VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Estate 2011 on

Having previously owned a gas guzzler, I was looking for something that wouldn't make me feel as though I was spending my life filling up at petrol stations.

This is the first VW I have ever driven, let alone owned. The 1.6 Bluemotion delivers everything that I am looking for. It is comfortable on long journeys, has leg room that you wouldn't believe, even in the back seats. The boot is cavernous too and has plenty of storage space around the cabin.

I have the entry level, so it is certainly no frills motoring. On journeys, purrs along the motorways eating up mile after mile of tarmac and just sips fuel and it delivers very close to 50 mpg around town.

The car is responsive enough, though if you push it, it does become very noisey and the engine sounds "harsh". Drive normally and it purrs. The clutch and gearbox are a dream as is the steering. It has a fantastic turning circle too.

The stop/start technology works well, but freaked me out for the first week or so until, I got used to it.

Overall, the car is excellent and cannot fault it. On reflection it is probably a little too basic and if you can afford it go for the SE or one with an integrated sat nav and better sound quality from the CD/Radio. If you want something with a little more oomph, then the 2.0 is the the better option.

But this car certainly delivers exactly what is says on the tin AND £30 a year road tax to boot! So the "Treasury" loses out all round with this one.

Having owned something in the region of 30 cars in the past 40years I can honestly say this is the finest vehicle I have ever owned. Its comfortable; one of the few cars I can actually get my long legs in. It is so quiet & smooth. The performance is brilliant; just such effortless acceleration, and motorways are a breeze. Consumption is unbelievable, I am not the most patient driver and I do like to press on when conditions allow - I'm achieving 46mpg with a mixture of conditions from new (thats including running in). On a cross-country run I can get over 55mpg! As for handling its OK, I live in the countryside so make use of its excellent road holding, its front wheel drive so there will not be a great deal of feel or feedback. Never the less it steers very well. The electronic parking brake is good once you get use to it. All the other gismos are excellent even the computer. The only thing I would say is that the lower interior trim is somewhat hard, otherwise, overall quality is very good apart from the occasional creaks. The other thing is the tyres, just dont have a puncture; its a new tyre due to the type fitted. They are slow deflation for safety reasons and cant be repaired. Running costs are fantastic for this class of car; £110 tax & low insurance costs compared to others. My only regret is that I did'nt go for the sport version. That's next time.

My Rover 600 sli auto was written off when I was rear ended.

Passat estate was delivered as a courtesy car while mine was being assessed and I loved it the dual clutch auto was so smooth, we were due to go on holiday so I had it for a week on motorways and around the Yorkshire dales, the engine was the 170 PS, I waited for the new model only to find that this engine was only available on the sport model that was a disappointment as the sport model has racing type seats and being a big fellah I settled for comfort over power.

I chose the 2.0 litre TDI SE 140 ps 6 speed auto blue motion, the car drives very well power is ok as I had to make a compromise but and on motorways very relaxing. I opted for the estate having had the rover saloon for eleven years and wanted a change the finish was very good inside and out and the doors close with a good solid thud, wind noise on the motorways was not a problem and easy to hold a conversation. Overall Iam very pleased not cheap but you get what you pay for quality.

overall the car is great, i have noticed a slight loss of power compared to the previous mode,l which i had a 2008 se model. but being a service engineer the space in the boot sold it for me, along with the looks of the car.

This car combines style with practicality. Probably the most impressive boot space of all estate cars. The new bluemotion fuel saving feature is superb and it drives really well. If you'r looking for a car with great style, excellent ride and lots of space in the back then look no further.