Review of the new Volkswagen Passat Highline Plus Range

You'll pay well over £20,000 for Volkswagen's Passat in the 'Highline' trim that most customers choose. Even so, that's not enough to get you satellite navigation, something rapidly becoming a lot more than an optional extra for many of the business buyers who make up the target market for this car. Most of them want in-car Bluetooth compatibility for their mobile 'phones as well: Highline trim doesn't offer that either. Or at least it didn't. In Highline Plus spec, both these issues are solved at a stroke. You can have the car you want with the spec you need.

As you might expect for a model campaigning on value for money, Volkswagen has wisely fitted the Passat Highline Plus with the more fuel efficient engines in its line up. For the relatively few buyers looking for petrol power, there's a 160PS 1.8-litre TSI unit offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed semi-automatic DSG transmission. Otherwise, it's diesel all the way, specifically a 2.0-litre TDI developing either 110, 140 or 170PS. Buyers of the 2.0 TDI 110 get a 5-speed manual gearbox, but otherwise, the choice is between 6-speed manual or 6-speed semi-automatic DSG transmission. Go for the 2.0 TDI 140 variant and there's the option of a 'BlueMotion Technology' version which can substantially improve both fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

The Passat never feels anything less than a big car which is why the 2.0-litre TDI 110 engine struggles a little in cut and thrust traffic. Choose either the 1.8-litre petrol with its 0-60mph in 8.3s and a top speed of 137mph or the 2.0-litre TDI 140 (9.8s, 130mph) and you'll enjoy your Highline Plus a whole lot more. Refinement from wind and road noise are excellent and although the Passat's handling is never particularly involving, it always feels safe and extremely capable. Be aware that specifying larger wheels does detract from ride comfort quite noticeably.

The Highline Plus looks quietly elegant, sitting on its 17-inch alloy wheels with the chrome grille surround and louvers that Volkswagen throws in to set the front of your Passat apart from lesser models. There's a choice of either a saloon variant or an estate, with up to 1731-litres of luggage capacity. The cabin, though smart, is rather functional, albeit in a clean, uncluttered fashion. Somewhat unusually for a Volkswagen, this could be where rivals will seek solace. There's a good deal more use of light tones than in the unremittingly dark dashboard of the previous generation Passat, but those looking for something that signally moves the game on in terms of design philosophy may well come away disappointed.

"As an ownership proposition, it's still a very tempting one.."

Since satellite navigation is such a big part of this particular model's appeal, it's probably worth saying a few words about the system on offer. The RNS 310 unit is a CD-based satellite navigation system with integrated radio and MP3-compatible CD player. It has touchscreen operation with a five-inch colour screen for ease of use and visibility, an SD card reader, plus an AUX-in slot for connection to external multimedia devices. The Bluetooth touch adaptor works in conjunction with the factory-fit phone preparation and incorporates a dash-mounted cradle. The touchscreen adaptor has a 2.8-inch screen displaying clear icons which, once paired with a mobile phone, displays the phone book, text message alerts and caller ID. Calls can be answered or terminated using the multifunction steering wheel. The touch adaptor can connect to most Bluetooth-enabled phones, including the iPhone and Blackberry.

The Passat range is quite extensive with the budget S model, the fuel-conscious BlueMotion version, the more aggressively styled R Line variant and the unashamedly fiery R36 model available. Into this mix slot the Highline and Highline Plus models, adding a whole host of extras for a nominal mark up over the R Line. Both Highline models come with 17-inch alloy wheel rims and full Vienna leather upholstery with heated front seats. Better quality carpeting and a multifunction steering wheel are also fitted.

This is on top of the usual Passat fitments such as air conditioning, an eight-speaker stereo and cruise control. Suddenly the Highline Plus, with its clever sat nav system, looks very keen value for money. Taking the 1.8-litre TSI saloon model as an example, its asking price compares well with the current Ford Mondeo, and in order to land a Mondeo that is as powerful and well equipped, you'd need to pay about the same money.

All the engines in the Passat Highline Plus range are renowned for their fuel efficiency. The petrol engine manages a creditable 37.2mpg on the combined cycle. Opt for the 2.0-litre TDI 110 diesel and you'll see 51.4mpg while the 2.0-litre TDI 140 model is barely any less economical at 50.4mpg. Emissions are kept well in check for such a sizeable car, the saloon model recording 172g/km for a manual 1.8 TSI, 143g/km for a manual 2.0-litre TDI 110 and 146g/km for a manual 2.0-litre TDI 140. Go for the TDI 140 in 'BlueMotion Technology' form and emissions fall to just 124g/km.

Opt for the DSG semi-automatic gearbox and emissions figures are actually better than those of the equivalent manual model. Couple the competitive fuel economy and emissions with reasonable upfront asking prices, modest insurance ratings and excellent residual values and you have a car that manages to mix the best aspects of mass market and prestige models into one package.

The Passat Highline was Volkswagen's response to the needs of business sector buyers - but its specification didn't really go quite far enough. The Highline Plus models correct that oversight, offering the state-of-the-art satellite navigation system and Bluetooth compatibility that company buyers will prioritise.

Of course, these are hardly unique features in the Mondeo sector and cheaper rivals will always claim to offer better value. The Passat's stronger residual values weigh heavily in its favour however, as does this Volkswagen's inherent quality. It may not be the freshest face on the block but as an ownership proposition, it's still a very tempting one.

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