Volkswagen Passat R-Line Wagon 2021 review | is the 206TSI VW’s best car? | Chasing Cars

[@chasingcars]

Let's indulge in this thoroughly underrated family truckster.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

Ooooohh yea! I'm totally overindulging 🥰 Thanks for bringing this one out of the closet Tom. 😃

[@danielnewman248]

So, need more space, this or a Superb 206 Sportline? This will be replacing a current B9 A4 Quattro (which despite its external dimensions is tiny inside). Anything else I should look at?

[@chasingcars]

This. Better damped than Superb on our roads. Both good cars but Passat edges it out.

[@danielnewman248]

@@chasingcars cheers! Might depend on the deal + I think the Superb might end up a bit cheaper….

[@akswalia6588]

​@@danielnewman248 @Chasing Cars i negotiated our 140tsi businessline passat down to 43k driveway at Castle Hill Volkswagen! The MSRP is far from the true selling price of these things! (At least in my experience!). P.S why doesn't hyundai make those damn stingers and sonatas in a shooting brake variant?!?!?!?!

[@CarSauce]

Wagon = Instant Best Car

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

We need to see this one with a squirt of Matt's Special Sauce 😋

[@CarSauce]

@@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt 💦🥺

[@KenanTurkiye]

Top Comment ! (fellow wagon-lover)

[@felixgustavoduarte2070]

Mate this is your best review I’ve seen so far, great explanation about the suspension and steering behaviour and feeling. Having a kid and another coming , think this will replace my Golf R 7.5.

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, Felix! Good upgrade from your Golf, I think.

[@kevildub]

Why not a used S4, say 3 to 4 years old? Similar money and you get and 6 cylinder turbo and better torsen AWD system. This Passat looks like a very nice car but it would be essentially the same drivetrain as your Golf R. In fact, it would almost be a step backward as it has the older 6 speed DSG as opposed to the 7 speed in your golf R. Just a suggestion 🙂.

[@kevildub]

@@einfelder8262 the massive $$ savings from letting someone else wear the depreciation? My current daily driver is a second hand VAG car. Bought it out of warranty and have put 40k km on it with no issues. Find the right car from the right seller and you'll be fine.

[@kevildub]

@@einfelder8262 I never said anyone was short on money. Was just making the point that for a similar cost you could try another car. Also, from my experience, it is often the most well off who are the most sensible with their money. Just cause someone is cheap, doesn't mean they're poor.

[@igorsrbinovski8975]

Don't do it! I went from my Golf R 7 hatch to a Golf R 7.5 wagon when the kids arrived, best decision ever. Feels exactly the same just much more practical. Heaps of space, panoramic roof & just a bit more refined.

[@BV90PSK]

I have the 162 Elegance R Line and it is an amazing car. Plenty of power, plenty of space, quality interior with a lot of tech, and it drives much better than any SUV. Great review guys! 👌🏼

[@chasingcars]

Awesome! If you don't need AWD, that's a good way to save nearly 10K.

[@kenlawton1531]

Absolutely love my 2017 R-line 206 wagon, it's outstanding and just eats up country roads. Fantastic car, easily the best I've owned, and that's coming from a previous F30 BMW owner.

[@angeloudy]

How do you compare it with BMW F30? I own a bmw 330i wagon, handling is quite nice, but space is a bit limited.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

All the benefits of an SUV and then some without any of the negatives. Maybe VW are sticking with wagons in the knowledge they will be the next big thing when the SUV trend fades away?

[@chasingcars]

Possibly. With 14 different wagons currently on sale in Australia from the VW Group they must see some value in it.

[@redwhite_040]

@@chasingcars 14 wagons ? Even VAG doesn't have that much in Europe. Let sum up. Seat Leon ST Skoda Fabia Skoda Octavia Skoda Superb VW GOLF VW Passat Audi A4 Audi A6 Porsche Panamera

[@joetioeb]

@@redwhite_040 VW Arteon shooting brake, Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

[@balensydney]

You guys give so many great real world details about the cars…. Another great review.

