2009 Volkswagen CC Review

The Volkswagen journey in search of a distinctly sporty, yet clearly luxurious feeling sedan has been a relatively short one. Remember the Phaeton? Neither do we; but the folks at VW certainly do, and they have clearly found a better way to offer the market a blend of VW engineering prowess with interior ingenuity and sophistication. Welcome the 2009 VW CC.

When I first heard about the pending delivery of the new 2009 Volkswagen CC, my first thought was: Another shot for VW at a luxury sedan. I won't even bring up that Phaeton experiment (Oops, I guess I just did) a couple years back, but this CC, it stands for Comfort Coupe, clearly has a well defined mission in the market and it delivers an overwhelmingly distinct style with the aforementioned comfort - and some grace.

The VW CC is not a competitor of the large Passat sedan. Just look at this models' flowing lines, big 18-inch alloy rims and the signature frameless window treatment (no B-Pillar) and you have yourself a first-class sedan that is as much about NOT being VW as it is about being a willing part of the family.

For starters, you cannot help but notice the aggressive pitch of the windshield as it flows down through the stacked headlight assembly, grille and cowl. There is a noticeable sense of sport and fun, but the overall look of my tester, painted deep black, was one of sophistication and elegance. The CC could easily stand for Country Club, but this VW CC could never be staid or stuffy. Park this sedan in the lot and it will stand out next to virtually anything parked around it.

As a fan of the VW interiors over the years, I'll have to admit nobody does the minimalist leather interior treatment better. Comfortably taut leather seating, an attractive blending of man-made materials and metal trim as well as a glass surround that, minus a B-Pillar, makes this sedan more sexy and more convincing that VW really got it right this time.

At a base price of $27,000 for the Sport model, $39,300 for my VR6 4Motion tester, once you get settled into the cabin you feel like you are in a much more expensive sedan. I've been in plenty of sedans that are almost double this cost and they did not have the harmonious feel and balance that this CC interior delivers.

So what's the payoff, you ask? Well, there is a couple of convenience issues that must be traded off for all that beauty. First, expect some compromised visibility and get to know your side mirrors real well. Second, this is styled like a coupe, so getting in and out of the seats might require a bit of wrangling or twisting. I think it's worth all the effort - and you get a bit of a core workout in the process.

The driver has 12-way power seat adjustments and memory for both the seats and mirrors. Seats are heated, of course, as well as the mirrors, and a dual climate control offers separate temperature settings for the front passenger. I was really impressed with the two-tone Cornsilk beige interior color and how it worked stylishly in and around the dark synthetic dash material. Another feature of the CC that was really special was the key fob, which has to be inserted into the dash to start the engine. First you insert it, and then push it down and the engine starts; press it again to turn the engine off.

Rear seats, there are two, are separated by a center armrest that is also the pass-through to the trunk. Getting in and out requires a little more effort, but the independent rear seating is comfortable with a big dash of sportiness.

My tester had an upgrade ($2,640) technology package featuring a radio navigation system and rear view camera. The premium sound system was outstanding and the 6-month trial subscription to Sirius Satellite Radio is a plus.

The VW CC comes with two engine options: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (200 hp) and the 3.6-liter V6 (280 hp). Under the hood, my tester had the VR6 powerplant mated to a 6-speed tiptronic automatic transmission supplying power to all four wheels (called 4Motion in VW vernacular). I found the response to be pleasing most of the time with some rough shifts here and there and maybe just a little too much noise in the cabin space.

At 3,600 pounds, the CC weighs less than the Passat, and it handles more nimbly and with a greater sense of sport. It is not meant to go ripping through snaking mountain roads, but it can accommodate most everything you throw at it with ease, albeit a little more roll and a lot more swaying in the cabin.

There is the expected bevy of safety features and restraints; an impressive array of airbags tucked in among the sleek columns and pillars creates an ultra-safe environment to ride in. VW offers a 3-year 36,000-mile warranty with a 5-year/50,000-powertrain warranty. Roadside assistance is available for 3 years, or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Overall, this VW CC is a great looking sedan that takes VW showrooms to another level. There will be a whole new buyer willing to check out VW. In my book so far, this has to be listed up there as one of my favorite vehicles of the year.

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2009 Volkswagen CC

Style, function.

John Stein