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EXPERT RATING
8.0
Stuart Martin
Contributing Journalist
14 Nov 2012
4 min read
0 Comments

So you want to negotiate terrain more challenging than the driveway but can't cop being seen in an SUV? Despair not.

Volkswagen has toughened up its Passat wagon so that it goes nose-to-nose with the Subaru Outback as well as its siblings from Skoda and Audi. It's called, with only slight hubris, the Alltrack.

Value

At $47,790 the all-wheel-drive Alltrack is $1800 price hike over the front-drive Passat 125TDI. That's $1000 over the diesel Outback Premium, but the VW brings a standard six speed DSG auto to Subaru's manual sole transmission choice

Other standard kit includes chrome roof rails, leather trim, dual-zone climate control with rear-seat vents, a reach and rake adjustable leather-wrapped steering wheel with sound system and phone controls, Bluetooth phone and audio link, a hard-drive equipped satnav and sound system with USB input and a powered tailgate. It rides on 17-inch alloys with self-sealing tyres and a space-saver spare.

Options include pearl-effect paint ($700), sunroof ($2000) and parking assistance system ($900). The two option packs look decent value. The $3300 driver assistance and visibility Package adds intelligent bi-xenon lights, lane departure warning and blind spot warning.

For $2800, the Sport package gets 18s a multi-function leather steering wheel with gearshifter paddles, Nappa full-grain leather trim and heavier rear window tint. The adaptive cruise control, that includes the auto-braking accident warning and avoidance system, is a $2000 option and the adaptive damper suspension option (with either 17in or 18in alloy wheels) is $1650.

Technology

The Alltrack uses the 2.0-litre common-rail direct-injection turbodiesel four. It's a proven unit with 125kW/350Nm and a thirst of 6.3l/100km  barely more than the 150kg lighter standard Passat.  Electric stability aids are disabled by a button's push while the off-road system also quickens the reaction time of the electronic differential locks to prevent wheel spin, automatically activates hill descent control to a higher engine speed and if the manual shift mode is employed, the gear will be held and not over-ridden by the gearbox computer. The 4Motion drivetrain feeds only 10 per cent of power to the rear axle until the electro-hydraulic system sees a need for more.

Design

The staid squared-off conservative look of the Passat wagon has been beefed up with wheelarch trim and added bits on the front and rear bumpers. More importantly, the Alltrack's ground clearance has risen to 165mm. That's down on the Outback's 213mm, the VW's bootspace is at 588 litre  almost 100 litres greaters than the Soobs. It's a clever and flexible space too, with luggage net and remote release for the seat backs.

Safety

The Passat scores five stars under the NCAP. A notable feature in this edition is an "extended" electronic diff lock and four-wheel drive. The driver gets an auto-dimming rearvision centre and driver's side mirror, tyre pressure monitoring and some underbody protection.

Driving

First impressions of the Alltrack are not surprisingly Passat with hiking boots and a bit more swagger. The six-speed auto plays well with the turbo diesel, humming swiftly along at freeway speeds and providing more than enough punch for overtaking. The ride is on the firm side and a little jittery in the Sport package; I'd be inclined to stick with the standard wheel/tyre package.

Winding back roads are not going to trip the Alltrack that height increase is not significant enough to make it lean drastically. The downside to that is 165mm of ground clearance is going to mean you'll test the model-specific underbody protection a little more than you would in a Subaru Outback once you're off the bitumen.

The loose-surface dirt road is easily traversed as well, with the all-wheel drive system and driver aids working together to prevent too much wandering. The front-drive biased all-wheel drive system is not my personal preference - the more even split engaged by Subaru or the VW's cousins at Audi are better balanced. The Off Road mode brings in a clever hill descent control system that has its speed set by the driver's right foot, but given the low clearance you won't be stepping over big rocks and ruts.

Verdict

If you value a German badge over a Japanese one, the Alltrack is a family wagon that can complete a broad range of modern SUV tasks from fire trails to the school run.

Volkswagen Passat 2012: Alltrack

Engine Type Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type Diesel
Fuel Efficiency 6.3L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $9,680 - $13,200

Pricing Guides

$10,522
Based on 34 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$5,500
HIGHEST PRICE
$14,990

Range and Specs

Vehicle Specs Price*
Alltrack 2.0L, Diesel, 6 SPEED DIRECT SHIFT $9,680 - $13,200
See all 2012 Volkswagen Passat in the Range
*Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
Stuart Martin
Contributing Journalist
GoAutoMedia Stuart Martin started his legal driving life behind the wheel of a 1976 Jeep ragtop, which he still owns to this day, but his passion for wheeled things was inspired much earlier. Born into a family of car tinkerers and driving enthusiasts, he quickly settled into his DNA and was spotting cars or calling corners blindfolded from the backseat of his parents' car before he was out of junior primary. Playing with vehicles on his family's rural properties amplified the enthusiasm for driving and his period of schooling was always accompanied by part-time work around cars, filling with fuel, working on them or delivering pizzas in them. A career in journalism took an automotive turn at Sydney's Daily Telegraph in the early 1990s and Martin has not looked backed, covering motor shows and new model launches around the world ever since. Regular work and play has subsequently involved towing, off-roading, the school run and everything in between, with Martin now working freelance as a motoring journalist, contributing to several websites and publications including GoAuto - young enough for hybrid technology and old enough to remember carburettors, he’s happiest behind the wheel.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$5,500
Lowest price, based on CarsGuide listings over the last 6 months.
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2012 Volkswagen Passat
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