There are already 30 million units sold of the Volkswagen Passat and when it came to renewing it, midway through the model's 7th generation lifecycle, Volkswagen did more than apply slight changes to the front and rear.
But to understand what has changed more profoundly in this Passat renewal, it is necessary to move inside.
The main changes inside are technological. The infotainment system has been updated to the latest generation (MIB3) and the quadrant is now 100% digital. With the MIB3, in addition to the Passat being always online, it is now possible, for example, to pair an iPhone wirelessly via Apple CarPlay.
If your smartphone is equipped with NFC technology, it can now be used as the key to open and start the Volkswagen Passat. We can also see new USB-C ports that make the Passat future-proof, with the detail of being backlit.
The changes
Discreet is what we can say about the changes made to the exterior of the renovated Passat. These consist of new bumpers, newly designed wheels (17" to 19") and a new color palette. Inside we find new coatings as well as new colors.
There are some aesthetic details that are new in the interior, such as the new steering wheel or the introduction of the initials “Passat” on the dashboard, but overall, there are no major changes. The seats have been reinforced in terms of ergonomics for added comfort and are certified by the AGR (Aktion Gesunder Rücken).
For those who like a good sound system, an optional Dynaudio with 700 W of power is available.
IQ.Drive
Driving assistance and safety systems have been grouped under the name IQ.Drive. The big changes to the Volkswagen Passat are here, just as Mercedes-Benz did with the C-Class or Audi with the A4, Volkswagen also introduced almost all the changes in terms of safety and driving assistance systems.
Among the systems available is the new Travel Assist, which makes the Passat the first Volkswagen capable of moving from 0 to 210 km/h using the available driving aids.
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This steering wheel is not like the others
A steering wheel that is able to recognize whether or not the driver has their hands placed on it. Volkswagen calls it “capacitive steering wheel” and this technology is combined with the Travel Assist.
After its absolute debut in the Volkswagen Touareg, the Passat is the second model from the Wolfsburg brand to be equipped with the IQ.Light , which includes matrix LED lights. They are standard on the Elegance level.
GTE. More autonomy for the electrified version
It is a version that will assume, in this renewal, a fundamental role. With the increasing demand for plug-in hybrid solutions and as the Passat's main customer is companies, the GTE version promises to gain share in the range.
Capable of scrolling, in 100% electric mode, 56 km in the saloon and 55 km in the van (WLTP cycle), the GTE saw its electrical autonomy increase. The 1.4 TSI engine is still present, working together with an electric motor, but the battery pack was reinforced by 31% to allow this increase in autonomy and now has 13 kWh.
But it's not just in the city or short distances that the electric motor helps. Above 130 km/h, it assists the thermal engine in order to give it the necessary increase in power to justify the acronym GTE.
The hybrid system's software has been modified to make it easier to store energy in the batteries during longer journeys, allowing greater 100% electric mode availability to the destination — those traveling from one city to another can choose to drive without emissions in the urban center.
The Volkswagen Passat GTE already meets the Euro 6d standards, which will only be required in 2020 for new cars.
A new engine… Diesel!
Yes, it is 2019 and the Volkswagen Passat debuts a Diesel engine. The engine 2.0 TDI Evo it has four cylinders, 150 hp, and was equipped with a double Adblue tank and a double catalytic converter.
Alongside this new diesel engine, the Passat also has three other 2.0 TDI engines, with 120 hp, 190 hp and 240 hp. The Volkswagen Passat's TSI and TDI engines comply with the Euro 6d-TEMP standard and are all equipped with a particulate filter.
In gasoline engines, the highlight goes to the 150 hp 1.5 TSI engine with a cylinder deactivation system, which can only work with two of the four available cylinders.
Three levels of equipment
The base version is now simply called “Passat”, followed by the intermediate level “Business” and the top of the range “Elegance”. For those looking for a sportier posture when it comes to style, you can combine the R-Line kit, with the Business and Elegance levels.A version limited to 2000 units will also be available, the Volkswagen Passat R-Line Edition, equipped only with the most powerful engines, either diesel or gasoline, and for the Portuguese market only the first will be available. This version comes with the 4Motion all-wheel drive system and the new Travel Assist.
What is our verdict?
In this presentation we tested an Alltrack version, aimed at those looking for a van with “rolled up pants” and not giving in to the uncontrolled trend of SUVs.
This is still the version with the most appealing look in the range, at least in my opinion. In a model that stands out for its sobriety in terms of style, the Alltrack version offers an alternative to the status quo of the Passat range.
Regarding the Passat GTE, also tested in this first contact, getting averages around 3 l/100 km or 4 l/100 km is not difficult , but for this the batteries must be at 100%. There is no other way, after all, under the bonnet is a 1.4 TSI that has been on the market for a few years and should be reformed with the arrival of the next generation Passat. Still, if you're able to charge a plug-in hybrid and drive responsibly, it's a proposal to consider. And of course, when making a decision, tax benefits cannot be forgotten.
It arrives in Portugal in September, but prices are not yet available for the Portuguese market.
Passat Variant dominates in segment D