Volkswagen Triumphs with Seven Wins at the 2025 What Car? Awards

Volkswagen’s ninth-generation Passat steals the spotlight with a hat-trick of awards.

  • Passat acclaimed as Estate of the Year, Tow Car of the Year, and winner of the Safety Award.
  • Other honors awarded to the T-Roc, ID.7 Tourer, Golf GTI, and ID. Buzz LWB.

Volkswagen dominated the 2025 What Car? Awards, claiming seven accolades across its lineup. The star of the evening was the ninth-generation Passat, which achieved an impressive trio of awards: Estate of the Year, Tow Car of the Year, and the prestigious Safety Award following rigorous testing by Thatcham Research. This echoes the success of last year’s all-electric ID.7 at the same awards.

Volkswagen’s success extended to the T-Roc, ID.7 Tourer, Golf GTI, and ID. Buzz LWB, underscoring the brand’s strength across categories.

Passat: The All-Round Champion

Since its UK launch in January 2024, the ninth-generation Passat has drawn widespread acclaim. It was crowned the overall winner in the What Car? Tow Car Awards in June, earned a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, and won Best Hybrid Estate Car at the What Car? Electric Car Awards.

Steve Huntingford, Editor of What Car?, praised the Passat:
"The Passat has always been an excellent family estate, and the latest version is the best yet. It’s a comfortable, refined, and practical choice with a smart interior. For company car buyers, the plug-in hybrid version offers great value. Its combination of qualities makes it not only the best estate on sale but also the best tow car and one of the safest cars ever tested by Euro NCAP."

The Passat’s aerodynamic design sets it apart, with a drag coefficient (Cd) of just 0.25—lower than many sports cars—enhancing both efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Built on the advanced MQB evo platform, shared with the new Tiguan, the Passat integrates cutting-edge systems and technologies.

Since its debut in 1973, over 34 million Passat's have been sold globally, and the ninth generation continues this legacy of success.

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Four More Wins for Volkswagen

In addition to the Passat, Volkswagen secured awards across multiple categories:

  • T-Roc: Best Small SUV for Comfort
    “The T-Roc stands out for its quietness, spaciousness, and ability to absorb bumps effortlessly. It offers elevated seating, easy access, and excellent driving ergonomics,” said Huntingford.
  • ID.7 Tourer: Best Electric Estate
    “The ID.7 Tourer combines composure, impressive range, and the practicality estate buyers expect,” remarked Huntingford.
  • Golf GTI: Best Hot Hatch for Everyday Usability
    “The Golf GTI delivers driving fun while maintaining comfort and practicality, making it a pleasure to live with daily,” Huntingford noted.
  • ID. Buzz LWB: Best Electric Seven-Seater
    “No rival matches the ID. Buzz LWB for space and practicality. It handles with aplomb, offers a comfortable ride, and boasts strong predicted resale values,” Huntingford highlighted.

With accolades across electric, hybrid, and internal combustion categories, Volkswagen’s success at the 2025 What Car? Awards cements its position as a leader in innovation, practicality, and performance.

Browse our Volkswagen new car range available now at Western and Barnetts Volkswagen by clicking the link below.

Volkswagen New Cars