Volkswagen Passat Alltrack 2021 Review

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack continues to occupy a niche position in the marketplace.

It stands as a premium crossover model with more rugged looks, higher ground clearance, four-wheel drive and other adventure-oriented elements that not only set it apart from the regular wagon in the Volkswagen Passat range, but from traditional SUVs in the medium and large categories.  

It’s a similar concept to the latest Subaru Outback, which is a more affordable proposition, and the incoming new Volvo V60 Cross Country that’s due here mid-year. The Audi A4 Allroad from Volkswagen’s prestige sister brand is another case in point.

Our separate pricing story details the full 2021 Volkswagen Passat range, which includes sedan and wagon body styles with two powertrains, including a new 162TSI turbo-petrol unit that also slots into the two Alltrack variants.

The standard 2021 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack 162TSI is priced at $46,990 plus on-road costs, while the Premium version tested here is much further up the line at $58,790 plus ORCs.

Standard equipment to go with the Alltrack experience includes 19-inch alloy wheels – including a full-size spare – tri-zone climate control, dynamic indicators, keyless entry and powered front seats with lumbar support.

Gear reserved for the Premium model we’re testing here includes ambient interior lighting, a larger 9.2-inch touch-screen and digital cockpit, Harman Kardon sound system, heated and ventilated front seats with massage function, a 360-degree camera and ‘Vienna’ leather seats.

The latter can be optioned in ‘Mistral’ upholstery, which is basically code for off-white – and perhaps not the ideal trim for an adventure wagon.

That said, the typical buyer of this luxo-wagon may never venture far off the beaten track, although Volkswagen it quick to mention how capable it is off-road, should you feel so inclined.

There’s decent ground clearance and a specific off-road driving mode to help with more challenging conditions, though we didn’t take it onto fire trails to test the theory during our launch drive.   

Every Passat is covered by Volkswagen Australia’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, while servicing for 162TSI will cost $1300 for the first three years and $2400 over five – based on the service packs that are available.

Among the main attractions of the 2021 Passat Alltrack 162TSI Premium are its on-board tech and safety features.

As with the recently updated Volkswagen Tiguan mid-size SUV, every Passat comes with the German car-maker’s latest IQ Drive safety suite, which now includes travel assist that brings semi-autonomous driving functionality on highways.

There’s also front assist with pedestrian monitoring, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, park assist and more.

The latest Volkswagen Passat remains under the five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing in 2015, with the latest upgrade helping to keep that high star rating relevant today. 

On our first drive of the updated model, the Matrix LED headlights were found to be simply mind-blowing when driving at night. With Dynamic Light Assist activated – working in similar fashion to automatic high beam – the Passat’s front camera is able to detect oncoming vehicles and even reflective road signs, switching off certain LEDs (there’s up to 61 LEDs per headlight) so you don’t blind oncoming vehicles, cars ahead of you or yourself, when the lights beam off a sign.

Similar to the Matrix LED system found on certain Audi models, you can actively see the lights moving around and blocking out cars while keeping the left side of the road lit. And when you’re all alone on a dark country road, they open like curtains in front of you, almost turning night into day.

For those that regularly travel on dimly-lit or dark roads, these headlights are worth their weight in gold. Best not to think about how much they’ll cost to replace later on, though. 

Inside the cabin, the interior lighting is also ridiculously bright and the selectable colour ambient interior lighting is the cherry on top. 

Up front, both the driver and passenger get electric seat adjustment with lumbar and massage function, although there’s only one massage choice – on or off – as opposed to other vehicles that allow you to select massage style and intensity.

It only provides a subtle feel, but you’ll know it’s on when you hear the seat whirring beneath you.

We’ve established that safety and tech are high points of the 2021 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack Premium, and now let us add that performance from the new 162TSI powertrain is similarly strong.

This is a revised version of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that’s used in the brand’s smaller Mk7 Golf GTI hot hatch, with power slightly tuned down to 162kW, but with the same 350Nm of torque.