[@rodneyfriend7163]

Good review Tom. I have a mark 7.5 Golf R with the 7 speed DSG and my wife has a mark 6 Golf GTI with the 6 speed DSG. You’re dead right about the advantage in Oz of the 6 speed over the 7. Both cars have a Stage 1 APR edit and 6 speeds is all you need. In fact the edit on the Golf R rarely selects the 7th speed! Love your informative videos.

[@liam_edward_brennan_dop]

Great review, I appreciated seeing homesick by ADTR on the stereo :D

[@redhunterandgatherer2367]

I have owned an R Line for 2 years..Thoroughly enjoy this Passat...Great driving...All the style you need...and a practical family car..

[@philipbrown2716]

Pick mine up on Monday. Lapiz Blue. Thanks for the great video!

[@kingjulian1549]

My wife bought a 206TSI Wagon demo in 2018. We paid $50K for it. It has been a truly awesome car for that money. I couldn't think of anything better. Superb on a long drive. My wife's only beef is that it is white which is a little boring especially compared to Lapiz blue of this test car. It now has 47k on the odo. No rattles, nothing has fallen off and it has been completely reliable. Won't be getting rid of it any time soon.

[@wagonconvert1671]

Lucky to have a 2018.5 Passat Alltrack 140TDi Luxury - last of breed. A brilliant tourer with all the benefits of an SUV without the downside. At the time considered Sportage/Tucson/Tiguan. The Passat was a no brainer @ just over 50k drive away on runout. The diesel is a country road stormer with 400Nm from 1700rpm. Very comfortable seats which really matters when you regularly do 1300km in 2 days. Non urban range is typically 1300 kms or more. Closer to 1000 kms if urban driving is included. Long term fuel consumption averages 6.1l/100km. While not as high riding as an SUV the alltrack is easier to enter/exit than the normal variant and has never bottomed out or scraped on our dreadful roads, even fully loaded. Best car I’ve ever owned and I’ve had a few over nearly 50 years. Great review Tom but a pity diesel is being dropped by most manufacturers in the passenger car space. Australia is one country where they make a lot of sense.

[@gregorypryce7494]

Great review. I recently purchased the close cousin to this car, a Skoda Sportline Wagon. I'd be interested to watch a review on how these two wagons compare to each others as they share so much of their DNA.

[@Thisonegoestoeleven666]

Good choice mate. I've got the Ver 3.5 Octavia RS wagon and I love it.

[@ricad58]

Hi, 12 months on are you still happy with the Skoda? I am in two minds about the Passat or the Skoda (Passat being more expensive) Thanks

[@gian-paolomenin7131]

Tom I just put a deposit on this wagon largely on the back of your review. I have driven the new RS Octavia wagon and then the Passat 206. I did previously drive the Stinger too. The Passat ticks almost every box and is good value compared to other competitors mentioned in your review. The BMW 330 is $30k more new with fewer choices due to lack of stock. I’ll pick up an FY22 in manganese Grey which also adds DAB radio in November. Thanks

[@johnedds2327]

Tom, as a previous owner of an A4,S3 and V6TT, I would certainly purchase the Passat R-Line. It's almost all things to all people and a great alternative to an SUV. I currently drive a Golf and a T-Cross and even the T Cross displays the sort of calm on B roads at speeds up to 140k. Thanks for your objective review.

[@chasingcars]

No problem, John. You have had a good string of cars there.

[@johngibson9463]

Speeds up to 140kph?. And writers on these forums complain that speed limits are only a revenue earner. Sure.

[@mussinata8133]

Awesome review, thanks for sharing ;) [Mate, I don't know if AUS specs are different, but I think the clutch it's a 7 speed DSG, not 6]

[@mtozzy11]

Great car, had a r36 wagon, traded it for a Touareg, and now seriously considering trading it for the v8 r Wolfsburg edition. Have had a chance to drive the new passat and it was lovely. VW can do up market very well, have a few VWs 2001 Bora 4motion V6, 2017 Touareg 180 tdi, 2015 amarok highline and a 2020 crafter 50 LWB cab chassis. Love my dubs, and your very right about the handling and chassis tune of the cars, I know the roads your on my neck of the woods, great if you like to drive and have the car to do it

[@chasingcars]

Just had a look, Michael - there is just one "new" Touareg V8 TDI Wolfsburg remaining, a 3,000km demo, priced at $183,500 driveaway - about a 30k markup! Jeepers.

