The all-new VW Passat is more more upmarket than ever before, bridging the gap between regular midsize sedans and premium offerings. But that doesn’t mean the Passat has lost is practicality factor it has been famous for all these years.

Carbuyer’s Mat Watson has taken the Passat saloon for a ride and has found it really practical and spacious for a sedan of its class. There’s plenty of room for rear passengers and the wide-opening boot can carry quite a lot of gear.

For the moment, the VW Passat is only available with diesel engines in the UK, with the tested car featuring the 150hp 2.0-liter TDI unit. While the Passat fails to meet VW’s claimed fuel economy figures, it averages a decent 44 mpg UK (6.4 l/100 km), a decent amount for a car of this size.

As for driving impressions, the Passat was found very comfortable and quiet, while also offering surprisingly agile handling characteristics. Scroll down for the video review.

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