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I've had 3 Passats on the trot now, racked up some huge mileage in them. Ideal for filling with stuff, chucking bikes or kayaks on the roof, going places. Economical and reliable too.
Current ones 7 years old and 125k miles. Hardly run in, but as I use it for business (going to meetings) the company insist I change it at 8 years.
Also it's killing earth with its diesely nox emissions.
My mileage has reduced hugely in recent years as I work closer to home now (25k down to 12k a year) although if still like something reasonably economical. Space for loads is handy. Also considering going auto as fed up of shifting in jams.
So it's either another Passat (1.4tsi ?) Or something else similar. Or join the arms race and get a SUV? Drove a mates skoda Kodiaq recently which was very nice. Long way up to get bikes on the roof though!
WWSDWD?
I went from Passats to an SMax, it's massive! Now looking at the Skoda Kodiaq but I use a tow bar mounted bike rack so the height wouldn't bother me.
Get whichever one makes you feel most special.
subaru legacy or outback?.
Long way up to get bikes on the roof though!
**** you forum! Just typed out something and it disappeared - clever.
Mondeo is the obvious Passat rival i reckon. S-Max boot wasn't what I hoped as the seats dont go flush with the boot and there seemed to be many many places to fill with mud and small items. The medium SUVs I looked at all had rubbish boots compared to a Mondeo/Passat too
The skoda superb is basically a passat only a wee bit bigger and cheaper. It's available in a 1.4 petrol.
Skoda Superb estate?
If putting bikes up top a Superb Estate would be better option than a Kodiaq. Neighbour has a Kodiaq and it's a lovely car, but he doesn't have bikes 🙂
I very nearly went for a Superb Estate last Spring, but the run out deals on the A6 Avant made it a cheaper option on PCP for same engine and transmission in both.
I'm thinking of moving from a golf to a seat st.
Also it’s killing earth with its diesely nox emissions.
Ah good, someone cares about the environement..
Or join the arms race and get a SUV?
Oh, wait...
Mazda6 estate with the SkyActiv engine
Auto, economical, reliable = Toyota Auris estate in hybrid form. Not quite Passat size but still a very decent boot.
Auto, economical, reliable = Toyota Auris estate in hybrid form. Not quite Passat size but still a very decent boot
I looked at those but you can't fit a towbar afaik, so no good for my bikerack.
I looked at those but you can’t fit a towbar afaik, so no good for my bikerack.
Thule make a bike rack bracket i.e. not an actual towbar for the Toyota hybrids - or they did, but it's damn difficult to find.
Shame they don't make the civic tourer any longer. I had a 14 plate which had a massive boot - I could fit my 56cm R3 in the boot, wheels off without putting the seats down. It was very economical in 1.6 diesel format too.
Thule make a bike rack bracket i.e. not an actual towbar for the Toyota hybrids – or they did, but it’s damn difficult to find.
The only one I saw was massively expensive and limited to two bikes.
Hybrid would be good (back atcha molgrips). I know someone with a Mitsubishi SUV plug in Hybrid, I'll have a look at that too.
I know someone with a Mitsubishi SUV plug in Hybrid
I have one but it has a big diesel engine in it instead. There was a thread about why the PHEV one is not very good.
Traditional response as I drive a Skoda Superb myself - a Skoda Superb<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> )</span>
Seriously though it's huge, buy the right engine economical, mostly vw group and if your local dealer is good even more so.
I looked at Mundano (nice car, can get them to look nice but I couldn't bring myself to do it), phev (lots of cash plus interior very plastic to me) and Smax.
James
The new Volvo V90 estates look pretty sweet. I suspect they’re hideously expensive, mind. It does seem as though the estate car is disappearing into a tide of dreary SUVs, though.
I have a Superb Estate with the 1.4 Tsi 150 engine. Getting around 45mpg mixed use with 3k on the clock. Compared to my previous Octavia 1.4 hatch - much bigger in fact vast boot, a good bit quieter, noticeably faster with the 150 versus 122 1.4 engine.
