Talking tow cars
Volkswagen’s new, facelifted version of the Passat Alltrack is pricey, but is a fine alternative to an SUV, says David Motton
The best four-wheel-drive estates make fine alternatives to an SUV – the all-weather performance of a 4x4, the boot capacity of an estate. And they often tow well.
We expect this will be true of the latest Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, as we’ve towed with it in the past, and this is a facelifted car rather than an all-new model.
The Alltrack, like the rest of the Passat range, now has Travel Assist as standard. This combines the functions of Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist to provide partially automated driving at up to 130mph.
We feel much more comfortable doing our own driving, and found the Alltrack enjoyable to drive when relying on our own judgment for the car’s speed and steering.
The Alltrack sits higher from the ground than the regular estate, which allows for a little more lean when cornering briskly, but does make for a comfortable ride.
The 2.0 TDI 190PS engine has plenty of poke in solo driving, and we know it will have no trouble pulling sensibly matched caravans. The key figure isn’t maximum power, it’s peak torque – and with 295lb ft from as low as 1900rpm, there’s lots of it. The Alltrack carries a few more kilos than the two-wheel-drive Passat, with a 1725kg kerbweight and an 85% match figure of 1466kg. The regular estate is 125kg less.
Inside, it will be familiar to anyone who has sat in the current Passat. Key changes in the cabin are things you can’t see, such as wireless smartphone mirroring and a steering wheel that senses when it’s held. (Lane Assist no longer requires movements from the wheel to prevent false alarms when driving along dead-straight roads.)
The cabin is well made and roomy, as before. The only minus point is the big transmission tunnel, which will get in the way with three passengers in the back.
Boot space is generous. With a capacity of 639 litres, the Alltrack is just 11 litres down on the standard estate. A full-size spare is stowed beneath the boot floor.
Our most significant complaint is the price. Your friendly VW dealer will ask for £39,185, and there’s no way of bringing that down by opting for a less powerful engine – the 190PS TDI is the only choice.