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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  Good coupe with 56k - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By Luis - July 10 - 5:44 pm

  Stylish good gas mileage. .however make sure if you buy one comes with full service records very important the way the cc is maintained exp trans fluid change service at 30k $600 bucks regular oil changes at 6k dont wait for the 20k please. ....and you will have a great CC enjoy.. got mine with 20k now i have 56k no issues. .did have the ac control replaced under Warranty. ..

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  Great Purchase - No Regrets So Far - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By ATLDriver - July 10 - 8:50 am

  I have always been a VW fan since my 84 GTI that I never wanted to get out of. I owned a Jetta and Golf during the 90s while living in SF but moved away from the brand for about 15 years but found I needed something a bit more economical on the gas. I had gone in to look at the new GTI but found myself drawn to the CC. There really is no other car at this level in this price range. Ive read the reviews - about a million times - and am a bit confused that no one has mentioned the jumpiness coming out of first gear - or maybe thats just my car? Been to the dealer to see if I had a transmission problem but again - maybe my car is an anomaly? Will post another message if it needs to be fixed.

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  Much Improved Over Passat - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Liz - July 1 - 8:40 pm

  This CC has caused a sensation at work and the car wash; people want to know what it is since there is no name on the car. Ive only seen one other on the road. The quality and reliability (thus far) are vastly superior to my former Passat. Standard features compare very favorably to baseline Hondas, Toyotas, Minis, other German autos, etc. Heated seats are wonderful on cold mornings. The two tone interior gets envious stares! Power memory for 3 seat settings works well for each of us in my family.

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  LOVE IT - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Geoff - June 25 - 1:53 pm

  I have a 2010 without badging and I get more stares, looks and questions about this car...there are none on the road. I went from a 08 VW Jetta Wolfsburgh which was fun and sporty but this is sexy and luxurious and drives like a charm and smooth!

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  Awesome!! - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By jaime - June 15 - 4:23 pm

  I am happy to write a review on my cc. I needed a car to move around town, I average 120 miles a day commuting. I looked at lexus iseries and bmw 3 series but wanted something different . This car gets so much attention,, everyone says its the prettiest vw they have seen. It is so fun to drive i hardly feel the commute and dont mind getting on the road. It has never given me any mechanical problems and feels as new and exciting to drive even today after over 30k miles. I highly recommend it and plan on keeping it for a very long time. If you enjoy driving a quality car and dont care for flashy brand names and still like to stand out from the rest of the sheep this is the car for you!

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  2010 VW CC - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Jerry - June 8 - 8:10 pm

  Ive owned this CC for 3 months now and I look forward every day to drive it. People are constantly admiring th coupe and most have no idea what model it is. Driving on the interstate with cruise control on will give me and Im not kidding better then 41mpg at 60 and better then 35 at 70. The sound system is great and I would buy another one in the future as I highly recommend it to all my friends.

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  Best (looking) VW ever? - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By 11th-vw - June 4 - 7:06 am

  After five months of ownership, this 11th VW in my driveway has not disappointed me in any way. Fuel economy combined after nearly 7000 miles is 31.1 mpg. Quality/workmanship is excellent, comfort for driver and passengers (front and rear) excellent. Easy to expand the trunk space (although not a wagon....). The 2.0T engine is not only great with respect to fuel economy, acceleration is fabulous, engine noise minimal. Better than the V6 that Ive owned. 6-speed manual is smooth and makes driving fun. Sound system is very good. Only (slight) negatives (that one knows after a test drive): View to the rear is challenging at times, and limited seating capacity may be an issue to some

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  Hate the transmission - 2011 Volkswagen CC
  By ericd12 - May 25 - 4:09 pm

  Good value but transmission is all wrong. Shift points in drive mode vs. sport mode are too extreme - drive mode shifts very low (~2200rpm) and in sport mode pretty high (~4500rpm). The transmission disengages when at a complete stop and there is a lag for it to re-engage. Also, when starting from a complete stop with the steering wheel turned it becomes very jerky - as if it is in sport mode.

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  This is a VW? - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By charlie - May 10 - 4:16 am

  Ive had this pocket rocket 2 weeks. My 3 previous vehicles were luxury SUVs. Got the CC because my wife is still thrilled with her 2008 Eos. This is one fine machine. Great design, inside and out. People think its a Mercedes CLS. Tremendous acceleration from 4-cylinder 2.0-liter turbo. Great cornering. Excellent mileage. My choice came down to CC, Honda Crosstour and Lexus 350ES. No question, I made the right choice. Free scheduled maintenance for 3 years sealed the deal. With a different badge (Audi, BMW or Mercedes), this car would cost $10,000 to $30,000 more.

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  A waste of money - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By bluebenz - April 22 - 11:41 am

  Paid big bucks for this car, problems from day one. Check engine lights, water leaks, rattles, rattles and more rattles, interior parts that break, horrible build quality.