai performs better overall in South Africa. However, final choice depends on driving priorities.

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

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

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

Practicality scoring gives Amarok 7 and Qashqai 13, reflecting cabin space and usability.

Performance category shows Amarok scoring 13 compared to Qashqai scoring 10, indicating stronger overtaking capability.

While resale depends on market demand, ownership and brand positioning suggest Qashqai 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. Qashqai performs slightly stronger overall in structured scoring.

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

Detailed Comparison Analysis

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

Performance: Amarok scores 13 vs 10.

Efficiency: Amarok scores 7 vs 9.

Safety: Amarok scores 18 vs 18.

Practicality: Amarok scores 7 vs 13.

Ownership: Amarok scores 12 vs 12.

Final structured scoring gives Qashqai the advantage in this comparison.