Liking the variable boot floor option which gives a flat boot floor with rear seats down. And no lip. Makes loading heavy items easier is they don't need to be lifted up and over the lip. Makes a comfy seat for sitting while changing from shoes to boots. Also took the fold flat front passenger seat option so 3m lengths of wood can be carried inside the car.
And the trivial feature I like is the telescopic struts that hold the bonnet up when checking oil.
I went for the 17" all season tyre option as well though I haven't had it long enough to see how good they are on snow.
Passat Alltrack!
Don't think they do a petrol one, though.
Edit, oh, I like those Volvo estates too. But, expensive, yes.
out of interest do any estates offer a middle seat that folds separately, or are they all 60:40? My current car (signum) has it, and its handy for getting a bike in without folding actual usable seats down (goes in upright, front wheel off only, bars on the roof)
Got a 7 seater kodiaq, with a tow bar. It works really well for a family of 4 and is beautiful to drive. Useless for us now with 5 (7 seats but only two take child seats). It'll be for sale in early September. 2.0tsi, edition 20k miles. Oil burning is so passe.
kodiaq's middle, middle, seat folds separately to the rest of the row.
I went from an old Passat estate (58) to new golf estate (65) and they’re pretty much the same size.
Just get another passat. They're mint
Passat, Mondeo and Superb / Octavia's were all on my short list but very happy with my Toyota Avensis Estate. Or Sports Tourer in Toyota speak!
Good level of kit, loads of space and long warranty nudged it to the top of my list. 60:40 rear split.
And the trivial feature I like is the telescopic struts that hold the bonnet up when checking oil.
wow? have all cars not had that for decades? Our 10 year old VW Caddy has a bonnet that stays up.
Couldn't bring yourself to buy a Ford but drive a Skoda? Can not compute.....
I was looking for a big estate a while back and there were some killer deals on the current Audi A6 Avante. Having poked around in the other VAG brands I was underwhelmed by VW to say the least. Might be worth having a look at the Hyundai i40 as my mate has one and thinks it's great. Handsome thing too IMO. Saying that, you can't really go wrong with the decent sized estates. V90, Mondeo, Superb, Passat, i40, A6, 5 Series, Kia..... Drive all the ones you can be bothered to and pick one. There's not a bad car among them just different levels of nice/expense.
My wife got involved in the car debate so we're getting another SUV now. Boo.
wow? have all cars not had that for decades? Our 10 year old VW Caddy has a bonnet that stays up.
My 10yr old CMax doesn't and the wife's new Fabia doesn't. Thinking about it I've never had a car with that feature!
Read the Outlander thread, that's off the list now!
Best feature you didn't know you needed until you had it? Heated seats! Would not be without, now.
I’d rather buy a Skoda than a ford 😄
I'm actually looking forward to the winter, so that I can turn the heated seats back on.
Read the Outlander thread, that’s off the list now!
That's what I thought until I looked at the diesel one.
More economical in real life terms then the PHEV and has two extra seats and none of the annoying electronics.
More space inside than most similar sized SUVs like the X-trail and has actual 4WD unlike almost all Xtrails and lots and lots of modern SUV which are 2WD only.
I bought a red one because they're better.
Like @ johndoh's multigizmo
Someone will casually slam the door on it though. Needs flashing lights
hot_fiat
Got a 7 seater kodiaq, with a tow bar. It works really well for a family of 4 and is beautiful to drive. Useless for us now with 5 (7 seats but only two take child seats). It’ll be for sale in early September. 2.0tsi, edition 20k miles. Oil burning is so passe.
kodiaq’s middle, middle, seat folds separately to the rest of the row.
Really like the look of these - how much extra boot does the 7 seater give over the 5?
Best feature you didn’t know you needed until you had it? Heated seats! Would not be without, now.
I used mine twice in my previous car, didn't really do much and made my back itchy if anything. A heated steering wheel I quite fancy though (it's only really my hands that get properly cold in winter on my commute).
