New Volkswagen Passat Test Drive Review

Believe it or not, this is the eighth generation of the Passat, and despite Volkswagen’s assertions that this is the most ’emotional’ version yet, it’s still a solid, dependable, classless car that looks fairly ordinary, almost bland.

But drive the Passat and study the stats and it’s impossible to find a reason as to why it shouldn’t go on a company car list.

Starting with those stats, the engine on the most popular model – the 150hp 2.0 TDI in SE Business trim – offers emissions of 106g/km (equal to a 17% BIK band) and an official fuel figure of almost 70mpg, while the car comes loaded with enough kit to keep any driver comfortable and secure, offers historically proven rock-solid residual values, and just oozes simple quality and refinement.

While the new Passat is fractionally shorter than before, it’s bigger inside thanks mainly to better engine packaging, and rear-seat passengers, even those over six-feet tall, will have no issues sitting behind similarly sized front-seat occupants.

The boot is also larger and now stands at 586 litres, and if you buy the estate that boot is a whopping 650 litres – before you fold the seats.

The UK will get an all-diesel line-up until the petrol-electric hybrid arrives in late 2015. The 2.0-litre diesels are ‘class-above’ refined, yet also provide enough shove to see 0-60mph in 8.7 seconds for the 150hp version and a 6.3 seconds for the 240hp bi-turbo four-wheel drive version. Even this quick version has a CO2 figure of 139g/km.

The driving experience is supremely comfortable, with first-rate insulation against bumps and potholes, as well as accurate steering and little body roll.

Alongside refinement and efficiency, the Passat also has some new optional equipment including a digital dashboard that uses a screen instead of physical dials, cameras that give a full view around the car, reversing sensors that stop collisions when reversing out of a parking space, and internet connectivity, including the ability to send navigation addresses to the car via Google from any other computer.

Weaknesses? Yes, the Passat looks a bit ordinary, but those in the know will see it for its quality and value and call it what it is: a very good car.