2009 Volkswagen CC Review

PROS Top-notch interior fittings, Great ride/handling balance, Coupe-like stying

CONS Only four seats, Limited rear-seat head room

I suppose it is every auto manufacturer's dream to have a full line up of cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. Heck, even Porsche is selling an SUV and will shortly have a four-door sedan. Volkswagen is no different. This past year the German automaker introduced two new models aimed at rounding out its product portfolio. The VW Routan, a thinly veiled version of the award-winning Dodge Caravan, and the CC, a four-passenger coupe-styled version of the Passat.

Of the two, the CC is certainly the most interesting. More than just a gussied up Passat, it forges new ground as an aspirational vehicle that blends coupe styling with sedan functionality. With prices that range from $27,100 to $38,700, it's priced at the top end of the midsize market, in line with vehicles like the Acura TXS, Buick LaCrosse, Infiniti G37, Lexus ES, Nissan Maxima, and Volvo S60.

Dimensionally, the CC is nearly identical to the Passat, though it sports a dramatically sloped roofline, completely different interior and the aforementioned four-passenger seating arrangement. It is offered in Sport, Luxury, and VR6 Sport trim levels.

Sport and Luxury have front-wheel drive and come with a turbocharged 200-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. VR6 Sport is available with front- or all-wheel drive and get a 280-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine. The four-cylinder comes with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. The V6 gets only the six-speed automatic. The automatic transmission can be manually operated using the center-console-mounted shifter in four-cylinder models or by using steering-wheel paddles in V6 versions.

Standard safety features on all models include antilock four-wheel disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights, and dual-front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags. Luxury and VR6 Sport models add as standard equipment front- and rear-obstacle-detection system. Rear-side airbags are optional on all models. A rear-view monitor is optional on Luxury and VR6 Sport models.

Standard equipment on the Sport includes air conditioning, tilt-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, vinyl upholstery, heated 12-way power front seats, center console, split-folding rear seat, heated power mirrors with integrated turn signals, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM radio with in-dash six-disc CD/MP3 changer and digital-media player connection, trip computer, compass, outside-temperature indicator, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, floormats, theft-deterrent system, fog lights, 235/45R17 tires and alloy wheels.

The Luxury model adds to the Sport dual-zone automatic climate controls, leather upholstery, memory system, aluminum interior trim, power sunroof, satellite radio, rain-sensing wipers with heated washer nozzles, universal garage door opener, automatic day/night rearview mirror, and automatic headlights.

VR6 Sport adds to Luxury upgraded sound system, power rear sunshade, steering-linked adaptive HID headlights, and 235/40R18 tires.

Options include navigation system with hard drive and a Bluetooth cell-phone connection. All CCs carry a $750 destination charge and are manufactured in Germany.

Get Up and Go  VW's turbo four is available in just about every vehicle in the lineup--and for good reason. It is smooth, responsive, and most importantly, efficient. When mated to the six-speed automatic transmission, the four banger provides the CC with good acceleration from a standstill and above-average highway passing punch. Volkswagen claims the four-cylinder will push the CC from 0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds.

However, if you load the vehicle up with four adults and a weekend's worth of cargo, acceleration becomes considerably more subdued. That's probably where the V6, with its additional 80 ponies would make more sense.

Though the transmission has nicely spaced gear ratios and doesn't race to top gear like some other European competitors, it doesn't have the smoothness that a car in this price range should. In addition, it needs a healthy kick in the throttle before it will down shift in passing situations.

Though all-wheel drive is available on the VR6 Sport, most drivers will never need it. A good set of all-season tires and the standard traction control should make short work of Chicagoland's snowy roads.

CC Sport carries EPA ratings of 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway and requires premium-grade gasoline. Those numbers are slightly behind most four-cylinder competitors, but honestly, they don't offer the turbo four's punchy acceleration. Given a light throttle foot and some economy-minded driving techniques, it's easy to average 24 mpg. If your commute includes lots of open-road expressway travel, you might average as high as 28 mpg.

On the Road  The CC strikes a near-perfect balance between road feel and and impact absorption. The firm suspension does an excellent job of filtering out minor pavement imperfections and cushioning sharper bumps. Occasionally, a pothole or expansion joint will pound through, reminding drivers that this is a $30,000 luxury sedan, not a $60,000 luxury sedan.

The tires have excellent dry-road grip and the brakes provide smooth and drama-free stops. Overall, the ride remains composed with a slight hint of bound and bounce on bumpy roads--never enough to upset passengers, but enough to remind drivers that this isn't a sport sedan. The steering, though accurate, is a trifle over boosted and out of place in a sedan with sporting intentions.

The steeply sloped windshield and gently tailored rear glass help eliminate most wind rush. Sadly, tire rumble isn't as well muted and disturbs on longer highway trips. The four-cylinder engine cruises quietly and sounds appropriately sporty in hard acceleration.

Behind the Wheel  Unlike many competitors, the CC's interior is refreshingly simple and elegant. The materials are top notch and the assembly quality is first rate. Competitors should take note that a well-designed interior doesn't have to be ornate or overly stylized to be elegant and functional.

Drivers face two well marked gauges for vehicle and engine speed. In between there's a driver information center that houses radio station or fuel economy displays. Radio controls are clearly marked and placed high in the center stack. Climate controls are a longer reach at the bottom of the center stack, but still well organized and surprisingly simple. Ancillary controls are illuminated at night and positioned for easy access.

Front-seat passengers are treated to nicely bolstered and supportive seats and generous leg room. People more than six feet tall might balk at the low-roofline's limited head room though. Thankfully the seats are height adjustable and tilt-telescope steering wheel is standard. Getting in and out is a bit tricky because of the low roofline and the large rear pillars compromise rear visibility.

Despite its generous exterior dimensions, you have to keep reminding yourself that CC is a four seater. Those two rear seats are very well appointed and deeply sculpted. Leg room is adequate if the front seats aren't all the way back, but head room is tight for those taller than about five-foot-eight.

Cargo space is a mixed bag. Though the trunk's dimensions match up to most competitors, the opening is very small and it has hinges that intrude on cargo space. The rear seats fold nearly flat with the flip of a lever. That's nice as some luxury competitors have only a center pass through. Interior storage is good with lots of storage cubbies, a deep center console and a large bin to the left of the steering wheel.  

Bottom Line  Face it, there's not a big demand for a midsize four-door, four-passenger sedan. Thankfully, the CC's attributes appeal to a buyer who's less concerned with five-passenger capacity and more concerned with style.

Most of the Passat's positives apply in CC, starting with a great ride/handling combo and the frugal-yet-peppy engine. The interior is also quite befitting of a car costing $10,000 more. You do have to make some sacrifices, starting with the four-passenger configuration and the less than useful trunk. Still, there's a lot to like in the CC and it's a car with character and charisma.