We review the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack from price to economy and all its features
THE VW Passat Alltrack made its driving debut in the Alps — and it’s the workhorse at its peak.
This is a much more rugged four-wheel-drive version of VW’s consistent estate for those buyers who don’t want an SUV but need a load-lugger that can tow and tackle all weathers.
First drive ... VW Passat Alltrack
But it immediately faces a stiff battle because its price of £28,500 makes it more expensive than the majority of rivals.
It sits behind 4x4 estates Volvo XC70 (£32,765) and Audi A4 Allroad (£31,165) but is much costlier than the Subaru Outback (£26,870), Vauxhall Insignia Tourer (£25,510) and Skoda Octavia Scout (£22,720).
The question is whether it’s worth that premium? To find out I’ve just had a first drive on an ice circuit at the Austrian ski resort of Ellmau in the Alps.
It definitely looks the part.
Passat is actually named after a wind, but its looks have never blown me away. Yet this is the most alluring it has ever been.
This is a Passat that has been pumping iron. If the standard model is Prince William, this Alltrack is Prince Harry — it’s more rugged and has a real wild side.
There’s a more aggressive honeycomb front grille, stainless steel underbody guards at the front and rear as well as matte chrome roof rails, wing-mirrors and grille.
The most important changes are underneath, including a ride-height which has been hiked up from 135mm to 165mm and the same four-wheel-drive system used in the Tiguan.
This means that 90 per cent of the power goes to the front wheels under most conditions to save fuel, but that 100 per cent can be delivered to the rear axle when necessary.
To help out in the rough stuff, the Alltrack has a special “off-road” mode, activated by pressing a button on the centre console.
This switches on a descent control system, which automatically brakes the car when descending a steep incline. It also optimises the brakes and differential locks for slippery surfaces.
The end result is pretty impressive. The Alltrack dealt with the ultra-slippery ice track with incredible control.
I spent an hour trying to get it to slide or lose grip but it simply wouldn’t get out of shape. This will comfortably deal with anything the UK weather can throw at it.
It’s no Land Rover, but it will certainly embarrass some big-name SUVs on the school run.
The great thing is that the added all-terrain ability hasn’t compromised the Passat’s excellent on-road manners.
It’s still a comfortable and refined cruiser on the motorway, and undemanding to drive everywhere else, with light steering and supple suspension. Don’t expect much in the way of excitement, but the Alltrack has more grip and tighter body control than most conventional high-sided SUVs. The Alltrack will be available with two 2litre diesel engines (one with 138bhp, the other with 168bhp).
The 138bhp unit provides adequate performance, but is available only with a six-speed manual gearbox.
That will be very useful to some buyers (especially those who need to tow) to go for the 168bhp version, which gets VW’s superb DSG semi-automatic gearbox as standard.
I drove the lower-powered diesel with a six-speed manual gearbox, which never felt underpowered and always smooth.
Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 10.9 seconds and while the more powerful engine is two seconds quicker, buyers won’t be disappointed with the cheaper engine.
We were running an hour late and had a mad dash back from Ellmau to Munich Airport for our flights — and the Alltrack was surprisingly quick yet ultra comfortable.
Running costs are not too bad but are obviously affected by the four-wheel-drive system — and even the cleanest model emits 150g/km, with fuel economy of 49.6mpg.
On the inside only a couple of badges set it apart from the standard Passat. But that also means it remains one of the most spacious and top-quality estates you can buy.
It’s not an interior that raises your heart rate but it’s very comfortable and oozes class — apart from one huge wedge of plastic on the dashboard.
Like the regular Passat estate, the Alltrack has a huge 603-litre boot — bigger than the Audi A4 Allroad and Subaru Outback.
Trying to fold down the rear seats is a bit of a Krypton Factor exercise of removing headrests, turning up the bases and lowering seatbacks to get a flat load area, but it’s probably something you’d get used to fairly quickly.
To go some way towards making up for the high price, the Alltrack has plenty of standard kit, including Alcantara seats, a touch-screen navigation system, climate and cruise controls, Bluetooth and 18in alloy wheels.
This is a very impressive car all-round, even if it is expensive for a Passat.
It’s tough to argue with a model range that has sold 15MILLION since 1973. Suitably, with the Alps as its backdrop, this is certainly the coolest estate yet.
What to look out for when buying a used Volkswagen Passat
Some of the Volkswagen Group’s company-wide reliability issues of recent years affected the Passat, especially troubles with the diesel engines. In particular, owners have suffered problems with electric fuel injectors, particulate filters and oil pumps among a range of common faults.
Owners also complained of a range of serious electrical and electronic problems (including sticking automatic parking brakes) plus water leaks, turbo failures and general poor-quality fit and finish.
The post-2011 range is generally better, though there are still concerns over the DSG transmission, and owners are already reporting minor build quality defects, electronic problems, and sat nav and audio system failures.