[@mtozzy11]

@@chasingcars Jesus suffer and fuck where abouts

[@geoffward3346]

Great review. I will be upgrading from my Passat 2011 V6 to this car when the time is right. Second hand of course.

[@mitchellsharman1818]

Moist! Love the review - own a 2009 Passat and I’ve grown up and this might be the ideal replacement (was eyeing the Alltrack and now you do this…). It’s great to hear that VW have dialed this in, it’s one of the things I love about my current Passat is that it’s so comfy to drive, but so compliant when you want to push it some, and I’m only punting a 2.0 TDi! Super review as always, really loving your channel, and love the fact you’re rocking the Seamaster - after driving a weapon like this, it might be time to grab a Speedmaster! Keep up the awesome work mate.

[@ryant2568]

An updated version of the R36 from a few years ago. A practical, good-looking wagon with mental performance.

[@chasingcars]

Good analogy.

[@ghadiromran3146]

based on your great review of this car, i went and drove it. You are pretty spot on with everything. Very comfortable drive. Put it in sport and it goes. Wagon practicality is unbeatable. Im buying one.

[@scotthoward5114]

Great review. The car looks great and sounds like a lovely drive. Impressive.

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, Scott.

[@BlameGamerOfficial]

I wonder if the Golf R Line would take that crown as the next best.

[@アキュラ-p5j]

Only if it has multi link suspension. Passat is under appreciated.

[@wasdwasdwwasd]

I think all AU Golfs have the multi link.

[@chasingcars]

As for what second-best would be, it'd be hard to pick between the Polo GTI (lovely, refined little all-rounder, that car), the Touareg V8 or the V6 Adventure (both pretty much sold out). New Golf is growing on me, but it is probably number 3 or 4.

[@zubairsheikh6067]

@5:12 i agree with your approach. why fix something if its not broken

[@ramonignaciogarcia8638]

Thanks great review and has helped me make up my mind.

[@TheHenryHo14]

I got a 2016 206TSI wagon. Me and my wife enjoy it everyday on the road. it makes us very hard to find another wagon for an upgrade. I have been waiting for this Facelife, but it just doesn’t have much improvement from the last one, especially the fake exhaust doesn’t suits the 206 characteristics. But I still look forward to the B9 Passat wagon

[@chasingcars]

B9 will be interesting, though I have a feeling I'll miss the elegant styling of the B8.

[@joem1066]

When is the B9 coming?

[@nxau120]

Hope you get your hands on the Golf R Line soon, it's gas such great materials for seating, would be nice to hear what you think of it overall.

[@アキュラ-p5j]

Defitnitely the better trim in Aus, at least based on the VW brochure.

[@chasingcars]

Driving one at the moment, actually, in preparation for a video next week.

[@lt.seantopperharley6369]

@@chasingcars Great, will be tuning in for that one.

[@NLDMesa06]

Superb review! If this car was sold in the US market, I'd buy one tomorrow.

[@chasingcars]

If only! My understanding is that the US-market Passat isn't as good.

[@ClubmanGT1971]

Brilliant review. I have a Superb Sportline Wagon. Magnificent, old school, long travel, sports suspension. Don’t know why people buy SUV’s when these are available. I might look at the Passat in a couple of years or a new Superb.

[@water2299]

Great review as always! Good job! Also I noticed you’ve minimised “that being said” 😀

[@danielmason5876]

Amazing choice of audio AD2R is all time !

[@MisterWrench]

Really liked this video. Now subbed. Currently looking for a replacement to my 2020 Golf R due to getting a big dog. This is looking like the pick, and I can keep the Lapiz Blue I’ve got now.

[@DukeBen316663]

Love the mini comparison you made with the Audi, Merc, BMW and stablemate Alltrack 162tsi Tom. Really distilled the differences there in quick time. Well done!

