Review of the adventurous Volkswagen Passat Alltrack with a raised chassis, which for a premium price offers more space than the SUV of the same size.

Volkswagen Passat Alltrack 2,0 TDI highlights:

• Alltrack is the cherry on the cake of the Passat family. The reviewed car was powered by the most powerful four-cylinder diesel at the moment. With 500 Nm of maximum torque, excellent
  pulling power and the character of the six cylinder engine emphasizes the great vehicle for travel. The consumption is 7.7 liters of fuel per hundred kilometers.
• Wagon bodywork design means that it is a suitable alternative for the crossover market. It is true that the driver sits lower, but therefore has a much larger luggage compartment than similarly large SUV’s.
• Volkswagen Passat Alltrack price is its Achilles heel. With proven drive design (the most powerful diesel, four-wheel drive and dual clutch automatic transmission) cost more than 40 thousand Euros, with some additional equipment 50 thousand are easily exceeded.
• Engine: 240 PS four-cylinder turbodiesel
  Real life consumption: 7.7 l / 100 km
  The basic price of the reviewed vehicle: 41,000 Euros
• Some of the additional equipment: Spare wheel with alloy wheels, radio-navigation system discover pro, LED tail lights, active information display, Reversing rear view camera, head-up display, atmosphere package, electrically opening and closing of the tailgate, multifunction three-spoke leather steering wheel, Winter package, assistance systems plus package, Tinted glass…

Only two and a half centimeters higher than “classic” Passat

Passat’s second attempt to the “off road” world follows the well established process of expanding the range on the basis of ordinary Passat Variant.

The appearance is impressive because of the changed bumpers, mudguards, wheel arches and special wheels, otherwise totally inadequate to explore the terrain. All this contributes to the SUV-like look. The design is thus prepared to cope with semi demanding off-road driving.

Four-wheel drive is fitted as standard, as well as protection of the chassis. The chassis has a 17.4 centimeter ground clearance, 2.7 centimeters higher than the classic Passat, a sixth, off-road driving program is added to the usual five, with which you can also enjoy in the usual Passat (Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual).

In the context of security systems, Front Assist to prevent collision with automatic braking assistant and collision prevention system are a part of the serial equipment.

Very comfortable seats are upholstered in a combination of fabric, leather and Alcantara, excellent well-being is taken from the Passat, systems management is easy (only air conditioning offers buttons, everything else can be adjusted via the touch screen display). But we have to admit that some kind of additional controller, typically found in more expensive cars in this segment, would fit well in Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, in fact, it would fit well in all Passat versions.

Digital instrument panel with graphic likeability and flexibility, excellent readability and mostly transparently delivered data again demonstrate that ranks among the best in this, otherwise low numbered offer. For now, only praise, but also concern, how the high-resolution screen, run by NVIDIA quad-core processor, will resist the tooth of time after 200 or 300 thousand kilometers.

Reviewed VW Passat Alltrack was also equipped with a data display on the small glass in front of the driver. Although a cheaper alternative to the more expensive system, that project information directly onto the windscreen, which advantages also exploit the Peugeot and Mercedes. The system works well.

The most powerful Passat diesel engine consumed 7.7 liters per hundred kilometers

The most powerful two-liter four-cylinder engine Volkswagen can offer at this time, develops 240 “horses” – a gift of two turbochargers. 500 Nm of maximum torque does not have a lot of hard work with 1,700 kilograms heavy Volkswagen Passat Alltrack (up to a hundred kilometers per hour accelerates in 6.1 seconds). Despite the typical four-cylinder soundtrack the driver has a feeling that there are at least two more cylinders under the hood. However, this engine is a two-faced beast.

Drivers who will want to elicit the sportier side of this car’s nature have to expect more than eight liter consumption, others can calculate to spend even a mere seven liters per one hundred kilometers. Our average has stabilized at 7.7 liters – a lot of quick motorway kilometers, also a lot of urban and off-road driving. On lazy countryside cruising you can expect a good six liter consumption.

Outside asphalt surfaces competes with most SUVs, can tow 2,200 kilograms

The Torque at the rear axle is passed over Haldex clutch with four electronic differential locks EDS. Electronics in conjunction with the stabilization system controls the rotation of each wheel. The result is very effective on an average challenging off-road conditions, especially if the driver turns on the off-road program. This program first of all adjusts the assistance systems.

This means that the electronics does not react so quickly in a small slippage than it would otherwise. Similarly applies to the ABS system, accelerator pedal is less sensitive, the electronically controlled engine and transmission is adjusted, a new chapter is opened in conjunction with the DCC system, which adjusts the shock absorbers depending on the complexity of the surface. Armed with such help Volkswagen Passat Alltrack can drive on a very demanding dirt slope, and can be confidently aligned with the SUVs. The only condition where Passat is forced to admit their superiority is the fact that it is relatively quickly stopped by the larger entry and exit angles of the slope.

By the way, we recommend trailer assist system if you plan to tow a trailer. An efficient assistant was successfully tested in practice on several occasions. The driver must otherwise provide a little help, but this is still better than the unskilled rotation of the steering wheel by a clumsy individual. Volkswagen Passat Alltrack is just like a normal version able to pull up to 2,200 kilograms heavy trailer.

Technical data: Volkswagen Passat Alltrack 2.0 TDI 4Motion DSG

Vehicle class: Middle class, station wagon, 5 doors, 5 seats.

Engine: Diesel, 4-cylinder.
Engine capacity: 1968 cm3.
Maximum power: 240 PS at 4000 rpm.
Maximum torque: 500 Nm from 1750 to 2500 rpm.
Transmission: four-wheel drive 4MOTION, electronic differential locks, 7-speed automatic DSG gearbox.

Dimensions and weight:

Length: 4777 mm.
Width: 1832 mm.
Height: 1,506 mm.
Wheelbase: 2798 mm.
Turning circle: 11.7 m.
Curb weight: 1721 kg.
Luggage compartment capacity: 650 – 1780 liters.

Performance and consumption:

Maximum speed: 240 km/h.
Acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h: 6.1 s.
Average fuel consumption: 5.3 l/100 km.
Fuel tank capacity: 66 liters.
Emissions: 139 g CO2/km.
Euro 6.

Safety:

Front and side airbags for driver and front passenger. Window curtain airbags to protect the heads of passengers. ABS, EBD, BA, ESP, HSA, ASR. Assistance for changing lanes. Lane assist. Pedestrian detection system. Automatic adjustment of the long beam headlights. Active cruise control. Proactive system for the protection of the passengers Precrash.
NCAP rating: 5 stars.

Equipment:

Spare wheel with alloy wheels. Reversing camera. Information on the windscreen. Tinted windows. Anthracite wheel arches and sills liners. Electronic differential lock XDS. Climatronic air conditioning with 3 separate sectors. Comfortable front seats. LED headlights. Alltrack labels. Interior mirror with auto shading. Opening in the rear seat for transportation of long objects. Park pilot. Flexible chassis DCC. Radio composition media with a color touchscreen display. Rain sensor. Additional protection for the engine. Cruise control with automatic distance regulation ACC. Pockets on the back of the front seats.

Volkswagen Passat Alltrack competitors

• Audi A4 Allroad
• Mazda6 Wagon AWD
• Peugeot 508 RXH
• Skoda Octavia Scout
• Subaru Outback
• Volvo V60 Cross Country

Image credit: Volkswagen