Volkswagen's Passat has enjoyed a rather unusual place in the national consciousness. It's a car for those who enjoy Teutonic build quality but don't want to fork out serious money for a BMW, Audi or Mercedes. It's a good deal bigger than equivalently-priced premium marques but has never aimed to offer much in the way of driving dynamics. Latter models started to become seriously well equipped, the range-topping versions crawling uncomfortably close to the mighty Phaeton luxury saloon in terms of fitments and abilities, but the Passat was always at its best in base diesel guise. The latest version still is - but has improved in all kinds of other areas.

Once upon a time, a Passat did little more than proclaim that its driver was comfortably off, sensible and could be trusted to look after the shop without blowing the takings on an all night bender. It certainly wasn't a car you could conceivably choose over badge-conscious compact executive fare like a Volvo S60, the Jaguar X-TYPE or a Saab 9-3. Sales of the sixth generation model we look at here however, suggest that times may be changing.

At first glance it's not easy to differentiate this current Passat from the £50,000 Phaeton luxury saloon that acts as flagship for the Volkswagen empire. It's grown in every dimension compared to previous generation models and there are the same sculpted rear buttresses and fluted flanks as the more expensive car. The Phaeton has long been a slow seller and the Passat could well drive a final nail into its coffin, so upmarket is this latest version's look and feel. The windscreen is raked back, giving the shape a 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. Fit it with a big set of alloy wheels and it looks very special indeed.

"A quality of engineering you might not normally expect for mainstream money.."

It's longer (4.77m) and wider (1.82m) than you might expect and, like most Volkswagen saloons, has in four-door form a huge boot (565 litres). The bodywork itself is also impressively stiff (57% more than the previous generation model) which means for you in real terms that this car is what we call 'torsionally quiet', with an all-round chassis rigidity that allows the suspension to do its work more effectively. The end result is a more cossetting ride and better performance through corners.

As usual with Volkswagen, there's a wide variety of engines on offer, with five petrols and three diesels from which to choose over four trim levels (S, Highline, Sport and SEL) at prices starting from £15,835 for the saloon line-up. There's also an estate bodystyle available for a premium of around £1,100 and the BlueMotion derivative with its fuel-saving modifications. The petrols comprise a 120bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged TSI unit, a 148 2.0-litre FSI, a 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 (also available in even more frugal BlueMotion guise) 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. And as standard to the R36 performance flagship, a car that puts out 296bhp.

Team the 2.0-litre TDI with the revolutionary DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) and you'll have a very satisfying ride. This uses a sequential manual gearbox in order to ensure efficiency and rapid responses, but it also uses a clever twin clutch system to ensure creamy smoothness. Engage first gear and the gearbox will pre-engage second gear in advance, the second clutch engaging as soon as you flick up to fire the Passat instantly into second gear. This means a seamless flow of power. The electronics predict what gear you're about to engage, depending on whether you're accelerating or braking, and the result is astonishing, making every other gearbox look distinctly clunky. The other option is to slip it into 'D' and drive it like a normal automatic. Even in this mode it's butter smooth. One comes away with the impression that some day all gearboxes will be made this way. The petrol cars have to make do with the less special six-speed tiptronic automatic. Volkswagen's 4MOTION all-wheel drive system is also available.

The Passat's cabin might come as a surprise to those expecting the Phaeton-esque styling influences to continue indoors. In fact, it's rather functional, albeit in a clean, uncluttered fashion. Somewhat unusually for a Volkswagen, this could be where rivals will seek solace. There is 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. There are a number of technical highlights featured, however, such as Bluetooth connectivity for the telephone unit, a superior quality stereo, an electronic handbrake and a 2Zone Climatronic air conditioning system.

This sixth generation Passat is the first to have the capacity to take on not only Mondeos and Vectras but also more badge-conscious rivals. If you want something in this sector that's priced in the mainstream but with a quality of engineering you might not normally expect for mainstream money, here's where to start looking.

TOP 5 PASSAT DEALS

The results below show the top PASSAT deals on buyacar

	Volkswagen Passat 2.0T Sport FSI 5dr Tip Auto Estate
	ETR	Mthly £424	Saving £2,867	Price £20,623
	Volkswagen Passat 2.0T Sport FSI 4dr Saloon
	ETR	Mthly £381	Saving £2,539	Price £18,587
	Volkswagen Passat 1.8 S TSI 4dr Saloon
	ETR	Mthly £308	Saving £2,002	Price £15,214
	Volkswagen Passat 1.4 S TSI 4dr Saloon
	ETR	Mthly £287	Saving £1,802	Price £13,945
	Volkswagen Passat 1.8 S TSI 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £329	Saving £2,157	Price £16,209

typical 12.16% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000