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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  No Doubt about it! - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By No Doubt about it - January 15 - 7:56 am

  I was looking to buy a new car and liked the Nissian Maxima, However i decided to shop around and look around. While online i came across the Volkswagen site and saw the new CC. The Car looked great on the web. I decided to take a look in person and WOW the car looked better up close. I was sold, the only thing left was to test drive it. The dealer was closed so i came back the next day and the test drive was perfect i could not believe the power this car has. I called me wife and told her this car is bought. The dealer added the Nav system and that put it over the top. I get nothing but compliments about the car and you dont see this car at every stop light, like some cars.

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  alignment - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By victor - January 2 - 11:56 pm

  bought car beginning of August. has been in shop longer than it has been at home. Alignment problem, let go of steering wheel and drifts drastically to the right. Service guy has been much help, even though 3 technicians have tried to resolve problem. Latest attempt was to replace all tires, another alignment, and balancing. Well see what happens. Havent had time to really test drive it myself since Ive been out of town on business. Will keep you posted. Really like the style, inside and out, but well see.

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  vr6 4motion - its stunning - 2013 Volkswagen CC
  By slk528 - December 25 - 9:10 am

  I wanted a mid-size awd car thats comfortable, looks great, gets decent mpgs despite Boston traffic and had nice options for a good price. This car has it all. I had a fully loaded 550i (iDrive was about to crap out too) and this car has more options at half the price. Its faster too. Build quality is terrific. I hope it lasts me a long time.

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  Perfection Achieved - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By vision3 - December 20 - 8:00 pm

  My first Volkswagen ever; which now has 2,600 miles on it. I have owned a 1992 Corvette LT1 6 speed convertible, 2003 Acura TL, and 2010 Nissan Maxima, and this is by far the best of all. Its sleek, elegant yet sporty, solid aerodynamic body is truly a work of art. Interior is just as stylish and nicely crafted as exterior. The 4 cyl turbo coupled with DSG auto. trans. provides plenty of power / torque with real sports car shifting ability. This is truly a "4 door sports car". The handling and solid feel at any speed, blows away my prev. new 2010 Maxima. The ride is tight, firm, but soaks up bumps and very comfortable. Trunk is surprisingly deep & spacious. No negatives. Simply the best!!!

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  A Definite Winner - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By loyalvwowner - December 15 - 4:30 am

  I traded in a 98 Passat w/ manual transmission. Having owned it for 10 yrs, you can imagine how much I enjoyed the drive. The 09 Passat CC is amazing. It looks great and brings a smile to your face while driving it. It has the solid VW build and all the German engineering that you would expect. The tiptronic transmission w/ "S" gear is fun but not quite as exhilarating as a true manual experience. But, wow, what a car. I bought the true Sport version without any added options offered on the Luxury version. It really has everything you need for a nice ride.

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  Best in its class as well as next class - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Nikhil - November 29 - 10:13 pm

  VW has hit a home run with the CC. It has excellent Value For Money with std features you only get as options on other cars.

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  Wow Amazing - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Sat - November 7 - 4:30 pm

  Worth every cent. I like the pwr seat height adjustment, give me lot of support for thy. Comfortable for the long drive. I wish the interior had a single had a option of Full leather in white color.

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  Bang Bang for the buck - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Mark - October 31 - 12:23 pm

  Amazing styling (Mercedes CLS lines) that constantly gets compliments with an interior superior to that of the latest Audi A4. This is the base model with so many options and power I dont know why you would need the upgrade package considering its lofty price tag. Good mileage - week and a half per tank (27 avg. mpg). If this is the future of VW, autobahn driving will have Bavarian Motor Works in their rearview.

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  Just beautiful!!!!!!!!!! - 2011 Volkswagen CC
  By jsantos05 - October 7 - 1:24 pm

  This ride is a straight up head turner! sport feature is amazing and on the freeway going 60+ just so smooth. Interior / exterior are beautiful they really put effort into making this cc look more expensive then it really is. BEST THING ABOUT THIS RIDE YOU HARDLY SEE IT ON THE ROAD SO WHEN IT PASSES BY DEF. CATCHES PPLZ EYES.. BEST DECISION I EVER MADE IM VERY PICKY WHEN IT COMES TO CARS. I WANTED TO BUY THE AUDI A4 BUT ITS TO EXPENSIVE WHEN I TEST DROVE THE CC SPORT I WAS SOLD ON THE SPOT IM 24 YEARS OLD AND A PROUD VW OWNER !!!

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  Very Happy With Our 2012 VW CC - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By rjm2013 - October 5 - 5:21 pm

  We have been driving the CC for 5 months now and we love it! Cruises wonderfully and gives us just enough get up and go around the city to keep things interesting. Gas mileage is great, better than advertised. The 2.0 Turbo is a great engine that seems to perform better than the specs. The styling and quality, inside and out is classy lux for a price much less than similar lux vehicles. I definately like that we have yet to see another CC on the hwy. A truely beautiful car that performs admirably in its class.