Volkswagen Passat Navy

The petrol range starts with a 1.5-litre with 150 horsepower, and continues through to a 2.0-litre with 190 horsepower or 272 horsepower. We’ve yet to try a diesel in the revised Passat, but the range starts with a 120 horsepower 1.6 beyond which there is a 2.0-litre version offered in three power levels. Nearly all Passat Estate models are fitted as standard with a smooth-shifting automatic gearbox, the manual transmission only available on the entry-level petrol and a single version of the diesel. We have tried the revised GTE plug-in hybrid, which now promises an improved electric-only mode of up to 34 miles (based on WLTP measurements). It’s a really solid all-rounder, able to play the green card and run emissions-free on battery power, courtesy of an electric motor. At the other end of the scale, you can hit the GTE button next to the gearstick and harness the power of both electric motor and 1.4-litre petrol engine, which combined give 218 horsepower. With the electric motor giving lots of low-down grunt, it feels very brisk and engaging to drive.