AT-A-GLANCE VW Passat SE BlueMotion 2.0 TDi 140PS six-speed manual.

Price: £22,035 (on the road).

Top speed: 132mph.

0-62mph: 9.8 seconds.

Fuel: 61.4mpg (combined figure).

C02 emissions: 119 (g/km).

Verdict: Great all-rounder, good to driver, beautifully built, upmarket appearance, performance with economy, packed with technology, strong on safety.

WITH the arrival of fresh talent in the family sector, the Volkswagen Passat’s pre-eminence in the medium sector was under pressure.

But the arrival of a new model – the seventh generation – should ensure that it continues to be immensely popular in every area.

The Passat is the car that went from zero to hero in a short space of time and brought executive values to the mainstream arena.

It’s a fleet favourite, too, and this year almost 80 per cent of Passats will be purchased by fleet buyers. And VW also expects the estate to outsell the saloon – just over 11,000 estates and just under 10,000 saloons.

The best seller by a long chalk is forecast to be the SE trim 2.0-litre TDi 140PS model, a cracking allrounder at £22,035.

The Passat has always set the class standards for quality and desirability and the new one edges it closer to the premium sector and beyond.

It takes on a fresh appearance, bringing it into line with VW’s Phaeton, with a new front end giving a more dominant look and greater presence on the road.

While the Passat looks more imposing, there are also major changes under the skin with the latest technologies and efficiency measures making it the most advanced and economical car in its class, according to VW.

What helps to make it such an appealing car is the excellent fuel economy combined with good performance figures.

The diesel units, for instance, are all energysaving BlueMotion technology products, equipped with battery regeneration and stop/start systems as standard so that the latest BlueMotion 1.6-litre TDi returns a superb combined everyday fuel figure of 68.9mpg with C02 emissions of 109 (g/km).

Comfort levels have also gone up and extra sound deadening combined with a significant reduction of engine noise makes for quieter motoring which is particularly evident on the motorway.

Besides the 1.6-litre oil burner there is also the 2.0- litre diesel with 140 and 170PS and the 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol.

On the road the Passat is dynamically accomplished.

It is sharper and poised with the chassis performing well through the bends and remaining compliant. The steering errs on the light side while the brakes are powerful and more than man enough for the job.

Buyers will like the interior which is not only better built but classier looking with very comfortable new seats, door trim and a redesigned centre console and dash. The driving position is spot on as is the general layout.

As always, the Passat offers ample room for four large adults and at 485 litres the boot of the saloon easily holds the family luggage.

The Passat has the maximum Euro NCAP five-star safety rating for occupant protection, every model with two airbags each for the driver and front passenger and rear curtain bags. Electronic stability control is also standard.

All three trim levels, S, SE and Sport, are generously equipped and this is reflected in the prices which go from £18,880 for the 1.4-litre petrol manual with BlueMotion technology to £26,185 for the 2.0-litre