Volkswagen Passat Estate (2015 – 2024) Review

July 2014

Volkswagen reveals new Passat Estate

For the first time, there will also be a Passat with a plug-in hybrid drive system. In its design and in the advanced features it offers, the new Passat bridges the gap between the upper medium and premium class.

At 4,767 mm long, the saloon is two millimetres shorter than the previous model, while the wheelbase is 79 mm longer at 2,791 mm and therefore the body overhangs significantly shorter. At the same time, the Passat is 14 mm lower at 1,456 mm, and 12 mm wider at 1,832 mm.

Because of the optimised engine orientation, it was possible to lower significantly the bonnet and shift the windscreen towards the rear. This ‘cab backward design’ helps to create the impression of a premium-class car. Extremely precisely drawn edges and creases which develop individual light-reflecting surfaces help to continue this impression.

All models of Passat have LED rear lights, while the higher-specification versions feature a distinctive horizontal tail light signature that switches over to a vertically oriented brake light signature under braking. Headlights are halogen or LED. In conjunction with Dynamic Light Assist, one of the two LED headlight options automatically adjusts the beam for maximum illumination of the road without dazzling other traffic.

Despite exterior dimensions that are actually marginally smaller than those of the previous Passat, interior space is improved, with more leg- and head-room, as well as increased luggage space.

The interior has been developed to match the sophisticated exterior of the eighth-generation Passat. New technologies to be offered on the new Passat include the optional Active Info Display, which replaces the instrument cluster with a fully configurable interactive 12.3-inch TFT display; a heads-up display; the latest Modular Infotainment System, including the Car-Net remote app; a further-developed 360-degree Area View function; and the latest generation of Park Assist.

A highlight of the Passat’s new range of engines is a high-performance, four-cylinder, 2.0-litre, bi-turbo diesel delivering 240 PS and an extraordinary 500 Nm from 1,750 rpm. This engine will be available only with a new seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4MOTION all-wheel drive. A plug-in hybrid model will also be offered, with potential to travel 31 miles on battery power alone, and with a maximum range of around 600 miles.

September 2014

Passat Estate pricing announced

At launch, five trim levels will be offered: S, SE, SE Business, GT and R-Line. All will offer a high level of standard features with highlights including Post-Collision Braking System and mis-fuelling prevention on all; Front Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Crash system, Driver Profile Selection, Ergo Comfort seats and front and rear parking sensors on SE and above; and Discover Navigation on the SE Business which is aimed at fleet drivers. Heated Alcantara seats, three-zone climate control and 18-inch wheels are standard on GT, while the range-topping R-Line adds a host of bespoke design features.

February 2015

Estate Car of the Year in 2015 UK Car of the Year Awards.

June 2015

Passat Estate BlueMotion launched

Both Passat saloon and Estate models return 76.3 mpg and emit just 95g/km of carbon dioxide. Such efficiency is made possible thanks to the installation of a modified version of the Passat’s entry-level 1.6-litre TDI 120 PS engine with SCR, as well as BlueMotion modifications.

The engine’s maximum power is produced at 3,600 rpm, with torque of 250 Nm developed at 1,750 rpm. In Estate guise, 0 to 62 mph takes 11 seconds with a top speed of 129 mph exceeding those of the standard 1.6-litre car. The 1.6-litre TDI BlueMotion is available in combination with a six-speed manual gearbox only.

Based on the entry-level S model, all BlueMotion Passat models feature a Post-Collision Braking System, mis-fuelling prevention and Driver Alert, as well as Volkswagen’s 6.5-inch ‘Composition Media’ infotainment system. Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems are also standard on board, while the BlueMotion adds 17-inch ‘Soho’ alloy wheels with super-optimised low rolling resistance tyres, sports suspension (lowered by 15 mm), unique BlueMotion front and rear bumpers and BlueMotion badging and chrome grille highlights.

Prices for the BlueMotion model start at £23,200 RRP OTR for the Passat saloon and rise to £24,750 for the Estate.

December 2015

Revised SE Business trim launched

Has with Discover Navigation, front fog lights, electric folding door mirrors and tinted rear windows (amounting to £555 of value) priced at £100 OTR more than the outgoing SE models.

August 2016

Volkswagen Passat GTE PHEV hybrid Estate UK prices announced

July 2017

Petrol engines added

Ranging from a 1.4-litre TSI 125 PS to a 2.0-litre TSI 220 PS, and also including the impressive 1.4-litre TSI 150 PS with Active Cylinder Technology. All apart from the 1.8 TSI and 2.0 TSI are below 130g/km CO2.

The new petrol-powered Passat models – which exactly mirror the equipment specifications of their diesel siblings on a like-for-like trim basis – sit alongside the existing diesel engines in the extensive Passat family, and will be introduced at an RRP roughly £1,900 below their diesel equivalents, making them a compelling alternative for many buyers.

Sporty R-Line trim made also available with an entry-level engine in Passat. This broadens choice as well as making R-Line ownership more accessible – with the new 1.4-litre TSI 125 PS Passat R-Line a particularly attractive proposition for style-and budget-conscious buyers.

