As soon as you sit in it, you know you’re in the real deal. The cabin isn’t flash, but it is solid, practical, classy and with just the right amount of kit. You sit high almost like in an SUV, with a clear view, and in very comfy big seats. And there is a ton of room in here – not that room can be weighed but you know what actually mean. It’s hugely spacious for all concerned, and for all their luggage. A two-week touring holiday in North Africa or taking the eldest to university – whatever, the car can accommodate it.
In terms of engines, there’s no choice at all really. You can have a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine. However, you do get a choice of having it with 148bhp and a six-speed manual box or, as here, with 187bhp and the six-speed dual-clutch auto box. Even in higher spec, it’s not an engine to inspire, but it does what it needs to do.
There’s good torque, decent performance, and that’s about it. Well, apart from more noise than we’d like at motorway speeds and a fuel consumption that didn’t really want to go much over 40mpg, whatever the claimed figure is.
However, this is an estate car not an SUV, and you feel it in the handling. It handles nicely flat and trim, with little of the wallowing you have with some higher SUVs. The ride height is raised by 28mm over the standard estate but that doesn’t translate into sea-shanty handling. However, that raised height has another advantage as well as offering decent clearance on a rocky road.
The longer travel actually allows the Passat Alltrack to have a more comfortable ride even than the standard car. The miles really will smooth away in this VW. And that’s what the Passat Alltrack will be very good for. Covering the miles, whether through snow or mud or rain or shine, getting you and yours there with the minimum of fuss and bother.
It’s the sort of car you buy and then keep for year after year, as it’s just so useful and versatile and, well, honest, that you can’t bear to get rid of it. Getting rid of it would be like trading the Labrador. You’ll not be bothering to read another road test on the latest Passat Alltrack for another decade probably.
Volkswagen Passat Alltrack 2.0 TDI SCR 4Motion 190PS 6spd DSGPrice £34,835
Engine 4cyls, 1968cc, turbodiesel
Power 187bhp at 1900-3300rpm
Torque 295lb ft at 1900-3300rpm
Gearbox 6spd dual-clutch auto
Kerb weight 1705kg
0-62mph 8.0sec
Top speed 136mph
Economy 54.3mpg
CO2/tax band 137g/km/27%
Rivals Subaru Outback, Skoda Octavia Scout
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