For the best economy figures you should choose the 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine with a six-speed manual gearbox. It will return a claimed 49.6mpg on average – that’s 2.3mpg better than the more powerful 167bhp 2.0-litre diesel with the DSG gearbox. Volkswagen dealers are fairly pricey when it comes to servicing, however, which may push running costs up.

The cleanest engine in the VW Passat Alltrack range is the 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine mated to the six-speed manual gearbox. It emits 150g/km of CO2, which is not too shabby for an all-wheel drive car.

The mechanicals are well proven in the Passat range. Your ownership of the VW Passat Alltrack should be hassle-free. There was one blip on the previous record of the Passat, a recall in 2007 following a worry over wiper blade failure. To keep your car healthy service it at regular intervals.