An auto-dimming rear view mirror is my can't live without/should always be a standard thing feature.
As for the OP, an Octavia is closer to a Passat in size (rather than the Superb). The Superb is nice but not much point unless you need the extra space (especially for the rear seats).
Best feature you didn’t know you needed until you had it?
The Ford Quickclear heated windscreen. All cars should have these as standard.
I really wanted to buy an Auris estate hybrid until I test drove it. Very comfortable but disconcerting acceleration. You have to clog it and then it does all sorts of unfamiliar things like revving its nuts off and not accelerating that much. Maybe it's something you can get used to. Otherwise a nice car. Very (too) light steering too.
^ sounds like the CVT is not your thing. I don't think it's a car designed for hard acceleration!
Like the doorstep, shame the original is not for sale yet and beaten to it by knock-offs: https://mokidoorstep.com/
I'd want it with a bright orange PU buffer around the outside in case I closed the door on it.
I don’t think it’s a car designed for hard acceleration!
No, it isn't. In fact it turns you into a really relaxed driver, which is probably a good thing.
The Ford Quickclear heated windscreen. All cars should have these as standard.
No they shouldn't I find all the wiggly lines from the element terribly distracting when driving at night or into low sun.
Wanna sell me your Passat for £4k?
Maybe it’s something you can get used to.
Of course.. press one pedal to go, one to stop. The harder you press the quicker it happens. Don't complicate matters.
Saying that, you can’t really go wrong with the decent sized estates.
I go in a lot of these cars as taxis. I have to say that Volvos, VWs, Mondeos are all ok, but I went in an i40 and it was a rattly mess, and funnily enough some Avenses have also been pretty shabby.
I go in a lot of these cars as taxis. I have to say that Volvos, VWs, Mondeos are all ok, but I went in an i40 and it was a rattly mess, and funnily enough some Avenses have also been pretty shabby.
I currently have an i40 estate - really good car, was and still am impressed with the quality after 4 years of ownership.
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Wanna sell me your Passat for £4k?
No. Sorry.
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I find all the wiggly lines from the element terribly distracting
Latest VW incarnation uses a silver leaf transfer direct to the screen so there are no lines to see.
Really like the look of these – how much extra boot does the 7 seater give over the 5?
The 5 and 7 seat variant are identical. Back row just folds into the boot floor. With the back seats up you get a boot that's about the size of a panda's, folded flat it's pretty much the same size as my dad's Superb estate. If you're expecting Yeti-levels of cunning, brutalist practicality you'll be disappointed - hence why I've just bought a Caravelle.
Latest VW incarnation uses a silver leaf transfer direct to the screen so there are no lines to see.
Yeah, that's true, and if you have to have one replaced, DO NOT trust the AutoGlass man when he says theirs are just as good. Make sure you get the VW part.
BTDT 🙁
Best feature you didn’t know you needed until you had it? Heated seats! Would not be without, now.
And heated wing mirrors obvs
Mazda6 estate +1 I don't know what the skyactive engine is as suggested previously, but I find them good to live with.
I've got a 3 year old Passat and really like it. Skoda equivalent actually drove a bit nicer/sportier but wasn't as nice inside.
The 5 and 7 seat variant are identical. Back row just folds into the boot floor. With the back seats up you get a boot that’s about the size of a panda’s, folded flat it’s pretty much the same size as my dad’s Superb estate.
Thanks for that, for some reason I was under the impression the 7 seater had more boot space.
Don't suppose you know the load area length & width? Can only find capacity in litres which doesn't help me .
Need to know if I can fit the wife's wheelchair in the boot and still have space for other stuff.
Excuse the detritus of a busy family life.
Estate every day. SUVs look great but tend to have far less storage unless you stack stuff in the boot. We found the floor area of the boor in SUVs very small considering the size of the car compared to an estate.
The Ford Quickclear heated windscreen. All cars should have these as standard.
