Volkswagen has taken upmarket features from the Phaeton and Touareg to help give the Passat a luxury car feel. The centre console stretches from the transmission tunnel to the dashboard and an electronic parking brake (which brakes all four wheels and can be used in an emergency to slow the car) is activated by a dashboard button and releases automatically when the driver is ready to move.

Drivers can choose from wood or metallic trim on higher specification models and the car can be selected with one of two handsfree phone kits, one of which is Bluetooth enabled. Overall quality is excellent while the driving position is spot-on with plenty of adjustment in the seat and steering column.

The Passat’s excellent ride and low noise levels mean occupants will feel well insulated from the outside world on the move. The seats are excellent and offer good support as well as high comfort levels and there’s plenty of cabin space too – rear passengers get decent head and legroom. Air conditioning is standard across the range and in true Volkswagen tradition, most of the materials that come into direct contact with the occupants feel like premium car fittings.