Pass the Passat, please

Enter the Volkswagen Passat. Despite its horrendous name (come on, it sounds like you are spitting every time the word is uttered), it's a car that just makes you want to say "thank you" whenever you get in and out of it.

The Passat, quite simply, is nice. It's safe, pretty and comfortable but doesn't necessarily stand out from the crowd. It doesn't take risks and, to use a Big Brother term, travels under the radar. That's not necessarily a bad thing, by the way.

You simply slot a fancy rectangle-like gadget into a slot alongside the steering wheel and you're off.

There's also no handbrake but rather a push-button park brake, a device more cars should adapt because it saves space and muscle power. For lazy drivers like myself, the Passat is ideal. I've often been accused of not flicking the indicator on for long enough to change lanes and, at the other end of the spectrum, sometimes leaving it on until prompted by a passing motorist.

With a slight flick of the indicator, it indicates three times and switches itself off. Brilliant.

The dreaded windscreen-wiper dilemma is also taken care of. We've all been there. We turn the windscreen wipers on when it starts to rain. It stops; we turn it off. It starts again; we turn it on and then hear that dreaded screech noise as it struggles with a now-dry windscreen. Solution? Sensor wipers; they take all the guesswork out of it.

I have marvelled at such inventions as illuminated cup holders but the Passat adds its own take on what has now become a car staple. Its cup holders come with two sizes which you can alter, depending on the width of your cup or bottle. Nice.

Back-seat passengers are also taken care of with a flip-down resting tray complete with two flip-out cup holders. All my passengers needed was a tray of fine cheeses to complete the picture but, hey, it's me you're talking about. KFC drive-thru comin' right up.

The Passat doesn't scrimp on room and comfortably seats five, but it's the boot ... it's massive. In fact, if I ever ended up in the doghouse, I could easily set up camp in that boot. But I hope to never end up in the doghouse – and neither will the Passat.

LOVE IT LEAVE IT

Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TFSI

Price: $44,990

LOVE IT

No key, just a simple push-in, push-out gadget that's big and easy to find in the handbag.

Flip-down resting arm in the back seat adds that little extra comfort.

Automatic dimming rear-vision mirror – a subtle feature.

LEAVE IT

Shape. It's nice, but it doesn't have that "wow factor".