Bigger, better new Volkswagen Passat arrives as Estate only    

Fifty years after the first Passat was launched, the new ninth generation model arrives as an Estate only with boot space to rival a Mercedes E-Class.

Indeed, open the tailgate and you’ll find a huge 690-litre boot that can be extended to a cavernous 1920-litres with the rear seats tipped forwards — handy for packing everything including the kitchen sink. The longer, wider new Passat Estate also serves up more room for people thanks to a 50mm longer wheelbase. This creates more space for heads, shoulders, knees (and toes) for everyone. 

As well as more room to breathe inside the Passat, it has a classy new look with a 10.25-inch digital display for the main dash. This is matched by a large 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard or customers can opt for a whopping 15-inch display. VW has also improved the ease of use of both screens after it was stung by criticism of the current Golf’s set-up. 

Powering this latest Passat Estate is a range of engines including two brand new plug-in hybrid versions that can deliver up to 62 miles of zero emissions driving. 

The plug-in hybrid models come with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with either 204- or 272PS, or you can have a mild hybrid 1.5 with 150PS. A pair of 2.0-litre turbo petrol motors offer 204- or 265PS, and the more powerful version comes with 4Motion all-wheel drive as standard. 

Volkswagen will continue to offer diesel engines in the Passat Estate, with a choice of 122-, 150- or 190PS motors, and the most potent has four-wheel drive. So, now you can take the contents of your house on even the diciest road trip. Every new Passat will also have an automatic gearbox as standard. 

Helping to make the Passat Estate as efficient as possible will be low rolling resistance tyres fitted to wheels that go up to 19-inches in size. You can expect to see tyres from VW’s usual original equipment suppliers being used on the Passat, with names such as Continental, Hankook, and Michelin. The tyres will be honed to work with the Passat’s clever new DCC Pro3 adaptive chassis control, which spreads the weight of the car around the wheels to deliver the best ride comfort, handling, and load carrying ability. 

Other innovative tech for the Passat includes Assisted Parking that lets the driver direct the car remotely into and out of spaces using their smartphone. Essentially a valet in your pocket: handy when you’re running late for a meeting or doctor’s appointment, and you don’t have time to park. There are also IQ.Matrix LED headlights which deliver brighter illumination and greater range — perfect for long winter nights.  

All of this will be available with the new Volkswagen Passat when it goes on sale in the UK from early in 2024. And it could well make it not just the one of the biggest but best estate cars out there. 

Hero image: Volkswagen