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By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 128

Volkswagen's second generation Passat Alltrack wasn't the first SUV-style family-sized 4x4 estate we'd seen at its launch in 2015 but it was the one that struck the most appealing balance for many buyers who didn't need - and often didn't want - a traditional Volkswagen Tiguan or Honda CR-V-style compact SUV. This MK2 Passat Alltrack model couldn't go as far off road as cars like those, but its capability away from the tarmac was better, plus in this guise, it was even more suited to the needs of towers. Like the MK1 Passat Alltrack, this car had the quality look and feel of something premium and quite expensive, blended with an extra dose of subtlety that potential buyers liked. In other words, it ticked a lot of boxes.

Modelsword count: 4

5dr Estate (2.0 TDI)

Historyword count: 425

Not everyone wants - or needs - an SUV. Quite a few folk though, appreciate some of the things that cars of that kind can do in terms of towing and light off road work. And a few of them would like these attributes delivered with subtler packaging. Maybe in the form of a car like this, the second generation Volkswagen Passat Alltrack. It's not hard to imagine what a Passat Alltrack owner might be like. Someone with mountain bike, skiing or karting equipment that needs moving about; maybe around mid-forties, has a decent job and appreciates quality but perhaps fights a little shy of the bling-ier brands. Someone who probably wouldn't previously have been attracted to a Passat Estate. But then, this one isn't quite as we know it. The ride height is a touch higher and the bodywork a touch showier to tweak the lifestyle appeal a small but crucial click towards more outdoorsy hunting, shooting, fishing - heck maybe even jetskiing - folk. People who would usually need to buy a fully fledged SUV, all the while gritting their teeth against a perceived social backlash from eco-friendly neighbours. By equipping this car with 4MOTION all-wheel drive and giving it a modicum of light off road prowess, Volkswagen tried to ensure that they didn't have to. The original Passat Alltrack was launched in 2012 based on the previous seventh generation Passat Estate. Volkswagen had seen just how profitable sister brand Audi allroad and Skoda Octavia Scout models were proving to be in the growing 4x4 estate sector and saw an opportunity. Buyers who couldn't quite stretch to an Audi allroad but didn't want the plasticky feel of an Octavia Scout or its Subaru Outback rival now had an appealing alternative. Enough of them took it up to persuade Volkswagen to extend the Alltrack concept into the Golf Estate line-up. And inevitably, when the eighth generation Passat Estate was launched in late 2014, we knew there'd be an Alltrack version of that too. This was that car and, on paper, it seemed at launch to offer some useful improvements over its predecessor. Improved ground clearance, more under-body protection and a more capable 4MOTION 4WD system all made it a more credible SUV rival in the rough. Plus there was a clever 'Trailer Assist' option to create even more interest amongst towers. And of course, buyers got all the advantages of the MK8 model Passat in terms of improved cabin quality and enhanced electronic safety and media connectivity. This model was sold here until 2020.

What You Getword count: 349

The changes that set this Passat Alltrack apart from more ordinary versions of this model were intentionally subtle - to the point that the first time you see one, you'll know something's different, but it's difficult to put your finger on exactly what. There's a raised ride height - this car sits 27.5mm further from the ground than an ordinary Passat Estate from this period would - but that, like the comprehensive underbody protection, is rather difficult to spot. More obvious are things like the rugged wheel arch and side sill mouldings, plus the small 'Alltrack' badges on the front grille, the tailgate and the front wings. And inside? Well, apart from the 'Alltrack' logos emblazoned on the ashtray, the seats and the door sills, it's pretty much standard eighth generation Passat through and through. The cabin is dominated by one long air vent with sleek integrated chrome fins that extends across the entire width of the interior like a band, interrupted only by the instruments and a smart analogue clock in the centre of the fascia. The usual brushed aluminium trim, satin chromed switchgear and piano black inlays feature and in this Alltrack model, you also get decorative dashboard and door trimming inserts finished in a so-called 'Tracks' design. Take a seat in the rear and you find that that despite this second generation design's marginal reductions in exterior length and height, it actually feels more spacious in the rear than the original Alltrack model did. It is too, with more room for legs and heads thanks to a lengthier wheelbase that enabled Volkswagen's development team to package this car more effectively. Out back, the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system necessitated a slight reduction in the amount of carriage space this car could provide in comparison to the standard front-driven Passat Estate upon which it was based. To be specific, the 639-litre capacity you get is 11-litres down, but that's not a difference we think many buyers are likely to notice. Use the sidewall-mounted levers to flatten the rear bench entirely and a 1,769-litre space can be opened up.

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