In the UK, the once dominant upper-medium volume segment is in decline. There has been a pincer-movement, on the one hand from the more prestigious and more expensive alternatives - typically wearing Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz badges. On the other hand, C-segment upstarts that have grown in size and desirability, but not in price, have prompted many buyers to trade down. Despite this trend, the D-segment remains too important to neglect, so in the last few months we have seen the arrival of a completely new Volkswagen Passat, as well as Fiat's return to the market segment with its Croma - a design that revives an old name in an interesting new guise. The other pair tested here have both been around for several years but have been subjected to significant revision in the last 12 months. Between them, this quartet illustrates the divergent body styles that are available, as well as the alternatives that lurk under their bonnets.
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