Volkswagen Passatt   Women's view

The latest Volkswagen Passat has taken family motoring into a new class, as June Neary discovers this week

There's something undeniably bigger and better about the latest Volkswagen Passat. First of all there's the look. I thought it very similar to the £50,000 Phaeton luxury saloon that acts as flagship for the Volkswagen empire. This sixth generation model has grown in every dimension compared to the old car and looks very classy indeed. The windscreen is raked back, giving the shape a far more dynamic stance, and the low roofline combines with a wedge-shaped profile that seems to store the cars energy up in its chunky haunches.

Fitted with a big set of alloy wheels, I thought this car looked very special indeed and certainly stands out in a busy car park.

This doesnt only look a bigger car it is. The length has gone up by 62mm to 4.77m and the width has risen 74mm to 1.82m.

The car is marginally taller too, though the wheelbase is virtually unchanged up by an inconsequential 6mm which apparently means that a good deal of emphasis has been placed on improving crash structures at the front and adding a bigger boot at the back. And it is a big boot. Mothers interested in the capacity for the weekly shop will be pleased to find that carrying capacity has gone up by a whopping 90 litres to 565 litres. This should be perfect for family holidays, two sets of golf clubs, or the company presentation kit if you choose a Passat for business use.

Where the Passat really endeared itself to me was the beautifully logical driving position, smooth gearshift, strong acceleration and perfect handling on the road. Manoeuvrability in the car park, too, was faultless. At present, Volkswagen are playing things conservatively when it comes to the initial batch of engines slated for the sixth generation version. Two diesels and three petrol engines, none of them hugely powerful, are offered.

The petrols comprise a 114bhp 1.6-litre FSI unit, a 148bhp 2.0-litre FSI powerplant and a 248bhp 3.2-litre V6.

If youd rather plump for diesel, theres a 104bhp 1.9-litre TDI or the vastly superior 138bhp 2.0-litre TDI engine. Theres also an Estate variant.

I did find the cabin rather functional, albeit in a clean, uncluttered fashion. Still, there is a good deal more use of light tones than in the unremittingly dark dashboard of the previous generation Passat. Plus of course there are plenty of hi-tech touches including Bluetooth connectivity for the telephone unit, a superior quality stereo, an electronic handbrake and a 2Zone Climatronic air conditioning system.

Despite reasonable prices that start at around £15,510, standard equipment levels disprove the old myth about German cars being as lavishly appointed as a squash court. All models get ABS, climate controlled air-conditioning, alarm/immobiliser, airbags all over the shop and remote central locking.

I was charmed by the Passat, I have to say. It's an excellent all-round package and for company car drivers would double up well as the main family car.