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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  VW Hits a Grand Slam Home Run! - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Shrivelhead - January 29 - 3:40 pm

  Wow! I own a Mercedes SL55AMG and an Escalade EXT but the CC Sport might just be my favorite car to drive. The car is without a doubt a head- turner. Then it is a head- scratcher. "Thats a Volkswagen - wow!" I get that a lot, and I mean a lot. Lets face it, the car looks like a Mercedes, drives great and costs about half what the Merc would ask. This car performs incredibly well and has smooth, yet powerful acceleration. I added some 20"s and wheels and voila!, I have a luxury sport car that I can drive every day. Dont walk - run - to test drive this car. Youll fall in love with it. I did and so do the 2 - 3 people who stop me in the parking lot on a daily basis!

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  Love It! - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By NetGuy411 - January 28 - 8:00 am

  I got this car on Saturday. It is a pleasure to drive. I love having a manual transmission again. The engine is very responsive. I got 29 MPG on my first tank of gas. Why would any buy the six cylinder?

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  outstanding vehicle - 2011 Volkswagen CC
  By bonnie - January 15 - 10:00 am

  have not had a VW since the carman gia and bettle and squareback, stuck with hondas for many years and they are as good as they get, but the looks are falling, still have a civic, but moved from a honda ridgeline, 07 to this VW CC as it looks sexy, drives excellent, and VW has started to get the reliability right.

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  Great Experience - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By MRod - January 6 - 9:06 pm

  I bought the car in February but waited to put a few thousand miles on the car before writing the review. The car runs like a dream and the 4 cyl turbo is all the engine great around town and on the highway. The interior is a key component of any car I purchase and I have to say I absolutely love the interior. It rivals the interior of any Audi. The exterior is beautiful and turns heads everywhere. I bought the shadow blue with the two tone interior and its a real pleasure to have in my driveway. I regularly drive 200 miles between NY and Pennsylvania and can only say the car is rock solid at speed (autobahn like). Around town smooth and responsive. Previously owned 2004 Acura TL. Buy it.

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  Well Designed - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By CC Rider - December 29 - 11:30 pm

  I started looking at this car because of its looks and also I like the idea of having a coupe-like sedan. The most impressive things about my CC so far is the build quality, the attention it receives and the fuel economy (avg 28).

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  Head turner! - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By scott813 - December 19 - 9:17 pm

  2 years and 36,000 miles and it is still fun to drive. This car has spunk and handles well. Have had many comments on the look of the vehicle as it was not readily seen on the streets at first but I am starting to see more and more. Went with black on black and have enjoyed the driving experience.

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  Very pleased [so far] - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By OBTV - December 17 - 11:40 pm

  This exceptional styled sedan meets most acceptance points of any auto out there today, as a previous owner of a DTS [FULLY LOADED] cadillac I miss the softer ride only, however the CC has all if not more extras than the Caddy. Thats the good news folks...the not-so-good points are a User Manual that is NOT so "user friendly" (many smaller titled booklets in one binder) that you are constantly fumbling from one to another to find the info needed, & most [if not all] the driving control feature set-ups have to be programmed...a real nightmare! I use a computer every day and can only imagine someone that dont have some computer skills saddly will end up not using many features available.

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  2 years on and still loving the car - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By chowchow - December 9 - 5:28 am

  I have driven Infinitis, BMWs, SAABs, Jaguars and Audis over the years and the VW CC really has a nice blend of great qualities from the stylish sheet metal of the Jag to the killer interior and sound system of the Audi, to the fun to drive quotient of the SAAB with their turbo engines to the teutonic road manners of a BMW with the value of the Infiniti. I recently replace the OEM Continentals with Michelin Ultra High Performance Pilot Sport AS-3 tires and they literally transform the cars handling to a level on a par with most sports sedan costing $10K more. I realize how goof the CC is whenever I have to drive something else as a rental or loaner.

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  Great Car - 2013 Volkswagen CC
  By redadunes - November 27 - 7:55 pm

  I traded my 2011 Jetta SE for this amazing car. I got the sport auto with lighting package in fontana red with the 2 tone interior, its a beautiful combination. I cant be any happier, this vehicle handles well and drives like a champ. Its comfortable, quite, luxurious and powerful enough if you arent looking for a speed car. The only thing is that the breaking seems a bit off, somehow I dont feel safe when I brake with this car. I could use a bit more power too. The price was right ($26,700 with a rear spoiler and a dual chrome exhaust tip). SO far I enjoy driving this car and all my friends and family find it to be an excellent car.

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  Fun - but Expensive to maintain - 2011 Volkswagen CC
  By Eric Hemmendinger - November 20 - 8:20 pm

  Had the car for 4 years, and have about 80K miles on it. Its a pleasure to drive - when everything is working correctly - and thats the issue. Ive had to replace the steering column lock, have the heads cleaned, and several other lesser items - but these are things that should not crop up until the car has well over 100K miles. So.. Its expensive to maintain. Ive also learned that its fragile. I put it into a snow bank at the bottom of the driveway - going about 8 miles/hour. the damages are in excess of $4K. To me that means its fragile. Ive enjoyed driving it, but am about to replace it in order to obtain a more cost-effective vehicle.