VW Passat GTE review ~ station of gear

20 Feb, 2015 4:00pm Jo Oliveira

Plug-in hybrid Volkswagen Passat GTE family saloon promises 148mpg economy. We see if it delivers

The Volkswagen Group’s plug-in hybrid portfolio is expanding rapidly, and the latest addition is the VW Passat GTE. With claimed economy of 148.7mpg and 44g/km CO2 emissions, it’s the cleanest model in the range, but are there compromises for such efficiency?

Firstly, let’s trawl through the tech. Like the Golf GTE, the Passat combines a 154bhp 1.4 TSI petrol engine offering 250Nm of torque with an electric motor to send a total of 215bhp and 400Nm through a six-speed DSG box. Due to the batteries, motor, cables and cooling system, the car weighs 280kg more than the 1.4 TSI Passat, but can also travel in electric-only mode for 31 miles up to 81mph between four-hour charges.

When the battery pack is running low or you want to access the car’s full performance, the 1.4 petrol kicks in. Hit the GTE button next to the gearlever, and the engine and motor’s combined force is at your disposal, along with more aggressive throttle, steering, gearbox and damper (optional) settings.

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The hybrid driving set-up balances the two power sources for maximum economy, or E-mode runs solely on electric until the batteries run dry. You can also charge the batteries as you drive along, but fuel economy suffers dramatically as a result.

It’s puzzling that VW is drawing parallels with this car’s name to the legendary GTI badge, because those extra kilos do no favours to its handling in bends. The suspension has actually been stiffened slightly to cope with the weight, but the GTE still rolls more than the standard model. On the other hand, the instant torque from the electric motor delivers a satisfying straight-line push, and although the ride is firmer than some of the ompetition, it’s no worse than the conventional Passat’s.

Braking feel isn’t quite as good, due to the regenerative system taking over at the top of the pedal’s travel. So, we preferred slotting the lever into B and increasing recuperation resistance. In the Golf GTE, we found the DSG to be a bit jerky, but here it seems a little smoother – definitely a world away from the Toyota Prius’ whining CVT.

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Except for a thin blue line above the radiator grille and horseshoe LED running lights, the GTE doesn’t shout about its eco capabilities. It’s a similar story inside, where it offers the same light and airy space, plus the ability to drop the split-fold rear seats.

However, you do lose the underfloor compartment (around 180 litres) to make way for the 50-litre fuel tank, which has had to move to leave some room for the lithium-ion batteries placed underneath the rear bench.

In the instrument panel, there’s an energy indicator instead of a rev counter, and a second display for the battery charge. Via the central-mounted touchscreen, it’s possible to show more information related to the hybrid system operation, such as the energy flow at any particular moment.

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So, back to those compromises. The heavier GTE can’t corner like the rest of the range, although it surges forward in a straight line with surprising urgency. Plus, there’s a smaller boot.

The one big issue, however, is price, because unless you plan to use the GTE regularly in EV mode over short distances to maximise fuel economy, a diesel Passat will be better in the real world.

Now read our previous VW Golf GTE review...

The Passat GTE is fast, fun to drive and only demands minor practicality compromises over the standard car. Whether you hit those impressive claimed economy figures or not, company car buyers will be drawn to the rock-bottom emissions and all customers will love the smart styling and spacious interior. If you can make the most of the electric-only E-mode, then the price is justifiable. Otherwise, we’d stick with one of the excellent diesels and save some cash.

Price: £32,000 (est)

Engine: 1.4-litre 4cyl petrol, plus electric motor

Power/torque: 215bhp/400Nm

Transmission: Six-speed auto, front-wheel drive

0-62mph: 7.9 seconds

Top speed: 138mph (81mph in EV mode)

Economy/CO2: 148.7mpg/44g/km

On sale: June 2015

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