Noooo. We cant buy Fords because of the windscreen, which is a real shame as a focus estate would be perfect for us, My wife can see the element when driving and it gives her a blinding head ache after 30 minutes. We even have to refuse hire cars if they are fords.
https://www.ridc.org.uk/ have all of that sort of data too - specifically for "will a wheelchair fit?", but also measure things like sill/seat heights and openings too.
I like big German estates and have had a few. But I miss the boot space of my old Sierra. I could get my bike in complete without any fuss. My friend has an 05mondeo and it's just the same in that. I can't speak for the newer ones. I would say the bigger and boxier the car the better. Some other riding buddies have estate versions of the a4 and a6 and the rake on the rear screen reduces the usable boot space dramatically. One car I liked for its surprising boot space was a kia ceed estate. They have a wierd boot hinge a good size boot so the bike goes in with both wheels on. They have a nice flat boot floor with loads of storage underneath it. The one I went in was well equipped too.
Having said all that I like the look of the new passat so would buy that if It were me.
don’t know what the skyactive engine is
AFAIK SkyActive is mazda's take on 5-stroke engine tech, using a modified miller cycle. They basically keep the intake valve open beyond BDC and continue to shove more air in with a turbocharger. Our kodiaq uses a similar cycle. Works well - I get up to 35mpg from a 2 ton brick of a petrol 4x4.
But I miss the boot space of my old Sierra. I could get my bike in complete without any fuss
Was that an old bike though? Older bikes were quite a bit smaller than modern ones.
We hired a SEAT Leon estate in France, it was excellent. Spacious, nice to drive with some superb toys. Dunno if you can lie a bike in the back flat though as you can in a Passat.
Skoda superb estate. Can get a bike in wheels on with seats folded down. 50 mpg and good for 300,000 miles ( one of our drivers at work has just clocked this in his! ) Nice inside and out, tell yourself its an Audi A6 in all but badge
What hotfiat hasn’t mentioned regarding the Kodiaq is that the middle row of seats is on sliders and will slide right forward with enough room for passengers still but a massive load of space in the boot.
There is also storage underneath the middle row of seats for stuff that’s not needed regularly if you’re off on a big trip.
The middle row splits 40/20/40 but I think that’s on the edition model which is up the pecking order.
Actually hotfiat- have you got a spare wheel in there?
Ive not got a spare and lots of room under the floor.
We hired a SEAT Leon estate in France, it was excellent.
I recently had one for a few days, the 1.4 ecoTSI 150hp, FR Tech model and it was a lovely thing to drive. Big enough to get a bike easily in the back. The boot opening is a bit angled so I had to take the front wheel off to get the bike in, but that's not a massive issue.
Will a Kia Optima Sportwagon be available for 2019 with a petrol engine ? Currently only available as an oil burner
My old man has the Avensis estate which just got a recall thanks to its BMW engine. Aside from that it looks the part, would still rather have a Mondeo though.
Quickclear is definitely marmite, most seem to get on with it but some folk just don't. It's on my wouldnt live without list though.
#suggestwhatyouhave time...
I am really impressed with our V70. I was fussy and managed to find the classic 2013 ex-motability, 5-cylinder proper Volvo engined D3 (orD4), SE with winter pack and grey not light interior. Means I am getting actual mid-40's to 50+ mpg on a run, £20 tax (unlike majority of Volvo's that are expensive on tax), cheaper tyre size etc. It cost less than the Mondeo's of same age.
It's become the first car ever that mrs_oab and I argue about who is taking it for the day... So comfy front and back, so damn logical and easy to work out how everything works, so practical a boot - it's just a big cube, belying reviews that say it's small, brilliant stereo. It's the first car since my '99 Passat that feels properly like it's hewn out of granite. I'm appreciating little touches - the brakes are so progressive and powerful compared to other cars, the arm rests are 'just right', headlights so well illuminated, the easier access by garage for maintenance (you can reach timing belt etc through a provided flap in wheel arch, change bulbs by removing whole headlight with no screws etc) and more.
