4car rating: 4 stars
Body Styles: Saloon, Estate
Engines: 1.8 T, 2.0, 2.3 V5, 2.8 V6, 1.9 TD 100, 1.9 TD 130, 2.5 V6
Prices: £15,445 to £22,690


Of all large family cars, it's the Volkswagen Passat that people tend to aspire to. With its solid-looking exterior that comes across a bit Audi-ish, and its even more solid interior that comes across very Audi-ish, the Passat is one of those cars that makes people think they're buying an object of sound quality. The other reason it picks up this award is that there isn't much competition - Fords and Vauxhalls are very workaday, while Hondas, Nissans or other far-eastern offerings are seen as pretty staid. So, really, more by a process of elimination than anything else, the VW pips it.



Other recommended cars:

• Best Budget Buy: Skoda Octavia
• Best for Interior Room: Ford Mondeo
• Best for Safety: Renault Laguna
• Best for Comfort: Honda Accord
• Best Driver's Car: Subaru Impreza
• Best Image: Volkswagen Passat
• Best Diesel: Volkswagen Passat
• Best Estate: Ford Mondeo