Advantages: Economical, Build Quality, Boot space.
Disadvantages: None

..., its the same car with a VW badge, bigger, not to mention three grand cheaper. The people who did opt for the Audi seem to have no end of trouble getting spares for them, such as things like door locks and windscreens which can only be fitted by an Audi dealer. Overall if your looking for a good sized estate car, the Passat is about the best I have seen on the market.... Read review

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Advantages: Practical, stylish, good quality and it has that badge
Disadvantages: The dire service

...of ... Ford Mondeo estate Mazda 626 estate VW Passat estate Vauxhall Vectra estate Citroen Xantia estate The list was small but I worked hard to find the best car. First up was the Mondeo. We decide that the Mondeo was a big car but was ageing rapidly. The dumpy looks put my Dad off so he didn't bother with the test drive. He never really thought of buying a Mazda and the bland 626 was the pinnacle of boredom. Unforunately, my Dad can be a bit car-predjudice - you know he'd buy a VW not a Skoda or buy a European car not a little known but just as good Korean car. This meant the Vauxhall, and their image which has been flushed down the toilet more times than Vanessa Feltz TV career, was never going to be on top of the list. It was the same with the Citroen. To him it rented the phrase 'A French car on my driveway' - see what I mean... Read review

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Advantages: Big and Spacious. Surprisingly Cheap to Run. Occupant and Pedestrian Safety.
Disadvantages: Awful Hand Brake. Poor Seats. Uninspiring to Drive. Poorly Equipped.

...TITLE NOTE: It isn't actually a hearse….. the title is a rather crude play on the appearance of the specific car reviewed here - flat black exterior paintwork AND an unremittingly black interior! On approaching it for the first time, key in hand, I remarked to my wife "oh no, they've given us an undertaker's special"! WHAT IS IT? It is actually the cavernous estate version of Volkswagens large family saloon. When I say large, the estate version of the Passat saloon is 4770mm in length. It looks larger, but is actually shorter, than its' main competitor the 4899mm Vauxhall Vectra Estate. WHICH SPECIFIC MODEL? Now here is where I need to get VERY specific indeed. The Passat range is, presumably for the sake of fleet purchasers, extremely complex. The VW brochure or website will have to be studied very carefully indeed... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent Build Quality, Spacious Interior, Very Safe, Confortable
Disadvantages: Handling Can leave a little to be desired, wallows a bit in corners

...My parents had always owned Volkswagens so when the time came to replace our aging 1987 E Reg Passat 1.8 CL Estate at the end of 1997 it wasn't that difficult to work out what the new family car would be. My dad looked at a Peugeot 406 Estate, BMW 5 Series And Audi A4 but at the end of the day as far as he was concerned there could be only one choice. We took delivery of our Colorado Red (Met). Passat 1.9 SE TDI Estate 115 at the beginning of February 1998. My dad was never one to consult the options list but he did decide to opt for climate control and a third three point belt in the Rear for my younger brother. The car was already well equipped with twin airbags, front and rear electric windows, remote central locking, Electric/Heated Mirrors and a trip computer. COMFORT This is one area where the Passat Estate really can... Read review

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Advantages: Value, quality, a practical package with a nice hint of sportiness
Disadvantages: No CD as standard.

...Audi A6 1.8 T Quattro I have been fairly loyal to VAG over the years, so when my previous (company provided) Saab 900 came to the end of its lease I decided to have a look at either the VW Passat or Audi A6 Avant. I was looking for something "interesting" and yet practical. I have a young family (two under-fives) plus a dog. I thought - hmm, a sporty estate might do the trick. So we had a test drive in a Passat 2.8 V6 4motion Estate. Now, I used to have a VW Corrado VR6. An absolutely fantastic motor - v fast, great fun and fairly practical. This was sold when the Saab 900 arrived. The Saab was ok; a bit boring and sluggish (but nicely designed). I had hoped that the Passat 4motion would re-instate a sense of fun, with enough space for the family. Also, being the top of the Passat range, I expected a certain level... Read review

