Item: Volkswagen Passat GTE
Rating: 4
Author: What Car? Team

The Passat GTE uses a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with an electric motor to pump out up to 215bhp. Acceleration is surprisingly brisk, with 0-62mph taking around 7.6sec, but it's the low CO2 emissions and claimed electric range of 36 miles that gives this model its real appeal.

1.4 TSI PHEV

Estate

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

PASSAT

Even the entry-level GTE is well equipped, with 18in alloys, three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, and ambient interior lighting all included. You also get an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay/Android Auto smartphone mirroring.

Even the entry-level GTE is well equipped, with 18in alloys, three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, automatic lights and&nbsp;wipers, and ambient interior lighting all included. You also get an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay/Android Auto smartphone mirroring.

1.4 TSI PHEV GTE 5dr DSG

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Audi A3 e-tron

Hyundai Ioniq

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Toyota Prius

Volkswagen Golf GTE

Volkswagen Passat GTE

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

The GTE is expensive to buy compared with non-hybrid versions of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/passat/saloon/review/n28">Volkswagen Passat</a> – even after you've factored in dealer discounts, which are available. Yes, you'll save some money on fuel if you charge up the battery regularly, but that's unlikely to be enough alone to help you break even in the long run.

So, unless you regularly venture into London (the GTE is exempt from the Congestion Charge), you're probably better off going for the cheaper 1.5 TSI petrol model, or potentially one of the diesels if your mileage is high.

However, it's a completely different story if you're a company car driver, because the GTE's low<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/new-official-fuel-consumption-and-co2-tests-explained/n1213"> official CO2 emissions</a> put it in a much lower band of<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/company-car-tax-bands/n1255"> benefit in kind (BIK)</a> tax than any other Passat. However, because the GTE can't officially manage 40 miles of pure electric driving, it will still cost you significantly more to run as a company car than some other plug-in hybrids, including the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/hatchback/review/n39"> Skoda Octavia iV</a>.

Even the entry-level version of the GTE is well equipped, with 18in alloy wheels, three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, and ambient interior lighting all included, on top of all the infotainment and visibility aids we mentioned earlier. Go for the GTE Advance and you'll also get keyless entry and an electric tailgate.

Meanwhile, standard safety kit includes <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">automatic emergency braking (AEB)</a> and lane-keeping assistance, although you can't have blindspot monitoring. And while the Passat has been appraised for crash safety by Euro NCAP, the tests didn't cover the heavier GTE model – and they were so long ago (back in 2014) that the results are no longer considered valid, anyway.

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The GTE’s electric motor is paired with a 1.4-litre petrol engine, pumping out up to 215bhp when the two work together. Thanks to the way electric motor delivers its power, there’s a considerable amount of oomph available as soon as you squeeze the accelerator pedal, but put your foot down hard and the GTE is really rather nippy. In fact it's one of the fastest models in the Passat range, with 0-62mph taking around 7.6sec. Some other plug-in hybrids, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">BMW 330e</a>, are quicker still, though.

If there's enough charge in the battery, the plug-in-hybrid system allows you to select fully electric mode. Officially, you can do up to 36 miles without using a drop of petrol, although 25 miles is more realistic in real-world driving. That’s similar to what you can expect from the very closely related <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/estate/review/n17344">Skoda Superb Estate iV</a>, but not as far as the claimed range of the smaller <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/estate/review/n40">Octavia IV</a>. Alternatively, if you leave the GTE in its smart hybrid setting, it automatically makes the best use of electric and petrol power to minimise fuel consumption. Indeed, if you program a destination into the sat-nav, the system is even clever enough to work out which part of the journey is best-suited to battery power. There’s also a ‘GTE’ mode, which uses the most potent combination of petrol and electric power to unlock the full 215bhp. And, when it happens, the transition between petrol and electric power is so smooth that you’ll barely even notice it happening.

Cars fitted with optional DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) allow you to adjust the firmness of the suspension. With this fitted, the GTE in Comfort mode has a relaxed, supple feel. Move to Sport mode, though, and the ride becomes more unsettled, with the car thumping more over potholes and motorway expansion joints. Without DCC, the Passat GTE feels altogether firmer, especially at lower speeds. The Skoda Superb iV rides better, overall. &nbsp;

However, the Passat does more to entertain on a winding road than the Superb. Despite the weight of its hybrid battery, this is no wallowy barge; it feels far more composed and leans less through corners than the Superb. Its steering even gives you a reasonable sense of connection to the front wheels. However, while the GTE is more than competent enough, the 330e is much more entertaining to drive.

When you're driving along using pure battery power the GTE is eerily quiet, and even when the petrol engine is running, this is the quietest Passat you can buy – and the regular Passat is one of the quietest executive cars. Only a small amount of road noise disturbs the calm when you're up to motorway speeds.

OUR PICK

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

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The Volkswagen Passat GTE would appear to let you have your cake and eat it. It's very big, no matter whether you choose it as a saloon or an estate, and can operate as an electric car for far enough to cover many people’s daily commutes. Yet unlike a pure electric car, it won't conk out when the battery is flat; there's a petrol engine under the bonnet that will keep you going as long as there's fuel in the tank.