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, Ben! No doubt I spend a disproportionate amount of time thinking about wagons.

[@DukeBen316663]

@@chasingcars I tried to talk a mate into an Octavia Ambition wagon recently ahead of comparable SUVs….no luck 😢.

[@chasingcars]

That’s a shame. As Johnny’s review of the Octavia Ambition (published today) makes clear, it’s a brilliant car at 33k.

[@DukeBen316663]

@@chasingcars will be watching that momentarily!

[@ehudk215]

I drive a Tesla Mode 3, and the dual wireless chargers work perfectly. Even though I drive the Performance version which has brutal acceleration, the phones never move…

[@chasingcars]

Yes, the felt-lined wireless chargers are good.

[@SvenTheSveed]

Versatile, comfortable, reasonable turn of pace when needed, yep it all looks good.

[@scollyutube]

I had one 4 years ago before swapping to the 7.5 Golf R. It was a great car, had everything in it, way more spec than the Golf and still was cheaper! Only thing it should have by now Tom is the 7 speed box as helps the fuel economy on long trips.

[@chasingcars]

Great to hear your experience! Personally, I am a fan of the 6-speed DSG. Feels more driveable - it's in the right gear much more of the time in my experience. But yeah, the highway fuel consumption is a bit high. Cruises at 2,500rpm…

[@scollyutube]

@@chasingcars yes, Golf R with similiar motor drops that way below 2000rpm. An advantage over the Skoda Octavia 206 is the VW has the progressive steering too, which only the VRS Skoda's have.

[@chasingcars]

Over the Superb 206TSI? Great point, I hadn't thought of that.

[@snapjenk]

To be clear. The new Golf R is not a sub 4 second car for its 0-100. Its claimed by VW to be 4.7s but I have seen some reviews in the lower 4's

[@ThePaultap]

A very good in-depth review of this car.

[@frozenragu]

Just wish theyd kept the analogue clock. Also the front passenger footwell is intruded by the wheel arch so your left leg / foot doesn't sit as comfortably as it does in other cars which have an unimpeded footwell

[@hackgolfer7352]

Great review. Can this take a towbar? TIA

[@LET005]

I love the separate heater controls, not integrated into the radio. The full sized spare wheel is another great advantage. VW are great cars and this 206 TSI is a great example. I own an R36, and wouldn't swap it for anything less.

[@chasingcars]

It just works, which is the point.

[@TheMafroman]

Hi Tom. Just bought this car unseen and largely based on this review, love it and thanks for the steer! Question… did you have any troubles engaging launch control? I’ve had several dsg cars and never had an issue? Thanks!

[@michaelpickford7298]

Love our 2019 206 r line, had to convince the wife that we can downsize from a SUV but now she won't trade the comfort for anything else. Wolf in sheep clothing, true family car.

[@chasingcars]

They are great cars.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

Hot wagons are cool. I was soooo hoping we would get the VW Arteon R Shooting Brake. It's like this car but turned up to 11 🤩

[@chasingcars]

Yeah, sadly it looks like the Arteon R won’t happen for us. Still, the VW Group are to be commended for the fact they offer 14 wagons in Australia despite the niche audience. They clearly care about these vehicles.

[@phoratio]

It looks like they're bringing the Excellence and the R-line here... What's the difference between R and R-line?

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

​@@phoratio If the other brands and models are anything to go by the '-line' part means 'not quite'. It's a model down, usually has similar looks to it's R big brother in wheels and trim bits without the performance stuff. 'All dressed up and nowhere fast to go' so to speak...

[@phoratio]

@@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt Thanks - makes sense. Yeah, looks like it's a difference of 37kw (50 bhp), but otherwise has the similar running gear.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

@@phoratio As for the price difference some models aren't too bad but in others the price per extra bhp is questionable. Personally (and because I'm a bit of an idiot) I will take the R over the R-Line simply because I like horsepower and have a maybe misguided belief that the top of the range models have better resale value and attractiveness if one intends on keeping them for a long time.

[@Damo1998]

Can't wait for the i30 n review sure to come soon :)

[@chasingcars]

Can't wait to drive it!

