Volkswagen Passat and CC Road Tests _ Consumer Reports

The Volkswagen CC: A Four-Door Coupe that Defies Convention

In the automotive industry, the term "four-door coupe" may seem like an oxymoron. However, when referring to the Volkswagen CC, it's precisely this description that aptly captures its essence. The CC is a car that combines the sleek, swoopy styling of a coupe with the practicality and functionality of a four-door sedan.

At the heart of the CC lies the Volkswagen Passat, a midsize sedan that serves as the foundation for this unique vehicle. While the Pat is more practical in nature, the CC aims to be stylish and attention-grabbing. The two cars share a common trait, however: their exceptional driving experience. The handling of both vehicles is responsive, making them a joy to drive. The ride is comfortable, composed, and compliant, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for occupants.

The power source behind the CC's impressive performance comes from a 2-liter, turbocharged engine, which provides an adequate amount of power for daily driving needs. However, when idle, fuel economy can be somewhat sluggish. Fortunately, the CC also offers an optional 3.6-liter V6 engine and all-wheel drive as additional options to enhance its capabilities.

Inside the CC, one can appreciate a high level of interior quality, with well-stitched and contoured front seats serving as a notable improvement over the Passat. The attention to detail is evident throughout the cabin, making it a pleasure to spend time within. However, some control elements may raise eyebrows – the climate control markings are somewhat hard to read, and the ignition system can be fiddly.

One area where both cars excel is in their spacious rear seats. In the Passat, this feature makes it an excellent choice for families, as getting in and out of the back seat is effortless. Unfortunately, the CC has some limitations when it comes to practicality. The sloping roofline is aesthetically pleasing but poses issues when accessing the rear seat. The door opening is relatively small, necessitating a duck-like maneuver to enter. Upon entering, occupants will find that there is limited headroom and only seating for two individuals.

The CC can be considered an interesting alternative to traditional midsize family sedans, even rivaling some upscale luxury cars in terms of style and sophistication. Nevertheless, it's essential to acknowledge the trade-offs involved: sacrificing functionality for a more striking appearance. Both the Passat and CC cater to different needs and preferences, making them suitable options for distinct buyers.

A final consideration is the reliability record of both vehicles. While neither can be said to have an impeccable reputation in this regard, some may find that past issues with spotty reliability can serve as a deterrent. Nevertheless, it's crucial to approach each model on its individual merits rather than being swayed by broader concerns about reliability.