Based on the regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/passat/saloon/review/n28">Volkswagen Passat</a>, the GTE is a<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-a-plug-in-hybrid-car/n1141"> plug-in hybrid (PHEV)</a>, and while it doesn't quite offer the tax incentives of a fully electric model, like the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010"> Tesla Model 3</a> or<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/e-niro/estate/review/n18388"> Kia e-Niro</a>, it's still massively cheaper to run as a company car than any equivalent pure petrol or diesel model. And, as long as you charge its battery regularly, which can be done at home or at a public charging point, you could save plenty on fuel, too.

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PAMGwqGJVKM"></iframe>

The Passat GTE has been around for several years now and when it first appeared it didn't really have any direct rivals. Sure, there were several other plug-in hybrids on sale, including the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mitsubishi/outlander/4x4/review/n96"> Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV</a>, but none that fitted the traditional <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/executive">executive car</a> mould. Now, though, the Passat GTE is up against plug-in hybrid versions of the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/hatchback/review/n93"> Skoda Superb</a> (and the smaller<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/hatchback/review/n39"> Octavia</a>, for that matter), along with premium-badged alternatives, including the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91"> BMW 330e</a> and<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/s60/saloon/review/n123"> Volvo S60</a> saloon and its<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/v60/estate/review/n17266"> V60</a> estate sister.&nbsp;

In this review, we'll not only tell you how the Passat GTE stacks up against the plug-in hybrid competition, but also regular versions of the Passat. And no matter whether you end up deciding to buy a plug-in hybrid, electric car or petrol or diesel model, our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Buying</a> service can offer a great deal on thousands of cars – including the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/volkswagen/passat/estate/deals?trim=gte"> Passat GTE</a> – with no haggling whatsoever.&nbsp;

The regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/passat/saloon/review/n28">Volkswagen Passat</a> has a fundamentally good driving position, and all versions of the GTE have comfortable and supportive leather seats as standard, with electric backrest and lumbar adjustment for the driver.&nbsp;

The dashboard buttons are also logically arranged and simple to operate, while the standard analogue instrument cluster behind the steering wheel is easy to read. Go for the pricier GTE Advance model and this is replaced by a 10.3in digital display that shows more information, including navigation instructions.

The Passat is up there with the class best when it comes to forwards visibility, although its long boot does make things a bit tricky when reversing. Thankfully, the GTE has front and rear parking sensors as standard and you can pay extra for a rear-view or even 360deg bird's eye view camera.

Bright LED headlights are standard and adaptive Matrix headlights, which can automatically shape their light field to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic while remaining set to high beam, are included on the GTE Advance. You can add these as an option to the entry-level GTE but doing so will make a serious dent in your wallet – and by the time you’ve done it, you’re not that far away from what you’d pay for the GTE Advance model anyway.

Inside the GTE, much use is made of dense-feeling materials that, along with eye-catching details such as chrome highlights, make the Passat look and feel more upmarket than the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/hatchback/review/n93"> Skoda Superb iV</a> and the slightly smaller<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/hatchback/review/n39"> Skoda Octavia iV</a>. Any scratchy plastics are confined to surfaces lower down on the doors and dashboard. That said, the Passat isn't as swish inside as a<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91"> BMW 330e</a> or plug-in hybrid versions of the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/s60/saloon/review/n123"> Volvo </a>V60.

As you'd expect, you get a touchscreen infotainment system as standard.<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193"> Apple CarPlay</a>/<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> smartphone mirroring is also included, as is sat-nav and a DAB radio, and the 8.0in screen responds quickly to presses. You get a more advanced system with online connectivity and voice control if you go for the GTE Advance, but both systems have intuitive operating systems compared with, say, the Volvo V60. The BMW 330e's iDrive infotainment system is far less distracting to use while you're driving, though, thanks to its rotary controller interface.

The&nbsp;Passat GTE is spacious and has an impressive hybrid system

Good news: compared with a pure petrol or diesel<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/passat/estate/review/n29"> Volkswagen Passat Estate</a>, the GTE’s boot isn’t heavily compromised. With a whopping 650 litres of space, there’s even more room than you’ll find in the 510-litre boot of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/estate/review/n17344">Superb Estate IV</a>. There's more than enough luggage space for everyday family life and you won’t have any problems loading large items through the broad boot opening. The only real caveat is that you can’t store a spare wheel beneath the boot floor, like you can in other Passats, because the hybrid battery takes up that space. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/hatchback/review/n93">Skoda Superb hatchback</a>’s boot is eclipsed by that of the Passat GTE saloon, too, at 485 vs 586 litres.

Both versions have split-folding rear seats, 60/40 in the saloon and 40/20/40 in the estate. Both setups provide flexibility when it comes to carrying people and luggage at the same time, but the estate’s is more versatile.

As you'd expect, there's loads of room for your rear passengers – more than in the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91"> BMW 330e</a> or<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/s60/saloon/review/n123"> Volvo S60</a>. If you want even more rear leg room, try the limo-like<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/hatchback/review/n93"> Skoda Superb iV</a>, but even then the difference isn't huge.

