VIDEO: Pickup test – nippy and flashy

The European full-size pickup market has been very stable for years, with five companies (Ford, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota) accounting for the bulk of sales. So it must have come as something of a shock when VW announced last year that it was going to wade into the sector with its own machine.

It’s not quite VW’s first foray into this market. Some years ago it had a bash at rebadging Toyota Hiluxes, and there used to be a half-tonne 2wd Caddy pickup. But the Amarok is the German firm’s first full-sizer.

See the two pickups in action