Sub-130g/km: VW Passat CC TDI
Classy four-door proves style doesn’t have to come at a price
Power: 168bhp
CO2: 129g/km
Price: £26,660
20% BIK: £80 pcm
40% BIK: £160 pcm
Stylish, practical and kind to the environment – the VW Passat CC has it all. The 2.0-litre TDI GT BlueMotion Technology model uses low-friction fluids, a smooth stop-start system and brake energy regeneration to slash emissions without hampering performance, and is a truly brilliant choice for company car taxpayers.
It uses Volkswagen’s tried and tested 2.0-litre diesel engine, with 168bhp and 129g/km CO2 emissions. Key to the CC’s appeal is its mixture of practicality and style. Frameless doors and sleek lines set it apart from the ordinary Passat saloon, while GT models also feature tinted windows and lowered sports suspension.
The CC was originally available only as a four-seater, but a recent facelift means you can now fit three passengers across the rear bench for the first time, so it’s reasonably practical, too. Lift open the tailgate, and there’s a whopping 452 litres of space for your luggage; drop the rear seatbacks, and you can accommodate longer loads.
It’s not as sensible as a hatchback, but the car has the measure of its conventional saloon opponents for space. Inside it’s a mixture of regular Passat details and high-quality switchgear lifted straight from other models in the VW range.
Flagship GT trim includes a colour reversing camera and auto-hold for the electronic handbrake. The company’s brilliant twin-clutch DSG system adds to the appeal, although user choosers should bear in mind that opting for the clever gearbox pushes emissions up to 144g/km – which in turn means this model is a much more expensive proposition.
If you’re a company car buyer who can’t quite face the prospect of following the herd by choosing a traditional compact executive model, the four-door Passat CC 2.0 TDI makes a lot of sense.
Other choices:
Alfa Romeo Giulietta JTDm
A sense of style and a range of characterful engines have always been core Alfa Romeo strengths, and the Giulietta is no exception. There’s no mistaking its shield grille, while LED lights set it apart.
Great design continues inside, with a traditional layout, cowled instruments and retro-style toggle switches. While enthusiasts love petrol Alfas, the 2.0-litre JTDm diesel in Lusso spec is the most tax-efficient choice. It has 170bhp, yet emits only 124g/km and promises 60.1mpg economy.
BMW 120d coupe
Big news in BMW’s 1-Series range is the M Coupé, but the flagship clearly isn’t the most efficient variant. Enter
the 120d Sport Coupé. It sneaks under the 130g/km threshold, yet offers 175bhp and a beautifully balanced rear-wheel-drive chassis.
There’s stop-start and a host of BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology, as well as a tall
sixth gear, all of which boosts economy to 60.1mpg. Passenger space is tight, but the 120d is all about
efficient fun – something that it really delivers.
