The most fuel-efficient double-cab bakkies you can buy in South Africa are the Ford Ranger and the VW Amarok, provided you choose the correct engine.
The two vehicles share the same architecture and are even built in the same factory right here in South Africa, hence the reason they have identical stats, even if the badge on the front is different.
Provided you go for the entry-level version of either bakkie, you can expect an average fuel consumption as low as 6.9l/100km.
Practical yet efficient
The Ranger XL and the base Amarok are motivated by a 2.0-litre, single-turbo diesel engine, which produces a total of 125kW and 405Nm.
Importantly, you’ll want to pick up the rear-wheel-drive models if you are trying to cut down on your fuel bill as much as possible, as the four-wheel-drive system slightly raises the consumption while also costing substantially more to purchase.
It’s a similar story with the gearbox, as the six-speed manual is the best choice if you want to maintain complete control over the revs.
The six-speed auto will raise the fuel stat up to 7.5l/100km, but there is an added convenience to this option that consumers may think is worth both the upfront and long-term cost.
Assuming you do pick the frugal 6.9l/100km option, both bakkies will be able to travel for a rather impressive 1,159km before needing to refuel, thanks in large part to an 80-litre tank.
As a reference, the cost of diesel 0.05% is currently set at R19.55 per litre as of February 2025, which means it costs R1,564 to fill up the Ford or the VW.
That works out to an average fuel spend of just R1.35 per kilometre, which is pretty good for a vehicle that’s over five metres long.
Bakkie fans will also be happy to know that the Ranger and Amarok’s efficiency does not come at the cost of practicality, as the pair can still tow up to 3,500kg and support a payload of around 1,000kg even with the smallest engine option.
As for their cost, you’ll need to spend R620,000 for the Ranger, and R662,400 for the Amarok.
For this price, both pickups come standard with a fairly generous spec sheet, though the VW is slightly more upmarket than its half-sibling.
Case in point is the fact that both models have alloy wheels, but the Ranger has 16-inch rims while the Amarok has larger 17-inch ones.
Likewise, both cars have LED daytime running lights, but the Volkswagen also brings LED headlights while the base Ford still uses halogen.
Inside, the bakkies are fitted with a multifunction steering wheel, automatic air conditioning, a digital instrument cluster, and a vertical infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Ford Ranger is sold with a 4-year/120,000km warranty, while the VW Amarok is offered with a 5-year/150,000km warranty and a 5-year/100,000km maintenance plan.
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