As Country Cars cycled through the current line-up of 4x4 utilities, it was the similarities which stood out more than the differences. They are purpose-built to get the job done.

Click here for more road tests, videos and photos from motoring writer Gav McGrath.

But the Volkswagen Amarok TDI 420 presents a different case, and it is a compelling one for anyone who needs a tough truck but wants a little comfort too.

On paper the Amarok has enough in common with the usual suspects. There is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel with 132kW peak power and 420Nm of torque which, despite the modest engine capacity, is about mid-range among its likely dual-cab competitors. There is a healthy towing capacity of 3.0 tonnes and plenty of room in the tray.

The eight-speed automatic transmission does not have a low-range transfer case as such, but with so many gear ratios it doesn’t seem to need it. Flick it into manual mode to access first or second, and the gearing should be low enough for most purposes. We didn’t take the Amarok into the deep bush to find out but we suspect it has more off-road ability than most drivers. The ground clearance, traction and tow was perfectly adequate for the worksites we spent our time around.

But it was going to and fro between office and worksite where the Amarok showed a side to the 4x4 pick-up which we haven’t really seen before.

Our test vehicle from Ballarat Autohaus was a TDI 420 which, in Highline trim, sits just below the Ultimate in the Amarok family tree. At nearly $55,000 by the time it gets on the road, it is not exactly cheap for a work vehicle but still represents an enormous amount of metal for the money.

If the Amarok appears a match for the usual array of 4x4 pick-ups as a workhorse, it betters practically all of them for technology and creature comforts. We were impressed by integrated audio-infotainment system, with clear Bluetooth connectivity, a user-friendly satellite-navigation system and a sound system which sounds anything but an afterthought.

Not only that, but the cabin looks and feels a step up rather than the minimum required. If these things aren’t strictly necessities, they certainly don’t hurt and make the workspace a more pleasant place to be for long periods.

The fabric seats are better than average, front and back, and rear legroom is respectable. Ballarat Autohaus sales executive Anthony Dales told us the majority of buyers here, apart from builders, were families, and the Amarok caters for them more than adequately.

The ride and handling is also respectable given the necessary ride height, heavy duty suspension and sheer bulk. It does not handle like a passenger car based ute, of course, but it isn’t especially jiggly and clumsy either. SUV-like is possibly a fair description. It wasn’t especially unsettled even on some of Ballarat’s most brutal speed humps nor over some paddocks we tried.

Some tough tradies will ask whether something rugged enough to get the job done can really have so many niceties?

I would ask them, why not?

• Your local dealer is Ballarat Autohaus: 5339 9339

ENGINE: 2.0-litre twin turbo four-cylinder diesel

POWER: 132kW at 4000 revs

TORQUE: 420Nm at 1500-1750 revs

TRANSMISSION: eight-speed conventional automatic

DRIVE: all-wheel-drive

FUEL: diesel, 8.3-l/100km (ADR 81/02 combined cycle)

BRAKES: front ventilated discs, rear drums, with ABS, brake assist and stability control

ANCAP SAFETY RATING: five stars

FEATURES: Display touch-screen audio with Bluetooth connectivity and satellite navigation, front and rear parking sensors, side steps, active roll-over prevention, dual-zone climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels

PRICE AS TESTED: $52,990 drive-away

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