There's something undeniably bigger and better about the latest Volkswagen Passat. First of all there's the look. I thought it very similar to the £50,000 Phaeton luxury saloon that acts as flagship for the Volkswagen empire. This sixth generation model has grown in every dimension compared to the old car and looks very classy indeed. The windscreen is raked back, giving the shape a far more dynamic stance, and the low roofline combines with a wedge-shaped profile that seems to store the car's energy up in its chunky haunches. Fitted with a big set of alloy wheels, I thought this car looked very special indeed and certainly stands out in a busy car park.

This doesn't only look a bigger car - it is. The length has gone up by 62mm to 4.77m and the width has risen 74mm to 1.82m. The car is marginally taller too, though the wheelbase is virtually unchanged - up by an inconsequential 6mm - which apparently means that a good deal of emphasis has been placed on improving crash structures at the front and adding a bigger boot at the back. And it is a big boot. Mothers interested in the capacity for the weekly shop will be pleased to find that carrying capacity has gone up by a whopping 90 litres to 565 litres. This should be perfect for family holidays, two sets of golf clubs, or the company presentation kit if you choose a Passat for business use.

Where the Passat really endeared itself to me was the beautifully logical driving position, smooth gearshift, strong acceleration and perfect handling on the road. Manoeuvrability in the car park, too, was faultless. At present, Volkswagen are playing things conservatively when it comes to the initial batch of engines slated for the sixth generation version. Two diesels and three petrol engines, none of them hugely powerful, are offered. The petrols comprise a 120bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged TSI unit, a 148 2.0-litre FSI, 158bhp 1.8 and 197bhp 2.0-litre TSI powerplants plus a 247bhp 3.2-litre FSI V6. If you'd rather plump for diesel, there's a 104bhp 1.9-litre TDI or 138 or 168 versions of the vastly superior 2.0-litre TDI engine. There's a 4MOTION four wheel drive option if you choose the 138bhp 2.0-litre TDI variant, a system that comes as standard to buyers of the 3.2-litre petrol model. I did find the cabin rather functional, albeit in a clean, uncluttered fashion. Still, there is a good deal more use of light tones than in the unremittingly dark dashboard of the previous generation Passat. Plus of course there are plenty of hi-tech touches including Bluetooth connectivity for the telephone unit, a superior quality stereo, an electronic handbrake and a 2Zone Climatronic air conditioning system.

I was charmed by the Passat, I have to say. It's an excellent all-round package and for company car drivers would double up well as the main family car.