Volkswagen Passat

Owning:
The airy cabin has excellent fit and finish, with the textured plastics and silver centre console giving a quality feel. The driving position is excellent, with plenty of seat and steering adjustment, and the seats themselves are comfortable and well-bolstered - ideal for long motorway trips. 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 some getting used to, it gives the VW a sophisticated edge. An 'Auto Hold' option is also available, which automatically applies the handbrake when you come to a stop on a hill and then releases it as you pull away. Variable intervals mean that although the Passat is expensive to service, divers can potentially travel for 30,000 miles or two years between check-ups. Diesel fuel economy is superb, but although the Passat's retained values are OK compared to mainstream rivals, they're still not brilliant. A surprise for a VW, though the estate does perform better than the saloon.