Nissan Navara or Volkswagen Amarok - which used pickup is cooler?

All pickups are good, choose to taste! So you can paraphrase Mayakovsky's verse. But obviously not in Russian realities. In the US, pickup trucks are an accessible legend, but here they are admired. They rarely buy cars, but they use them for other purposes.


But let's deal with some of the most popular pickups in Russia today - these are the Nissan Navara and Volkswagen Amarok. Let's take cars that were produced from 2010 to 2015 in the case of Nissan, until 2016 - Volkswagen.

The cost of pickups on the used market starts from 900 rubles for Navara, and for Amarok they ask about the same.

Features Nissan Navara

The Japanese pickup truck is distinguished by its dimensions and brutal appearance. It's not worth talking about appearance - this is a typical car of its class. There is a clear bias towards the US markets with their love for such design and dimensions.



There is a lot of space in the cabin, but you still need to get there - for large or elderly people this can turn into a problem. Pants on the footboards here dirty almost everything regularly - a design miscalculation.



But the trim level is higher here:

• ? The plastic on the panel is soft
  
• ? The leather on the seats is unexpectedly high quality
  

In general, if you transfer here from a budget or a truck, you will definitely like it inside. If with any BMW "Seven", even in 2000, the interior will amaze with dullness and simplicity.



Sitting in front is a pleasure. There is enough space in any direction, the view is excellent, like on a truck - the driver rises above the stream.



But behind the situation is typical for pickups - the knees are high, it's good that they don't rest against the backs of the front seats.
Nissan Navara engines are the dream of an economical SUV driver. The most common diesel engine is 2,5 liters with a capacity of 190 liters. With. Less commonly, under the hood you can see a 3,0 on heavy fuel, developing 231 “horses”.



Main problems:

• ? Rigid suspension
  
• ? The body rots in the car of the first years of production
  
• ? It is uncomfortable for adult passengers in the back row
  
• ? It is not always possible to find original spare parts
  

Gearboxes are found both mechanical and automatic, the latter come across more often.

Features Volkswagen Amarok

The German pickup truck first appeared on sale in 2010, before that the brand had not dealt with such cars. The debut unexpectedly turned out to be successful - thanks to a practical approach, the designers managed to make an economical and comfortable SUV.

Outwardly, the pickup truck is huge, and the familiar features of Volkswagen are guessed from the front. Getting into the cabin, the driver and passengers will get their trousers dirty on the thresholds.



But inside the car is unusual for traditional pickups. The most interesting thing is the typical design from Volkswagen. If you forget what kind of car, you will never understand what an Amarok is. The level of comfort is like that of the Passat.

The only thing that reminds of the “pickup” essence is the large windows and rear-view mirrors. Inside, the Volkswagen Amarok has a lot of space, people weighing over 120 kilograms will be spacious.



It turns out that the car is perfect for urban use. But this is a pickup truck - it was originally designed for work!
But Volkswagen engineers should not be reproached for short-sightedness - they created the car that is relevant to European buyers. Amarok is economical, comfortable and made with a clear urban bias. So it should be - all the same, pickups are used in 90% for other purposes.



Under the hood, the Volkswagen Amarok has only diesel engines - 2,0 liters with a capacity of 122 or 163 hp. With. Gearbox - six-speed mechanics. This is an economical version of the Passat, if you understand it - this is how a working car should be.

How did the cars perform in motion?

Nissan Navara makes you feel like a truck driver like a Gazelle. But the car rides much more cheerfully - even with the weakest 2,5-liter engine. When compared with business-class cars, acceleration is so-so.

The automatic transmission is surprisingly fast shifting - it's not brooding, which is what you'd expect from a pickup truck.
Hard lighting makes the car jump on any pothole. To avoid this, you need to load the car with 300 kilograms, no matter who and what, preferably the luggage compartment.

The steering here is cargo (you will have to actively turn the “steering wheel”), sharp maneuvers of the Nissan Navara are contraindicated.

Volkswagen Amarok on the go is no different from a crossover. Engines, despite the volume of 2,0, accelerate the pickup on a par with a 2,5-liter Nissan Navara.



The gearbox is mechanical, but it works perfectly - as it should be with a manual transmission from Volkswagen.

Main problems:

• ? Door seals
  
• ? Expensive spare parts and consumables
  
• ? Poor quality paintwork
  
• ? Car dimensions in the city
  

Driving a large pickup truck is no worse than driving a car. And the suspension here is unexpectedly soft for a car of this class - it easily “swallows” bumps.

Which pickup truck is best off-road?

The owner of such a car at least once checked the off-road qualities. They are, but far from the most ideal. This is due to the long base of the machine and its purpose. A pickup truck has to carry weights in different conditions, but it is not suitable for conquering off-road.



Nissan has a rich arsenal:

• ? Four-wheel drive
  
• ? Interaxal and rear interwheel differential locks
  
• ? Ability to downshift
  

"Amarok" at first suddenly seems not so passable - even with all the "gadgets", the car can be "planted" in the mud. But there is a secret - you need to turn on the special Off Road mode, and the traction control electronics will stop choking the engine off-road.



Cross-country ability on loaded cars still turned out to be better for Nissan Navara. This is not surprising - the Japanese manufacturer has long been producing SUVs in general, and pickup trucks in particular. But at the same time, keep in mind that the carrying capacity of the "German" is almost 1 kg. against 060 kg. at Navara!

Will a pickup truck ever be popular in Russia?

If you understand, then cars in the back of a pickup truck should be in demand in Russia. We have enough builders and specialists who need such an SUV with a high carrying capacity.



But just look at the cost of pickups in Russia, and it immediately becomes clear that, at best, they will be driven by the owners of construction companies. For citizens, such cars are unnecessary - it's hard to park, plus fuel consumption.

Nissan Navara and Volkswagen Amarok at a price of 800 rubles for cars in 000-2010. will be unavailable to those who need it. Only lovers of pickups and those who liked these cars since childhood remain. New SUVs are not officially sold in Russia now, but for the “freshest” Volkswagen Amarok 2011, they ask for 2020 rubles.



It is difficult to say which car is better - Nissan Navara or Volkswagen Amarok. These pickups are different. Nissan is definitely recommended for work. It is cheaper to maintain and easier to repair. The ground clearance of the Japanese pickup truck is 226 mm. against 192 mm. at Amarok. But at the same time, it is almost twice inferior to the “Aryan” in carrying capacity. So if you have to move around with a constant load, it’s better to take a Volkswagen. In addition, it is more comfortable, which becomes a significant advantage with high mileage.