Overview & Reviews

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

The current Volkswagen CC (the CC moniker stands for "Comfort Coupe") is based on the previous-generation Passat. It owes its striking stance to dramatically redesigned sheet metal and a lower, sloped roof line. The suspension has also been tightened up for sharper handling and the base engine is a torque-rich, fuel-efficient turbocharged four-cylinder. The CC boasts high-quality furnishings and, during its first four years, featured a more sculpted two-person backseat instead of the typical three-passenger arrangement. 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 five-seat midsize sedan that's available in four trim levels: Sport, R-Line, Executive and VR6 4Motion Executive.

Standard power for all CCs except the highest trim level comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the Sport and R-Line trims. A six-speed automated manual known as DSG takes the place of a conventional automatic transmission, and is optional on those trims and standard on the Executive trim. Front-wheel drive is standard on all four-cylinder models. A 3.6-liter V6 with 280 hp and 265 lb-ft is standard on the VR6 4Motion Executive. A conventional six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are also standard.

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, VW's Car-Net telematics  system, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a navigation system and a touchscreen-operated stereo with satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack. If that's not enough, additional features and options -- depending on trim level -- include leather upholstery, a sunroof, bi-xenon headlights, LED running lights, front and rear parking sensors, a superb premium sound system and an upgraded navigation system with a bigger display screen and a rearview 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 – it's considerably more expensive, but the six-cylinder 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: Rear headroom is tight for taller passengers, and trunk space is down quite a bit compared to the much larger current Passat.

Used Volkswagen CC Models
The Volkswagen CC was first introduced for the 2009 model year. A used CC is pretty similar to a new one, though there have been a few changes over the years. In that first year, a conventional six-speed automatic was optional on the 2.0T model rather than the current car's DSG transmission. Bluetooth was an option and the standard stereo did not feature the touchscreen interface. The V6 came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive being optional. That changed for 2011, when all-wheel drive became standard for the V6.

Perhaps the most notable change occurred for 2013, when the CC swapped out its former, sculpted two-person rear seat for a more conventional and practical three-person setup. That year also brought a slight exterior styling refresh that included slimmed-down head- and taillights. Other than a minor shuffling of features and lacking the current lineup's Executive trim level and telematics system, these latter CC models are similar to today's offerings.

User Reviews:

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  Stay far far away from these cars!!!! - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Ryheem T. - July 18 - 7:05 am

  My wife purchased a 2009 VW CC last year......July 2015. The first day of owning the car the fuel pump went , luckily we purchased the car in CT where the dealers have to give you a 90 day warranty. Car was in the shop for 2 weeks total bill cam e to well over $1000.....luckily we didnt have to pay for it. Car drove good for a few months then the brake booster went(Feb 2016)...........$700 fix. My wife was recently at work and the car wouldnt start.........replaced the coil packs($500 job) , car was out of the shop no more then a few weeks...........check engine light pops up......dreaded P2015 code(intake manifold issue). Luckily VW has a warranty for this........covered for 10 yrs/120k.......fixed free of charge. Got the car back yesterday 07/16/16 , this morning car wont start. Im telling you guys.......stay far far away from these cars........nothing but headaches!

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  The absolute worst car I have owned since.... - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Bryan now hates VW - January 19 - 7:19 am

  This is the worst car I have owned since I only had $1700 and I was 17. Broke down like clock work every 3k miles. New transmission, new fuel injectors, supposed "corrosion build up" that I paid for after 50k miles because the right brands of gasoline werent used...I used the "recommended Top Tier" gasolines per VW. Had to have the whole radio replaced, no bluetooth compatibility, then my car broke down again, then again....then after it broke down again, another fuel injector went out. I was "afforded" a 2014 TDI Passat to drive while under repair. All the electronics we screwed up on it so I couldnt use navigation...due to a yet to arrive "software update" Next, I had a turbo Beetle, the "sport gauges" failed, including turbo pressure and oil temperature at regular intervals, a driving light was already out...all at 8k miles. My advice....STAY AWAY from VW. Absolutely the worst car company I know. I would rather drive a Chevy Cruze than these pieces of ....

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  Noting but issues - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Howie - August 19 - 6:33 pm

  We have had this car for 6 years now, consistent problem with the fuel systems it’s been in the dealer 5 time for fuel injector issues only. Recently the fuel pump went out, oil leaks, control arm and much more we have spent $2500 in the last 6 months with all of the issues we been having.

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  LEMON!!! STAY AWAY! - 2011 Volkswagen CC
  By wolf_3 - January 15 - 1:02 pm

  I have owned the car since November of 2010. My 2011 CC Lux Plus is a lemon, plain and simple! I did a years worth of research on this car and was confident in my decision. All the experts, consumers and the magazines said it was a great car. The day I drove it off the lot was the BIGGEST mistake of my life. The electronics never worked from the start. Bluetooth does not work with my iPhone, nav system thinks Im in Florida when I live in New York, transmission lurches the car backwards and forwards so much so that I cant parallel park it. Nav system and Bluetooth modules have each been replaced twice, they are JUNK. Car has been in for service 5 times and VW customer service is horrible

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  AWFUL - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Jason - October 5 - 12:35 pm

  In the time I have had my CC, two new intake manifolds, new engine. YES I SAID A NEW ENGINE AFTER 80K MILES. VW did nothing. I asked if they could help discount or anything they said no since it was out of warranty even though the car was only 3 years old at the time. Needs new tires every year, cannot keep them aligned. Have replaced every taillight and headlight at least a couple of times. To top it off this week, the headliner just fell down in it. Yeah you know like when you see a 82 caprice and the headliner is sagging driving down the road...thats my car now. Called VW est. $1000-$1200 to replace it. I curse the day I bought this car.