Volkswagen Passat estate review - CarBuyer

Practicality is everything for an estate -- and this version of the VW Passat delivers. Not only is the boot one of the biggest in the family car class, it's also one of the most usable and versatile, with one-touch levers folding the seats. A clever device also allows for hands-free opening of the boot: simply wave your foot under the bumper and the electric tailgate lifts. With a good line-up of engines and great comfort, the Passat Estate is a fine buy -- we just wish it was better to drive and had more visual flair.

[eggbirdtherooster]

it looks dull? I like the design.. verry clean and sharp horizontal lines

[Dezaber]

Oh snap, look at that 0:52 build quality.

[davidx]

I find the estate better looking than the saloon.

[justasmackevicius]

Bought one a couple of months ago. Really impressed overall, except the engine 2.0tdi and not as punchy as I was expecting. Got it remapped and now it's good.

[rokaslisauskas]

Bought this car today I love it and Rebecca is so cute and elegant when she talks and all together

[adamcai]

Went to see this car last week, instantly fell in love, and is going to get it home tommorow

[Lyma]

I am a Big Volvo fan but this Passat beats the Volvo V60 hands Down ! Only the BMW 3 series touring can match this estate in class.

[milenstoyanov]

This girl is so cute when she talks and altogether.

[ScottPC]

They are sporty and fun to drive if you go with the sports suspension!
And why did you not tell us about the rear air-con

[satnitcboy]

Always interested in the actual comparables size-wise, as well as the nominal "class" of the vehicle - especially in a wagon, where capacity can be a major decider. Checking tech specsn (and it's amazing how hard one has to look to find some of these), the Passat estate lands between the 3-series and 5-series on most measurements, but according to the makers' supplied numbers the Passat even handles more cargo than the BMW 5-series (603/1731 litres vs 560/1670 litres). The slick Volvo V60 is smaller than most of the pack, esp in back, but that's what that sloping roof will do. (The v60 does have a longer wheelbase than the VWs, for what that's worth.)

I've read that the US Jetta Sportwagon (which looks to be the UK's Golf estate) would be replaced by ... a Golf estate. Not in name, anyway, not yet ... keep watching.

As expected, the numbers shake out as pretty even for A4 Avant/3-series sportwagon and A6 Avant/5 series - though, since we only get one of those in the US, it's academic to some of us. (Yes, there is the A4 Allroad ... )

Not to be forgotten, the Mazda 6 Tourer (also not in the states yet), while longer and wider than the Passat, has 15% less cargo space with seats up (506 vs 603 L), though it makes up some of that difference with seats down (1648 vs 1731.)

Whatever numbers tell you, head and legroom are best judged in the seat, I think, and those can also be critical depending on your needs.

[lallarolle]

Being five foot and a half, she's Richard Hammonds dream girl.

[amrknu]

The review unit that they used was a Passat Highline(top range model) so the basic model will lack many of the features and looks from this car.

[konic]

she didnt mention the cheap looking plastic on the dash.. all that really caught my eye was that rear armrest with the pocket and cup holder...

[moddingpark]

The Alltrack is based on the Passat Variant (estate), but it's a bit higher due to higher suspension, it has a Haldex 4-wheel drive system, plastic and aluminum covers all around and under the vehicle for improved off road capability. And it weights just 50kg more than an equally equipped Passat Variant.

[UnRoman]

Alfa= unreliable, expensive parts
VW= reliable with a soft touch of premium (it nails premium cars) and much better than its rivals. Perhaps Honda Accord would be an andvantage for me, but Honda Accord 2.2 I-CDTI has a smaller fuel economy and insurance/taxation is higher. What a Passat 2.0 TDI BlueMotion can do, is no other car is doing. The biggest fuel economy in its class, the biggest space. Top safety ratings. And i like the style!! Why not? Its German. Solid, serious, excelent.

[eternalhalloween]

Well, chances are if you buy a car like this, you're not looking for a sporty shape or dynamic performance. So I don't think the negatives are so applicable. If you buy a Toyota Prius, you're not looking for horsepower or sporty performance. You're buying it to get 50 mpg. It's not exactly fair to criticize a car for something it wasn't designed for in the first place.

[dwright]

Mine too James, 5' 4 1/2" is average for a UK female.

[PandaDiesel]

Sat in one today and I loved the feel of the dash and the door cards and the door had a solid thunk when I closed it

[lostn]

They do, but Toyota also sell a shitload more cars than Audi, so you would expect more recalls. Toyota however are willing to admit faults (in some territories), unlike some car makers who keep silent about it and try to hide it under a rug. Meanwhile VW had a massive recall in China for the DSG transmission. China being a very key market to VW's goal of being #1, they decided that market was one they had to treat with care.

I don't know if Kia even use turbo chargers.

[lostn]

No one said 100% of all their cars sold will leave them with huge repair bills. But the % is a lot higher than the more reliable brands. And when one of those brands fail and need repairing, the bill is not as big as VW's.