VW Passat Estate vs Ford Mondeo Estate & Mazda 6 Tourer
Volkswagen’s new Passat Estate loads up against key rivals from Mazda and Ford in a family class shoot-out
The family estate car class has taken a bit of a beating in the past few years. Buyers have been turning away from these practical models in favour of crossovers, people carriers and SUVs, and the latest generation of large estates needs something special to stand out in the crowded new car market.
Take the new Volkswagen Passat Estate. It offers the same versatile load area as before, but VW has given the family five-door an upmarket makeover that attempts to add a bit of compact executive appeal. Does this provide it with an edge? To find out, we’ve lined it up against its closest competitors.
The Mazda 6 Tourer has benefited from the same makeover as its saloon sibling, while its sharp chassis means it’s the driver’s choice in the class. That accolade used to go to the Ford Mondeo, but the latest model, launched late last year, has sacrificed sporty handling for a more comfortable drive. But does it have the upmarket appeal to be an attractive buy?
We’ve lined up 148bhp diesel auto versions of our cars to see which is best, with enough practicality to stand out.
Used - available now
2024 Volkswagen
Passat
71,109 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L
Cash £16,500
2024 Volkswagen
Passat
46,357 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L
Cash £19,200
2024 Volkswagen
Passat
45,542 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L
Cash £19,300
2024 Volkswagen
Passat
35,553 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L
Cash £18,406Click on the links above to read each in-depth review, and then read on for our verdict.
Head to head
Boot space
The Passat has the biggest boot here, but the Mondeo offers the largest floor area, at 113cm2. There’s less space under the load cover, though. The Ford has a flush load lip, yet the small lips on its rivals will stop items from falling out, and aren’t hard to lift items over. The 6’s load cover is attached to the tailgate, so it never gets in the way.
Towing
All three models will make decent tow cars, with maximum towing weights ranging from 2,000kg for the Volkswagen to 1,600kg for the Mazda. VW and Ford offer retractable tow bars for £875 (below) and £750 respectively, while Mazda has a fixed tow bar kit for £358.
Efficiency
A 119g/km CO2 emissions figure puts the Passat in road tax Band C, saving you £80 a year over both rivals. Company car buyers also benefit, as the annual Benefit in Kind rate is cheaper, yet the VW commands the highest P11D value here.
Verdict
Volkswagen Passat Estate
There’s no doubt about it: the new Passat Estate is one of the best family cars around. The vast boot is packed with user-friendly touches, and it’s backed up by a spacious interior that’s well built and has an upmarket feel. Add in a grown-up and involving driving experience, and it’s a clear winner for business users, while stronger residuals cancel out the price premium for private buyers.
Mazda 6 Tourer
To come second to the Passat is no insult to the 6 Tourer’s ability. If you’re not ready to sacrifice driving fun when buying a family car, then it’s the perfect solution, as it delivers a great balance of sharp handling, space and comfort. The SE-L Nav model has an adequate amount of equipment, and a lowerlist price and decent running costs work in its favour, too.
Ford Mondeo Estate
We really wanted the Mondeo to live up to its sharp looks, but again we’ve been left cold by Ford’s family car. In this company, the cabin feels cheap and the boot lacks any useful features, while the crisp handling of its predecessor is a distant memory. This wouldn’t be so bad if it delivered a comfortable ride, but the soft suspension is wallowy and unsettled.
Same Price: Other options for similar money...
New: Peugeot 508 SW 2.0 HDi Allure Nav
Price: £27,995 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 161bhp
The updated Peugeot 508 SW also aims to add some executive luxury to the family car class, and the facelift should have ironed out the electrical gremlins that plagued its predecessor. Auto model is well equipped, but Band F tax is expensive.
Used: BMW 320d Touring M Sport (2014)
Price: £27,990 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 184bhp
Rather than get a family car with executive aspirations, why not go the whole hog and buy an exec? We found a one-year-old ex-demo BMW 320d auto in M Sport guise, which will deliver entertaining handling and good economy in equal measure.