Like the Galaxy before, it's just done holiday with two open canoes on roof, four bikes on back, four of us and kit with no problems at all.
My moans - cup holders are poorly placed for big mugs, I wanted a different colour and the electric boot is a tad slow. Err, that's it.
v90 looks gert lush.
Was that an old bike though? Older bikes were quite a bit smaller than modern ones.
Conveniently, so are cars
Superb Estate 4x4 here.
Would recommend, it’s huge, lovely neutral drive. Can fit bikes in the boot with wheels on.
Just traded my 60plate Passat B6 estate 2.0tdi for a new Passat b8 2.0 gt tdi estate with the 190bhp.
What a machine. 50extra ponies make a bit of a difference. Feel like a bit races again. New one is stunning inside, previous was a top end leather and toys job but this new one is far nicer.
Usual Passat features, more room than a stately home, but still very economical. Last one would do 700miles on a tank hoping for similar on this one.
Looked at kodiaq and superb but were not as nice places to be while driving. If you want a nice place to be while driving buy German.
Thing about the passat is, it's a fairly big car with a medium car boot on it. It's not terrible, it's just not as good as it should be. Estate cars without a flat entrance so you can load things properly or sit on the back and chill out are just basically daft.
My mondeo's on the way out but it's been a fantastic biking car, and great value too. It's a little bigger but functionally it's a lot bigger. (all the chat about loading things on the roof, I've no idea what it's like to put things on the roof of the mondeo, I've not used my roof bars once since I got it because it can hold like 6 bikes, or 3 bikes and generous kit for a week.)
(and heated seats are awesome)
Having said all that, if I was less picky I'd get an SUV- a Galaxy or that Mazda CX7 or a Smacks or something. Lots of van-ness while remaining a car.
I'm really not getting the Passat love I'm 40000 miles and two years into my B7 and leaving aside it's woeful reliability and the awful emissions "fix" it is still not as a good a car as the 2004 MK3 Mondeo it replaced. It's an OK car but it doesn't stack up well against a car that's 8years older.
Boot is considerably smaller and more awkward access (I appreciate it has a slightly smaller footprint but the loss is disproportionate).
Ride quality worse
Steering feel and balance worse
Feels completely devoid of any nuance / connection with its surroundings
Less rear legroom
The DSG box is great and the 170PS diesel USED to be better before it was "fixed" and I quite like the electronic handbrake. The interior is nice too.
I bought it because it was cheaper than the Mondeo I was also looking at (the boot seemed to have shrunk on the mk4 too) and I liked the gear box. I'm not sure we will have it much longer.
Feels completely devoid of any nuance / connection with its surroundings
Wot?
Last one would do 700miles on a tank
That's a pretty meaningless thing to say without saying how big the tank is...!
Tiguan ?
Boot is bigger than it looks. I’d have preferred the Kodiaq but it’s the Wife’s car so she won out. Kodiaq is bigger still, same as the Tiguan All-Space.
The 150hp 1.4 engine is excellent, soon to be a 1.5 though, as emissions get stricter. It’s nice to drive. We towed our Caravan round Scotland with it thus Summer.
It is a game getting bikes on top so I took a hop up step in the Caravan locker. The side rails would make it easier.
Seat ST with an Ebike.
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I’ve had a Yeti now have a Seat Leon ST FR 184. The Yeti was Ok 140 bhp quick enough but small inside. The Leon is better in every way. Cockpit is bigger boot slightly bigger. More economic much faster handles better. Tyres are cheaper as well. The good thing about the Leon is it can fit a 6ft 2” teenager in the back with legroom. The golf boot is slightly larger but not enough to warrant the extra cost. Octavia is bigger again but in my view it’s expensive for what you get compared to the Seat. Trim in my view is slightly better in Seat than Octavia and it has a lot more sound proofing than the Skoda.
There is an old saying “an estate can do everything a SUV can do only cheaper, faster and more economically.”
Tiguans really feel quite small inside compared to a Passat.