Volkswagen's new Passat - available only as an estate - is now available to order in the UK, with prices starting from £38,480 (OTR).
Later in 2024, the new model, which is larger than its predecessor and shares a platform with the new Skoda Superb, will be available with two plug-in eHybrid powertrains, but for now is available with a 150PS 1.5-litre TSI mild hybrid petrol engine.
It is available in three trims: Life (from £38,480), Elegance (from £41,580) and R-Line (from £42,830).
The new model's wheelbase is 50mm longer than the previous Passat Estate (2,841mm), the car is 144mm longer (4,917mm) and the width has increased by 20mm to 1,852mm.
Inside, the Passat will feature a newly developed cockpit and new infotainment system, which evolves the layout introduced in the Golf. The new Passat's infotainment display measures 12.9 inches and there will also be an optional 15-inch screen. The Passat will be the first VW to use a new fourth-generation operating system, known as MIB4.
Backlit touch sliders are located underneath the infotainment system display and are used to adjust functions such as the interior temperature and volume, addressing a key criticism of the Golf and current ID models.
VW will also optionally offer a new head-up display that projects the information onto the windscreen and thus into the virtual space in front of the vehicle. In addition, the multifunction steering wheel has physical buttons rather than touch pads - to make operation easier.
The car's larger proportions result in more passenger space and a larger boot. The latter has grown by 40 litres when compared to the outgoing Passat.
Changes to the cars underpinnings are said to improve refinement, while a new Vehicle Dynamics Management system controls the adaptive dampers and brake distribution to improve handling.
The powertrain line-up starts with a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine (eTSI) with 150PS and a seven-speed DSG. Two 2.0-litre TSI petrol variants, with 204PS and 265PS, will be offered. The more powerful unit is paired with 4Motion all-wheel-drive.
The eHybrid models are all-new and now utilise a 1.5-litre petrol engine. A new 19.7kWh battery is almost double the size of the one used in the Passat GTE. As a result, the expected zero-emission range has grown to 62 miles.
VW will offer the eHybrid powertrain with two power outputs: 204PS and 272PS. Both variants will be capable of 11kW AC charging and will also support 50kW rapid charging.
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Matt has been an automotive journalist for eight years. As senior staff writer he is responsible for the automotive content on Fleet News and also contributes to Automotive Management. Prior to this, Matt worked in the automotive industry for 10 years.
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