VW says the elevated wagon fills a niche but poses no threat to the Tiguan.

KNOCKED out of the ring three years ago, a former champion is back on the fight – with confidence that, this time, it can withstand any further pummelling a past protagonist might deliver.

So it goes for the Passat Alltrack, an elevated and all-paw version of Volkswagen’s medium-sized passenger model in wagon form (so, essentially an equivalent of a Subaru Outback, but softer) has returned to sale.

VW New Zealand has decided to re-introduce a model it withdrew in 2018, this time in a turbocharged 162kW petrol format, with a single semi-premium specification, at $59,990.

The maker says it is answering a consumer call but also admits that it doesn’t expect the model to form a big club – hence, says VW NZ general manager of passenger vehicles Greg Leet, the order count has been restricted to just 150 examples per year, for the next three years, which times in with the car’s remaining natural lifespan.

The previous generation was discontinued from local availability in 2018 when Volkswagen New Zealand recognised that it was a victim of the big consumer swing toward more defined sports utilities.

Specifically, within the family, it was often being ignored with consumers preferring the Tiguan, which has since become the make’s biggest volume product here.

Nothing about that market sentiment has changed; if anything, SUVs are more entrenched than ever and if it repeats or improves on last year’s tally, Tiguan will outsell it by more than seven to one.

That’s fine by Leet, who says: “Despite it being a smaller segment, we still see demand for a more traditional station wagon. With a single model offer strategy, upgraded spec and competitive price point, we are sure the model will perform well.”

One point worth considering: Although this powertrain is also in the Tiguan, it restricts to the R-Line which costs $9000 more.

The Tiguan that lineballs on RRP is the Style, also all-wheel-drive but with a 132kW/320Nm 2.0-litre petrol.

Leet reiterates that his operation has had a hand in tailoring the product; this isn’t an example of a UK market car being diverted to the other side of the world.

“Customer insight has helped us shape an NZ specific specification and early signs are that it will work very well for Kiwi requirements.”

He believes one strength of the Passat is that it lacks opposition.

“There’s not a lot of choice when it comes to quality AWD wagons, particularly at this price point. We know it resonates well with the Kiwi lifestyle.”

The model’s driver assistance suite includes Travel Assist with Adaptive Lane Guidance, Front Assist with Pedestrian Monitoring, as well as Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring) and Emergency Assist.

Additional equipment highlights include 19-inch Albertville alloys, Nappa leather upholstery with heated electric front seats, easy open/close tailgate, and wireless App-Connect.

However, the Tiguan has a more modern instrumentation, being a recipient of the swank new MIB3 twin screen look that also runs in the Golf 8.

With the Passat, boot space of 639 litres with the back seats up expands to 1769 litres when folded down, against 615 and 1655 litres in the Tiguan.

Exterior dimensions remain largely unchanged from the previous iteration of the Alltrack; it’s 4780mm long, 1853mm wide, 1530mm high and has a wheelbase of 2788mm.

The car is backed by a five-year/150,000-kilometre warranty and has five years of roadside assist.