Volkswagen Passat Estate

FIRST DRIVE We get behind wheel of crucial new estate-only Passat in UK

- Jordan Katsianis

VOLKSWAGEN'S new Passat so nearly didn't happen, largely because saloon and estate cars have progressively fallen victim to our voracious appetite for premium brands and higher-riding SUVs.

Yet the Passat was once a staple of VW's range - and for good reason. Its ability to transport people and their things in a smooth, comfortable and efficient manner was a winning formula. This is what this all-new generation is tasked with living up to.

It'll be launched in the UK exclusively as an estate, the range kicking off with two mild-hybrid petrols and a diesel, before eventually a plug-in is added later this year. We've already driven a few of these, but here we're trying it in the UK in R-Line trim, fitted with the base petrol engine.

It's a set-up we've seen before, up and down the VW range. The 1.5-litre unit is generally refined and smooth, and in this case produces 148bhp and 250Nm of torque. These aren't huge figures, but when the car is unladen, its engine proves perfectly adept at shifting the larger body with ease. Loaded with a family and a boot full of paraphernalia, however, the car's lack of torque might be more problematic.

When up and running, the mild-hybrid system in combination with the standard seven-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission - helps make the most of the engine. Response is good, especially in the sportier drive modes, and the motor remains quiet and unstressed.