The Passat is one of Volkswagen’s most important models, and the new generation of the car is said to represent a “paradigm shift” for the brand.
At home in Sweden, the Passat station wagon has in recent years become a real favorite for business drivers with families, and from now on the station wagon body will be the only option on offer.
The new Passat is only available as a station wagon – Photo: Volkswagen
Since it has aimed at company car customers, it has focused on long-distance comfort and high-quality materials, as well as on offering a wide selection of powertrains. The car is therefore offered with both petrol and diesel engines, as well as as a plug-in hybrid.
In the plug-in hybrid versions, the electric range is a good 100 km, which according to Volkswagen covers the daily needs of 99 percent of the brand’s customers.
Lots of experience to consult
Since its introduction in 1973, Volkswagen has managed to produce a whopping 34 million Passats, and during that time, unsurprisingly, it has learned a thing or two about the segment.
The new Passat is built on the group’s MQB Evo platform, which is a developed version of the outgoing MQB platform.
The new generation of Passat is number nine in the series – Photo: Volkswagen
The future of the old well-known model name is, like many other cars, most likely electric, and we therefore believe that the model will eventually replace the electric Volkswagen ID.7.
So far, however, only plug-in hybrids apply.
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A whole bunch of powertrains
On location in France, we had the opportunity to test a wide selection of powertrains.
There were, among other things, two plug-in hybrids of 204 and 272 horsepower, respectively, and more or less the same range on electric drive.
The plug-in hybrids only drive the front wheels, and for the aspiring Passat owner who is looking for four-wheel drive, pure gasoline or diesel powertrains apply.
There is a range of powertrains to choose from – Photo: Volkswagen
In the electric mode, the drivetrain keeps to pure electric operation even with hard throttle applications. In some situations, the drivetrain unfortunately appears somewhat jerky, although the transition between petrol and electric operation is usually smooth. It is also possible to perceive a certain delay if you quickly push the gas to the bottom.
Out on the road, the noise level in the car is low, especially during pure electric operation as the car is extremely pleasant to drive. The performance in the weaker version of the plug-in hybrid is quite sufficient, and choosing the stronger version of the car is therefore unnecessary.
We also had the opportunity to drive a pure gasoline engine with an output of 150 horsepower, as well as a diesel with 193 horsepower.
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Well thought out from front to back
Compared to the outgoing generation, the new Passat has grown, and now measures almost five meters in length. The substantial length is matched by really good interior spaces.
The interior has a high sense of quality – Photo: Volkswagen
The luggage compartment holds a whopping 690 litres, and if you fold down the seats this increases to a whopping 1,920 litres. Compared to the old Passat, this is an increase of 40 and 140 litres, respectively. The towing weight is a good 2,200 kg if you choose a four-wheel drive Passat.
There is also plenty of space in the back seat and the legroom is absolutely huge.
The new MMI system is a step in the right direction – Photo: Volkswagen
In the front seat, the new Passat, like the new Tiguan, has been equipped with physical buttons, which is welcome, and customers can choose between screens of 13 and 15 inches respectively. The feeling of quality is higher than in the outgoing generation of the Passat, and the new buttons feel robust.
The new MMI system is also a step in the right direction, and offers, for better or for worse, an almost infinite number of setting options. A lot of effort has been put into digitization, and the car has been equipped with integrated ChatGPT.
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Well-balanced driving characteristics
The new Volkswagen Passat can’t be faulted for being sporty, and considering the type of car, that’s a good mark in my world.
The car is equipped with new two-valve shock absorbers which means that the unevenness of the road is handled with gusto, and in the soft comfort mode it is a long-distance wagon of rank.
In terms of driving dynamics, the Passat hides its size really well, and an engineer on site explained that they had tried to emulate the driving experience of the new Volkswagen Golf.
The new Volkswagen Passat does not encourage fast driving – Photo: Volkswagen
The chassis balance is neutral, and the driving experiences are accommodating at all speeds, and even if the car does not inspire sporty driving, it can be driven briskly without the journey becoming dramatic.
The diesel engine is experienced as quiet and pleasant and an absolutely huge range between fuel stops.
All versions of the car are equipped with a lightning-fast seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, with the exception of the plug-in hybrids, which are fine with a six-speed gearbox.
The front-wheel-drive entry-level model with a 150-horsepower petrol engine starts at a reasonable SEK 440,000, and appears to be so reasonable that it is difficult to justify buying a more expensive Passat – unless you need four-wheel drive.
The Volkswagen Passat hits the spot
The new Volkswagen Passat focuses on the features that have traditionally made the car successful, and the result is fantastic.
It is a perfect reflection of the brand’s cautious appearance, and is a spacious and comfortable station wagon with few weak points.
As a plug-in hybrid, it offers an unbeatable range on electricity, and this in combination with the flexibility that the electric motor offers is very attractive. The diesel also appears attractive, as the car is a fantastic long-distance vehicle.
The new Volkswagen Passat is a real hit, which does exactly what it is supposed to do and shows why Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest car manufacturers.
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First impressions of the Volkswagen Passat 4.5/5
Volkswagen Passat 1.5 TSI (2024)
Engine: 2-liter I4, gasoline, 150 horsepower, 250 newton meters
Transmission: 7-speed double clutch box, front wheel drive
Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 9.2 seconds
Top speed: 222 km/h
Weight: 1,623 kg
Dimensions (length/width/height): 4917/1849/1497 mm
Award: From SEK 437,900