By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica

(January 24, 2017) Volkswagen first introduced the Passat CC for the 2009 model year. Visually, the 2017 CC tested here is virtually identical to the original. There have been changes over the years, updates, refreshes. VW dropped the name “Passat,” so it’s now simply known as the Volkswagen CC.

Even though it has four doors, VW calls it a sleek sports coupe. We’re guessing that’s because of its sloping rear roofline, with curves that are intended to captivate the senses and turn the staid Passat into an art form. The CC, for its numerous virtues and features, still isn’t what you’d call a looker.

Yet, CC is by far a better-looking sedan than the Passat, so you would expect more shoppers to favor it. But in reality, the sales numbers for 2016 show just 3,237 sold, compared to over 73,000 for the Passat. In fact, you may not have even seen a CC on the road.

Of course, to be fair, the Passat does have a huge price advantage, with the entry-level model starting at just $22,220 compared to the $34,475 starting price for the CC. There is, of course, a significant difference in standard equipment justifying the price gap.



It’s clear the product planners at Volkswagen intended the CC to compete with upscale competitors including the Acura TLX, Infiniti Q50, Lincoln MKZ and others. The difficulty in that, however, is entry-level luxury sedan buyers don’t consider Volkswagen to be either a premium or luxury brand and won’t shell out luxury-car dollars for a Volkswagen.

Some may recall all the way back to 2004 when VW introduced the audacious Phaeton luxury sedan, that cost as much as $100,000. That vehicle sold just a few thousand copies and VW pulled the plug on it after two years.

That said, the CC isn’t a bad car at all. In fact it’s a pretty good one. The cabin is quite impressive with near-luxury looks and materials, quality switchgear. Fit and finish is refined German quality with well-upholstered, comfortable seats up front.

While I had to duck my head to get into the back seat because of the sloping roofline, once there, I was quite comfortable. The rear seat only accommodates two.

The CC is available in two well-equipped trim levels. The 2.0T Sport, with a starting price of $35,340, includes leatherette (faux leather vinyl) seating surfaces, heated seats, bi-Xenon automatic headlamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry with push button start, rain-sensing front wipers, rearview backup camera, app connect Smartphone integration and interface, 6.3-inch touchscreen navigation and Sirius XM satellite radio.

The R-Line Executive ($38,685) adds leather seating, lane departure warning, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. It also incorporates a more aggressive looking front bumper design with a large lower air intake, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, and sport paddle shifters.

Both trim levels are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 200 horsepower on premium gasoline, powers the front wheels and connects to a six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission.

EPA-estimated fuel economy is 25 mpg combined (22 city/31 highway). On our mixed city, suburban, and highway driving, we realized 25.8 mpg.

Engine power was smooth and linear, visibility acceptable and the cabin quiet at highway speeds. The CC didn’t handle the curves nor corner as sharply as we would expect from a vehicle with Sport in its name. However, the overall ride is comfortable and we expect it will please most drivers.

Overall, the CC is well equipped with adequate power and good driving characteristics and decent value. But the CC has seen few changes since its introduction and the styling both inside and out isn’t as fresh as competitors’ and seems dated. Even though it’s positioned with a favorable price, the Volkswagen name doesn’t carry the same distinguishing luxury cachet as other brands in its class.

Vital Stats

Price: $35,340 - $38,685
Seating: 4
Engine: 2.0-Liter Turbocharged four-cylinder
Horsepower: 200
Fuel Economy: 22-Mpg City – 31-MPG Highway

Competes With:

Acura TLX
Cadillac ATS
Infiniti Q50
Lincoln MKZ
Mercedes-Benz CLA

Fab Features:

Value priced
Attractive interior
Smooth, quiet ride