2016 Volkswagen Passat Review – Swift And Roomy With A Premium Twist
Now in its eighth generation, the new Volkswagen Passat arrives with more standard features, stronger and more fuel-efficient engines, and a base price that's $4000 lower. There’s a real premium feel to the interior and more space than most families will know what to do with.
Safety and comfort have been given a lift, and the model range grows to three variants, with a choice of sedan and wagon body-styles. Add in refined running and a smooth and comfortable on-road demeanour, and the Passat looks like good buying in the mid-size class.
Vehicle Style: Medium sedan and wagon
Price: $34,990 - $47,990 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans
132 TSI: 132kW/250Nm 1.8 4cyl petrol | 7spd automatic
140TDI: 140kW/400Nm 2.0 4cyl diesel | 6spd automatic
Fuel Economy
132TSI claimed: 6.0 l/100km | tested: 7.8 l/100km
140TSI claimed: 4.8 l/100km | tested: 6.9
OVERVIEW
While it still wears a ‘medium’ classification, Volkswagen’s newest generation Passat could easily be mistaken for a large car.
The space on offer, particularly for the rear seat, is incredibly generous. Yet, externally, the new model is actually a sliver shorter, nose-to-tail, than the outgoing model (by 4mm).
Volkswagen’s modular MQB chassis architecture is the reason why. The same space-saving and weight-saving methods employed in the Golf make their way into the Passat, which now has a longer wheelbase, but shorter overhangs than before.
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