The Volkswagen Passat has always been characterized as the undisputed king of the popular sedan segment. Now this type of vehicle is in danger of extinction, so I will give you four main reasons why you can fall in love with its aesthetics, dynamics and, potentially, its practicality.
The automotive world is full of living myths. Surely if you stop this reading for a few seconds and think of some mythical model that is still marketed almost certainly, you could say the Porsche 911 or the BMW M3, to name a few. But the truth is that on a more earthly step there is a jewel in the phase of extinction. I’m talking about the Volkswagen Passat, either in any of its two bodywork alternatives, sedan or family. In any of these cases we can admit that the Passat has marked an era, since for decades it has been the best-selling and most beloved sedan.
New regulations and fashions have made the Volkswagen Passat feel like a dinosaur in the city, far from many of the current aesthetic and mechanical standards. That is why this generation of the Passat will be a goodbye in many ways, since although the German company is already preparing its ninth generation, For the first time, the three-volume variant will disappear from the catalog and will include novelties such as the huge screen on the dashboard or electrified mechanics (although the latter is not a negative factor in certain cases).
Today I come to tell you about my latest sensations aboard the current Volkswagen Passat Variant, and more specifically with the 200 hp 2.0 TDI engine. No electrification and no SUV around here. That is to say, what many of us like and can still enjoy under the seal of this model or others that still survive. The market trend is clear: electrification and SUV bodies. That is why we can still find a redoubt of that more veteran sector and that eludes us more passions than anything else, although in this case a double standard is also linked to practicality.
The Volkswagen Passat has much to convince anyone looking for a practical car; Y in fact, it will do better than many SUV models that enjoy hundreds of thousands of registrations above the family model we are talking about. That is why, in the following lines, I hope to convince you that this car is everything you need and will want above other “over-elevated” vehicles, without underestimating the latter at any time.
captivating aspects
Let’s start with your first esthetic. You already know that “colors for taste”, right? No one in their right mind would doubt such a fact. But is that the current image of the Passat could not be more refined and attractive. Is it possible that we have reached its aesthetic pinnacle? This is something to which, for several generations, we will not be able to respond affirmatively; however, I have no doubt that if this is not said pinnacle, I do not know what it lacks to be. His image looks modern, within a recipe of classic canons, and can come to be seen as a young car above the clichés of “father’s car” that many may have about him.
It is clear that the younger ones can be much more strongly attracted to the design of the Volkswagen Arteon, and it would not be for less, since, in a purely personal matter, I think that the Shooting Brake body of that model is one of the most beautiful cars of all the current car market. Examples aside, the Passat has become that moderately economical and very practical alternative that many potential customers may like.
As a second main differentiating aspect we will add the indisputable theme of practicality. The Volkswagen Passat sits on a 4,773 mm long body, enough to comfortably accommodate 4 occupants inside (it is approved for 5 passengers). In the first row we will find a generous dose of technology, such as its infotainment screen of up to 9.2 inches, or the new tactile air conditioning module, which seems to me to be an aesthetic and practical success.
Here your seats are extremely comfortable to face any long trip on long and tedious highways. The driving position is very good, since you are high enough to have a good view of everything that is around but, at the same time, it is low enough so that the car is perceived as sitting on the asphalt at all times.
In the second row of seats we find more than enough space for two occupants, since three (which is what it is approved for) will be somewhat fair in terms of width. Optionally, this second row can have its own air conditioning space, as well as mount heated seats and two USB-C inputs to charge mobile phones.
Behind this row we find the cargo space. This is so generous that if we folded down the second row of seats it could pass for a small camper. Jokes aside, we’re talking about a total of 650 liters minimum capacity. There is nothing. Which, if in some case of a rescued visit to a certain Swedish furniture store, we can lower the back row and achieve a maximum volume up to 1,780 liters. Did I hear vans? In this compartment, additionally, we find hangers to secure bags, and some rubber bands to hold objects to prevent them from moving throughout the space while we drive.
As a third aspect to highlight the Volkswagen Passat Variant would be its different options mechanical. We must emphasize the fact that its “pure” gasoline blocks have a smoothness and a more than good handling, but the truth is that if we are going to face long trips regularly, the best thing will always be to have a good diesel engine under the hood , and in that the Passat is well served. Specifically, it has two power levels: 150 and 200 hp. The first one already moves exceedingly well and leaves us with a few drinks of laughter. For those who want to go one step further they have available the block of up to 200 CV with which they will continue to have derisory consumption averages but with an extra power that never hurts. We were able to test the 150 hp diesel engine on the sedan body a few months ago.
On gasoline engines, the Passat has both a 150 hp 1.5 TSI and a 190 hp 2.0 TSI. In both the softness is perceived at all times, while in the case of the most powerful block, it also provides extra performance, although we do not expect obvious sportsmanship but its foals will always be there for when you need them, although also its consumption because it is It would be the most “expensive” alternative of all. Additionally we find the plug-in hybrid variant signed under the acronym GTE. This mechanism is intended for those seeking urban practicality with the DGT Zero label, as well as an electric range of around 60 kilometers.
Finally, another section in which we should stop deeply, would be that of his dynamic and what it means to drive a Passat Variant in each of the scenarios. In general terms, and despite its generous size, it is not a car that feels big at any time. Quite the contrary, since the general sensation will be that of driving something similar to a Volkswagen Golf. Its agility in urban environments is very generous, while if we go out on the open road this will result in a greater settling on the asphalt.
On urban roads, the Volkswagen Passat Variant 2.0 TDI with 200 hp consumes less than 6 liters on average, while If we go out on the open road or express roads, this figure can easily drop below 5 liters. Awesome. And this, possibly, is one of the fundamental pillars on which a potential client is based when opting for this car, since its cost per kilometer will be really brief.
In addition to the issue of the Passat’s consumption, the model certainly moves very skillfully on a curved road and with a huge settling on the asphalt. It is possible that the SUVs are getting us used to not being able to take more lively curves than necessary for fear or insecurity that their swings are extreme; nevertheless, in a “normal” car, of those of a lifetime, the travel of its suspension is not so high and this directly derives in a better cornering. It is not necessary to go to sports models to face this type of roads and get to have fun.
And it is that the Passat gives us that small possibility of fun. Once we insert the Sport mode, it is capable of carrying out a rapid delivery of power through a more sensitive accelerator pedal. Its direction also becomes somewhat more rigid, as well as its suspensions. I insist: it is not necessary to buy a sports car to have fun on a winding road. Nevertheless, that it gives us the possibility of having a good time is not a direct indication that this is a vehicle designed for such an event, but rather, that it is a car that is used for everything. Yes, including giving us the occasional Sunday cheer.
conclusion
Is the Passat Variant the perfect road companion? To state it categorically could perhaps be too risky but, alternatively, it is difficult for me to think of models that are as up to expectations as it is in this case. The Passat Variant is a car that passes with flying colors in all possible sections: dynamics, consumption, practicality, etc… However, in recent months we have been able to see how car prices, in general, are rising rapidly and in this case it is not far behind. This mechanical 2.0 TDI 200 hp has a starting price of 51,000 euroswhile if we go to the always dangerous catalog of extras, the amount can be too close to the sixth decade, and in these areas we could already find alternatives that are one step above this.