For The Passat is stylish, spacious, desirable and good to drive. Resale values are strong and most versions are well equipped.
Against Some of the interior trim is a bit dour and the front seats could do with a little more support.
VW's family car is one of the best cars in its class and scores highly in just about every area.
The Passat doesn’t offer the hatchback versatility of some rivals â€\x93 unless you choose the estate version â€\x93 but its classy image and roomy cabin are plenty of compensation.
As well as cutting a suitable dash in the corporate car park, the Passat is good to drive, if not quite as accomplished as a Ford Mondeo. There are some fine engines to choose from, most of which are very competitive for CO2 emissions and fuel economy.
For the most part, the Passat lives up to its upmarket image. It’s solidly built and looks the part, but some of the interior plastics aren’t as plush as you might expect.
Entry-level S trim provides all the basics, and SE and Sport versions come with plenty of kit. A number of high-tech options are available, including systems that steer the car into a suitable parking space for you and one that can stop the car at low speed if you get too close to the one in front.