Figures
| VW Passat Estate 2.0 TDI (150) DSG SE Business | Mazda 6 Tourer 2.2D (150) auto SE-L Nav | Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi (150) Titanium | |
| On the road price/total as tested | £28,390/£34,090 | £25,995/£26,535 | £26,415/£27,210 |
| Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) | £12,804/45.1% | £10,996/42.3% | £10,566/40.0% |
| Depreciation | £15,586 | £14,999 | £15,849 |
| Annual tax liability std/higher rate | £1,185/£2,370 | £1,193/£2,387 | £1,213/£2,425 |
| Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles) | £1,324/£2,207 | £1,349/£2,248 | £1,221/£2,036 |
| Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost | 19/£434/C/£30 | 19/£349/D/£110 | 23/£356/D/£110 |
| Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service | £288 (2yrs) | £172/£233/£236 | £390 (2yrs) |
| Length/wheelbase | 4,767/2,791mm | 4,805/2,750mm | 4,867/2,850mm |
| Height/width | 1,477/1,832mm | 1,480/1,840mm | 1,501/1,852mm |
| Engine | 4cyl in-line/1,968cc | 4cyl in-line/2,191cc | 4cyl in-line/1,997cc |
| Peak power/revs | 148/3,500 bhp/rpm | 148/4,500 bhp/rpm | 148/3,500 bhp/rpm |
| Peak torque/revs | 340/1,750 Nm/rpm | 380/1,800 Nm/rpm | 350/2,000 Nm/rpm |
| Transmission | 6-spd auto/fwd | 6-spd auto/fwd | 6-spd auto/fwd |
| Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel | 66 litres/space saver | 62 litres/repair kit | 62 litres/space saver |
| Boot capacity (seats up/down) | 650/1,780 litres | 522/1,648 litres | 500/1,605 litres |
| Kerbweight/payload/towing weight | 1,541/589/2,000kg | 1,588/522/1,600kg | 1,601/729/1,800kg |
| Turning circle | 11.7 metres | 11.8 metres | 11.6 metres |
| Basic warranty (miles)/recovery | 3yrs (60,000)/1yr | 3yrs (60,000)/3yrs | 3yrs (60,000)/1yr |
| Service intervals/UK dealers | Variable/223 | 12.5k miles (1yr)/170 | 18k miles (1yr)/781 |
| Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. | 22nd/31st* | 9th/12th* | 25th/27th* |
| Euro NCAP: Adult/child/ped./stars | 85/87/66/5 | 92/77/66/5 | 86/82/66/5 |
| 0-60/30-70mph | 8.0/7.7 seconds | 8.8/8.6 seconds | 9.0/8.8 seconds |
| 30-50mph in 3rd/4th | 3.5/5.7 seconds | 3.4/4.3 seconds | 3.5 secs (kickdown) |
| 50-70mph in 5th/6th | 7.4/10.9 seconds | 6.2/7.6 seconds | 5.3 secs (kickdown) |
| Top speed/rpm at 70mph | 134mph/1,850rpm | 126mph/2,000rpm | 129mph/1,900rpm |
| Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph | 52.9/38.7/9.3m | 56.6/41.5/10.2m | 52.3/37.1/9.4m |
| Noise outside/idle/30/70mph | 72/64/75/81dB | 67/57/71/79dB | 72/67/71/82dB |
| Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range | 49.8/11.0/723 miles | 48.9/10.8/667 miles | 54.0/11.9/736 miles |
| Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | 53.3/68.9/62.8mpg | 46.3/67.3/57.6mpg | 52.3/62.8/57.7mpg |
| Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | 11.7/15.2/13.8mpl | 10.2/14.8/12.7mpl | 11.5/13.8/12.7mpl |
| Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket | 152/119g/km/21% | 155/129g/km/23% | 140/128g/km/23% |
| Airbags/Isofix/parking sensors/cam | Seven/yes/yes/£310 | Six/yes/yes/no | Seven/yes/£450/£250 |
| Auto gearbox/cruise/adaptive cruise | Yes/no/yes | Yes/yes/no | Yes/yes/£900 |
| Climate control/leather/heated seats | £590/£1,795/£280 | Yes/no/no | Yes/£2,000/£300 |
| Metallic paint/LED lights/keyless go | £540/£710/yes | £540/no/yes | £545/£1,050/£250 |
| Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/Bluetooth | Yes/yes/yes/yes | Yes/yes/yes/yes | Yes/yes/yes/yes |
