Volkswagen Passat 1.6 FSI

In the bigger Passat, it has to work much harder to shift the extra weight, and can feel overstressed. It must be pushed to the upper end of its rev range to make swift progress, resulting in a boomy engine note in the cabin. VW claims an 11.4-second 0-60mph sprint, and the good news is that, once up to motorway speeds, cruising becomes far more refined thanks to a sixth ratio. The gearbox has a sharp and precise action, with a similar feel to the Golf's manual.

Despite its noisy engine, the Passat remains comfortable. It is less agile when cornering than rivals such as the Honda Accord, but is light and easy to drive, with a good ride quality. Economy is also impressive, with 37.7mpg an improvement over the previous 2.0-litre base Passat. That model managed only 35mpg in the combined cycle.

Prices are yet to be revealed, but it is thought entry-level cars will be around ΂£17,000. Many drivers will expect greater performance at that cost, though, and might be better off sacrificing some brand image and opting instead for a mainstream family alternative.