Volkswagen Passat SE 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Technology 4dr Car Review - March 2012

The Passat is a very competent car that is most at home on the motorway where the supple suspension and easy steering mean that covering the miles isn't a problem at all. However, there is a little bit of body roll when the car is taken into the corners, and the soft suspension means that there isn't much feedback in the steering and that it isn't hugely enjoyable to drive. The driving position is good with the steering wheel and driving seat adjusting easily to suit the individual, with visibility also very good.

The 1.6 litre TDI engine found in this Passat is competent enough although a little slow out of the blocks, with the acceleration from 0-62mph taking place in 12.2 seconds. The top speed of 121mph is plenty for the Passat to be comfortable on the motorway, and even at these speeds the cabin is relatively calm, with only the whisper of wind noise to be heard.

The Passat is a fairly attractive car that doesn't try to hide its large stature, with a wide grille and large headlight clusters that dominate the front end. The lines of the saloon are smooth and unfussy, with the tail light clusters on the saloon rear end are split over the body and the boot door. Inside, the dashboard is clear and easy to read with dials that light up at night, and the centre console has chunky controls that are simple to use even when driving.

The level of equipment that is included with this version of the Passat is quite good, with air conditioning and cruise control helping to ensure the car is comfortable and stable on the motorway. Alloy wheels are included as standard with this model, and the CD stereo has an MP3 input socket and also boasts Bluetooth connectivity.

One of the biggest plus points for the Passat is that it is a practical car when compared with other saloons, but doesn't quite match some of its hatchback and estate rivals. The space available in the cabin is plentiful with no problems in the back in terms of legroom and headroom, and the boot of the car is also spacious. Volkswagen does have a very good reputation for making reliable cars, and the Passat also benefits from a good reputation.

The Passat is also a very safe car to drive, having achieved the top rating of five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test. The car is equipped with a number of driving aids that will help to keep the car stable and on the road, and has a good range of airbags should the car be involved in an accident.

This version of the Passat does have a list price of £21,145, and although there are cheaper rivals, the low running costs for this model will prove to be very attractive. The one challenge for the Passat is that it is going up against one of the best cars on the market in the Ford Mondeo.

The 1.6 litre diesel engine with Bluemotion technology means the car can achieve 65.7mpg, and the insurance costs for the car are also very reasonable, with a low insurance group. The desirable and practical Passat doesn't suffer too much from depreciation, and the car is also delivered with a three year or sixty thousand mile warranty, and also has a one year roadside breakdown assistance policy.