The Volkswagen CC is undoubtedly a car that challenges conventional categorizations and defies expectations. As a four-door coupe that seamlessly blends style and practicality, it offers an attractive choice for those willing to consider unconventional vehicles.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enVolkswagen CC is what they call in the industry a four-door Coupe now that doesn't make a whole lot of sense on the surface of it but what they mean is that it has the swoopy styling of the coupe with the practicality of a four-door sedan now the CC it's based on Volkswagen's pat their midsize sedan while the CC aims to be stylish the pat it's more practical still the two have a lot in common one thing the Pat and CC share is their Driving Experience handling it's responsive the car is fun to drive the ride it's comfortable it's compliant it's composed power comes from a 2 L 4cylinder turbocharged engine gives you plenty of power fuel economy is quite respectable but it's a little Co especially off idle the CC it has an optional 3.6 L V6 as well as opt all-wheel drive these stylishly stitched well contoured front seats they're one way that the CC improves on the pat already high level of interior quality everything in here it's well finished really good attention to detail controls are a bit of a mixed bag this radio really easy to use one of the best in the business but it's hard to read the climate control markings the ignition you push the key in to start you push it in to turn it off that's kind of fiddly and the electronic parking brake brake it's button it's over here on the left side of the steering wheel who knew one of the things that makes the pat a great family sedan is this back seat it's roomy and it's easy to get in and out the CC has some limitations when it comes to being a practical family sedan though this sloping roof line it looks great but there's problems when you get to the back seat the door opening it's really small you got to duck your head to get in here once you're in the back there's not much head room and there's only seats for two the CC is an interesting alternative to the typical midsize family sedan it can even be considered an alternative to some upscale luxury cars but keep in mind you're going to sacrifice some function for the CC styling both the Pat and the CC are alternatives to the typical midsize family sedan butat it's more practical while the CC it's sacrifices function for styling these are both nice cars two things to keep in mind though both of them are fairly pricey second reliability for the has been spotty in the pastVolkswagen CC is what they call in the industry a four-door Coupe now that doesn't make a whole lot of sense on the surface of it but what they mean is that it has the swoopy styling of the coupe with the practicality of a four-door sedan now the CC it's based on Volkswagen's pat their midsize sedan while the CC aims to be stylish the pat it's more practical still the two have a lot in common one thing the Pat and CC share is their Driving Experience handling it's responsive the car is fun to drive the ride it's comfortable it's compliant it's composed power comes from a 2 L 4cylinder turbocharged engine gives you plenty of power fuel economy is quite respectable but it's a little Co especially off idle the CC it has an optional 3.6 L V6 as well as opt all-wheel drive these stylishly stitched well contoured front seats they're one way that the CC improves on the pat already high level of interior quality everything in here it's well finished really good attention to detail controls are a bit of a mixed bag this radio really easy to use one of the best in the business but it's hard to read the climate control markings the ignition you push the key in to start you push it in to turn it off that's kind of fiddly and the electronic parking brake brake it's button it's over here on the left side of the steering wheel who knew one of the things that makes the pat a great family sedan is this back seat it's roomy and it's easy to get in and out the CC has some limitations when it comes to being a practical family sedan though this sloping roof line it looks great but there's problems when you get to the back seat the door opening it's really small you got to duck your head to get in here once you're in the back there's not much head room and there's only seats for two the CC is an interesting alternative to the typical midsize family sedan it can even be considered an alternative to some upscale luxury cars but keep in mind you're going to sacrifice some function for the CC styling both the Pat and the CC are alternatives to the typical midsize family sedan butat it's more practical while the CC it's sacrifices function for styling these are both nice cars two things to keep in mind though both of them are fairly pricey second reliability for the has been spotty in the pastVolkswagen CC is what they call in the industry a four-door Coupe now that doesn't make a whole lot of sense on the surface of it but what they mean is that it has the swoopy styling of the coupe with the practicality of a four-door sedan now the CC it's based on Volkswagen's pat their midsize sedan while the CC aims to be stylish the pat it's more practical still the two have a lot in common one thing the Pat and CC share is their Driving Experience handling it's responsive the car is fun to drive the ride it's comfortable it's compliant it's composed power comes from a 2 L 4cylinder turbocharged engine gives you plenty of power fuel economy is quite respectable but it's a little Co especially off idle the CC it has an optional 3.6 L V6 as well as opt all-wheel drive these stylishly stitched well contoured front seats they're one way that the CC improves on the pat already high level of interior quality everything in here it's well finished really good attention to detail controls are a bit of a mixed bag this radio really easy to use one of the best in the business but it's hard to read the climate control markings the ignition you push the key in to start you push it in to turn it off that's kind of fiddly and the electronic parking brake brake it's button it's over here on the left side of the steering wheel who knew one of the things that makes the pat a great family sedan is this back seat it's roomy and it's easy to get in and out the CC has some limitations when it comes to being a practical family sedan though this sloping roof line it looks great but there's problems when you get to the back seat the door opening it's really small you got to duck your head to get in here once you're in the back there's not much head room and there's only seats for two the CC is an interesting alternative to the typical midsize family sedan it can even be considered an alternative to some upscale luxury cars but keep in mind you're going to sacrifice some function for the CC styling both the Pat and the CC are alternatives to the typical midsize family sedan butat it's more practical while the CC it's sacrifices function for styling these are both nice cars two things to keep in mind though both of them are fairly pricey second reliability for the has been spotty in the past\n"