The Passat GTE is described by many testers as being two cars in one. It can be a zero-emission practical electric car or it can be a very capable long distance cruiser – albeit one that isn’t as economical as the diesel versions of the Passat on longer motorway drives.
It’s powered by a 1.4-litre petrol engine that’s helped by an electric motor developing 115hp. The transition between electric and petrol power is described as seamless and it is incredibly quiet in the cabin.
The hybrid Passat costs more money to buy than an equivalent diesel-powered one, but the costs of ownership are much lower, especially if you live or work in a big city, because it can drive 30 miles on electric power alone.
The Passat GTE shares the same cabin as the regular Passat and that’s a good thing, because the Passat has one of the best interiors in its class – great build quality, soft-to-the-touch materials and an overall feeling of robustness. New additions inside are the energy gauge that shows information about the hybrid system, a sporty-feeling flat-bottomed steering wheel, a different gearknob and new seat trims. The GTE can also be equipped with the impressive virtual cockpit – a large computer screen that can show the speedo dials and a giant sat-nav map in the place of the regular instruments.
Volkswagen Passat GTE passenger space
- The Passat GTE offers excellent accommodation for all passengers and class-leading levels of space. There is room for three tall adults in the rear seats and space is equally impressive in the front with supportive seats hugging you in all the right places.
Volkswagen Passat GTE boot spaceDespite the batteries now taking up all the boot’s underfloor cargo there is still plenty of luggage room with the estate version having 650 litres of space – almost as much as the bigger Mercedes E-Class Estate.
Driving
Silent in the city and comfortable on the motorway
The addition of the batteries and electric motor means the Passat GTE weighs 350kg more than a diesel version of the Passat. The added weight is almost unnoticeable, however, because the extra weight is low in the car. This lowered centre of gravity improves the way the Passat GTE drives – critics say it is more involving than non-GTE Passats and the direct steering makes it almost enjoyable to drive – and it’s not often you can say that about a Passat!
In the city the Passat GTE can move silently on electric power and the suspension copes very well with potholes. However, testers complained about a jerky gearshift between first and second gear, but that is the only notable criticism the Passat GTE gets.
Out on the motorway the Passat GTE is very quiet, relaxed and comfortable. The 1.4-litre engine can barely be heard and the electric motor provides impressive overtaking abilities.
Powering the Passat GTE is a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine developing 165hp and an electric motor producing another 115hp. With a combined power output of 215hp (the way electric motors and petrol engines work means you can’t just add their power figures together), the Passat GTE can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in a brisk 7.6 seconds and tops out at 140mph.
Even better is the combined fuel economy advertised by VW – 176mpg, but you would struggle to come close to that in real-world driving. It has an all-electric range of up to 31 miles at speeds of up to 81mph.
Charging the batteries takes 4 hours and 15 minutes on a regular 240V household socket and 2 hours and 30 minutes if you install the optional 360V wallbox.
Safety
Very safe
The regular Passat received five stars from Euro NCAP with a respectable 87 percent score at child occupant protection. The GTE, being almost identical, we expect will be just as safe.
The GTE, like the regular Passat, is filled to the brim with safety systems such as traction control, stability control, LED headlights, blind spot alert and pedestrian monitoring systems.
The traffic assist is an optional feature that will brake, accelerate and even steer for you in traffic jams up to a speed of 25mph.