The Volkswagen Passat is reinventing itself and is now presented exclusively with the Variant estate body.

Today it is increasingly difficult to find a model that has held its place on the market for five decades, but the Volkswagen Passat is one of the few that can boast of it, backed by more than 34 million units sold worldwide, ranking as the brand’s second best-selling model, behind only the Golf and ahead of the Beetle.

But times change, and keeping a model like the Passat on the market is very difficult: a saloon that, like many others, has seen its slice of the pie devoured by SUVs. That is why Volkswagen has scrapped the Passat saloon body, leaving us with only the estate body that we have always known as the Passat Variant, which now stands as the sole representative of such an illustrious model.

New design in line with the newer models

Overall, the seventh generation of the Volkswagen Passat comes with greater proportions than its predecessor, which translates into a length increase of 144 mm to reach 4,917 mm, while the wheelbase grows by 50 mm, now measuring 2,841 mm, and the width also increases by 20 mm to 1,852 mm. The only dimension that remains unchanged is the height, at 1,506 mm including the antenna itself.

These new proportions come with a new look in keeping with Volkswagen’s new design language. The front of the new Passat Variant features a bonnet that dips in the centre and rises towards the outer edges to give more strength to its lines. Beneath it sit the new LED headlights with the daytime LED strip above them, which, as we have seen on other models such as the Golf, are joined by a central strip above the understated grille. Lower down, the bumper now has a larger central section with side air intakes.

It is on the side of the new Volkswagen Passat Variant that we can best appreciate its new dimensions, as well as a silhouette with a strong character, thanks to the pronounced waistline, the large glazed areas and D-pillars that aim to evoke a sporty image, all complemented by 19-inch alloy wheels. The side blends perfectly into the rear, starting with the spoiler that protrudes from the tailgate, beneath which sits the LED light cluster with 3D light signature, further emphasising the new width, as does the new transverse moulding on the rear bumper.

It should be noted that its styling can be simpler, more elegant or sportier depending on the trim level chosen, as already confirmed by Volkswagen itself, which will be composed of the base Passat trim, followed by the Business, Elegance and R-Line trims. The great asset is that all trims, including the base one, have noticeably improved their standard equipment, which is now far more complete and technological for this new generation.

Technological interior with a simple design

Moving now to the interior of the new Volkswagen Passat Variant, in terms of design it features a completely new dashboard, much more minimalist, thanks to the near-total absence of physical buttons on the centre console and the absence of the classic gear lever. It is worth noting, happily, that the classic buttons have returned to the multifunction steering wheel of the Passat Variant. Behind it now sits the new Digital Cockpit with a 10.25-inch screen, which is customisable, and, on the centre console, the new MIB4 infotainment system, which comes as standard with a 12.9-inch touchscreen that can optionally be upgraded to 15 inches.

According to Volkswagen, the new MIB4 infotainment system is much easier to use thanks to being more intuitive. Indeed, it is through this screen that we will control the vast majority of the vehicle’s functions, since there are no physical buttons, and these can even be operated by voice. Forming part of the MIB4 system is the new Head-Up Display, which replaces the previous one with a retractable projection surface, now projecting the most important information onto the windscreen in the virtual space located in front of the vehicle.

In terms of interior space, the new Volkswagen Passat Variant will be much more comfortable for its occupants thanks to its new dimensions and especially its new wheelbase, which now provides 50 mm more legroom, up to 947 mm. In addition, these new dimensions also mean the boot has 40 litres more capacity, for a total capacity of 690 litres, expandable to 1,920 litres with the seats folded down. Among the front seats, the optional ones may be ergoActive seats with 14-way electric adjustment, plus massage function and ventilation.

Proven engines and new PHEV powertrains

Mechanically, the Volkswagen Passat Variant does not abandon traditional combustion engines, offering a wide range of TSI and TDI engines that are already well known, though optimised to deliver greater performance together with improved efficiency. These engines range in output from 150 hp to 265 hp in the TSI petrol versions, and from 122 hp to 193 hp in the TDI diesel engines, all paired with the 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox and, for the most powerful petrol and diesel versions, 4Motion all-wheel drive.

Alongside these engines, the new Passat Variant will debut two eHybrid powertrains, the brand’s name for plug-in hybrids, now consisting of a new 1,500 cc TSI evo2 four-cylinder petrol engine coupled with an electric motor rated at 85 kW or 130 kW, resulting in a combined output of 204 hp and 272 hp respectively. Both versions are paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, as well as a new lithium-ion battery whose capacity rises to 19.7 kWh, which translates into a range now increased to 100 kilometres.

Technical specifications of this car

EstateVolkswagen Passat12 versions · from 41,085 €