Passat Triumphs as Overall Winner in Tow Car Awards, Securing Fourth Title
Milton Keynes – The Volkswagen Passat has been acclaimed as the finest tow car in the UK by What Car? magazine and The Camping and Caravanning Club, achieving an unprecedented fourth win in the Tow Car Awards. The Passat 1.5 eTSI R-Line emerged victorious in the 1,550 to 1,699 kg kerb weight category, earning high praise from judges for its exceptional handling, spaciousness, and value.
Steve Huntingford, What Car? Editor, highlighted the Passat’s superior towing capabilities: “Despite its relatively light weight of 1,572 kg, the Volkswagen Passat tows with the confidence of a larger vehicle. It feels purpose-built for caravanning, maintaining stability even at high speeds. The new model offers more space, making it an excellent choice for both passengers and luggage. The Passat demonstrates that you don’t need a CEO’s salary to own a superb, modern tow car. It’s a clear winner, just as it was in 2007, 2011, and 2015.”
The What Car? Tow Car Awards, a collaboration between What Car? magazine and The Camping and Caravanning Club, involve a rigorous week-long test programme. This includes emergency lane changes, 30 to 60 mph acceleration, braking, and hill-start assessments. Cars are also evaluated for everyday driving, practicality as tow vehicles, running costs, and overall value.
The ninth-generation Passat, Volkswagen’s most aerodynamic estate car to date with a coefficient of drag (Cd) of just 0.25, has quickly proven its excellence since its UK launch less than five months ago. With ample space for five passengers and up to 1,920 litres of rear storage, the Passat Estate is an ideal choice for both business and leisure.
Comfort is further enhanced by high-grade materials and the DCC Pro adaptive chassis control. The Passat also features a Vehicle Dynamics Manager, which optimizes handling by controlling the electronic differential locks (XDS) and shock absorbers in the DCC Pro system.
Available in three trims—Life, Elegance, and R-Line—the Volkswagen Passat offers a choice between the 1.5 eTSI 150 PS mild hybrid petrol engine and plug-in eHybrids with outputs of 204 and 272 PS. The plug-in eHybrids combine a high-tech turbocharged petrol engine with a 19.7 kWh battery, providing a range of up to 100 kilometers.
Since its debut in 1973, more than 34 million Volkswagen Passats have been sold globally, making it the second best-selling Volkswagen model after the iconic Golf. The Passat’s continued success underscores its reputation as an exceptional vehicle, both as a family car and a towing champion.
