Volkswagen Passat 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG Review

Category: Estate car

Section: Version review

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RRP £44,335

Finance contribution

£4,500

Fuel type:

petrol parallel phev

Gearbox:

semi-auto

Doors:

5 doors

The VW Passat has always successfully bridged the gap between similar-sized mainstream rivals and more premium options, and this ninth-generation model is the best yet. It's a comfortable, refined and hugely practical choice with a smart interior, plus it can make a cheap company car. If you do buy one, we think the 1.5 TSI eHybrid engine is a good choice, while entry-level Life trim gives you plenty of standard kit.

The trim

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Despite being the entry point to the range, Life trim provides plenty of equipment and is our pick of the range. The list includes 17in alloys wheels, LED headlights, three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera, massaging front seats and ambient interior lighting.

The engine

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With 201bhp, this plug-in hybrid model is able to accelerate from 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds. And while it drones a bit when you when you work it hard like this, you rarely have to in everyday driving, because it pulls strongly from low revs. Best of all, though, thanks to its 19.7kWh battery, it's officially capable of up to 81 miles of pure-electric driving. That helps it attract a lowly 5% company car tax rating.

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