Small but perfectly formed reviews. The best of the rest from this month’s drives
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.5 TSI
How many cars make it to a ninth generation and sixth decade? At least one. The MkIX Passat is estate only and twinned almost identically with the latest Skoda Superb to maximise profitability. Good news for the VW, though, as it makes this car comfier and roomier, while in-car tech is an improvement on recent missteps. Just a shame the UK is denied punchier 2.0 petrols and diesels, our choices limited to a range of otherwise solid 1.5 hybrids. SD
£38,480
FOR Comfier, quieter and roomier than ever AGAINST Some lost design sparkle in the process
LAND ROVER DEFENDER 130 V8
This is an engine we absolutely love. It sounds a little more muted and makes slightly less power in the 130, but its smooth, unrelenting delivery mates perfectly with the eight-speed ZF gearbox. Lovely Alcantara steering wheel too. Given the weight (over 2.7 tonnes) it doesn’t actually feel that fast, but the 130 V8 corners remarkably flat and still manages all of the Defender’s off-road tricks. GP
£117,475
FOR Glorious grunt, genuine seating for eight AGAINST Drinks fuel at alarming rate, doesn’t fit in the UK
MG4 XPOWER
The MG4 XPower is a salutary lesson in engineering. It’s very fast. Two motors and 429bhp mean 0–62mph in a punishing 3.88secs. Stopping will be no issue either, you think, because you’ve seen the beef