There’s more than enough grunt on tap for this application, and it’s even able to push your back into the seat with some force when you pin the throttle.

It’s mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, with drive sent to all four corners via Volkswagen’s 4MATIC four-wheel drive system. There’s still that initial DSG lag and even some low-speed hesitation on occasion, but overall the 162TSI powertrain is all but faultless.

Power is delivered hard and fast, favouring middling to high revs, with short, sharp shifts that are barely noticeable.

With handling that feels more hot hatch than family hauler, the Passat’s dynamics are impressive. Steering is direct and it sits flat as a tack, even when you throw it into a corner.

Cabin noise is minimal and road imperfections do nothing to shake its confidence on-road, with a steady and sure-footed feel about it.

Even in its sportiest settings, bumps and potholes are well dampened, with the cabin absent of any sharp or jarring hits.

As for fuel consumption, it’s not far off the mark, either. Our tester averaged 8.8L/100km over the course of a week, driving on country, highway and suburban roads. For context, Volkswagen claims it’ll use 8.1L/100km on the official combined cycle. 

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack 162TSI Premium comes with a beautifully presented cabin.

Everything from the brushed aluminium dash inlays to the carpet-lined door pockets, it’s such a pleasant place to be.

The driver’s seat can be set low for a more engaging feel, and no matter what position you settle on, there’s great vision in every direction thanks to large glass windows.

A selection of drive modes is at your fingertips – Normal, Eco, Comfort, Sport, Individual and, unique to the Alltrack variants, Off-road – but there’s no air suspension for ride height changes.

Still, there’s plenty of fun to be had thanks to steering-mounted shift paddles and the ability to quickly switch off features (at the press of a button) that can prove annoying at times, such as engine stop-start and lane keeping assist.

As we noted in our recent drive of the updated Tiguan, the once-intrusive driver assist systems on Volkswagen models seem to have been toned down a bit, making it feel more like the driver is in control, rather than the car. And rightly so. 

In the rear seat compartment, the middle position should still prove comfortable for a medium-sized adult, but the 40/20/40-split bench seat (with remote fold-down via the boot) is better suited to just two adults.

It’s worth noting that the large panoramic sunroof fitted to the Alltrack 162TSI Premium doesn’t seem to hinder headroom, and legroom is decent too.

As for other rear seat amenities, there’s ISOFIX points on the outer seats, a centre arm rest with two cup holders, decent-sized door pockets and temperature control.

Under the rear air vents, a small lid opens upwards to reveal USB-C and 12-volt power outlets – handy, but it’s in the prime location for a centre seat passenger to kick the lid clean off, so the jury’s out on how long it’ll remain intact.

The boot deserves a special mention, with a generous 650 litres of cargo space – or 1780L when the rear seat is folded. It’s huge, and still manages to fit a full-size spare tyre under the carpeted floor tray.

There’s also an electric tailgate, as well as large storage binnacles on either side and shopping bag hooks – all of which add up to a cargo area in the Passat Alltrack that’s just as practical and roomy as many traditional SUVs.

At more than $60,000 once on-road costs and metallic paint options are factored in, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack 162TSI Premium looks expensive next to the top-spec new-generation Subaru Outback listed at $47,790 plus ORCs.

But Volkswagen has never gone after massive sales volume with the Alltrack, and its premium positioning also acts as a drawcard compared to prestige brands with models along similar lines that are much pricier.

In isolation, the Passat Alltrack Premium is a really cool wagon that’s loaded with features and should really give SUV buyers something to think about.

It doesn’t ride as high, but it does offer similar levels of cabin space and has lashings of luxury and technology.

It’ll handle better too, and if off-roading isn’t a priority, it might just be the soft-roader you were really looking for in the first place.    

How much does the 2021 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack 162TSI Premium cost?
Price: $58,790 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 162kW/350Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 8.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 186g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2015)

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