Volkswagen is moving in an entirely new direction for the American market, so abundant size and thrifty prices will take precedence over distinctive styling and fancy-pants (but expensive) cabin materials. Perhaps it'll be a successful strategy on the sales front. But for those who don't mind paying extra for world-class construction, Germanic driving dynamics, punchy engines and memorable styling, the 2012 Volkswagen CC is a welcome remnant from VW's not-so-old school.
While the CC shares its platform, engines and dashboard design with the previous-generation Passat, it sets itself apart with a rakish four-door body that evokes a sleek coupe look (CC stands for Comfort Coupe). This not only sets it apart from the rather frumpy new Passat, but also most run-of-the-mill midsize sedans as well. Heck, we can think of several luxury-branded cars that would be lucky to look as cool as the CC.
There is a downside to this styling, however. The backseat is not only tight on headroom, but it seats only two people. That may make it more coupelike, but it also makes it less friendly for families. While most folks don't frequently require five seats, the inevitable "five in a pinch" moments put the CC at a notable disadvantage.
The CC stands apart from its new Passat sibling under the hood, as well. Though they both offer the same optional 3.6-liter V6, the CC gets a more powerful and sophisticated 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as standard equipment. This is one of the best engines around, providing thrifty fuel economy and surprisingly rapid acceleration given its output. There is no turbodiesel model, though, unlike the Passat.
The 2012 VW CC may have its practical drawbacks, but overall we think they're outweighed by the car's sleek styling and quintessentially German character. The CC is a more stylish and refined alternative to family sedans like the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Passat, while a loaded-up CC can match entry-level luxury-branded vehicles like the Acura TL, Audi A4 and Infiniti G Sedan. For the right kind of buyer, this VW "relic" will be just the thing.
The Volkswagen CC seats four. The cabin feels like a luxury racecar from the cockpit. The windshield is steeply raked, the doorsill high and the seat low, although it doesn't have to be that way because height is one of the 12 ways the seat is adjustable.
Visibility out front is good. It's not bad out the rear either, although the headrests don't help. The blind spots from the wide C-pillars are reduced by fixed triangular rear door windows behind the passengers' ears. Which are perilously close to the steeply sloping roofline.
Rear-seat headroom is something that definitely has been compromised by the lower roof. The two seats in the rear are bucket-like, ergonomically designed like the fronts, with wide thigh bolsters, separated by the space taken up by a roll top cup-holding console, as well as a fold-down armrest. Not just cupholders in there, but small triangular bins for poker chips or peanuts or whatever. There's a decent but not sumptuous 37.3 inches of rear legroom.
Each seat is a cozy compartment that makes a passenger feel special, to have his or her own space, like a space ship. It's perfect if you have two kids, separated from fighting by the barrier.
The perforated leather is two-tone and handsomely done, not always the case with daring two-tones. The Cornsilk Beige looked great, with stitched inserts. The four doors are totally stylish, with leather armrests and grab handles and swoopy brushed aluminum trim or wood trim.
The instrument panel feels far away, because it's not very vertical. There's a lot of leather up there, but sure enough there are gauges: with white-lit needles that stand up and fly around when you start the car. They're clean enough to read, and the layout of the center stack is not nearly as complicated as other German carmakers like to make it. It's a driver's compartment made for relaxing, with good vents to control the climate.
The trunk is on the smaller end of the class but usable. The CC offers 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly better than the Lexus IS but less than that offered by the Acura TSX (14 cubic feet) or Nissan Maxima (14.2). Behind the armrest is a pass-through hatch to the trunk for skis and such.
Up front, the CC is defined by a pair of flared headlamps that flank a thin, wide grille. The side profile arches upward along a well-defined center crease line, similar to the Mercedes C-Class. Exterior features include:
- Blacked-out B-pillar helps achieve coupe look
- Rear spoiler
- Optional panoramic sunroof
Up front, the CC is defined by a pair of flared headlamps that flank a thin, wide grille. The side profile arches upward along a well-defined center crease line, similar to the Mercedes C-Class. Exterior features include:
- Blacked-out B-pillar helps achieve coupe look
- Rear spoiler
- Optional panoramic sunroof
ENGINE
All CCs are equipped with a sport-tuned suspension and speed-sensitive steering. Mechanical features include:
- Standard 200-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder
- Optional 280-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 engine with 4Motion all-wheel drive
- Standard six-speed manual transmission
- Available six-speed dual-clutch (four-cylinder) or six-speed automatic (V-6) transmission
SAFETY
All Volkswagen CCs come standard with antilock disc brakes (with brake assist), stability and traction control, hill-hold assist, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. In Edmunds brake testing, the CC 2.0T Sport came to a stop from 60 mph in 123 feet -- an average distance, but stepping up to the 19-inch wheels and better tires that come with them betters that to an excellent 113 feet. The VR6 stopped in 124 feet. In crash tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the CC its top rating of "Good" for frontal-offset and side-impact tests.
reference:www.edmunds.com,autos.aol.com,www.cars.com