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Advantages: BUILD QUALITY, RELIABILITY,VALUE FOR MONEY
Disadvantages: Near side lower ball joints don't last due to the state of our AMAZING ROADS

...keep my cars a long time (until they die on me) The Last one was surprise, surprise a 1990 VW Passat Estate (From New), 15 years of virtually trouble free driving. Fuel consumption is no better than 30mpg, live with it and you have an amazing car that is bullit proof.... Read review

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Advantages: massive boot, and looks good
Disadvantages: fiddley heating controls. Tiny glove compartment.

...Ive been the proud owner of a VW estate for about 2 months now. It looks beautiful in Silver Blue and performance wise its a real gem to drive.Sadly its a company car and not my own. Compared to my old car (Vauxhall Vectra Estate) it has lots more space in the boot and more leg room for the rear passengers. The only complaints I have are the tiny glove compartment (hardly big enough for a pair of gloves) and fiddley controls for the heating / air con. Its the small details with VW's that make the difference, like the flaps covering the boot catch, and the fold away cargo net. Automatic windowscreen wipers, heated mirrors and a self dimming rear view mirror - however I have'nt quite worked out how this works yet.. For a diesel the car is remarkably quiet, fuel consumption is excellent and going by the on board fuel computer I... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent build, Powerful engine, Very comfortable
Disadvantages: A little dated design. Long wait, No front fog lights as standard

...I took receipt of my new VW Passat 1.9 TDI sport Estate a few days ago. The details of the spec are as follows: Metallic Black 1.9 Litre Diesel Engine 150 BHP (Although there is also a 130 BHP as well) Top Speed 124 MPH 0-60 Acceleration 10.2 Secs Insurance Group 12 CO2 Emmisions g/km 157 (18% Tax) Consumption Combined 47.9 mpg I also had Satellite Navigation added as a factory extra. There have been slight changes to the body style of the Passat over the last 3 years but it has essentially remained the same. These changes are mainly cosmetic modifications to the light assemblies front and rear, and a rounding of the front of the car. these have improved the look of the Passat. Overall the shape of the car is pleasing and the windows all have chrome trim around. the book is very capacious and has an excellent... Read review

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Advantages: Original, refined, handling and ride, reliability, dealers
Disadvantages: Highish CO2 rating

...dealer networks in the country. Most of the dealers are true enthusiasts, many run their own small rally team, even if only at local club level. Being neither a farmer, nor do we (unfortunately) live in the Lake District, I have to say that until relatively recently, Subaru was a brand to which I had paid very little attention. Then, one damp, grey day, around six years ago, whilst on holiday in the area, I attempted to follow a completely standard Subaru Legacy Estate on the wonderful A689 'Weardale' road. On the map this appears a relatively unchallenging route between Alston and Stanhope. Far from it, in my experience it comes pretty close the "Alpine Route" at the Millbrook Testing Ground, which doubtless you have already read me raving about. I am sure that there are more appropriate places to eulogise about a twisting, dipping... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great build quality, strong performer
Disadvantages: Harsh low speed ride, Rain sensor wipers.

...I've own this 2001 Y reg VW passat estate 1.8T Sport for just over 8 months and it is the most versatile car I have owned. It has good performance from the 1.8T, which is tuned to 150 bhp, it may not be the fastest car but swift progress is made with ease and the acceleration is linear with little turbo lag. The Passat has bucket loads of space, I'm 6'3" and you can still get a six footer behind me without being cramped. The boot is also large with a flat low loading entrance and with the seats down it will swallow most house hold items, I've had a full sized tumble dryer in it. In the rear of the boot it has got two 12V power points which will always come in handy when your away for the day. The interior may not be for all tastes, mine is like a charcoal black, which can seem a little dull but you cannot fault the fit... Read review

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