Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI CR 140PS (2008-) Review

Comfort and Equipment

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This is a big car, with a spacious, airy cabin. The boot's huge, too, the saloon giving 565 litres of loadspace. In all but S-spec models the rear seats fold down - near-flat - to accommodate long through-loads (seven-foot Christmas tree no problem) and storage areas include large door bins and a massive glovebox. Further neat touches include an umbrella holder within the driver's door, and double sun-visors which can be opened to shade the side windows as well as the front screen.

Seats are well-shaped and supportive, there are attractive leather upholstery options, and the overall ambience is very pleasant - you could spend hours in a Passat in comfort. Choose your wheel/tyre combinations carefully, though: the ride is on the firm side at the best of times, and the larger wheels with lower-profile tyres mean that you'll feel every ridge, bump and groove in the road.

Most versions come well-equipped, with entry-level S models having air conditioning, remote central locking, front electric windows, power-adjustable/heated door mirrors and a four-speaker radio/CD. Highline versions add cruise control, leather upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats with lumbar support, electric rear windows, a central armrest and eight-speaker radio/CD.

Sport versions (with 4Motion four-wheel-drive optional) have sports suspension - lowered by 15mm - plus climate control, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, front fog lights, front sports seats, tinted side windows and racier 17" alloys.

Further options include DVD sat nav/audio with 30GB hard-drive and MP3 compatibility, Bluetooth phone kit and auxiliary input socket, a glovebox-mounted CD autochanger, electric-folding side mirrors and metallic paint.