Given the abundance of new SUVs has the estate car had its day? asks Geraldine Herbert. What is it? Estate Cars are a hard sell in this country, we gravitate toward SUVs with their chunky styling and commanding view over practicality and space but Volkswagen’s new Passat Estate highlights just how much we are missing out on. Who is it aimed at? If space is your key consideration than nothing comes close to the humble load-lugger and the Passat Estate is a comfortable, practical and very stylish choice. Styling?  Refreshed last year the latest incarnation is not remarkably different but nods towards the modern and the familiar. What’s new is the redesign of the front and rear bumpers, the radiator grille and the logo have all been redesigned while new LED headlights, daytime running lights, fog lights and tail light clusters add a sharper and more sophisticated look. Under the Bonnet? There’s an engine for all tastes including a 2-litre 150bhp diesel, 1.5-litre 150bhp petrol as well as a 1.4-litre petrol plug-in hybrid GTE. Our R-Line estate test car was powered by the diesel version which was mated to the smooth seven-speed automatic gearbox. What about inside?  Inside it is beautifully put-together and multi-talented. The refreshed interior comes with the new MIB3 infotainment system and the all-digital instruments can be configured via the steering wheel at the touch of a button. There is also now the option of the new Travel Assist driver assistance systems which essentially combines lane-keeping assistance and active cruise control systems. While it won’t pilot you home while you catch up on some reading it will allow the car to drive itself, semi-automatically, on motorways. The 650-litre boot can more than cope with anything a family can throw at it but if you do need larger space fold down the seats and it extends to 1,780 litres. On the Road?  Designed for comfort rather than sportiness it will cruise comfortably. Still, more reassuring is just how solid it feels on the road. Beautifully refined the only interruptions are likely to come from noisy passengers. And Safety?  The Passat comes with a reassuring five-star overall rating from Euro NCAP and an impressive array of safety equipment to keep you and yours safely cocooned. What are my options?  With four trim grades,  Passat, Business, Elegance and R-Line....