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Volkswagen Passat 2024 review

Estate Petrol
Volkswagen Passat 2024 — front three-quarter view

Photo: Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

The Volkswagen Passat has gone estate-only for 2024, and honestly that suits it perfectly. This is the thinking driver's load-lugger: a huge, refined wagon with a premium feel, aimed squarely at high-mileage UK motorway users and company-car drivers. The 1.5 eTSI mild-hybrid petrol is the volume choice, delivering quiet, effortless cruising.

Space is the headline. Rear-seat passengers get limousine-like legroom, and the boot takes 690 litres before you even fold the seats. The cabin is a model of calm ergonomics, with physical shortcut buttons returning after customer feedback and a crisp central touchscreen. On the road, the Passat majors on comfort, with supple suspension that shrugs off poor British B-road surfaces.

Rivals include the Skoda Superb Estate, which undercuts it on price, and premium wagons from BMW and Audi. The Passat sits between them: more polished than mainstream rivals, cheaper than the Germans. For families and fleet drivers who live on the motorway, it is close to the perfect tool.



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UK price from: £39,000

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Specifications

Engine1.5L eTSI mild-hybrid petrol
Power150PS
0-60 mph9.3s
Top speed138mph
Fuel economy50.4mpg
CO2127g/km
Boot space690L
Length4.92m
Transmission7-speed DSG
DriveFront-wheel drive

Features

  • 1.5 eTSI mild-hybrid petrol engine
  • 12.9-inch touchscreen with voice control
  • Travel Assist semi-autonomous driving
  • Matrix LED headlights
  • Electrically operated tailgate
  • Three-zone climate control
  • Ergonomic seats with massage function
  • 690-litre boot

Common parts & prices

PartPrice (GBP)Notes
Front brake pads£44.99Ceramic pads for 340mm front discs; change with discs if lipped
Cabin filter£16.99Activated-carbon filter; helps with motorway air quality
Wiper blades (pair)£24.99Aero blades for the large estate windscreen
Timing belt kit£189.99For 2.0 TDI variants; interval is typically 5 years/140k miles
AdBlue (10L)£14.99Diesel models only; top up between services
Rear tailgate struts (pair)£39.99Gas struts for the powered tailgate; replace in pairs

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

  • Cavernous boot and rear-seat space
  • Superb motorway refinement and comfort
  • Efficient mild-hybrid petrol with low CO2
  • High-quality, well-built cabin

Cons

  • Estate-only: no saloon or hatchback option
  • Pricier than the Skoda Superb twin
  • Base trims feel sparse for the money
  • Large footprint in tight car parks

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2024 Passat only an estate?
Yes. Volkswagen now sells the Passat exclusively as an estate in the UK, sharing its platform with the Skoda Superb. If you want a saloon, you will need to look at used models or the all-electric ID.7.
What is the Passat boot space?
The estate offers 690 litres with all seats in place and 1,920 litres with the rear seats folded flat. The load bay is wide, square and low-lipped, making it ideal for prams, dogs and flat-pack furniture.
Is the Passat good for company car drivers?
Very. Low CO2 figures keep BIK tax competitive, especially on the plug-in hybrid eHybrid model, and the refined cabin makes long business miles painless. Fleet running costs are among the best in the class.
How reliable is the Volkswagen Passat?
The Passat has a solid reliability record, particularly the 2.0 TDI diesel and the 1.5 eTSI petrol. As with any modern VW, sticking to the service schedule, including DSG oil changes, is the key to trouble-free ownership.

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