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 CC 2010 Sport -Auto - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By rodjpr - December 2 - 5:17 pm

  I purchased my 2010 CC Sport black exterior about 3 months ago with 25K miles and very good gas mileage.

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  POS in nice skin - 2014 Volkswagen CC
  By geo40 - November 20 - 11:07 am

  Its a money pit. Talk about high maintainance German cars. Have to replace the tires every 30K miles. Water pump went out at 60K. Oil leak at tensioner at 65K miles. Rear break pads wearing out before fronts. Each of those cost me over $1K a pop. Not good for a $35K vehicle when purchased new. Long time ago, I had a 1980 Datsun 510, carburator, manual. It went to 200K miles with oil changes only. Think the Germans have learned how to make reliable cars? They have not. They have learned very well how to drain your bank account. And for reference, Ive had a BMW Z3 and A Mercedez C240. Same high maintainance POS in pretty skin.

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  WATCH THE GAS GUAGE GO DOWN AS YOU DRIVE - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By bobseelos - November 11 - 8:48 pm

  Bought this 4 Motion CC as a model left over after the 2010s had come out on a $499 per month 36 mointh lease, 12000 miles per year. the big negative issue i have with htis vehicle is the gas mileage. Averages about 20 miles per gallon. Car has lots of pickup and is usually driven about 80 on the freeways so I guess this is the reason for the poor gas mileage.

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  No regrets - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By tk - November 11 - 8:03 pm

  It is 5 days since I bought a 09 CC and it is official - no buyers remorse. It is every bit as good as it looks. Drives like a charm, fun to handle and it surrounds u with luxury that is affordable compared to BMW 328(most boring car in this price range) /Audi A4/Accura - they simply do not match the style and finish of this baby. My kids love it and for a change my wife congratulated me on the selection - well that is quite an achievement :)!

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  Im back VW! - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By MySilverCC - November 9 - 10:00 am

  Traded in my very extremely reliable 4cyl Honda Accord EX-L W/Nav for a 2010 CC. I have no regrets... so far!! Ive owned VWs in the past, and overall, they never gave me any extreme issues. The CC has a lot of power for a 4 cylinder. You can be up to 80mph quickly if youre not paying attention. It has very good road manners, seats are comfortable, gas mileage is also very good. I like the looks of vehicles exterior, and interior is nice, although it is "leatherette". My Honda at least has real leather on the front, and bottom areas. Overall, Im happy happy happy! Got it from Koeppel VW in Queens on Northern Blvd. Great people by the way! Whats up Rosario!

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  Amazing Value! - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By cameron12x - October 27 - 12:43 pm

  The Sport trim is an amazing value. The turbocharged 4-cylinder mated to the six-speed manual transmission produces sub 7-second 0-60 times, yet I got 33 mpg on my first road trip! The build quality is first-rate, comfort abounds, and its an incredibly beautiful car just to look at. I cant wait for the parking lot comments!

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  Better than a 5 Series - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Fmr BMW Owner - October 19 - 10:16 am

  Just found this car when I was about to turn in my 530xi, and by every measure, it is MUCH more refined and luxurious than that car, at about 35% less cost. Styling inside and out is superb, and just about every time I get out of the car someone is asking what it is -- no one can believe it is a VW. Absolutely stellar for the price, or even several thousand more. Anyone considering any of the German/Japan luxury marks should take a look at this, you will be utterly amazed.

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  I love this car - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Neo - October 1 - 7:20 am

  I usually suffer from some buyers remorse when I buy a car, but not this time. I just bought this car to replace an Infiniti I30T and I couldnt be happier. I had test driven the Lexus ES, BMW 3 series, Maxima and a few other cars and chose the CC for its styling, peppy engine (the 4-cylinder 2.0T is much quicker than the 6 cylinder I had on the I30), and price in comparison to other cars that were less sexy, had fewer features and were $5k to $10k more. I get more compliments on this car than others I have owned and people often wonder what type of car it is. I would definitely recommend (and have recommended) this car to others.

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  great looks at an affordable price - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By mawazo vw - September 14 - 8:40 pm

  The car really scoots for a four cylinder engine. I find that I had to set the trip computer to warn me when I exceed 75mph because I would be doing 85 by the time i merged onto the freeway-different sound which is much quieter than my previous V6 VW GTI. Majority of my diving is on the highway and I can average 32MPG during my commute cruising at 73mph. Great standard options. Very easy to operate HVAC.

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  Its a great car for the price. - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By jmfos - September 3 - 3:03 am

  Its a great car for the money. 2010 sport includes touchscreen radio with SD card slot, ipod(option), blue tooth w/voice control, rain sensing wipers, auto lights, auto dimming rear view mirror. DSG is new this year and is cool. At slow speeds(i think), when you turn the wheel it lights up the outside in the direction you are turning the wheel. Its not the Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) in the VR6 but its kind of cool. You have to test drive it. It drives so much nicer then the Japanese cars. Plus its so much more refined. If you go test drive one, bring your checkbook, because you will want to buy it.