[@topher.m]

Love the new lens (or colour grading) 👌🏼

[@andrekleyn727]

Great review. I like your style. Makes a lot of sense 🤠.

[@inmypaants]

I checked the VW Australia website and it has the Passat listed as coming soon … is this the newest model or is there a newer version coming soon? I’m considering a purchase and can hold off if a totally new model is coming very soon (next 3 months)

[@DonutGuy-2000]

Can you compare this to the Skoda Superb Sportsline

[@chasingcars]

That would be an interesting one.

[@derekharvey5257]

Road noise level on the b-grade surfaces? Sounded a bit boomy while you were speaking, but could have been the mike setup

[@kodessa]

This is a super duper nice wagon, but i'm too much of an old man to forfeit hardware buttons. So i'd buy 2017-2018 R-Line and make do with the older tech in it.

[@chasingcars]

R-Lines from that vintage are actually quite reasonably priced from my research.

[@Mac-kd1qu]

The 6 speed sits at 2,500 rpm at 110kph.....I think it does need the 7 speed to drop the revs and increase fuel economy. Otherwise a great package.

[@indetailcarcaresolutions3770]

Some interesting thoughts Tom. Funnily enough Skoda has not been mentioned once in your review. For size the Octavia comes within a whisker of the Passat’s measurements. While the Superb 206TSI 4x4 is bigger again. Maybe a comparison of VAG 206 4x4 is on the cards. Keep up the great work. Lloyd

[@dragospahontu]

Škoda is softer than Volkswagen

[@australiasun00]

Great review Tom. Can you review the 162TSI passat wagon which is $10K cheaper whose price sort of competes with Tiguan 162TSI?

[@stonchong]

What are your thoughts of this vs the a4 avant for a little more money, and the S4 avant for substantially more money?

[@msjp81]

I keep telling my wife her B8 Comfortline is one of the best. Being heavy and fwd has some shortcomings, obviously this deals with most of those, but it still handles admirably, super comfortable and was very affordable when it was new (from a dealer that had it in their stock for far too long and wanted it gone)

[@chasingcars]

They really are great cars, no matter what trim. R-Line is simply the best of a great lot.

[@dragospahontu]

I also have one and it is not outstanding, but good at everything car. I prefer it over a Camry.

[@robertceroli3512]

Looks like it's a reasonable height not low slung so ease of entry and exit unlike the stinger which I found hard to enter and exit and I'm average height 6.2

[@chasingcars]

Perfectly comfortable but I don’t have a bad back etc etc

[@BubbleOBill2]

Tom's statement that there are four exhaust pipes underneath is incorrect. My brand new wagon has two pipes lurking beneath, one on each side - you can even see them in the video here.

[@farran5692]

Great review!! I understood that the price in AUS of this Passat is around 70k AUS dollars, is that right? That is equivalent to €45K, here in Spain, with this amount of money you can only buy the 2.0tsi version, 140kw. If this is correct, is VW cheating European customers? What are the reasons for this big price difference? Fines for CO2 and emissions? Different trading strategies? Are the car prices, in general, lower in Australia than in Europe? Thanks and best regards from Spain.

[@peterwhalley879]

Pricing up wagons at the moment and looking at the 206tsi wagon vs the Skoda Superb Sportline wagon. Pricing is close once you option a roof in the Skoda but also looking long term ownership over 4 to 5 years. In your opinion, what is the better vehicle?

[@loun7457]

Great review! Realistically what do you think is best haggle price at dealer? I'm never one to just pay RRP drive away.

[@Daniel-dg3np]

Maybe discounts are possible again in 4-6 months.

[@wasdwasdwwasd]

Great overview of the 206. It's the car I wish I had owning the 132. I know they're not direct competitors but for similar money would you get a Stinger GT or is this more your style?

[@chasingcars]

Stinger is a great car with huge potential - but in some areas it’s a little rough round the edges. My lifestyle suits a wagon anyway, so I’d prefer the Passat. Would be cool if Genesis were doing a six cylinder version of the G70 wagon on the Stinger platform, but it looks like they aren’t.

