Volkswagen Passat long-term test: report 6
Can this plug-in hybrid estate be the perfect photographer's assistant? We're living with one for six months to find out...
The car VW Passat 1.5 TSI eHybrid 204 DSG Life | Run by Max Eldeston, senior photographer
Why it’s here To see if the Passat’s reputation for comfortable and spacious transport endures in its latest generation
Needs to Function as a mobile office, have space for all my photography kit, and be comfortable enough to spend long hours at the wheel
Mileage 8869 List price £44,850 Target Price £41,000 Price as tested £45,160 Test economy 60.4mpg Official economy 755mpg
8 May 2025 – Gaming glory
When I’m not getting the perfect photo, I’m aiming to get the perfect score on my latest video game. Yes, whether it’s Mario Kart or Call of Duty, I’m a gamer at heart – and it’s a hobby which my Volkswagen Passat has allowed me to indulge.
You see, I’ve taken to charging up at my local Sainsbury’s supermarket, which not only offers fast 150kW charging points – more than the Passat can accept – but also allows me to collect Nectar points while I top up. But since charging can still take half an hour or so, I’ve got time on my hands.
And that’s where the Passat’s infotainment system comes in, because it’s fitted with a gaming system called Air Console, which allows me to play games on its screen using my phone as a controller.
It’s easy to set up. I just scan a QR code with my phone, which then morphs into a retro games controller. And while the system can occasionally be a bit slow, I’ve enjoyed playing through quiz games like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, or arcade classics like Pac-Man. As a bonus, the points you collect in the latter game are miniature VW logos or outlines of other Volkswagen models, a nice touch. If you own an ID4, ID5 or ID 7, or a VW Golf, Passat or Tiguan, you can give this a go for yourself by downloading the Air Console app from VW’s in-car shop.
It’s nice to use a proper controller for the system, but it does make me miss physical controls for the rest of the setup all the more. Having to touch and swipe on the car’s screen means that, on sunny days, it’s awash with fingerprints and smears, which can make seeing important messages or the next instruction from the sat-nav tricky. A quick wipe with the lens cloths I always carry with me has it looking showroom-fresh again, but it’s a small annoyance nonetheless.
Speaking of annoyances, my car’s rear side window was recently smashed in by what we think was a stray stone from a neighbour’s lawnmower. Thankfully, a trip to my local dealer has fixed it relatively quickly, but it meant I couldn’t leave valuable photography gear inside the car for a few days.
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