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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  Nice change from X5 - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Jack C - April 19 - 8:13 pm

  The CC takes a little getting use to after driving the X5 but its a smooth transition and this car is quiet, comfortable "Classic Comfort" and fun to drive. Great touch screen media center. Great for Ipods. the blue tooth controls on the steering wheel work great with the address book illuminated on the dash board. Really happy with my decision buying the CC over another SUV.

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  New Owner 2 day review CC SPORT VR6 - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By sumncguy - April 13 - 11:40 am

  5/7 220lb no problem getting in/out, plenty leg/head room. Drver Seat setting allows ample leg room rear seat rider. Config of the dash controls, 1st glance, easily found/used while driving. Over done interior electronics most I will never use. A good reason to get the warranty. VW should offer VR6 with less fluff. If they did I would have purchased that model instead. Performance/handling quite good both in twisties & on the slab. slow at the starts. Rougher back roads reminded me I was in a smaller car. Performance/steering wasnt inhibited crests/valleys are felt more. Mirror/through window views unobstructed. Ill be back with an updated review.

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  Sure dont miss my Jetta!!! - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By txst - April 5 - 4:19 pm

  Fantastic car!!! I have owned a Jetta TDI (great car) and a Passat (very good car). But in no way do I miss either one of them! The VW CC is so much better than the Jetta or Passat that I barely remember owning them (even though they were solid vehicles). The ride in the CC is super quiet and incredibly smooth. The car is a little low to the ground but that is what makes it look so sleek and gorgeous (neither the Jetta nor the Passat look gorgeous). The VW CC is easily the best car on the road for under 30K!

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  Awesome! - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By MattCC - April 5 - 7:13 am

  Coming from a Ford family is was hard to purchase a car from across the pond but I am glad I did. My last two cars were ZX2s and did a great job getting me though college and graduate school but moving to the CC is a whole new story! This car is just so tight and responsive compared to any Ford I have ever driven including the Mustang. This car is even nicer than my fathers LS and my wife’s MB. Only thing I would do different is get the car in Black and get the Nav. Not sure why some people post that they are getting bad gas mileage… I do a lot of highway driving and average 27-30MPG (probably due to the six speed).

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  CC - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By cal - March 28 - 4:56 am

  Just bought the CC in May 2010. I got the sport model with the 4 cyl turbo. I am pleased so far and have no regrets. The price was reasonable for such a well made car. It certainly is a head turner. I have had several people walk at the way across the parking lot to ask me what kind of car it is and always follow up with how nice it looks. I drove it for a week before my son explained the shift on the fly option. It is nice but would never really be used by me. As mentioned by others, it takes getting used to for the response at throttle start. It almost seems to have a delay. But after driving for a week or so you never notice it anymore. I would buy it again.

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  Great looking car - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By Jeffery - March 23 - 5:59 pm

  I am a tall man (66") and have no problems with entering or exiting the car. There is plenty of leg room for a tall person like myself in the front seats but there is no leg room in the back seats with the front seats all the way back. That is no concern for me as I dont ever expect to have passengers in the rear seats. I took my first long trip of 90 miles the other day and was quite pleased with the ride comfort. Acceleration is very impressive both on the highway and on city streets. Putting the transmission in sport mode really adds some aggressiveness to the driving experience. The interior of the car almost screams luxury with its high-quality materials and quality construction and the exterior profile of the car allows it to feel right at home being parked next to vehicles that are priced several if not tens of thousands of dollars more. UPDATE: Its been a year since I bought my CC and I am still as impressed with it as the day I bought it. I did an unexpected 1800 mile round trip with 3 adult males and the person in the back seat was pleasantly surprised at the comfort of the ride back there. I averaged 28.5 mpg on that trip while cruising between 80 and 85 mph.

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  Worst car to buy...ever! - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By Natasha M. - February 18 - 12:44 am

  I have had this car less than 2 years. I have a 2010 CC 2.0 L Turbo and it has been awful. First, the whole control module went out in the car, which was not covered on ANY part of my warranty- that was $700. Next, the engine blew. Mind you, these engines are awful and I am a responsible adult who does not "rag out" my car. Luckily, that was covered under my warranty. My car has 96k miles on it, and has had nothing but problems. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR.

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  4-Motion is KING in snow! - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Steven - February 13 - 8:53 am

  I bought my VW CC with slight hesitation as I originally did not want the VR6 4-motion. What I originally wanted was a VR6 Sport with black or silver exterior w/ navigation. The vehicle that fit my description was not available at my local dealer but they did have a VR6 4-Motion in Iron Gray ext w/navi (64mi on the ODM) with huge discount on the price as they were already getting in MY10s. So I took it. It took me a while to get used to the ext color but I instantly fell in love with the car when winter came with heavy snow. The 4-motion makes driving in Michigan snow weather so easy when I compare it to my previous MY2000 BMW 323i. No slips or ESC/TCS lights blinking...just WONDERFUL!

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  Sexy, Sporty, Upscale & Affordable, A Home Run! - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By starman11746 - January 27 - 1:58 pm

  Owned a 2009 Jetta & a 2000 Passat. Loved the Passat liked the Jetta. This 2012 CC is in a league of its own. The special lease program with the sign & drive $0 across the board sucked me in. Then there were additional incentives. I took it home for test drive, impressed with the turbo 4 banger, smooth. responsive, quiet. The interior is real sweet...two tone bucket seats, analog clock, heated seats,6 cd changer,+ more. Elegant and impressive. This is the entry model! VW has a hit...why no visual advertising? Its certainly a lot for the money & not a niche car.

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  Holy VW!!!!! - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By NewCCMan - January 26 - 6:56 pm

  WoW! I am totally blown away with this car. The manual Sport Model is perfect. There is no better car out there for the price of such German Engineering and Avant Garde Styling. If you appreciate handling, performance, European styling, this is the car for you