Magnificent seven for Volkswagen at the 2025 What Car? Awards
The Volkswagen Passat scooped three prestigious accolades at the 2025 What Car? Awards. The ever-popular car – which has been in production for more than half a century – was named Estate of the Year and Tow Car of the Year. It also won the Safety Award, following extensive testing by Thatcham Research, and replicating the success of the all-electric ID.7 at last year’s What Car? awards.
What Car? also handed awards to the Volkswagen T-Roc, ID.7 Tourer, Golf GTI and the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase (LWB) – bringing the total on the night to seven for stablemates Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
The ninth-generation Passat went on sale in the UK in January last year and quickly accumulated awards and plaudits from reviewers. In June it was crowned the overall winner in the What Car? Tow Car Awards. This was followed a few weeks later by a top rating of five stars in Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) tests, and it was named Best Hybrid Estate Car at the What Car? Electric Car Awards.
“The Passat has always been a great family estate, and the latest version is the best yet,” said Steve Huntingford, What Car? Editor, after the three latest awards were announced. “It's a comfortable, refined and hugely practical choice with a smart interior, plus it can make a cheap company car if you go for one of the plug-in hybrid versions. In fact, the Passat is such a superb all-rounder that it's not only the best estate on sale, but also the best tow car and one of the safest cars Euro NCAP has ever crash tested.”
The latest Passat is one of the most aerodynamic estate models that Volkswagen has produced so far. Its coefficient of drag (Cd) is just 0.25 – lower than many sports cars – making this a particularly economical and cost-effective choice for anyone looking for a modern estate car. It is built on the latest version of Volkswagen Group’s hugely successful modular transverse matrix platform, MQB evo, which allows for a host of new systems to be included and is being used also for the new Tiguan.
More than 34 million Volkswagen Passat models have been sold worldwide since the covers came off the first generation in 1973, and the ninth-generation model is continuing this success.
Four more awards were handed to Volkswagen models at this year’s What Car? Awards:
T-Roc named Best Small SUV for Comfort
Steve Huntingford said: “Comfort is something the T-Roc does better than any other small SUV. It's among the quietest and most spacious cars of its kind, and has a plush ride that's brilliant at soaking up bumps. What's more, its elevated seating provides easy access and a great view, and finding an ideal driving position is a doddle.”
ID.7 Tourer named Best Electric Estate
Steve Huntingford said: “Not so long ago, estate buyers after pure electric power had few prospects to pick from, but that's all changed in the past couple of years, making the ID.7 Tourer's win all the more impressive. It is composed and reassuring to drive, offers a longer range than rivals and, of course, delivers all the space and practicality you’d expect.”
Golf GTI named Best Hot Hatch for Everyday Usability
Steve Huntingford said: “The Golf GTI flows beautifully with bumps and undulations in the road, so is exceptionally comfortable by hot hatch standards. Yet, it still offers the sort of driving fun that will tempt you to take the twisty way home. Combine all this with a practical interior and it's a pleasure to live with day to day.”
ID. Buzz LWB named Best Electric Seven-seater
Steve Huntingford said: “No rival can match the ID. Buzz LWB for sheer roominess; it's a vehicle that can take seven people and their luggage with ease. And because it uses the same mechanicals as Volkswagen’s other electric vehicles, it has a comfortable ride and handles with real aplomb. It even makes financial sense, thanks to strong predicted resale values.”
If you would like to test drive one of the award-winning Volkswagen range, get in touch on 01202713000.