the renewed Volkswagen Passat Variant GTE seems to want to be the best of… three worlds. A family van capable of offering livelier performances and more refined dynamics, as the letters “GT” in its name promise, but with consumptions that would make a citizen jealous, as the letter E (for electrified) seems to indicate.
Is the Passat Variant GTE really capable of squaring the circle? We will get there…
First, after all, what was it renewed? On the outside, you need lynx eyes to see the differences (they boil down to little more than the bumpers), but on the inside we see new coatings and colors, a new multi-function steering wheel, with the highlight of the renovation being in the content enhanced technology.
The infotainment system is state-of-the-art, MIB3, and the digital instrument panel is now standard. As before, infotainment is still among the easiest to use, but the loss of physical buttons (shortcut functions) is regretted — in its place we have capacitive type buttons, which contribute to a cleaner look and sophisticated, to be sure, but they are not so user-friendly, let alone in a moving vehicle.
Less visible is the new Travel Assist (optional) which opens up the possibility of semi-autonomous driving (level 2), making combined use of various systems (adaptive cruise control, lane maintenance, etc.) to achieve this. It works? Yes No doubt. I only notice how it slows down — somewhat hastily — when it detects a speed limit lower than the speed we are driving.
MIB3 is the latest version of the infotainment system, and in GTE it gains specific screens. For example, the E-MANAGER allows you to schedule charging periods (you can do it during the period of non-working hours), pre-conditioning.
Under the hood, everything the same, but the battery "grew"
As the plug-in hybrid variant, the main point of interest lies under the bonnet of the Volkswagen Passat Variant GTE. However, the German brand decided not to carry out any updates to the hybrid powertrain with this renewal of the Passat family.
In other words, they carry the same 1.4 TSI of 156 hp and the electric motor of 116 hp, with the values of maximum combined power and maximum combined torque unchanged: 218 hp and 400 Nm . The transmission remains just to the front wheels, and the gearbox remains the same six-speed DSG (dual clutch).
The novelty comes at the level of the battery, which now has greater capacity: 13 kWh instead of the previous 9.9 kWh . It is the reason why the electrical autonomy became a 55 km in the WLTP cycle, instead of the previous 50 km in the more permissive and unrealistic NEDC cycle.
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The addition of kilometers is very welcome, but in the real world I always fell short of what was advertised — I never managed to reach the 50 km distance. It is still sufficient value for most daily commuting, if they have a charging location “at the ready” — charging infrastructure remains a problem, especially when charging is not possible at home or at work.
hybrid, the best way
The Volkswagen Passat Variant GTE is not the first plug-in hybrid that I have driven for a longer period of time, so I have already seen how the management of the two power units (combustion and electric) when in hybrid mode differs from manufacturer to manufacturer. And there are clear differences.
As I discovered with Mercedes-Benz's E-Class plug-in hybrids, primacy is given to the electric motor, with the combustion engine being called upon, above all, when you press harder on the accelerator. At Passat Variant GTE it couldn't be more different.
Hybrid mode lives up to its name… From the on-board computer, energy flow screen, and even the rev counter, it's easy to see that the combustion engine and electric motor are practically always running simultaneously — also note the smooth transition between the two engines, without bumps of any kind.
If we had to characterize it in one word, that word would be… soft.
The efficiency of its management can be seen in the low consumption obtained by the combustion engine — 5.0 l/100 km or less, depending on the context, whether on the open road or in the city's stop-off —; and also in electricity consumption — values around 5.5 kWh/100 km. That is, quick counts, the battery, if fully full, only needs to be charged after (around) 200 km in this mode.
Moreover, regarding consumption, even when the combustion engine is the most requested, these remain reasonable. On highways (120-130 km/h) they travel around 7.0-7.3 l/100 km. Value similar to that obtained when in "knife-to-teeth" mode, it even rose to close to 8.0 l/100 km on occasions — not bad...
GT(E)? Not as much as I expected
Volkswagen has a respectable collection of similar acronyms in purpose in its portfolio, but differing in the way they reach it: GTE, GTI, GTD and in the future GTX. We know that when one of these acronyms is present, you can expect more performance and also… more attitude, especially on the dynamic level. In other words, a more sporty proposal in terms of both appearance and touch.
If in appearance, the Volkswagen Passat Variant GTE convinces, even more with our unit being equipped with the attractive and optional 18″ Bonneville wheels, in what concerns the attitude it left something to be desired.
The performance, however, is in good shape. The combination of hydrocarbons and electrons decisively launches the (fairly) generous 1760 kg of the Passat Variant GTE towards the horizon, even though it has “only” 218 hp of maximum combined power — the 7.6s at 0-100 km/h does not they are quite slow in value, and recoveries are impressive thanks to the electric motor's instantaneous torque.
When we decided to further explore this performance on rougher roads, we realized that GTE is not that kind of proposal. If we had to characterize it in one word, that word would be… soft. Even in GTE mode, which promises a sharpening of the “senses” of the entire vehicle, what we get in return is just more weight in the direction (quite light in other modes) and more sound (artificially generated) from the engine.
The (passive) suspension is soft, great for the high level of comfort experienced on board, but results in extra body movement when the paces rise and we put more use behind the wheel — optionally, the Passat Variant GTE can be equipped with an adaptive suspension, perhaps the missing ingredient for the desired attitude?
Matrix LED headlamps, with automatic high beams, keeping oncoming vehicles in the shadows without dazzling them, are simply fantastic.
Contributing to this result, the Pirelli Cinturato C7 — despite the generous dimensions, for a sportier use, there is more appropriate rubber. Whether in corners or more energetic braking, they easily “complained” about the abuse, quite audibly.
That said, it is still a very well-behaved proposal. Even when on the edge, it proves progressive and without unexpected reactions (the very well calibrated ESP also helps). The focus on comfort is obvious, showing its best on the highway — soundproofing at all levels is excellent — and on wider roads, allowing for relaxed high cruising speeds and effortless long distances.
Is the car the right van for me?
If we forget for a moment the specifics of GTE, the attributes recognized by the Passat are all there. On the outside it's not as big as its main rivals — Opel Insignia Sports Tourer, Ford Mondeo Station Wagon or even the “cousin” Skoda Superb Combi — but it still has more than generous internal quotas.
The multi-function steering wheel is new and is of the capacitive type, that is, when we use the Travel Assist, it "knows" when we let it go.
The interior is sober in design, but high in the materials chosen, assembly and presentation — an exception made to the needless detail of the Passat lettering between the two central ventilation outlets, in place of the previous clock.
GTE has, however, some spatial limitations, a consequence of its driving force. Batteries take up space, and the trunk is hampered by this. Result? Instead of the generous 650 l, this Passat Variant GTE stands at 483 l. — even so, a value capable of fulfilling most needs, in addition to the floor remains flat, even with the rear seats folded down, ensuring versatility of use.
The luggage compartment of the Passat Variant GTE does not lose length or width, but its capacity is reduced by 167 l compared to the other Passat Variant.
It's hard not to recommend the Volkswagen Passat Variant GTE. However, for the price, starting at 49,370 euros (Our unit, with options, is just over 52 thousand euros) turns out to be a more interesting proposal for companies than for individuals, due to being a plug-in hybrid proposal.
As it is below 50 thousand euros, VAT is deductible, and autonomous taxation is only 17.5% for plug-in hybrids, half of the 35% that an equivalent proposal with only an internal combustion engine.