There aren’t as many storage cubbies in the front as you might like, but you’ll find two cupholders beneath a sliding cover between the driver and front passenger. Meanwhile, the front door bins are each big enough for a 500ml bottle and the glovebox is sufficient to take an ice scraper and the user manual, as well as a handful of snacks.

The Volkswagen Passat GTE is roomy and refined, with an impressive hybrid system. However, the rival Skoda Octavia iV has a longer pure electric range, offers much cheaper company car tax bills and is very nearly as roomy.


<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Low running costs compared with solely petrol or diesel equivalents</li> <li>Very low official CO2 emissions to benefit company car drivers</li> <li>The same usability as a regular car</li> <li>Smooth transition between electric and engine power</li> <li>Small practicality compromise over conventional models</li></ul>

Not so long ago, hybrids were the preserve of Hollywood stars, environmentally conscious 'early adopters' and the odd&nbsp;minicab driver looking to save a bit of money on fuel.

Since the collapse in demand for diesel, however, they have become&nbsp;much more popular, and it's easy to see why, with&nbsp;low tax bills and&nbsp;impressive MPG figures&nbsp;just a couple of the perks they offer.

There are two types of hybrid: 'self-charging'&nbsp;models, which mix petrol&nbsp;and electric power in an effort to maximise&nbsp;efficiency, and&nbsp;plug-in hybrids that can travel many miles purely on electricity before their engines need to cut in. This category is for the former type of cars.

Hybrid

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

There are some terrific estates at most price ranges. The humble Skoda Fabia Estate offers cavernous space for not much cash at all, for example.

Further up the price range, another of our perennial favourites is the Skoda Superb Estate;&nbsp;it’s great to drive and as practical as most people should ever need. Meanwhile, for serious mile-munching ability and a premium, well-finished interior, it’s hard to look beyond the BMW 5 Series Touring.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Usefully long electric-only range</li> <li>Exceedingly frugal</li> <li>Cheap company car tax rates</li> <li>Smooth switching between electric and petrol power</li></ul>

If you're not ready to commit to a fully electric vehicle&nbsp;but have the capacity to charge your car at home or at work, a plug-in hybrid could be the perfect compromise. Electric batteries paired with a petrol or diesel&nbsp;engine means you'll never be left short of charge&nbsp;but can capitalise on cheap running costs, thanks to a surprisingly long electric-only range.

There's plenty of choice, too, whether you're after a sporty saloon like the BMW 3 Series, the 330e variant of which providing up to 36 miles of electric-only driving on a full charge, or a large load-lugging large SUV, including the Volvo XC90 T8, which claims an extraordinary&nbsp;113mpg.

Throw in competent handling and driving prowess, despite the added weight of the electric batteries, and a plug-in hybrid&nbsp;makes a compelling case for frugal buyers.&nbsp;

Plug-in hybrid

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Effortless long-distance capability</li> <li>Strong standard specification</li> <li>Low running costs</li> <li>Comfortable driving position</li> <li>Comprehensive yet easy-to-use infotainment system</li></ul>

Executive cars are often the choice of company car drivers, so factors such as CO2 emissions (which govern your monthly tax bill) are just as important as cruising refinement for those long motorway journeys, a plush cabin and (whisper it) the image of the badge on the bonnet.

The good news is that there are options for all budgets and tastes. If rear space is crucial and you’re willing to put up with a less-than-premium badge, the Skoda Superb is tough to beat, while if you want a premium badge on the bonnet then the BMW 3 Series is consistently one of our favourites in this class.

And don't think you're limited to just petrol or diesel-powered choices in this class,&nbsp;because at the top end the Tesla Model 3 is well worth considering for its long range and engaging driving style.

Executive

Volkswagen Passat GTE review

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Buying advice for the Volkswagen Passat GTE covering running costs, MPG, Fuel Economy, Reliability and Safety, from the expert What Car? review team.

The GTE is expensive to buy compared with non-hybrid versions of the Volkswagen Passat – even after you've factored in dealer discounts, which are available. Yes, you'll save some money on fuel if you charge up the battery regularly, but that's unlikely to be enough alone to help you break even in the long run.,So, unless you regularly venture into London (the GTE is exempt from the Congestion Charge), you're probably better off going for the cheaper 1.5 TSI petrol model, or potentially one of the diesels if your mileage is high.,However, it's a completely different story if you're a company car driver, because the GTE's low official CO2 emissions put it in a much lower band of benefit in kind (BIK) tax than any other Passat. However, because the GTE can't officially manage 40 miles of pure electric driving, it will still cost you significantly more to run as a company car than some other plug-in hybrids, including the Skoda Octavia iV.Even the entry-level version of the GTE is well equipped, with 18in alloy wheels, three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, and ambient interior lighting all included, on top of all the infotainment and visibility aids we mentioned earlier. Go for the GTE Advance and you'll also get keyless entry and an electric tailgate.,,Meanwhile, standard safety kit includes automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keeping assistance, although you can't have blindspot monitoring. And while the Passat has been appraised for crash safety by Euro NCAP, the tests didn't cover the heavier GTE model – and they were so long ago (back in 2014) that the results are no longer considered valid, anyway.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

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