Test Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI 150 HP, the scale of the saloons

The Volkswagen Passat is now in its eighth generation, with which to reaffirm its leadership position in the European market, where it is one of the best selling models. In addition, we can consider the Volkswagen Passat the reference of the segment , just as the Golf is among the compact segment C. It is the goal of all manufacturers, a model that is halfway between the generalists and premiums, which stands out for its good balance in all facets. It is without a doubt one of the most desired cars, being for many drivers an automobile triumph, an aspirational vehicle even.

All those are reasons enough that in ActualidadMotor we have decided to make a test of the last generation of the Volkswagen Passat. How could it be otherwise, we have opted for the most successful combination: four-door sedan body and engine 2.0 TDI diesel 150 horsepower associated with six-speed manual transmission. The finishing level is the highest in the range, Sport.

Stealth evolution

If we look at the Volkswagen Passat from a broad point of view, its evolution is brutal, but if we narrow the fence we will find that it is a continuity model Except for generations that were certainly deep restyling, the Passat has always stood out for its constant technological evolution, and this Volkswagen Passat B8 is no exception. Now, we know that in the aesthetic section Volkswagen is conservative.

The designs of the Germans aim to like everyone , and really do. Some like it a lot, others like it, others do not like it or fa, but few are those who brand some Volkswagen as ugly. That little courage makes the Passat always a continuist car, as is this new generation. Its front is further unmarked, with a sharp look and some attractive (and effective) LED headlights in the highest finishes, but the rear is so highly continuous that there will be those who can get to confuse it with the previous generation model .

An elegant interior, with details to improve

The interior is one of the points of the new Volkswagen Passat that I like the most. It seems to me one of the most elegant on the market and they get it with very simple elements like an analog clock or the union of the ventilation ducts in the co-pilot area by means of a decorative element that seems to be a tremendous aerator elongate. The quality of materials and adjustments is beyond doubt and again the Passat will serve as a scale in this aspect.

But there is a detail that I do not like, and that I think is a problem of brand identity. The interior smells like Skoda and SEAT . The Volkswagen Group is faced with the problem of having too many brands with similar models to each other, which leads to many shared components.The problem is identity and image. If I buy a Passat, which is a vehicle more expensive than average, I do not want my acquaintances to tell me that the air conditioning controls are the same as in a SEAT or a Skoda. And someone will interpret with those details that the Passat is a more expensive suit for a model offered by other brands. On the other hand, sharing elements such as the digital watch frame (Sport finishes) is a genius that only emphasizes a more premium character, being an inherited element of Audi.

Practical and spacious

Leaving aside the small details of design, the interior of the Volkswagen Passat seems very successful in terms of slots and space . Emptying the pockets is easy and we can use the coasters, the ashtray, the central chest, the glove box, a small lid at the height of the driver's left knee and the pockets of the four doors, which are upholstered so that objects do not sound that we deposit.

The front seats show a great amplitude and in the Sport finish we find attractive seats upholstered in leather and Alcantara . They sport a sporty design and the certain thing is that they hold the body quite well. Both offer height and heating regulation as standard in this finish and the driver receives the name ergoConfort , with lumbar adjustment and adjustment of the electric backrest, as well as an extensible bench with manual adjustment. They are very comfortable, and this is certified by my body after almost 2,500 kilometers aboard this Volkswagen Passat.

The rear seats also stand out for a large amplitude in all its heights , being appreciable the space for the legs. Due to the shape of the sidewalk and width, two occupants will travel better, as it happens in almost any car in this segment. It is appreciated the independent air conditioning for the rear seats, standard in the Advance and Sport finishes. All Passat have rear air vents and can have heated seats back as an option according to versions.

The boot offers a very useful volume of 586 liters , although the loading mouth It is somewhat high and is not flush with the bumper. When opening the boot, the door automatically rises up (it is not electric), which is practical. To the sides of the trunk there are small holes delimited with plastic panels where we can carry objects that we do not want to move. Under the floor, we find a conventional spare wheel with identical alloy rim to the rest.

2.0 TDI 150 HP, a perfect engine

The engine Diesel 2.0 TDI 150 horsepower is the perfect engine for the Volkswagen Passat, probably the most balanced in the diesel range . The engine is not noisy, especially from the inside, which boasts good insulation against noise and vibrations. All the controls of the Volkswagen Passat offer a good touch: the pedals, the change with precise routes and the steering wheel with variable assistance depending on the speed.

We will quickly realize how comfortable the Volkswagen Passat is , both in terms of sound insulation and suspensions, and that Sport finishes equipped with 18 "wheels as standard that make the filtering of irregularities worse.The comfortable seats, the isolation and a suspension that does not mistreat us are the keys of this traveler.

But what I liked the most is commitment. The Volkswagen Passat is precisely a commitment car , a car that is good at everything, but that does not stand out from the average: it is the key to its success. Its suspension as well as comfortable, contains very well the balancing of the body and makes the dynamic behavior of the Passat is really good on twisty roads, with an understeer that appears when we really go too fast. When the controls act, they do not do so in a very intrusive way. If we like to practice a dynamic driving, this Passat meets expectations without having to resort to options such as adaptive suspension.

Continuing on a mechanical level, the 150 horsepower engine is willing and more than enough. Thinking with your head, you do not need a more powerful Volkswagen Passat . Its 0-100 of 8.7 seconds and 340 Nm of torque between 1,750 and 3,000 revolutions make it a very elastic engine. Especially over the 4,000 laps at which the maximum power we notice as the engine deflates a lot, although it continues to rise in laps.

Below the 1,750 revolutions we notice that torque delivery is not so strong , especially in outputs. Although the vacuum is not as pronounced as in other diesel engines, it is easy to set the car if we are loaded, with the air conditioning at full power or if we are maneuvering on slopes. All the engines of the Passat are provided with Stop & Start and in the case of this 2.0 TDI, at the time of stopping it is practically imperceptible, although at the time of starting we notice a slight shake. The system acts fast but does not maintain the steering when the engine stops.

As standard, the parking brake is electric and adds the Auto-Hold system , which if activated Brakes the car in the arrests. The system works silently and quickly, throughout the test the system has worked perfectly, something that did not happen in the Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI DSG, where the Stop & Start and the Auto-Hold were not entirely compatible.

Frugal, but a bit of a liar

In terms of consumption, the Volkswagen Passat will surprise us. We have traveled the whole peninsula from north to south in several stages, always showing consumption figures that have oscillated between 4,6 and 5,0 liters in the highway and shorter sections of roads, generally with a occupant and without luggage. The figures certainly seem spectacular, as well as the autonomy we can achieve with the Passat, close to 1,200 km in real circumstances.

The "problem" is that the on-board computer has a margin of error quite accused. In the two times we have filled the tank, the difference between the computer and the liters that entered the tank was 0.6 liters, which represents a significant deviation when we talk about average consumption lower than five liters. Even adding that difference, the Volkswagen Passat is a very efficient car, although we can no longer qualify as bright in terms of consumption, although its great efficiency is beyond doubt.After a week and thousands of kilometers with the Volkswagen Passat we understand perfectly why it is one of the best-selling models and one of the reference saloons . It is a technological model, with a modern but continuous design, great interior amplitude and a really interesting 150 horsepower diesel engine.

It also offers a perfect balance between comfort and performance and fortunately in this eighth generation the standard equipment in all finishes is more complete and interesting. Being design issues something completely personal, the only one that we can put the Passat is a price above average . What is clear is that being a car so balanced, it is probably one of the most successful options, especially if we are somewhat hesitant.