2024 Volkswagen Passat previewed

Volkswagen has released the most comprehensive preview of its ninth-generation Volkswagen Passat so far – and the German brand has confirmed the long-running mid-size passenger car will be sold exclusively as a wagon for the first time in its 50-year history dating back to 1973.

Set to measure 4917mm long (+144mm), 1852mm wide (+20mm) and 1482mm tall, the new VW Passat will be bigger than any of its predecessors and technically strays into large-car territory with a wheelbase of 2841mm (+50mm).

Cargo capacity behind the rear seats has improved drastically as a result of the bigger proportions and is now up to 690 litres (+40L), expanding to 1920 litres (+140L) when the second row is folded flat.

The increased size has been clear to see for a while now thanks to the bountiful number of undisguised prototypes seen in spy images that’ve come out of Europe over the past year or so, and it’s emphasised further by the new Passat’s guppy front fascia.

It’s clear from both the spy images and official teasers that Volkswagen is trying to align the Passat more closely with the next-generation Tiguan mid-size SUV, both in terms of design and technology, given the two models will share the same MQB Evo architecture and the bulk of their powertrains.

As per the Tiguan, the new Passat will be offered globally with the choice of petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains good for up to 200kW.

The PHEVs are said to offer up to 120km of electric-only driving range and be capable of being DC fast-charged, however, exact battery specifications are yet to be announced.

Inside the cabin, the dash will be ruled by a 12.9-inch infotainment interface that can be optionally upgraded to a widescreen 15-inch display, alongside a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster for the driver.

Adaptive dampers and Matrix LED headlights will also be offered as optional extras.

The future of the Passat in Australia has been under a cloud for the best part of a year now as SUV sales continue to soar at the expense of passenger vehicles, forcing Volkswagen Australia to weigh up its options.

Volkswagen previously said a decision would be reached by March, but the latest word from the brand’s local division is that the Passat’s future Down Under is still uncertain given the Passat sedan – which has been axed globally – has traditionally been more popular than its five-door stablemate.

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