In today’s volatile car market, Volkswagen is just like everyone else – they’re trying to appeal to as wide a market as they can with their new releases. It’s the best hedge anyone can come up with. Along these lines, the 2009 Volkswagen CC is a restyled version of VW’s midsize sedan, formerly known as the Passat, that’s intended for anyone who wants a more stylish version of the typical family four-door. And to widen that market globally, they’re releasing this vehicle the Passat CC in Europe and the CC here in the US.
If what you’re looking for is a good, serviceable car, know that VW has a long tradition producing this kind of car. And the CC is a continuation of this tradition. In the case of the CC, what VW has done is taken a very pragmatic version of the sedan and made it look better while maintaining the high quality. They took the basic design of this successful version – the same wheelbase, the same power train and the same interior – and gave it a sleeker front end and tapered the rear from a new slope on the roof. Overall, it’s much better looking than the design they started with.
The interior is well designed and well apportioned, but it’s one you’ve seen before – in fact, it’s nearly identical to the old Passat. You may be beginning to see VW’s basic approach here – keeping what was good in the old design and improving where there was room for improvement. There are some new bells and whistles, such as two-tone seats with more support and a new touch screen navigation system.
The S version of the CC comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, cruise control, automatic windows all around, a steering column that both telescopes and tilts, power front seats with lumbar support, heated front seats, leatherette upholstery, folding rear seats, climate control and a trip computer. It also has an eight-speaker stereo with a CD changer.
In safety testing, the 2009 Volkswagen CC scored well, getting four stars out of a possible five stars in frontal crash tests. In addition, it got the highest five stars out of five for driver-side crash protection and a respectable four stars for passenger protection.
Upon driving, you’ll find that the VW CC has a nice balance between comfort and handling. While it is a bit on the firm side, the CC’s suspension keeps the passengers from harsh impacts. This attention to detail also contributes to the feeling of solid construction you usually find in VW cars. Add to this the car’s turbocharged engine and you get a ride quality that, quite frankly, domestic and Japanese sedans can‘t match.
Overall, when it comes to the CC, you’ll find a high level of style, coupled with a sense of premium quality. Those who crave innovation for innovation’s sake probably won’t find the VW CC appealing, but for the careful buyer, this car definitely offers the broad appeal that singles and families alike will enjoy.
