Volkswagen Passat Estate 2018 in-depth review | Mat Watson Reviews

Estate cars make a fantastic choice for those who fancy a bit of extra space, but with saloon style handling, and the Volkswagen Passat has been a class leader for some time now. The Passat combines acres of space and practicality with the premium badge feel Volkswagen offer, but at a hefty price in comparison to rivals. This begs the question, are cheaper rivals such as the Skoda Superb estate or Mazda 6 estate better value for money? Perhaps the Audi A4 Avant is a more appealing option? I answer all your questions and more, and showcase everything this Volkswagen Passat Estate has to offer in this 4k video review.

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Save £5, 000 on a VW Passat Estate with VW’s scrappage scheme. Find out how here:

[derbigpr]

It's the car you buy when you become mature enough to appreciate the qualities it has, which are far deeper and more complex than most other cars in the segment that try to get you by being flashy and having an in your face approach. Passat is a car you start to love and appreciate fully after you live with it for a while, it's not a car that makes you fall in love with it when you see it for the first time. From personal experience I can tell you a Mazda 6 is a far nicer looking car outside and more attractive inside, until you live with it. It's like a really hot model girl that you fall for, but after a while realize there's not much behind her pretty face. Then you live with a Passat and realize it's better in every single fucking way, might look like a nerdy chick with glasses and average body, but you realize she can cook like nobody else, she has excellent taste in movies and music, she knows a lot about a lot of things, has interesting hobbies, etc. Just like a Passat is superior to a Mazda 6. Better sound proofing, better seats, better seating position for long trips, more relaxing to drive and travel in, better sound system, better climate control, better lights, better wipers, more solid interior, nicer materials, no reflection of the dashboard on the windshield when you drive towards sun, all the buttons have a satisfying action, etc. All these things that add up and make you realize that VW spent MUCH more time and money fine tuning every little detail on the car to be as good as they can possibly make it, instead of the "that will do" approach other cheaper cars have. Might not look exciting, but to me that's a plus. Especially the interior. There is something calming and satisfying about the design of VW interiors, they just feel "right" and "original", must be OCD personality where everything has to be perfect and in order, but to me this Passat interior feels like THE car interior standard in the class, while everyone else is just experimenting with changes and ultimately ending up with an inferior product.

[the]

This car may get some hate from certain people but I have to say it has a graceful design. I'd go as far to say this is one of the most understated and mature designs right now. Recently cars have become too 'loud' and fixated on making statements, probably because the target demographic is also keen on 'expressing themselves' through material possessions.

[beamermad]

I bought the R Line estate diesel version 187bhp, always had beamers and i have to say the passat is a more refined all rounder, the comfort, power, space economy with my most recent run i got 71mpg, granted i drove like a grandma to get it but it did do it. Im averaging 1200km to a full tank and its a 2016 with 220k on the clock which you cant fault for an 8 year old car. The r line has the better body kit, flat bottom steering wheel, comfortable seats with electric lumbar support. Had it 2 months now and would def recommend to anyone looking for a nice wagon that caters for any need

[steviemt]

I have just bought one of these, and cannot fault it in any way at all. A truly lovely car

[mennofz]

my dad has this car and it's just such a great car. A bit dull, not an audi, but great value for money. quick too, the business r model is the best since the interior gets black headliner, which classes it up

[mihaimihai]

Thanks a lot for this complete review.The greatest thing about Passat is that this car says nothing about the owner's social position and it offers a quite good level of quality and performaces. This is a car for those who want a trustable and practical vehicle without being in the center of attention. And this is why I like it so much.

[NBASFAN]

The interior is perfect, why would I ever spend 10k more on an Audi.

[ChrisH]

I got the saloon about half a year ago only the 1.6 and it's the standard model (I bought used) but on the whole it's impressed me massively, it's superb to drive around in day to day due to its massively comfortable ride and solid cabin insulation, the engine is punchy and frugal (but it does suffer from low rpm lag which can be annoying pulling away from junctions in a hurry) the space and build quality is brilliant the only thing that annoys me is the boot lip which obstructs loading and can make loading larger parcels or items a hassle, all in all I've done over 20K miles in it I get brilliant MPG, other people think it is a much more expensive car than what it was and even though mine is a basic model I have more than enough standard equipment to see me through in my day to day job (taxi driver I know haha typical taxi car but hey it works!) also compared to the vauxhall/opel insignia (the passat feels much better built and has smoother and quieter engines) and the mondeo (the only time the mondeo felt better was with a titanium model, but for that money you could get a business se passat which feels like a cheaper audi a6 and it feels much more premium than the ford) all in all I agree with pretty much everything you have said about the passat matt I just wish I bought one from new so I could spec a few more toys to mine and get a DSG Auto because this car deserves one!

[harrybuckley]

Just purchased my 3rd Passat and this is my 2nd Passat estate. The Passat is a great, cost effective family car and each iteration just gets better and better. Service charges are not too bad and the reliability of the car is just great. The car is comfortable and spacious.

[peterwilliams]

I had the 2.0 GT in November 2016 as a company car for 4 years then bought it and have owned it for a further two years. Now has 61 k on the clock
It needed a radio software update after 6 months, a software update on the electric handbrake after 3 years (message on dash - failure of electronic handbrake!) and a new battery at 5 years.
Last week (after 6 years) the drains on the sunroof blocked and wet the front pillars and carpet. Cleared with a £3 Strimmer line.

One of the best cars I have owned.
Great car for distances - eats miles and doesnt tire you out
Still get 60 mpg commuting 25 miles on A roads - 70 possible if you ease off the right foot. :-)

[PaRaZzOiL]

I got the car for about 1week and i love it. Plenty of space, great fuel economy, extra comfort and premium feel for the price. Great car.

[ScaniaVabis]

Doesn't matter what you have, a transit van, truck, container ship... You'll always fit more in a passat! The room is never ending!!!

[antonoat]

Really enjoying your reviews. These days on the web there are loads of people reviewing cars, but, you cover all the vitals yet you are not too deadly serious, a sense of fun
is necessary and amusement is always good. It's apparent you know cars and you always seem to highlight the aspects folks are generally interested in.
cheers
tony

[soawn]

Front grill really looks good gives it nice wide look, car is overall good looking, if you look insignia its really pretty car so is mondeo or 508, but when you sit in passat there is quality feel that you dont get from competition, 2.0 tdi is so good, everything works perfect and thats why passat is best in class, its really just so good for its money, and best thing its really nice to drive in way that it feels much smaller than it is, and comfort is great and it will hold value after many years

[petertaylor]

Ha ha! I love the 'Passat(a)' in the central cubby. Very subtle and clever!....

[agungwicaksono]

Mat Watson, the second best cars reviewers on earth. the first one, still Jeremy Clarkson. (IMO)

[alliancemad]

I own a 2015 VW Passat GT 2.0tdi manual and I love it, it looks awesome and im sorry I find it very fun to drive it doesnt feel its size and actually feels quite light for something so big.

[cc-iqbs]

The passat Estate is a great car, mine is awesome, I had all kinds of cars as you do over the years. Then I just wanted a car for all occasions, for lugging, long hauls, buying that big item and bring it home your self, and yes the mpg on these cars are excellent. It's well kitted out for an estate car, now I'm hooked on estate cars, in future I, ll be getting R Line, the passat Estate in my view is a great car 👍👍👍👍👍👌

[chadmock]

I wish they would bring this back to the States. I love the Passat wagons. I had to settle for the 17 Altrack. A very good car, I would've liked to have the Passat.