Volkswagen Passat

The stylish, easy-to-drive Passat is everything we expected it to be. Competitive prices and good kit mean buyers needn't break the bank to buy the most comfortable car in its class. The huge boot and spacious rear seats will also be great for families who have outgrown smaller hatches. VW is back on top in the family market.

There is something about the magic of the VW badge which is hard to put your finger on. Mounted on the new Passat, it turns a family four-door into an executive saloon, regardless of specification or price.

With UK models due to hit showrooms in June, Auto Express took to the wheel of the first right-hand-drive example to roll off the production line.

Bigger in virtually every dimension than its predecessor, the Passat is bold without being brash. The saloon retains a similar silhouette to the current car, and adds plenty of neat new details to create a look that adds to the car's upmarket feel.

Inside, the stylists have been just as successful - and a little more adventurous. The driver sits behind a clinically efficient dashboard with a beauti- fully built, two-tone finish. A sharply tapered line leads along the door, and there is fresh switchgear, too.

But do not think that form has taken precedence over function. Stowage is excellent, with enormous door bins and useful cup-holders. There is also masses of space for both front and rear passengers, along with a huge boot which can be expanded by folding the split back seats.

On the road, it is clear Volkswagen has not forgotten the importance of handling dynamics, either. Where the old-shape Passat soon lost its composure on its soft suspension when cornering, the new model feels tauter. You are still aware of the vehicle's bulk and weight, but it has plenty of grip and excellent body control.

However, the Passat is no sports saloon. The set-up is still focused on comfort rather than driving fun, and the smooth ride comes into its own on the motorway. The only thing that hampers refinement is the engine. Our test car's 2.0-litre FSI petrol unit delivers 148bhp to the front wheels. With the slick standard six-speed manual box, the hi-tech motor lets the Passat sprint from 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds. As with many of VW's FSI engines, the 2.0 needs to be revved to make brisk progress, yet when pushed it sounds coarse. Most buyers will be better off with a diesel.

Whichever variant you choose, you can expect decent value for money. The range starts at a reasonable £14,995 for a basic 1.6-litre model, undercutting the outgoing equivalent by £175. The FSI driven here in SE trim is £17,670, pitching it in line with class-leaders. It looks as though the new Passat is going to have just as big an impact as its predecessor did nine years ago.