Category: Large Family 
Price Range: £18,200 to £33,980
Quick; good DSG gearbox; refined V6 engine.
Firm ride; thirsty; concerns over quality.
The undercover R36 hides its power behind conservative styling .
The Passat scores well in Euro NCAP tests, with five stars for adult protection, four for child protection and two for pedestrian protection.
This is, in part, down to plenty of active and passive safety features on the R36, including ABS with Brake Assist and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), and ESP with an electronic differential lock and traction control. There are also automatic hazard lights that activate under severe braking.
There are six airbags - front and side airbags and head-protecting curtain airbags - and active front head restraints for driver and front passenger, plus Isofix child seat anchoring points. Rear side airbags are a £220 option.
Security measures include an alarm with interior protection.
