Volkswagen Passat

Estate-only executive model grows in size in this latest iteration to offer more family-friendly practicality On sale Summer 2024 Price from £38,000 (est)

- Darren Moss

ACCORDING TO A 2023 survey of more than 2000 car drivers, one in four would consider changing their car because their neighbours had just done so. And these days, keeping up with the Joneses means turning to electric power. However, if the idea of going fully electric doesn’t appeal, what's an aspirational neighbour to do? Well, the answer might just have arrived in the form of the new Volkswagen Passat.

You'd be forgiven for assuming that this latest Passat, with its slim LED lights, aerodynamic alloy wheels depending on model) and a low rear bumper that prevents the exhaust pipe from being seen, is fully electric. Your neighbours might think so, too, particularly if you choose a plug-in hybrid version; it can travel for up to 62 miles without using a drop of petrol, so they might never hear its petrol engine running.

The Passat's plug-in hybrid power set-up comes in 201bhp and 268bhp variants, each combining a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a 19.7kWh battery. Both can be rapid charged at a peak rate of 50kW, or 11kW if you're using a home wallbox.