We’ve had a VW Passat Estate on test in the Dynamic Vehicle Solutions offices for the last few months and our verdict is in!
Unequivocally, the Volkswagen Passat is a superb all-rounder that manages to look and feel a cut above rivals such as the Ford Mondeo. In fact, it’s east to see why its best considered in the same breath as the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series. It exemplifies how the German company has carved an enviable position above its mainstream rivals, pitching its models between the once dominant, high-volume ‘normal’ marques and those premium brands. That means you’re as likely to reference the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class or even the Passat’s close Audi A4 relation, as you might the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia, when considering the Passat.
In 2015, it won the prestigious European Car of The Year award and was substantially overhauled for the 2020 model year with a revised engine line-up, plus improved technology and connectivity. The Passat is available as a saloon as well as a handsome, usefully spacious Volkswagen Passat Estate, and as a plug-in hybrid model – the Volkswagen Passat GTE – as both saloon and estate model. We have had the Passat Estate 1.5 TSI EVO SEL 5dr DSG on test in the office
Being a big-selling mainstay in the Volkswagen model line-up it’s offered with a wide range of engines and transmissions, with a choice of three petrol engines of 1.5 and 2.0-litre capacities with outputs spanning from 150PS up to 272PS. The diesel engine range offers even more choice, with four power outputs from the 1.6 and 2.0-litre capacities, from 120PS to 240PS. There’s the option of either a six-speed manual transmission, or a seven-speed DSG automatic, the majority of the range being front-wheel drive, with the most powerful models gaining Volkswagen’s 4Motion four-wheel drive system.
The revisions for the 2020 model year didn’t just bring under the skin changes to improve economy and emissions, but also sharpened up the VW Passat’s already handsome looks, while adding a more comprehensive offering of safety equipment, as well as standard fitment of Volkswagen’s Travel Assist, which allows the Passat to drive at speeds of up to 130mph (where allowed) in a partially autonomous mode. The saloon’s trim levels start with the SE, followed by the SE Nav, SEL, and R-Line. The saloon marketplace is in decline, with competition for buyer’s money from estate cars and SUVs diminishing their appeal, but the Passat remains an appealing prospect, however unfashionable or not the regular saloon might be considered in the current marketplace. As a foil to the too-obvious premium players the Volkswagen Passat exudes a surprising amount of class, which is a sizeable part of its appeal, as is its neatly designed, spacious interior.
Spacious, comfortable, considered and classy, there’s a lot to like about the Volkswagen Passat, enough indeed to consider it very worthy of rivalling premium contenders. Not exciting, admittedly, instead the Passat is deeply satisfying, which is arguably more appealing in your daily driver, which makes it easy to recommend here. Our overall verdict: The VW Passat is all the car you could really want or need, a fine all-round choice for the family or business buyer, or a combination of both.
You can lease the Volkswagen Passat Estate 1.5 TSI EVO SEL 5dr DSG from just £315.78 + VAT per month with Dynamic Car Leasing, full details here
To discuss more options on leasing a VW Passat Leasing or any other aspect of leasing or contract hire, for business or personal use, please contact the Dynamic team on 01342 710400 or email us at sales@dynamic-car-leasing.co.uk