Plug in hybrid volkswagen passat

And a 9. Indeed, it's a premium stepping-stone towards a fully electric future — and one that impresses with its urban economy and performance in equal measure. You'll never need to plug it in, either.

Passat gte 2023

In an environment where many are shunning diesel, yet where many petrol models still don't deliver stellar fuel economy and have a tax bill to go with them , plug-in hybrids look like the ideal option for the discerning motorist. Some critics, on the other hand, say that plug-in hybrids simply don't offer the claimed environmental emissions savings or fuel economy in the real world.

But if you're driving 20, miles per year on a motorway or have already jumped on the electric car bandwagon and are looking for a vehicle which provides the same emissions-free thrills, you might be disappointed. Unlike the Passat, the Prius doesn't plug in — only the more expensive Prius Prime offers the similar plug-in benefits.

In the case of the Passat GTE, the specifics of the setup are a 1. Join the two together, and the total maximum power available is hp, which rockets the Passat GTE estate from mph in 7. And because you're dragging round a normal petrol engine and an electric battery, they weight more and are fundamentally inefficient as a result.

Read our first drive review: BMW e. However, as the oldest and original hybrid car, the Prius is now refined and well defined, surprisingly spacious, very well equipped and will deliver 55mpg without trying. The reality of these figures, however, needs taking with a pinch of salt. Proponents says that plug-in hybrids offer the perfect stepping stone to full electric cars EVs as we wait for battery tech to improve so we can can travel further on a single charge, and at less cost.

On the official fuel cycle, it's rated at a slightly silly-sounding Even with a list price of nearly £40K, that makes the Passat GTE highly attractive to company car users, because in comparison, the regular 2. And if you're not bothered about the space, or the premium badge, but are keen to embrace electric cars, then a fully electric Nissan Leaf or Renault Zoe is available for a lot less.

Volkswagen Passat GTE long-term test review

The technology — both the drivetrain and in the cockpit — works very well too. Expect to go 31 miles on the battery alone and you'll also be left frustrated. However, it's nothing like as premium feeling, or as spacious as the Passat. Read our full review: Nissan Leaf. Volkswagen is just one manufacturer to offer a growing range of plug-in hybrids — marketed under the GTE sub-brand.

Unfortunately, the official fuel cycle figures which, we hasten to add, aren't VW's doing — it's just a rating process every car goes through in the EU flatter plug-in hybrids. The most we managed to achieve was 16 miles — although temperatures during our week with the Passat averaged zero degrees Celsius. While the GTE has impressed us in the way it works, given that our day-to-day context is now a fully electric car BMW i3 , we found it perpetually disappointing we could only travel less than 20 miles without the engine coming on.

Next-Gen VW Passat Spied With Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain

Whether the Passat GTE is the car for you, and whether you'll like it, will depend on two things: your personal day-to-day driving routine; and the context from which you're coming. It's good to drive, well equipped and good value too — you can get into a Leaf for a price that starts with a 20, and enjoy the fully electric experience. If you're ready to go fully electric, the new Nissan Leaf offers a 40kWh battery, meaning its range will reliably hit miles.

In isolation, the Passat GTE is an impressive plug-in hybrid. The BMW disguises its weight better than the Passat and is more fun to drive with it. The ability to drive on the electric battery only on shorter trips, but the reassurance of having a petrol engine on board, to allow you to go further when you need to without running out of juice.

Buy a Passat and expect to average mpg and you'll be disappointed. Plug-ins are perfect for most people who have a typical, relatively short commute. We've driven the Golf GTE in its pre-facelift form , but the Passat GTE estate, as reviewed here, is an interesting option because it's at the larger end of the car size spectrum, providing space that exceeds an Audi A4.

The idea of a plug-in hybrid is to offer the best of both electric and fuel worlds. For those primarily urban bound, with a regular commute, or staring a fierce company car tax bill in the face, a Passat GTE could be the answer. Read our full review: Toyota Prius. Volkswagen says realistic battery range is about 25 miles. As a saloon it's still impressive though, just like the Passat, for its power and refinement.

Then, when home, simply plug into a socket and recharge the battery. It's well resolved, spacious, smooth, and quiet. Larger and more expensive than the Passat, the 5-Series isn't available in estate car form as a plug-in hybrid, annoyingly. It's also pretty pricey. Are you ready to plug-in yet?