Hyundai Staria vs Volkswagen Amarok
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The Hyundai Staria starts from $50,500 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Amarok opens at $55,990. That makes the Hyundai Staria the more affordable entry point by $5,490.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $55,550 and $61,589 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Volkswagen Amarok by roughly $3,565 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Hyundai Staria and Volkswagen Amarok hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 85% for the Hyundai Staria and 86% for the Volkswagen Amarok.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Hyundai Staria packs more ADAS features with 4 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 3 in the Volkswagen Amarok.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Hyundai Staria and 6 in the Volkswagen Amarok.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Staria features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the Volkswagen Amarok gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Staria uses a Petrol producing 200kW and 331Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.5 seconds.
The Volkswagen Amarok responds with a Diesel making 125kW and 405Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The Hyundai Staria has the clear power advantage at 200kW vs 125kW. In the real-world sprint, the Volkswagen Amarok is 2.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Staria measures 5,253mm long on a 3,273mm wheelbase, 97mm shorter than the Volkswagen Amarok at 5,350mm (3,270mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Staria generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 703L in the Hyundai Staria and 543L in the Volkswagen Amarok, giving the Hyundai Staria a 160L advantage. The Hyundai Staria seats 8 vs 5.
For towing, the Volkswagen Amarok leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,500kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.6m to 12.9m
Based on 12.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,993/year for the Hyundai Staria and $2,280/year for the Volkswagen Amarok. That is a $713 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen Amarok.
Estimated annual total: $2,993 (Hyundai Staria) vs $2,280 (Volkswagen Amarok). The Volkswagen Amarok saves you roughly $713 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Staria) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Amarok). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Staria if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Amarok if: You want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Hyundai Staria and Volkswagen Amarok trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Volkswagen Amarok will save you roughly $713 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Hyundai Staria has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai Staria and Volkswagen Amarok?
The Hyundai Staria is the cheapest at $50,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volkswagen Amarok by $5,490.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen Amarok uses the least fuel at 8L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Hyundai Staria and Volkswagen Amarok all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Staria has the largest boot at 703L.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Amarok has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai Staria makes the most power at 200kW. The Volkswagen Amarok is quickest to 100km/h in 8.5s.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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