2009 Volkswagen CC
by Rebecca Antioco -08/2009

My initial thought about the Volkswagen CC is, “Why?” Why a four-door sedan when VW already has the Passat? Why would someone pay near luxury prices for a VR6 Volkswagen? After all, saying you drive a Mercedes or a BMW has more cachet than say, admitting you drive a VW that costs as much as one. Volkswagen should’ve learned that hard lesson with the failed Phaeton.

But here’s where the CC differs from the Phaeton experiment: The base model CC Sport has a starting price tag of $28,200 with an automatic transmission (a six-speed manual is standard and will knock $1100 off that base price). That’s identical to the starting price of the Passat, but the CC has a decidedly sexier look than your typical midsized sedan. Standard is a 200-horsepower inline turbocharged four-cylinder engine that puts out 207 pound-feet of torque. It’s not until you move up the line to the VR6 Sport model, which produces 280-horsepower, that you start to flirt with luxury price ($38,300).

So let’s talk a little more about the “why.” The CC (which, incidentally, stands for Comfort Coupe, despite having four doors) may share the Passat’s basic underpinnings, but it’s built for looks.  The roofline is two inches lower than the Passat’s, and the sleek front end and side accent give the CC a profile that could, dare we say, be mistaken for a Mercedes. The interior is much like that of the Passat, but given that Volkswagen earns high marks for its interiors, even in the most basic models, that’s not a bad thing.

The CC does get a few luxury upgrades, including available two-tone seats with cross-stitched leather or convincing faux leather, and comfortable bucket-style rear seats.

The base model S is well equipped with standard goodies like full power accessories, heated seats, cruise control, automatic climate control and a full complement of safety features. Luxury amenities such as heated seats, leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, and power adjustable seats with memory feature are also standard, where they are either optional or unavailable on competitor vehicles.

To up the posh factor, you can upgrade to the S Luxury, and get 18-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights, power rear sunshade, steering wheel paddles and an upgraded sound system. But, it will cost you $5250. A technology package with navigation system, digital music storage, back-up camera and iPod integration is available with the Luxury Package and on the VR6 model ($2640).

On the road, the CC handles exceptionally well, and the base engine is powerful, with the overall drive quality having a premium feel on par with its outward appearance. The suspension is on the firm side, but not jarringly so, with passengers barely feeling bumps and imperfections on the road. I drove the base S model, and while I didn’t have the opportunity to test the VR6, I can’t imagine that there would be sufficient drive quality improvement to merit spending an extra $10,000.  

The CC performed well in government crash tests, earning four stars for passenger and driver protection in front impacts. In side impacts, it received five stars for front passenger protection and four stars for rear passenger protection.

So, for the price of a staid, typical midsized sedan, you can get a stylish head turner, with very little sacrifice in practicality. Ultimately, if you don’t need seating for more than four (and your rear seat passengers aren’t very tall, given the lack of headroom), and you stick with the base four-cylinder model, the more appropriate question about the CC may be “Why not?”