[@copuis]

as an owner of a TDI passat, three things make me sad about the current passat the lack of the diesel, in that wagon, it makes sense, on the highway, (due to the mass of torque on tap) you can drive with purpose and briskness in the TDI's, and your not copping a huge increase in fuel use around town (i often average 6.7l) driving the same way in the TSI's puts that well into the teens (on highway it lopes along in diesel form and sub 5's is easy) i wish they would bring the TDI's back, they have them in europe the second thing, is so damn minor, but its also right in your face, and that is the clock, which on the new models is a glossy square with the words passat, while the clock useful, but also, a nice touch of class, (and the current one just isn't doing anything with that space) and the last, the cup holders in the rear, i am sure it has been done for a reason, but the old one, that centre armrest was an unbroken, comfortable armrest, with the cupholders retractable the old design is better suited for those that only have adults in the rear, (and on a long (plus 5 hour) drive, that small difference makes a difference) i understand that for those with children, the current set up is more robust, and great for kids. and in my case, i'd prefer the older style

[@adrianbugeja1447]

Mare is it better than the new Arteon shooting break?

[@hechyesspee]

Hi Tom, great review as always. Intersting comment about 6 speed Vs 7 speed. I'm looking for a wagon and I've shortlisted Skoda Superb Sportline and Volvo V60 Cross country (2022). Your review has made me think about the VW Passat. If I were loooking for somthing under 80k which among these 3 would you suggest?

[@chasingcars]

I'm waiting to drive the V60 Cross Country (next month!) before I make that call, but I can tell you the Passat will be sportier and probably more fun to drive. The Volvo should make a great cruiser with some soft-roading ability.

[@Iwishiwasflying]

Dont discount the Supurb Sportline. Same engine and a great vehicle to drive.

[@jasonstock242]

My 2017 Skoda Superb 206 is a carbon copy of this car !! I’m due to update and just can’t find anything any better !!!

[@chrisjohnson5776]

VW finally woke up to their own Skoda brand. My 5yo Superb has cooled front seats, heated rear seats, more niceties, cheaper (and less boring sculptured exterior in my opinion). All the rest here is what I would expect in evolution updating.

[@chasingcars]

How has the Superb been over that time?

[@jasonstock242]

@@chasingcars has been extremely good, some minor issues with interior chrome that where delta with by Skoda was thinking a Kodiak RS petrol but the real value seems to be in the Superb

[@adamchampion7946]

Great review but I’m now even sadder to have had to sell my white 2017 206. It had Mich PZero 4s and was an absolute joy to drive. Maybe a new one in blue is the go! Just need no sun roof given tallness.

[@chasingcars]

Great cars and the Pilot Sport 4S swap would have been good.

[@timmarks8941]

The Passat is the car enthusiast dad car.

[@larjkok1184]

The father of a car enthusiast?

[@timmarks8941]

@@larjkok1184 exactery

[@chasingcars]

Quite right. Smart dad, or mum, that one.

[@simc5512]

Good review. What do you prefer the new R line 162 tsi five seat Tiguan or this ?

[@chasingcars]

I prefer the Passat. It’s quicker, even more planted and you can tell it’s a higher quality product. The Tiguan 162TSI is definitely a cool SUV, though.

[@simc5512]

@@chasingcars cool! Is that even knowing the fact you get HUD and a 7 speed in the Tiggy!? I’m trying to decide at the moment. Dealer tells me tiggy r line in right hand drive is being suspended for a while due to parts issues where as Passat won’t have the same problem. Both could be rare cars in their own right

[@bedwyr84]

Love my 2019 model

[@siyaanadvith6608]

@chasing cars, can we please have arteon my22 review.

[@colhutchins]

How about a Passat wagon vs mk8 golf R wagon episode?

[@wayne_kurr]

A day to remember ❤

[@wacs6308]

Hi Tom. How do you rate the suspension and handling of the 162TSI Elegance compared to the 206TSI?

[@chasingcars]

A bit softer, a bit more roll - it rides higher and doesn't have R-Line spring settings. Even better distance cruiser.

