THE Volkswagen Passat may be in its 40s now but with a fresh new look, ultra-efficient engines and state-of-the-art technology the eighth generation model is as appealing as ever.

With looks and practicality that would suit any family needs combined with the driving dynamics and economy to tick any business driver's wish-list, VW can be very confident that the latest incarnation of the Passat will add significantly to the global sales figures that already top the 22 million mark.

The new Passat looks distinctive from any approach. It's smart without being garish thanks to daytime running lights, 17-inch alloys, front fog lights, body-coloured door mirrors with integrated indicators, smart chrome trim and very sleek streamlining.

The generously-equipped interior boasts the likes of Bluetooth connectivity, sat nav, an excellent audio system with CD player, DAB digital radio with eight speakers, a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen, adaptive cruise control and parking sensors.

This car featured a number of optional extras that bumped up the asking price from £25,135 to £29,785 and these included a MirrorLink system to connect up an android phone which is mirrored on the touchscreen, a heated steering wheel, heated seats, Park Assist which will help with parallel or bay parking, sound insulating glass and lots more besides.

Despite being 2mm shorter than the outgoing model, the new Passat boasts extra interior space with additional leg and head room. And luggage limits have also been increased with current saloon models offering 586 litres of storage space (60:40 split-folding rear seats help increase the capacity further).

The interior has a truly premium and modern feel to it with all controls, dials and readouts ideally positioned for driver-usability and a slim-looking air vent that stretches the length of the dashboard.

But buyers these days want it all. Not only do they demand a car that is stylish, feature-rich and great to drive, they want good economy along the way too. And the new Passat certainly delivers on that count.

Despite the car having a 0-62mph sprint time of 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 136mph, it can deliver an impressive 70.6mpg on a combined run with carbon emissions of just 106g/km. And it's those frugal figures that keep the vehicle in such high demand amongst fleet drivers.

However, the handling and driving dynamics haven't been compromised in the slightest and the Passat is still an absolute pleasure to drive. The driver can choose from five different driving modes with Eco helping to achieve those impressive economy stats and Sport livening up the ride and responsiveness of the car.

In and around town the Passat offered great all-round visibility and the Park Assist function will make anyone look like the complete professional when squeezing into tight spaces. Then out on faster lanes and motorways the 2.0-litre diesel-driven engine delivered plenty of bite with a constant supply of power on tap.

The road-holding is flawless and improvements to the vehicle's insulation are evident by how quiet the interior is even when the car is pushed quite hard.

The six-speed manual gearbox is smooth and responsive and the precise steering is another notable feature.