What is it?
The Volkswagen Passat is something of a household name here in the UK. Beloved by those who want a dependable and spacious car, the Passat is an accomplished all-rounder that can easily slot into a variety of different uses.
But with the new car market being dominated by SUVs and crossovers, is there still a place for the humble Passat? We’ve been finding out.
What’s new?
The Passat remains a hugely popular car for Volkswagen, with more than 30 million examples produced since the 1970s. Over that time it has proven to be a family-friendly model while also proving appealing to high-mileage drivers and private taxi firms.
This latest version gets a refreshed front-end design, while a range of clever new systems - including Volkswagen’s semi-autonomous driving aid feature - have been included for the first time.
What’s under the bonnet?
There’s a great variety of engines available with the Passat in the UK, with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid setups available. We’d argue that most buyers will be tempted by the standard 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine, which offers 148bhp and is linked to a DSG automatic gearbox.
It’s incredibly efficient, with Volkswagen claiming up to 56.5mpg, while CO2 emissions are very decent too at 130g/km. They both mean that running the Passat shouldn’t be too expensive.
What’s new?
The Passat remains a hugely popular car for Volkswagen, with more than 30 million examples produced since the 1970s. Over that time it has proven to be a family-friendly model while also proving appealing to high-mileage drivers and private taxi firms.
This latest version gets a refreshed front-end design, while a range of clever new systems - including Volkswagen’s semi-autonomous driving aid feature - have been included for the first time.
What’s under the bonnet?
There’s a great variety of engines available with the Passat in the UK, with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid setups available. We’d argue that most buyers will be tempted by the standard 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine, which offers 148bhp and is linked to a DSG automatic gearbox.
It’s incredibly efficient, with Volkswagen claiming up to 56.5mpg, while CO2 emissions are very decent too at 130g/km. They both mean that running the Passat shouldn’t be too expensive.
What’s it like inside?
There’s loads of space inside the Passat and Volkswagen has kitted it out with loads of storage to help keep the cabin tidy and clutter-free. Everything feels solid and well put together, too, which will no doubt appeal to those drivers who will put their Passat through the rigours of family life.
There’s also an incredibly spacious boot which, at 650 litres, has more than enough room on offer to swallow up big bags with ease.
What’s the spec like?
There’s plenty of equipment on offer across the Passat range, with all cars benefitting from alloy wheels, keyless entry and adaptive cruise control. You also get a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a number of USB-C charging ports and air conditioning.
As with all Volkswagen models, you can quickly and easily ramp up the Passat’s price by going near the options list, but this is a car which is at its best when kept as low-cost as possible.
Verdict
Given the sheer number of examples built over the years, it would be foolish to relinquish the Passat to the history books. Despite the rise of the SUV, this is a car which still has a place in the motoring landscape thanks to its excellent practicality and good range of engines.
With a plug-in hybrid version available it does have one eye on more ‘current’ powertrains, but the Passat’s real talent lies in its ability to deliver reliable, spacious and comfortable transport with zero fuss.