[@94vrcommodore]

I have to agree with you with the best VW they’ve made. I’m not a fan of the new interior of the golf with the aircon controls in the infotainment or the nob gear shift. I like the previous interior which the Passat keeps and I prefer wagons and sedans over SUVs

[@chasingcars]

It all comes off as rather classic, and rather expensive.

[@fredcilia8219]

Question is go for the this Passat or wait for the upcoming golf r wagon which probably has more character?

[@chasingcars]

Personally, I prefer the interior (and refinement) of the Passat, though the Golf R will be quicker, louder, and has drift mode. Two different cars, something for everybody. Then there’s the Arteon wagon as well.

[@65strad]

really nicely presented

[@davidperry3531]

Those slider HVAC controls set low in the centre console behind the gear lever, would be awkward to operate on the move.

[@chasingcars]

Not as good as the old hardware dials, but noticeably better than being integrated into the touchscreen, because at least there is a dedicated control of some kind.

[@saxonbell6721]

Bought a R36 wagon in 2009 Bought a BMW 330i touring in 2016 ………. Passat 206 r line or golf r wagon next? They will be so similar price wise.

[@angeloudy]

I also own a 330i wagon, and now considering this passat. But I don't think it would be better than 330i except the boot space. Sadly BMW is not making 5 series wagon anymore

[@AKA001]

Regarding the phone charging, you can always buy a good fast wireless charger pad that plugs into USB-C. There are some good devices available that properly hold the phone in place and charge adequately.

[@chasingcars]

Good idea.

[@johngibson9463]

@10.41 is car being driven on wrong side of road. Tom said it was his favorite 'country road', so unlikely to be a dual carriage-way.

[@chasingcars]

No… that’s a dual carriageway. The B-roll doesn’t always match the precise location of the piece to camera, especially in the middle of a pandemic when travel is limited (as was the case when this video was filmed and published)

[@malcolmscott4150]

Brilliant review Tom and agree but do baulk a bit at price and 508 wagon would be my first choice I think however in this spec tempting for sure although 330i a tempting estate as well - maybe time for chasing cars comparison 🙏👍

[@chasingcars]

Yeah, I'm very drawn to the 330i Touring. I am considering ordering one for myself - however, I was a little horrified to find that consecutive price increases mean that even a relatively modestly optioned example is about $100k driveaway. That's a lot for a four-pot 3 Series.

[@goran2009]

It just looks awesome, both wife and petrol heads should be happy!!! Cant wait for Arteon wagon to arrive!!!

[@msjp81]

It will be much the same car for a price premium.

[@chasingcars]

Will be interesting to see if there is any noticeable difference behind the wheel. There could be - the Arteon has more settings for the adaptive dampers.

[@Thisonegoestoeleven666]

7 speed vs. 6 speed DSG, fuel economy all the time, vs. the rare occasion you are accelerating from 110 on the highway you get a slight hesitation. No mate, that makes FA sense to the average driver on daily use. The 7 speed DSG in my Octavia RS is excellent. They are all EA888 equipped mate, just different levels of tune. If you want 220 odd kW get a Stage 1 reversible tune. Simples.

[@Benny36c91]

I have a 2018 B8 206tsi in sedan format, I absolutely love it. Personally if I could have that again in the facelift with an option for a bit more robust exhaust note to match the performance id jump on it without hesitation.

[@royalprince5878]

Fantastic car. Even it's so comfortable. I like the suspension. As long as it rides with good tyres, Passat rides really supple, not to soft either

[@lukeeysf]

“Other people’s ratty children”!!!! Tom!!! I’m dying!

[@guysolomon7904]

Gonna be honest - I like the new VW group gear selector, it's just clean.

[@cartmann227]

Excellent review. Totally agree.

[@murraysampson2501]

This model looks great, and I agree the carbon upholstery is not the best. Love my Passat Wagon.

[@chasingcars]

Scrap the carbon leather and it'd be hard to find any styling faults, IMO.

[@Gamgam4843n]

I didn't realize how quick these were the other day. Looked like a orgindary dads passat wagon until it took off. Dno why they decided to have fake exhausts but it is a bit of a sleeper thats for sure.

