If you want to be off the beaten track in the figurative sense, you do not necessarily take one VW Passat. If you want to be on the road there in the literal sense, but definitely: After the normal all-wheel drive Passat, Volkswagen has had the new generation as an all-track in its range since the end of September. In addition to four-wheel drive, the SUV variant of the station wagon offers 2,5 centimeters more ground clearance and robust off-road sheeting. Is it worth the € 3.000 surcharge?
In times of increasing occupancy of automotive niches, the estate SUV squeezes into the gap between the Passat Variant and the Tiguan. This is not only since this generation so and no VW invention, but it is also the new generation to face: Surprisingly fits the adventure look with robust plastic planking, matt chrome exterior mirror housings, underrun protection, 17-inch Alus and trapezoidal tailpipes Simple business design of the 4,78 meter long station wagon.
Visually, the Passat even holds a surprise - for those who sits in front of the car at the wheel and looks in the rearview mirror. Had the complacent front barely the potential from behind zooming a slower road users to move to make space, the new view in the rearview mirror of the front man is less discreet. And in the Alltrack version, the appearance is actually more present again.
In addition, the Passat Alltrack is - in the best sense of the word - a low-maintenance car. The excellent workmanship and premium appearance in the interior of the new generation may have got around in the meantime. Added to this are the Alltrack stainless steel door sills and pedestal, special decorative parts, comfort seats with Alcantara inner side bolsters and the multifunction leather steering wheel. Despite the noble look, the middle class has its core competence, the high everyday and family suitability with sufficient space in the rear and trunk (650-1.780 liter capacity), received.
Equally, all expectations are met when it comes to the driving experience: Here the Alltrack is a real Passat, a great touring car that rolls confidently and that can take up to 2,2 tons on the hook - but which can also be moved more agile than one if necessary real SUV.
At the same time, the middle class does not have any traction problems on snow or in easy terrain, as unlike the optically trimmed “Cross” models from other VW series, it has all-wheel drive as standard. Normally - for the sake of fuel consumption - only the front wheels are driven; if there is a risk of loss of traction, a Haldex clutch engages the rear axle. The four-wheel drive is combined with an off-road driving profile that the driver can select at the push of a button, such as the well-known "Eco", "Normal" and "Sport" modes. This activates the hill descent assistant, for example, and the accelerator pedal can also be controlled more sensitively.
The average diesel in the test car with 140 kW / 190 PS (from 43.200 Euro) with standard dual-clutch transmission, 8,0 seconds from zero to 100 km / h and 220 km / h top speed certainly the best compromise in the drive portfolio - without actually making compromises would. However, the Alltrack misses more than a third of the standard fuel consumption stated with 5,1 liters in everyday life.
What we would be at the cost: At least 38.550 Euro expensive is the higher-level four-wheel drive wagon with robust planking and 110 kW / 150 PS. That's about 3.000 Euro more than the normal four-wheel drive variant with the same engine in the comparable, average equipment Comfortline costs. For a little more gravel capability that is quite a lot of gravel. However, others in the off-road combination niche - such as the Opel Insignia Sports Tourer or the new Volvo V60 Cross Country - do not demand significantly less extra.
So it is like so often in life: Who wants to have something special, pays a surcharge (happy). Accordingly, the investment is worthwhile for anyone who does not like the estate car and SUV too much off-road vehicle, who does not like the high-legged SUV feel, but who likes the adventure look that drives both freeways and gravel roads. Or, in the figurative sense, likes to be off the beaten path.