By Ian Strachan.
The Volkswagen Passat has been around for more than 50 years and over that time it has been getting better and better. Now it comes as an e-hybrid, combining its high-tech turbo petrol engine with a 19.7 kWh battery to make this car even more frugal.
Built on the same platform as the excellent Tiguan SUV, the latest Passat – now on its ninth generation – can give you up to 70 miles of battery-powered travel. This roomy estate sets the standard for the upper medium sector and is the car that its competitors must measure themselves against.
There is no doubt that the exterior design has evolved into something pleasing on the eye – a long, aerodynamically efficient vehicle with bags of interior space. It has a solid and dignified road presence. With a distinctive grille and deep air intake, sleek profile, eye-catching 19-inch dark graphite alloys it is also distinctive. And in the estate you get lots of room with a load area that can only be described as cavernous.
You only have to get in the car to realise that this Passat is all about understated refinement and quality.
That’s not to mention performance. I test drove the Passat in Black Edition spec powered by VW’s excellent 204 horsepower 1.5 turbocharged petrol-powered and plug-in battery-assisted version which has all the grunt you need while being quiet and economical. Married to a pleasant six speed automatic gearbox it is smooth and unfussed.
The refined engine lacks for nothing and delivers power throughout the range. This is an enjoyable petrol engine to work, powers from 0-60mph in less than eight seconds and in a week of mixed driving it returned more than 50mpg.
Handling is excellent and the car feels rigid and stable even when being pushed hard around corners. There’s no sign at all of the booming vibration you occasionally get in an estate car. Road holding is sure footed and the ride is comfortable in the extreme. The car feels light and is all the more agile for that. Adaptive cruise control is standard.
Inside, the car is roomy and well laid out, with extremely comfortable heated front sports seat with massage function. The rear seats also have heating. There has been a lot of attention to detail, with well positioned grab handles, a centre driver’s armrest with storage and controls which fall easily to hand in VW’s “digital cockpit.”. Infotainment and navigation systems are controlled via a 15-inch touchscreen. A high quality eight speaker digital sound system with voice control, and clear head-up display enhance your journey.
The load-space is big and flexible. There’s a powered tailgate which opens fully with an automatic loadspace cover, and a low sill to make loading easier. Boot space can be increased with the split rear seat backrest folded forward.
There’s plenty of safety and driver assist systems on this Passat including autonomous emergency braking, cyclist and pedestrian monitoring, lane assist, front-facing camera for distance control, progressive steering, park assist with remote parking assist, road sign recognition, blind spot monitor, all-round parking sensors and cameras.
Standard features on the Passat Estate e-Hybrid Black Edition include ABS with electronic stability control and traction control, keyless entry and ignition with keyless locking, three-zone electronic air conditioning with rear seat controls, all round electric windows, electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, panoramic sunroof and rear sunroof, steering wheel-mounted controls, automatic lights and rain-sensing wipers. My test car also had an R-Line signature pack which included Leedds black alloys, black decorative trims, seat covers in Puglia leather and active climate front seats (£2,765), an electric release towbar with trailer assist (£1,125) and tyre pressure monitoring (£210).
This is a thoughtfully put together package. It looks great and will give you comfortable and effortless travelling, whatever the distance. Without the options detailed above it comes at £48,970 on the road. Residuals will hold up well.
