Volkswagen Passat Sport 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology DSG 4dr Car Review - March 2012

The best environment for the Passat is on the motorway, where the light steering is easy to control and the soft suspension means that the ride is comfortable and smooths out the majority of bumps and potholes. The counter side to this soft suspension is that it does mean that the Passat has some body lean while cornering, and the lack of feedback in the steering means you don't have quite as fun as in some other cars. The driving position is very good with a seat that adjusts for height and distance from the wheel, and a fully adjustable steering wheel too, while visibility is very good.

The engine performance doesn't suffer too much from the automatic gearbox, and the acceleration from 0-62mph is achieved in only 9.8 seconds. The top speed of 131mph is also ample for most motorway journeys, and the level of refinement in the cabin is very good with a small amount of wind noise the only disturbance in the car.

The Passat is a fairly attractive saloon car, and the large chrome grille is split by the typical Volkswagen badge that is one of the most distinctive symbols on our road. The car does have some nice chrome detailing running along the bottom of the doors too, while the back end is also quite attractive. Inside the cabin the dashboard is easy to read and the centre console controls are straightforward to use, but the plastic is a little dull.

This version of the car does come with a very high level of equipment, with features such as satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity included with the car. Cruise control and climate control are also welcome features, while the CD stereo comes with an MP3 connection for those wanting to play music from their portable player.

The Passat is a car that does boast good practicality on the whole, and the front and back seats both have plenty of legroom and headroom, with enough space for four adults to sit in comfort. The boot may not be quite as spacious as some hatchback cars, but it does stack up very well against saloon rivals. Volkswagen has a good reputation for reliability, and the Passat can also boast a great reputation which is reflected in driver surveys.

There are a number of electronic systems that help to keep the Passat stable and under control, and it is also included with a good range of airbags to protect passengers in the front and back of the car. These features have helped the car to achieve five stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests.

This version of the Volkswagen Passat lies towards the top of the range, with a list price of £23,745 which may deter some buyers. There are cheaper models available, and the Sport trim can be sacrificed for those who are hard pressed.

The running costs for the car are quite good, but the fuel efficiency is affected by the automatic gearbox, with the performance delivered by the engine offering an average 54.1mpg. The insurance group is quite competitive despite the 2.0 litre TDI engine, and depreciation isn't too bad when compared with some rivals. The car is supplied with a three year or sixty thousand mile warranty, and also has one years' roadside breakdown assistance.