Volkswagen Passat | Video Review | CarsIreland.ie

Published on 31 March, 2017

The new Volkswagen Passat continues to be the benchmark for what we expect from a family saloon here in Ireland

Overview

Overview

The Volkswagen Passat is one of Irelands favourite cars. Around since 1973 it has been tweaked and improved over eight generations to become the most popular mid-sized family saloon in Ireland. And it doesn't disappoint on any count – the exterior had been updated, and the interior has been refined to a standard that should have its premium rivals seriously concerned for their market share. Ride quality has been improved too with better sound insulation resulting in a quieter cabin, and the new suspension makes for a sharper and more enjoyable drive than before. There's a wide range of fuel efficient engines and some excellent safety features as standard.

Interior Gallery

Space is one of the most important factors in this segment and the Passat does not dissapoint. There is plenty of room in the cabin for five full sized passengers thanks to generous leg and headroom in the back. Font seat occupants will be very comfortable also, the Passat has a really well finished cabin that is not just nice to look at but touch and feel also. From the felt lined door bins to the dampened glovebox and switches. Everything has a real feeling of quality with no hint of scrathcy plastic to be found.

The boot is vast at 586 litres and large enogh to fit just about anything from golf bags to a push chair. If 586 litres of space is not enough you can fold the back seats flat and this will allow you to fit longer and larger items with realative ease.

All models in the Passat line-up are well kitted out. Even the entry level "Trendline" comes with features such as a leather wrapped steering wheel, forward collision warning and a stop-start system with regenerative braking. There is an impressive list of options to suit your specific needs for example, trailer maneuvering system with park assist, LED headlights, electronic boot lid, keyless entry and rear view camera to name but a few. One feature we were very impressed with was the active info display - which will transfer information from the central touchscreen to an 8 inch display behind the steering wheel.

The Passat scored the full five stars on the NCAP crash test, making it a very safe car to be in if you ever get in a accident.

Our test car came with the 1.6 litre diesel engine with 120hp, this is one of the most popular models in Ireland. With good reason too, the clamined economy is just 4 litres per 100 kilometres or 71 miles per gallon. The 1.6 litre also benefits from a low annual tax rate of just €190 thanks to low CO2 emissions of 105g/km. While the 1.6 capable in most situations, the 2.0 litre diesel with 150hp would suit best if you do a lot of motorway journeys. That extra bit of punch really helps when overtaking and gives a claimed fuel economy of 4.2l/100km. There is also a more powerful 2.0 litre diesel producing 190hp and a 1.4 litre TSI pertol, perfect for towndriving.  At the top of the Passat range sits a 2.0 litre twin-turbo diesel with 240hp and four-wheel drive but with a starting price of just over €48,000 this one is reserved for hard-core Passat fans.

The Passat really is a beautiful car to drive and is very much geared towards comfort. It offers a nice, smooth and relaxing ride with a reassuring feeling of power underneath. The cabin is lovely and quiet with a great driving position and the seats are very supportive. Everything you need from a comfortable motorway cruiser.

Volkswagen have a reputation for producing reliable and well built cars. Therefore, the badge guarantees both impressive build quality and good resale values down the line, making it a solid choice right across the board.

All new Volkswagens come with a 3-year warranty, the first two years have an unlimited mileage warranty the third year has a limitation of 90,000km. In conclusion, the Passat is never going to light a fire in your soul but represents a safe and sensible choice for moving the family around.

Facts & Figures

Sinead McCann

Sinéad is our resident car tester who has the unenviable (-ok, slightly enviable) task of reviewing all the latest new cars to hit the market. You can follow her on Twitter @smcani and on Instagram @whatshedrives