GRR Garage: VW Passat Alltrack – getting to grips

Rather than just a step in the right direction, the latest Passat seems to be an attempt to move the goalposts on for an entire segment. Even in ‘rugged’ Alltrack form, the standout first impression of the Passat is that the quality of materials and build is of a level that you would expect to find on the next brand level up.

The new Passat oozes Audi-levels of refinement, something you may not always expect on a family estate. The interior is fantastically put together, and the levels of design – for example, the way the elongated fascia of the fan vents for front-passenger that apes the strong grille – are top notch.

That higher level of design and build means that even a boisterous family of five isn’t going to be able to break this Passat apart. The materials are top notch meaning that the pleasing design will withstand most things thrown at it. You have to really go hunting to find any scratchy plastics, they’re there but hidden very well.

Behind the wheel, one of member of the GRR team recently described the Passat as “irritatingly capable”. The DSG box wafts its way up the ratios, the steering is not designed to feedback every bump in the road but delivers enough to be engaging without leaving the average dad-and-family tired at the end of a long journey. The 190PS diesel motor has a hint of turbo-lag and perhaps could benefit from being replaced with the meatier 240PS twin-turbo model, but most people buying an Alltrack aren’t interested in the race to 60mph.

That DSG box is a delight when you’re cruising around. Changes are barely noticeable even if you’re trying to feel them, however, if you shove your foot down you’re often greeted by a slightly dense wait for it to kickdown – a matter easily solved with a couple of flicks of the on-wheel paddles.

Soon we’ll be taking the Passat on some real long-distance travelling and its first glide out of the country when we’ll be able to truly say how impressive a cruiser it really is. But on our first impressions, it’s bowled the GRR team over.

MPG this week: 34.6.