[@TankEngine15]

Interesting that once you add the pana roof option to a Superb Sportline and add 5 years service to the VW and Skoda siblings their price is pretty much the same. The Skoda use to have a few thousand advantage. Superb a tad bigger and VW should have better resale. Really just down to subjective criteria for the buyer. Both great cars.

[@chasingcars]

That is interesting. Skoda are often better than their Volkswagen counterpart, but that isn't the case for the Superb. The Passat rides and handles a little better and feels a bit more posh inside.

[@TankEngine15]

@@chasingcars just waiting for your Arteon Shooting Brake review at the end of the year before I make a call. 🙂

[@ibrxhimmma8962]

I WISH we got these in California man. I’m such a BIG wagon guy but unfortunately not everyone likes them and I get that, but I truly wish we got them here I’d LOVE to own an Arteon wagon

[@angusnz7910]

Had a 176kw twin turbo diesel r line wagon since 2016…lost it in a flood 2019 and replaced it with another. Honestly a very under rated wagon…and I came out of Audi wagons to this thing and won’t go back. Only thing I can’t agree with you on (and the reason I didn’t go our 206kw petrol) is the 7sp gearbox. 1800rpm at 110kph is not only more frugal, but also quieter. The fact the dsg drops a gear as quickly as the next I’ve found I’ve not touched the paddles. Yes I’ve had mine reprogrammed (224kw and 590nm) but mines used as a tourer so the 95% of the time it’s cruising so long legs have been good…but as I’m a wee bit aggressive when faced with idiot brain dead drivers I can dispatch then into the rear window quote quickly regardless of terrain…and trust 590nm means I can do it uphill as easily as down hill. As an all rounder…I rate these things. Just a pity they have a German Camry imagine here

[@_chipchip]

Good to see they have gone back to more physical buttons. Still need a volume knob! 70k is a lot for a wagon, but looks like a great bit of kit and I love the AWD layout, and the practicality. You can get a pretty nice second hand X5 for the price however…

[@johngibson9463]

Volume knob is on steer wheel. $70K is not over-priced imo. Hope you are prepared for big running costs in the X5

[@grantreid8583]

@@johngibson9463 Yes BMW oil burning junk!

[@ricad58]

I don’t think you would compare this with an X5, a better comparison would be 530i or and X Drive. Option up the BMW and it will make the Passat look cheap. VW are expensive to repair but BMW will make your eyes bleed when you see the bill!

[@CARacterReviews]

A car extremely close to my heart. I really wish it came to South Africa.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

From what I see SA is a whacky car market. You guys get really odd unique versions of certain models and do miss out on some of the cooler variants. I can't figure out why that is as SA isn't too dissimilar to the UK, Au, NZ demographic and has a huge population with a lot of middle to upper class incomes. Then the regular stuff you do have gets renamed specifically for SA only. Quite odd...

[@CARacterReviews]

@@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt you raise a very interesting point. We have a really odd car culture here. What makes us a bit different, is that the nation's wealth is quite unevely distributed. The middle class is actually quite small. With most of our country living in Poverty. Also, for reasons i cannot understand, we just don't buy estate cars. We get very few estates here. Everybody buys SUVs instead. It's such a pity. At least we get the Arteon. In non estate version. Lol

[@russellchristison8425]

Super jealous, Hmmm Passat Alltrack or this car, maybe one of each I do need a bit extra ride height though

[@chasingcars]

This one rides better than the Alltrack. Suspension more sorted.

[@rhyz27]

You lost me at sub 4s golf R. I think you meant sub 5s unless they’re coming out stage 2 from factory lol

[@ddab3659]

Nice but I’ll stick with my A5 Sportback quattro 2.0 tfsi. Still get comments on how it looks and drives like a dream

[@chasingcars]

Fair enough, the A4/A5 on the MLB platform are a step above - but they of course come at a higher price as a result.

[@Fastwunz]

I’ve got this car but with the 1.5tsi. It’s ‘fine’ but is too slow really for my tastes and when I give this one back I’ll be wanting something quicker. Beware of the buggy infotainment that plagues the VW and Skoda ranges - it’s rife