January 2018

Passat specification updated

LED headlights are now standard on the SE Business, GT and Alltrack trims and the Passat R-Line now features Premium LED headlights. LED headlights replace the previous halogen units, and include 12 separate LED daytime running lights that also perform the indicator function.

On the Passat R-Line, the Premium LED headlights feature dual ‘U-shaped’ LED daytime running lights and dynamic curve lighting. Here, the lights swivel as the steering wheel is turned giving greater visibility of approaching corners and an early warning of potential hazards.

Every new Passat now comes with Volkswagen’s App-Connect system as standard. App-Connect enables the driver or a passenger to link their smartphone to the car via a USB cable. The screen of the phone is then ‘mirrored’ onto the Passat’s infotainment touchscreen.

This enables the user to play music and playlists on the move. The car will also read out text messages and allow the user to dictate a reply. A wide variety of other apps are available, too, including Spotify and Skype. App-Connect works with Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ and MirrorLink™ which means it is compatible with the vast majority of mobile smartphones.

From today the upgraded Passat SE Business, R-Line and Alltrack models will feature heated front seats as standard. Already on the Passat GT’s extensive equipment list, this means nearly every new Passat from now on will include this welcome addition.

SE Business models now feature 3Zone climate control. This means the driver and front passenger can set the temperature for their area of the car. There are separate controls for the rear passengers, too, and so the temperature of these three ‘zones’ of the Passat can be individually controlled. 3Zone climate control was already standard on the Passat GT, R-Line and Alltrack models.

Another update for the Passat SE Business is the addition of a colour multi-function display. The multi-function computer gives the driver a variety of information about the status of their Passat.

August 2019

SCR 'Twin-Dosing' introduced in VW Passat 2.0TDI Evo 110kW reducing NOx emissions by 80%.

Adblue is injected selectively upstream of two SCR catalytic converters which are arranged in series. The system is used in the new Passat 2.0 TDI Evo with 110 kW (150 PS), which already meets the technical requirements of the future Euro 6d emission standard as a result. Current RDE1 (real driving emissions) measurements confirm Volkswagen's type approval.

Volkswagen will now gradually introduce the new technology to all models with 2.0 TDI Evo engines. The new 2020 Golf VIII features twin dosing in all TDI variants.

The twin dosing process requires a second SCR catalytic converter located in the underbody of the vehicle. Since the distance to the engine is greater, the exhaust temperature upstream of the second catalytic converter can be as much as 100°C lower. This expands the window for aftertreatment of exhaust gases: even at exhaust gas temperatures close to the engine of +500°C, the system is still able to achieve very high conversion rates. In addition, a blocking catalytic converter downstream of the SCR system prevents excess ammonia slip.

The twin dosing process compensates for a system-based disadvantage of diesel engines. Modern diesel engines emit less CO2 than petrol engines because diesel fuel has a higher energy density and the combustion process is more efficient. Diesel engines are also subject to special requirements, however, since fuel combustion takes place with excess air. The main constituent of air is nitrogen and this reacts with oxygen during combustion, thereby forming nitrogen oxides.

Ammonia is needed to reduce the nitrogen oxides produced in diesel engines. It is injected as an aqueous reducing agent (AdBlue) via a dosing module into the exhaust gas upstream of an SCR catalytic converter. Here, the solution evaporates; the reducing agent is split, combining with steam to form ammonia. In the SCR catalytic converter, the ammonia (NH3) then reacts on a special coating with the nitrogen oxides (NOx) to form water and harmless nitrogen (N2) – the main constituent of the air we breathe.

In existing exhaust gas treatment systems, a close-coupled SCR catalyst is located between the turbocharger, the diesel oxidation catalytic converter – which converts uncombusted hydrocarbons – and the flexible connecting piece to the silencer pipe. The SCR coating is applied to the honeycomb structure of the diesel particulate filter, thereby enabling a single component to perform several functions. The close-coupled arrangement means that the exhaust gas temperatures required for high conversion rates can be achieved quickly after a cold start – the ideal range for conversion rates of more than 90 percent is between +220°C and +350°C. These conditions are met in many operating situations.

Conversion rates do not drop above +350°C – thanks to twin dosing-system. Temperatures at this level occur for example when driving at high speeds on the motorway, at high engine speeds over prolonged periods of time and when driving uphill, especially if the vehicle is fully loaded or towing a trailer.

1) Passat Estate 2.0 TDI Evo 110 kW / 150 PS (NEFZ) fuel consumption in l/100 km: urban 4,5 / extra-urban 3,6 / combined 4,0; CO2-emissions combined in g/km: 104; efficiency class: A+ Passat Saloon 2.0 TDI Evo 110 kW / 150 PS (NEFZ) fuel consumption in l/100 km: urban 4,5 / extra-urban 3,5 / combined 3,9; CO2-emissions in g/km: 101; efficiency class: A+

September 2019

Latest Volkswagen Passat Estate Prices Announced: