And while assessing whether the Passat Bluemotion deals well with a challenging B-road is a bit like judging a sofa for its document storage capacity, actually you can enjoy hustling it along a country road. You can dial out most of the understeer with proper brake use and enjoy confident, grippy cornering and – provided you work those gears – fairly respectable performance. There’s quite a lot of engine noise and noticeable vibrations through the steering wheel if you do work this 1.6 motor hard, though; the 2.0 TDI model is much better for refinement in general, although the Bluemotion does quieten down when you’re not under load.
Ride comfort is good, despite the stumpier suspension. It’s a touch firmer over expansion joints and potholes than the standard Passat and the Mondeo, but it’s settled most of the time, and there's less body float than there is in the standard Passat.
Inside, the Bluemotion is much the same as other Passat models, which is no bad thing, since the high-end cabin is one of this car's biggest selling points and probably the reason why you'd spend the extra money for it over the alternatives. The Bluemotion is based on base S trim in the Passat range, but you still get really classy-feeling materials, adjustable lumbar support to enhance the excellent driving position, a 6.5in colour touchscreen with USB, DAB, CD player and Bluetooth, air-con and all-round electric windows.
Rear passengers have masses of space in the Passat, although they don’t get a central armrest. As with all Passat models, the saloon boot makes this less practical as family transport than you’ll enjoy with the huge hatchback boot opening of the Mondeo and Skoda Superb.
Should I buy one?
Our money would go on the Skoda Superb, given that it's more practical, better equipped, cheaper for business or private buyers and virtually as inviting to sit in and drive.
Or, if you are set on the classy feel of the Passat, do your homework and you’ll find that a standard 1.6 TDI SE – which (in addition to the Bluemotion spec) gets auto lights and wipers, parking sensors, partial electric driver’s seat adjustment, cruise control and automatic emergency braking – costs only £15 more per month in company car tax, or is actually £70 cheaper to buy privately. While it won’t reach quite the efficiency heights of the Bluemotion - we returned 56.4mpg in our real-world economy test - it will certainly come close, and given the added comfort you’re getting for not much more money, we’d settle for this instead.
Overall, while the Passat Bluemotion is a seriously accomplished big executive saloon that still has the substantial appeal of being much classier inside than its closest rivals, the maths still shows that there are better options out there.
Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDI Bluemotion
Location: Surrey; On sale: Now; Price £23,350; Engine 4 cyls, 1598cc, diesel; Power 118bhp at 3600-4000rpm; Torque 185lb ft at 1750-3500rpm; Gearbox 6-spd manual; Kerb weight 1474kg; Top speed 130mph; 0 62mph 10.8sec; Economy 76.3mpg (combined); CO2/tax band 95g/km, 19%
Join the debate
Marc
Hired a new model Passat
Unsprung Hero
Miserly spec makes it poor value
VW would do well to take a leaf out of Skoda's playbook with their SE Business trim - decent spec and massively competitive on contract hire rates.
Sporky McGuffin
I have the estate version of
It is much quieter at motorway speeds than the 5-speed 1.6tdi Octavia that preceeded it, and it's nice inside despite the poverty-spec kit list. As a means for transporting people and stuff over almost any distance it's pretty good.
But my word it's boring, to the point that the Octavia was noticeably more fun to drive.
BriMarsh
I can't imagine anything more miserable
BriMarsh
I can't imagine anything more miserable
BriMarsh
I can't imagine anything more miserable
Citytiger
The Problem is
Sporky McGuffin
Citytiger wrote: a Mondeo
But the Mondeo is even slower - it's the "low tax" option for my company car. The Passat isn't quick but the Mondeo is painfully sluggish.
As for not spending your own money on the Passat, couldn't agree more. Wouldn't spend it on the Mundano either.
superstevie
Citytiger wrote: a Mondeo
The difference isn't as much as you would expect. Went on to Drive the Deal. The Mondeo is only £343 cheaper
Jimbbobw1977
Of course people will buy it.
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