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Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI 150 SE Business review: Classy, spacious and full of tech

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Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI 150 SE

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8 January 2015

Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI 150 SE
Trailer trash? Not here! The Passat is packed with all manner of technology to assist the driver…

Company car review of the Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDi SE Business

What is it?

The all-new, diesel only Passat, with what Volkswagen are predicting will be the top-selling engine in the UK – the 150PS version of the 2.0-litre diesel.

More interestingly, Volkswagen has apparently listened to what business buyers want in a company car and with the help of car valuation specialists CAP, has come up with this new SE Business trim we’re testing here.

The new Passat also debuts new technology, such as the Trailer Assist system, which is a world first and sure to be a hit with business drivers who tow trailers regularly.

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The new Passat also debuts new technology, such as the Trailer Assist system, which is a world first and sure to be a hit with business drivers

What’s hot?

  • Okay, it still looks like a Passat, but with the sharp styling or “tornado” line down the side, plus real definition around the arches and those sharp front and rear lights – the latest eighth-generation has to be the most dynamic yet. The best-looking is the estate in my opinion.
  • The interior is a case of evolution not revolution too, but it feels impressively made, oozing with high quality plastics and trim. It certainly feels a step up from the old car.
  • The Passat is a bit of a tardis too, as despite being smaller on the outside, there’s more leg and head room inside – with plenty of room for six-footers to sit in the back.
  • Boot space is also huge whether you go for the saloon or estate. The estate in particular has 650-litres with the seats up, which can be boosted to a massive 1,780 litres with the seats down.
  • With petrol sales equalling just 1% of the mix for the last Passat, I’m not surprised it’s diesel only for Volkswagen’s latest Mondeo rival. You won’t miss going to the green pump either, as in 150 form, the 2.0-litre TDI feels fast enough. There’s plenty of low-down punch, it’s also happy to rev, staying surprisingly smooth right through to the red line. Acceleration to 62mph takes just 8.7 seconds and the top speed is 135mph.
  • More impressive, is that despite the willing nature of the TDI 150 engine, careful driving should yield almost 70mpg, with Co2 emissions of just 107g/km.
  • The low Co2 emissions mean the Passat 2.0 TDI 150 SE Business, falls into the 17% company car tax band for 2014/15.
  • On the road, it is the Passat’s ride that impresses most; even on the standard 17-inch wheel it always feels composed. There’s also the choice of Comfort, Normal, Sport, Eco and even an individual mode, to set this Volkswagen up the way you’d like it. Comfort mode sticks out most to me, masking the worst that the roads could throw at it. However, turn up the wick in Sport mode and the Passat feels sharper without firming the ride up too much.
  • We’re not quite at the levels of driver involvement found in the BMW 3-Series, but with its lighter MQB underpinnings, I reckon the new Passat is as good to drive as the best in class, if not better.

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