2021 Volkswagen Passat 206TSI R-Line Wagon launch review

Volkswagen’s take on the formula is the Passat 206TSI R-Line, the top-of-the-range, hottish wagon from Wolfsburg – designed to carry the family and all their gear in comfort, while also providing mum or dad behind the wheel with plenty of thrills, should they desire.

The lineage of Volkswagen’s hot wagon dates back to 1984 with the first mildly warm Passat estate, the Variant Syncro GT which featured a 2.0-litre, inline five-cylinder petrol engine and all-wheel drive underpinnings pilfered from the Audi 80 Quattro. Its performance didn’t exactly set the world on fire, with 0-100km/h achieved in a glacial-by-today’s-standards 11.1 seconds. But, it provided the blueprint for the car we have on test here.

It’s a welcome return for the ‘sports wagon’, jumping to the top of the queue as the most powerful Passat in the line-up. And there’s no Passat sedan equivalent, so if you want Golf R performance from your Passat, then this is it. A Golf R for grown-ups, then.

Volkswagen doesn’t shy away from underlining the Passat 206TSI R-Line’s performance credentials. That ‘206’ in the nameplate refers to the 206kW the 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder turbo petrol pumps out. Throw in 350Nm and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission transmitting those numbers to all four wheels and you can see why VW is rightly spruiking the Passat 206TSI as a ‘sports wagon’.

The price for this performance, allied with dollops of wagon-like practicality, is a healthy $63,790 plus on-road costs.

That compares reasonably against the most recent Golf R available in Australia, the Mk7.5 Final Edition which asked for $57,990 in hatchback form, or the same sticker price in non-Final wagon form. Bear in mind, there’s a new Golf R Wagon due in Australia in 2022, price still to be confirmed.

Rivals for the Passat 206TSI Wagon include Czech stablemate Skoda Superb 206 TSI Sportline wagon at $62,090 and, keeping it in the family, the Audi A4 45 TFSI Avant (Audi-speak for wagon) priced from $71,000 (plus on-roads). Buyers might also consider the Peugeot 508 GT Sportwagon at a lion’s whisker under $60k.

It’s a small but healthy subset of the new car landscape, wagons long ago consigned to the box marked ‘niche’ while SUVs of all shapes and sizes proliferate on our highways and byways like rabbits in mating season.

To lure buyers away from the generic world of SUVs, even its own increasing flotilla of high-riding soft-roaders, Volkswagen has crammed the range-topping 206TSI R-Line with plenty of standard equipment.

Highlights include 19-inch ‘Pretoria’ alloys finished in matte graphite, a design unique to the specification. They look sensational against the Lapiz Blue metallic paint, a colour only available on the 206TSI R-Line and part of a six-colour palette where only Pure White is a no-cost hue, the rest commanding an $800 premium.

Other standard kit highlights include matrix LED headlights with dynamic cornering lights and integrated LED daytime running lights, premium LED taillights, keyless entry and push-button start, three-zone climate control, nappa leather seat trim, LED ambient lighting customisable in 30 different colours, a premium Harman Kardon sound system, a 9.2-inch colour touchscreen running Volkswagen’s Discover Pro software including satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rear-view camera as well as a 360-degree bird’s eye view camera and VW’s 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro driver display.

Outside, the R-Line pack brings some visual enhancements including a roof-mounted spoiler and R-Line front and rear bumpers, while inside, the pack adds stainless steel pedals, R-Line scuff plates, and a flat-bottom sports steering wheel with paddle-shifters as well as ‘R’ logos embossed on the front seat backrests.

There’s certainly plenty of premium-feeling touches for your money. Inside, the well-resolved cabin feels as a German car should. The materials used throughout are top-notch, with plenty of yielding surfaces and some contrasting flourishes such as the ‘Silver Rise’ aluminium trims on the dash and door panels.

The nappa leather seats are nicely supportive and electrically adjustable, and also heated, although not ventilated, with Volkswagen stating the nappa leather isn’t conducive to seat cooling.

Everything is laid out nicely, with most functions within easy arm’s reach. The climate controls are touch-sensitive, meaning you control temperature and fan speed with the slide of a finger or a light touch.

The rear-view camera is as good as any we’ve seen, with crisp and clear resolution while the bird-s eye view camera makes parking in those tight spots a cinch.

Storage and convenience options include a pair of USB-C points up front for charging devices and if your smartphone is of the older variety, you’ll need a converter as there is no wireless charging option.