Key facts:
Model tested: VW Passat 2.0-litre TDI 140PS
Price: £23,016
Date tested: October 2010
Road tester: Adrian Higgins

The new Volkswagen Passat goes on sale in the UK this week. Volkswagen says the car, available as a saloon or estate, is "more efficient, refined and comfortable than ever". We tested it to see.

The Passat's combination of classiness and practicality has made it a good choice for meeting clients during the week and ferrying the family at weekends.

Like its predecessor, it offers a choice of saloon or estate bodies and, taking design cues from the flagship Phaeton, both have grown-up.

Though nearly identical in size to its predecessor, the new car's exterior is almost entirely new. The roof panel is all that is inherited and while the design changes are not revolutionary, they are significant.

The new grille features splashes of chrome, while the headlights and dashboard are revised and there are new dials and seats.

Behind the wheel the improved refinement becomes even more apparent in the form of wind and engine noise reductions, achieved through soundproofing behind the dashboard and a clear plastic membrane inside the windscreen (buyers can make the car quieter still by specifying the same treatment for the side windows).

There are six engines: three petrol and three diesel which across the range offer an average 18 per cent improvement in fuel consumption over the outgoing models. Emissions are lower too.

The petrol range is as follows:
• 1.4-litre TSI: 120bhp, 48.7 mpg, 138g/km
• 1.8-litre TSI: 158bhp, 40.9mpg, 160g/km
• 2.0-litre TSO: 207bhp, 39.2 mpg, 169g/km.

The diesel range, featuring Stop/Start technology, consists of:
• 1.6-litre TDI, 103bhp, 65.7mpg, 114g/km
• 2.0-litre TDI, 138bhp, 61.4mpg, 119g/km
• 2.0-litre TDI, 168bhp, 61.4mpg, 125g/km.

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All models will be available with a choice of manual or automatic DSG gearbox. A 1.6-litre TDI Bluemotion will arrive next year with an average fuel consumption of 68.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 109g/km.

We drove the expected best seller, the 2-litre 138bhp diesel, with a DSG transmission; its mix of 60+mpg frugality, entertaining drive and comfort is a winning combination.

Even in Sport setting it retains a smooth ride while the responsive steering and agile handling can make for a rewarding drive.

There's an impressive standard specification too, including safety features which detect driver drowsiness, lane departure and imminent collisions. It then warns the driver and in the case of impending collisions, brakes too.

There are self-parking and adaptive cruise control functions too, and if the driver has the key in their pocket, they need only kick out a foot at the car's rear for the boot to spring open.

There will be three trim levels: S, SE and Sport. Expect to pay an extra £600-£700 over the outgoing model for a car with more standard features such as iPod connectivity and a leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel, plus DAB digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity and touch-screen satnav on posher versions.

Orders open this week and deliveries will take place in the new year with most models finding homes with company car drivers.