This Passat tops 76mpg

Test Drive by Graham Breeze

You start to question how far manufacturers will eventually be able to take you on a tank of diesel when you realise that Volkswagen’s 1.6 Passat does 76 miles to the gallon.

Motoring journalist used to witter on about top speeds and how quick you could get to 60mph while staying on the road - thanks to the superior road handling - but now it’s all about running costs and CO2 emission levels.

And we all know VW has been hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons when it comes to emissions but the Passat BlueMotion 1.6 TDi 120PS genuinely records just 95g/km and tops 76.3mpg on the combined cycle with figures of 85mpg+ on the extra-urban cycle.

Add a basic on the road price of £23,530 and a 17% benefit in kind taxation figure and this should be a car to catch the attention of every company car driver out there as well as the private buyer, who sees running costs as a key decider in the buying process.

I’ve never been excited by the Passat. Some cars just give you that tingle when you get behind the wheel but there’s none of that from this Volkswagen. But there’s simply no denying the facts that this model ticks plenty of the boxes when it comes to comfortable and economical motoring.

It's not the most luxurious in sector but there's all the space you need for five adults and the boot does the job, and even passes the golf club test.

The BlueMotion model does stand out from the other Passats. It’s got a styling pack which means uniquely shaped front and rear bumpers, a chrome trimmed front air intake and radiator grille with blue stripe,  unique badging, daytime running lights, body coloured door mirrors with integrated indicators and LED rear lights

Standard features include all the latest braking technology such as ABS, BAS and EBD and there’s an electronic stability control programme to help keep you in a straight line. For those interested in towing there’s also a trailer stabilisation function.

You also get all the usual safety features such as curtain airbags, remote central locking, an alarm system and a useful devise to stop you topping up with the wrong fuel.

Other standard items include a stop/start function, keyless start, battery regeneration under braking, hill-hold function, a multifunction computer which includes a visual gear change indicator to help you save fuel and electrically heated and controlled door mirrors.

There’s also plenty of in-car entertainment including Bluetooth connectivity and USB connection for MP3, WMA and ACC files.

The test car also included pre-loaded European navigation data with 2D and 3D map views and a choice of three calculated routes (fast, short and eco) together with an information system which went as far as offering parking space availability information, the weather and news feeds.

Adaptive cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring, pre-crash protection, parking sensors and automatic dimming were including in a package taking the overall price to £26,655.

And if you’re interested there’s top speed of 130mp and you can get to 60mph in 10.8 seconds which is more than acceptable for a 1.6 diesel.

Buyers get a three-year paint and body warranty and a year’s Volkswagen roadside assist scheme as part of the package too, so this Passat will be an attractive proposition for a lot of buyers.