Whether for business trips or with the family, the Volkswagen Passat, the protagonist of our test drive, has remained the ideal companion for millions of motorists for over 50 years. In particular, over 30 million motorists who have chosen the famous Wolfsburg station wagon model, now in its ninth generation in the Variant bodywork only. Building on its experience, Passat has renewed itself once again thanks to a technological and electrified range. Let’s find out more closely in our preview test.
Design and dimensions
The new Volkswagen Passat Variant brings with it the stylistic features of the latest models in the German brand’s range, with a very expressive front that also recalls Golf, in which the new Matrix IQ Light LED headlights stand out with intelligent high beams and the thin light bar that makes the optical signature is even more expressive. Overall, the dimensions increase, with the length reaching 4.92 metres, 14 cm more than in the past while the width reaches 1.85 metres, 2 cm more than the previous generation. The height of 1.50 meters remains unchanged. The bonnet has been revised, it is now flatter with a horizontal development that visually increases the presence of the new Passat on the road, with muscular wheel arches that house wheels with aerodynamic design up to 19”. The wedge-shaped side profile is that of the classic station wagons, with a clean cut at the height of the door handles and slender lines that converge at the rear where we find for the first time the LED signature across the tailgate with a boot that boasts a load capacity of 690 litres, 40 liters more than the previous generation, which can become 1,920 liters if the rear seats are folded down. The new Volkswagen Passat Variant has a simpler but at the same time elegant design, with aerodynamic research that has led to improving the coefficient from 0.31 to 0.25, new air curtains at the front and the absence of protections in plastic for the wheel arches which offer an even cleaner style. What matters most, however, is the increase in the wheelbase, which has reached 2.84 metres, 5 cm more compared to the previous Variant and the spaces on board obviously benefit from this, starting from those at the rear.
Interior of Volkswagen Passat Variant
Rationality and technology are the watchwords inside the passenger compartment, where we find a 10.2” screen for the instrument panel while in the center of the dashboard there is space for the touchscreen of the infotainment system which varies from 12.9 to 15”. Based on the latest MIB4 software update, it integrates the new IDA voice assistant with ChatGPT artificial intelligence. The display allows you to customize the icons in the upper part while in the lower part we find the essential controls. For connectivity, integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is guaranteed, even in wireless mode, while the central compartment with a “shutter” opening hides two USB-C sockets. The touch button panel under the touch screen, backlit, then allows you to manage the climate control. For maximum comfort, at the front we find the new ErgoActive seats, with microfibre coverings and overall greater attention to detail in the coverings. The backlit panels in front of the passenger and inside the doors increase the perception of quality. The ADAS range is extensive, with safety and driving assistance systems that include Adaptive Cruise Control, Side Assist (lane change assistance system), Front Assist (surrounding environment monitoring system), Lane Assist (lane keeping assistant), turning assistant, parking entry and exit assistance system (optical and acoustic warning signals in the presence of obstacles in the front and rear), Rear View (rearview camera ) and road sign recognition via front camera.
Engines and range
The Volkswagen Passat Variant engine range includes hybrid, diesel and a renewed plug-in hybrid engines. We start with the eHybrids, with the 1.5 eTSI petrol engine with 150 HP combined with the 48 Volt mild-hybrid system, with belt starter with generator that delivers 14 kW. All with a six-speed DSG dual clutch gearbox. Added to this is the diesel offering, with the 2.0 TDI available with three power levels, 122 HP, 150 HP and 193 HP. Finally, the plug-in hybrid version which is offered with power of 204 and 272 HP, the result of the combination between the new 1.5 TSI and a 115 HP electric motor, with a new battery which now has a capacity of 19.7 kWh for a autonomy in full electric equal to 100 km.
How does the new Volkswagen Passat Variant fare
During our test we chose the 1.5 eTSI, an option that allows you to have a good compromise in power but above all to be able to benefit from the coasting and cylinder deactivation technology which allows you to keep consumption really low. The set-up is that of a seasoned road racer, with MacPherson strut suspension at the front and MultiLink at the rear, as well as the possibility of having optional electronically regulated DCC. Roll and pitch have been significantly reduced, with the nose never arching under braking offering a ride that is never too rigid. This, combined with the overall on-board comfort, makes the Volkswagen Passat Variant an ideal companion for longer journeys.
Price and fittings
The ninth generation of Volkswagen Passat Variant will be available in Italy in three trim levels, the base, the Business and the R-Line. Orders have already been open for several months with deliveries currently underway. As for the price, the German station wagon has a price list that starts at 42,550 euros and goes up to 59,050 euros.
