Category: Large Family 
Price Range: £15,150 to £32,780
Excellent diesel engines, roomy and comfortable, classy-looking cabins
Not as reliable as it should be, near to replacement by all-new model
Good value for money as pricing/equipment levels get more competitive.
The suspension soaks up bumps well, but the Passat's nose tends to rise and fall as you speed up and slow down, which can be irritating.
The PD diesel engines are quieter than the old-tech versions they replaced, but the indirect-injection V6, in particular, is still prone to being noisier than it should be.
The Passat is as big as the biggest of its class rivals inside, and has much more rear seat space than its Audi A4 relative. Headroom is huge under that domed roof, rear seats fold flat. The huge estate is extremely practical, as well as elegant.
The standard electronic climate control is very effective and easy to use. Neat touches include a pop-out cup-holder and viscous-damped grab-handles. Simple controls and ample power make for a promising music system, but the sound quality is too boom'n'tizz. Suits lovers of acid-house music.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Volkswagen Passat
wrote on 06 06 2006