Volkswagen CC Review

2010 Volkswagen CC Luxury Sedan Shown

The Volkswagen CC is a sedan for shoppers who want something with a bit more style and flair than your average rolling midsize appliance. Following Mercedes' lead with its E-Class-based CLS "four-door coupe," VW has taken its mainstream sedan -- the Passat -- and, with a nip here and a tuck there, transformed its architecture into a sleeker and more sensual offering.

The current Volkswagen CC (the CC moniker stands for "Comfort Coupe") owes its striking stance to dramatically redesigned sheet metal and a sloped roof line that sits 2 inches lower than that of the regular Passat. The suspension has also been tightened for sharper handling. The CC boasts high-quality furnishings and substitutes more supportive -- but also more limited -- 2+2 seating. The result is a suave and sporty European sedan that our editors have deemed an excellent antidote to mainstream mediocrity.

Current Volkswagen CC

The Volkswagen CC is a four-seat midsize sedan available with a choice of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a 3.6-liter narrow-angle V6 ("VR6" in VW-speak). The four generates an adequate 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, while the VR6 ups the ante to a healthy 280 hp and 265 lb-ft. The four can be had with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic; the VR6 is automatic-only. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional on VR6 models.

Even the base CC is nicely equipped, boasting such niceties as alloy wheels, foglights, automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, convincing leatherette vinyl upholstery, power heated front seats and a six-CD changer with an auxiliary audio jack. If that's not enough, additional features and options -- depending on trim level -- include leather upholstery, a sunroof, satellite radio, bi-xenon headlights, a superb Dynaudio premium sound system and a hard-drive-based navigation system with digital music storage, iPod integration and a back-up camera.

In reviews, our editors have taken a strong liking to the Volkswagen CC. Its combination of good looks, strong performance and upscale cabin with high-quality materials is tough to beat. The value leader is clearly the turbocharged four-cylinder model, which offers peppy pickup and plenty of standard luxuries for about the same price as V6-powered mainstream family sedans.

However, there's also an argument to be made for stepping up to the VR6 model -- it's considerably more expensive, but the six-cylinder motor delivers authoritative acceleration at all speeds, and the CC's finely wrought interior helps to support the VR6's elevated price point. Either way, the Volkswagen CC's sport-tuned suspension offers an excellent ride/handling balance, soaking up bumps in typically firm Germanic fashion and tackling tight corners with surprising verve. Just know that the CC's styling requires some compromises: In addition to the unusual four-seat layout, rear headroom is tight for taller passengers, and trunk space is down slightly compared to the Passat.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.