She says, he says: VW Amarok

The car: Volkswagen Amarok TDI420 Trendline

How much? $47,490 plus on-road costs

Vital statistics: 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged four-cylinder; 132kW/420Nm; 8-speed automatic; 8.3L/100km and 219g/km CO2; AWD

He

Volkswagen's Amarok has finally got an automatic transmission, and what a big difference it makes. I found the manual tedious, but the new eight-speed auto makes driving the Amarok dual-cab a far more car-like experience. What'd you think?

She

The manual was always much better off-road than on, but the eight-speed auto Amarok is a new beast altogether, with very composed road manners. I took it on a road trip and really enjoyed it. Way less bump 'n' jiggle than others in class. Did you try it with a load?

He

Nope, I didn't get a chance to drive it with a load onboard, but our Amarok had the "comfort suspension" system, which knocks 250 kilograms off the payload. So if you are planning to lug stuff you only have 740 kilos to play with, rather than nearly a tonne – which most other utes in the class offer. That suspension does the trick for making it more comfortable, though.

She

It does have a terrific ride, and copes nicely through corners too. External storage is marginally compromised, and internal storage, particularly in the back seats, is non-existent. And although it's comfortable and commodious in the front cabin, the rear has no bottle storage - and no centre armrest! A bit harsh for the thirsty tradie's mates don't you think?

He

Agreed, utes such as the Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 have heaps better storage. But the model we drove has a pretty classy interior by ute standards, especially the car-derived stereo and airconditioning controls. The back seat is broad, but despite the size of the Amarok dual-cab, the knee room isn't fantastic in the back. I assume you don't need a ute for your work, but would you consider one for play?

She

Most of my building sites are urban these days so I am more likely to be driving it off-road for sport - in which case the auto Amarok suits me because it's got decent fuel economy and, although it's only a 2.0-litre engine, it really punches and pulls above its weight. Sticks and stones won't break its bones, so yes – if I planned more outdoorsy play I might. You?

He

I like the way it drives, its fuel economy and its grunt. But there's one thing that doesn't sit well with me about the Amarok, and that's the lack of rear airbag protection. The Ford and Mazda both have full-length curtain airbags and, while tradies are tough buggers, they still deserve the potentially life-saving devices in the event of an accident.

She

Yet it has a five-star safety rating, so it's fundamentally a safe car. I would prefer that there were rear airbags, but I also think the driving and cornering ability of the Amarok is an excellent active safety feature – possibly more so than its competitors because it's a less bumpy proposition. What do you think of the pricing?

He

It's OK, but it could do with more equipment. An equivalently-priced Mazda gets you sat-nav – the VW doesn't have that – and it misses out a reversing camera, which would be a very handy addition to this big long ute. Still, I am a fan. Would you buy one?

She

I like its ability to handle on the road and its ability to tow a chunky three-tonne horse-float or boat. I would recommend it – probably second-hand as well as new because I think it will age well.

He

I have already recommended it to a few people, and if I needed a ute, it'd be high on the list.