Toyota Hilux or VW Amarok?

Anonymous

Although the Amarok has a lot to offer as a 4x4, with a relatively unblemished track record as far as known mechanical and electrical faults go, the Hilux is, and always has been a reliable vehicle. You can take it anywhere, treat it like crap, hammer the hell out of it, and it will love every minute of it. The esteemed manufacturers of the Toyota have done well to keep the Hilux as a pure 4x4, without adulterating it by trying to force it into a sports package. If you want a 4x4 for any purpose, any time - the Toyota is your best bet. It sits just as well on the highway as it does on a sand dune, gives you a great driving position with visibility over most conventional cars, the up and go is improved from earlier models, as is the thickness of the drive-train - allowing for the higher power flow to the rear wheels, as well as an impressive low-high gear ratio giving you a lot of low end power to play with, and a respectable top end as well. It has a relatively high towing ability, with the low end gearing in first and second of the manual performing best. The angle of the body promotes the even carry of load as well as comfit in the cab. The position of the weight gives it a low center of gravity, with good implications in terms of mitigating roll-over incidences (something that plagued the higher, heavier 1992 model). The only real downside is the initial action of the chassis under heavy braking. Although predictable enough, in wet conditions while towing a load, it can have the effect of slightly changing the tow angle - increasing the likelihood of jack-knifing under a 93% brake compression. But considering you use the gearing of a manual to bring it to a more controlled stop, this is an element that you only get to witness if you are unlucky enough to be caught in a situation that most vehicles of it's size wouldn't have a chance of handling anyway.