2010 Volkswagen CC Sport: Think of a Passat, then add panache

Written by Steven Macoy
Thursday, 05 August 2010 10:49

The Comfort Coupe, aka CC, is another example of Volkswagen daring to be unpredictable. The CC resembles the Mercedes-Benz C-Class while exhibiting many of the same qualities and capabilities as the popular, venerable VW Passat. It’s hard to say exactly what the CC competes with. Its main competition may well be the Passat, which costs a little less but lacks the CC’s panache.

Now in its second year, the CC -- which actually is a 4-door sedan, not a coupe -- is oddly equipped as well. You can’t get the automatic transmission or all-wheel drive with base Sport model, or the stick shift with the V-6. You also can’t seat five, so some people who like the CC’s looks and driving qualities (that would be just about anyone who gets behind the wheel) will find themselves settling for a Passat or perhaps making a lateral move to the Audi A4.

We tested a Candy White CC Sport, featuring the 200-horsepower Turbocharged Four and six-speed standard transmission. The engine has a lot more punch than you’d expect, given the comparatively modest horsepower count, and is almost preternaturally quiet. We averaged about 32 mpg on a trip from Connecticut to southern New Hampshire; premium gasoline is recommended.

On the highway, the only sound was the hum of the optional 19-inch all-season tires. Of wind, engine or transmission noise, there wasn’t a hint. The car is meticulously assembled with top-quality fabrics and other materials.

The base CC starts at $27,760, rising to $40,240 for the high-end version with V-6 engine, automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Our test car came to $33,058 with optional 19-inch wheels and ground-effects kit.

The CC is undeniably fun to drive. There’s plenty of room in front and ample room for small items. The roof is raked in a manner that foretold inadequate back-seat headroom, but our six-foot passenger was surprised to find he didn’t have to slouch.

The auto-hold system prevents the car from rolling backward from a dead stop on a hill, the parking brake switched on and off automatically when the car was shifted into gear, giving a pronounced grabbing sensation, and the driver’s information center’s readout locked up while the car was in motion. We could have done without some of the nanny technology.

The trunk was decently sized (13 cubic feet) and nicely finished, but we couldn’t fit a wheeled cooler through the opening. A conventional cooler went in easily. The back seat has a small pass-through in the middle, but the seat backs don’t fold down.

The CC received top marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for frontal-offset and side-impact crashes, but just four of five stars in three of the government’s four crash-test categories. First-year reliability was much better than average, according to Consumer Reports magazine reader surveys.

The stick shift and 2-plus-2 seating give the CC a rare if not unique personality that will have great appeal for a certain kind of driver.

Price: $33,058

Engine: 2.0-liter inline turbocharged Four, 200 horsepower, 207 lb.-ft. torque

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Drive: Front-wheel

Weight: 3,300 lb.

Suspension: MacPherson strut front, multi-link rear

Wheels: 19-inch Sagitta alloy (optional)

Tires: 235/35R19 all-season

Seating capacity: 4

Luggage capacity: 13 cu. ft.

Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons

Fuel economy: 21 mpg city, 31mpg highway

Fuel type: Premium

Steven Macoy ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) is a longtime car enthusiast and full-time editor who lives in Bethel, Conn.