Volkswagen Passat Estate BlueMotion 1.6 TDI 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The light steering is complemented by a fairly comfortable suspension setting meaning that the car is good on the motorway, but the suspension is still a little unsettled over many bumps. The steering is a little inert and doesn’t offer much in terms of feedback, while there is some body roll to be experienced in corners. The driving position is fine with the level of adjustment available both for the driving seat and the steering wheel both very good, while the visibility is fine to the front and the rear.

Although this is an engine that has been designed to deliver great efficiency, for the most part this isn’t immediately apparent as it performs quite well, although is a little sluggish while accelerating. Going from 0-62mph takes 12.5 seconds, with a top speed of 122mph that is more than enough for motorway driving, where the Passat Estate can deliver quiet and refined motoring with only a hint of wind noise to disturb the peace.

There is no disguising the fact that the Passat Estate is a large car designed for practicality, but the front end is attractive with the typical Volkswagen horizontal grille split by the large badge. A small lip running around the bottom of the car adds a little shape to the car, while the back end is nice and offers practicality too. Inside the cabin the Passat Estate is quite nice with a dashboard that is easy to read, but the seats could be a little more supportive.

The level of equipment included with this version of the Passat Estate isn’t tearing up any trees, but a CD stereo and air conditioning are both included with the car, as is Bluetooth connectivity. The lack of alloy wheels is disappointing in a car with this price tag, and even cruise control and fog lights aren’t included as standard.

One of the best things about the Volkswagen Passat is that it is a very safe car to drive, and has a host of electronic wizardry to keep the car stable and safe on the road. However, should it become involved in an accident, it does boast a good range of airbags to help look after its occupants, including a curtain airbag to look after those in the back of the car. These features have helped the Passat Estate to achieve the top mark of five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test. Reliability has always been a plus point for the Volkswagen brand, and this reputation is further continued in this model.

The practicality of the Passat Estate is also very good, with plenty of space in the front and the back seats, and a large boot too. The one quibble is that folding the seats for extra space is a little bit fiddly and could have been made simpler.

With a list price of £21,605, this Passat Estate is very competitively priced when compared with some of the competition on the market. It may not quite beat the best Ford Mondeos, but it is pushing the class leader very close.

The running costs are also quite low, with the Bluemotion 1.6 litre diesel engine able to deliver an excellent average 65.7mpg. The insurance group for the Passat Estate is also quite low, while the resale value of the car does actually hold up quite well. The Passat Estate is delivered with a three year warranty and also comes with a one year roadside breakdown assistance policy.