• Impressive across the range
• GTE the best performer on paper
• New 2.0 TDI Evo most economical diesel

Headline figures for fuel economy go to the plug-in hybrid Passat GTE, with VW claiming it’ll achieve up to 217.3mpg on the combined WLTP cycle. Choose a higher-spec GTE Advance and economy is a claimed 201.8mpg. To actually get anywhere near this figure, you’ll need to be charging up at every possible opportunity and only running on battery power. With a claimed 36 miles of EV-only range, you’ll need to be doing this regularly. When the battery runs out, you’ll essentially just be running a petrol Passat and figures will more likely be in the 40-50mpg region.

For the rest of the range, the 2.0-litre TDI Evo returns the best fuel economy figures of up to 57.6mpg for cars fitted with the manual gearbox. The less powerful 1.6-litre TDI claims up to 49.6mpg while the 190hp 2.0 TDI returns the same figures, but with 4Motion all-wheel drive drops slightly to 45.6mpg. Higher-spec models return lower figures due to larger wheels fitted. At the top of the diesel range is the 38.2mpg 2.0-litre BiTDI.

The petrols aren’t a huge way behind the diesels for fuel economy. The 1.5-litre TSI Evo claims up to 45.6mpg, while the 190hp 2.0 TSI offers up to 36.7mpg.

In terms of CO2 emissions, the GTE headliner emits just 34-36g/km, making it the pick of the range for company car drivers. Diesels vary between 105-151g/km, while the petrols range between 121 and 143g/km.

Is it reliable?

• The Passat feels like it’s well built
• But has been recalled several times
• Check any recall work has been done on used cars

While Volkswagen has a reputation for building cars that look and feel solidly put together, the Passat undoes this reputation somewhat – it’s been recalled a number of times for a variety of issues. None are overly serious, ranging from sunroof trim not being bonded correctly to lights failing, but also some including the airbags and child locks.

If you’re buying a used model, it’s worth checking any remedial work has been carried out (it should have been), but there’s a three-year warranty to cover you if buying new.