Volkswagen Passat

	The Passat’s suspension set-up is a little firmer than either rival’s, but it still rides very well and is comfortable on long journeys

Representing the traditional estate car class in this test, you couldn’t describe Volkswagen’s sixth-generation Passat as old-fashioned. The looks are a case in point. As with its predecessor, the model appears more upmarket than every sector rival, and thanks to cues such as the chrome grille and circular LED rear lights taken from the firm’s flagship Phaeton saloon, it’s both stylish and distinctive.

The tailgate is neat, and considering the car’s 4.7-metre length, the low roofline hides its size well. However, it also serves to cut down interior room. With a maximum load volume of 1,641 litres, the Passat offers the smallest boot here, lagging 572 litres behind the Santa Fe.

When it comes to width and height, the VW also falls behind, but the load area is still practical and features a clever optional ‘cargo management’ system. This uses straps and bars clipped into parallel rails to prevent luggage sliding around.

However, the Passat loses out on the passenger carrying front, too. Unlike both rivals, there’s no seven-seat option, so if you have more than three children, you need to look elsewhere. On the plus side, it’s the only car here that can be specified with integrated child seats, while the chairs themselves are the best on offer. This SEL model gets heated leather as standard, and the seats provide excellent comfort and support. Even so, legroom is at a premium with three adults in the back, and there is less passenger space than in either rival.

At least the airy cabin has excellent fit and finish, while the textured plastics and silver centre console give a quality feel. The driving position is easily the best on test, with plenty of seat and steering adjustment. And although the VW can’t match the S-MAX for cubbyholes, storage is good, with deep door pockets and a useful central bin.

Access to this is made easier by the absence of a traditional handbrake – instead, the Passat has an electric version. Although this can take a little getting used to, it gives the VW a sophisticated edge. Our test car also came with the £35 optional Auto Hold function, which automatically applies the handbrake when you come to a stop on a hill and then releases it as you pull away.

The Passat’s suspension set-up is a little firmer than either rival’s, but it still rides very well and is comfortable on long journeys. Body control is the best here, and although twisting roads can unsettle the rear suspension, the VW has the finest han­dling of the three, and never loses its composure.

It’s not a particularly entertaining car to drive – the S-MAX is more fun – but it’s capable and comfortable. Yet the engine is a real talking point. An impressive 168bhp has been squeezed from the manufacturer’s 2.0-litre diesel unit, and with 350Nm it also has the most torque in this test. But while it makes for effortless motorway cruising, the extra turbo pressure required to boost power means the engine’s delivery isn’t as linear as the lower-output Ford’s. A long second gear doesn’t help, either, and makes the Passat tricky to drive smoothly at lower speeds.

In our acceleration tests, it was the quickest from 0-60mph, but despite the extra torque, in-gear performance was not that far ahead of the S-MAX’s – and it was also noisier at speed.

At £22,885, our Passat SEL test model is competitively priced. Can that help the estate steal victory from its SUV and MPV rivals?