Raccoons must really like Volkswagen vehicles. I can only assume this is true because every time I test drive a VW, those little black-eyed bandits run out in front of me to get a better look of Wolfsburg’s latest and greatest.
This fall, in the Tiguan, I dodged an entire family of raccoons.
And last spring, in a white R32, things did not go quite so well for any of us. The night ended with the R32, sans part of its lower fascia, its coolant and some of its wiring harnesses, on a flat bed wrecker. The raccoon, on the other hand, was simply ended.
So it came as no surprise when a raccoon darted out in front of the 2009 Volkswagen CC Sport I sampled during one of my test drives. What was a test of steering immediately became a test of braking. As Rocky would tell you, the brakes performed quite well.
Familiar tune
Driving Volkswagen’s CC got me in a Korean state of mind. More specifically, the Hyundai Genesis sedan I’d driven just a few weeks prior. Both have fantastic interiors that could easily find homes in more expensive cars. The CC has an excellent, contrasting interior with black, tan and aluminum elements throughout. The dash and door panels are made of high-quality plastics mostly soft to the touch. Even the seats look great, with tan leatherette seating surfaces and black leatherette covering the rest of the chair. Handsome stitching also shows someone at VW wanted to make these thrones look much better than average.
The only downer inside the CC is the backseat headroom. With the lowered roofline, passengers over six feet tall may not enjoy riding in the cheap seats.
Unfortunately, the CC also reminds us of the Genesis sedan in the way it handles and rides. The ride is not smooth enough to be a true luxury sedan, and its handling isn’t quite good enough to make it a sport sedan. Like we said in the Genesis review, you can’t be a luxury sedan and a sport sedan at the same time.
Now the roads used by this Detroit-area reviewer aren’t exactly up to par. If the tarmac in your neck of the woods is of higher quality, then you might find the CC’s ride quite acceptable. During our test ,though, we found jolts from even moderate road imperfections made their way into the cabin.
On the sport side of things, it didn’t seem to take much road imperfection for the whole car to get a little unsteady through a corner when the speed increased. The steering doesn’t fair much better as it’s weighted too light. That’s great for low-speed maneuvering in parking lots, not so great on roads that curve. Toss is a dash of understeer and a modest helping of body roll and we’re left with a bad taste in our mouth.
For such a big car, the smaller 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged motor does a great job of propelling the CC’s 3,300 lbs around town. You will never feel like the car lacks oomph. With an impressive 21mpg city and 31mpg highway rating, you may also not feel the need for the optional VR6 motor. That said, if you have to have VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system on your CC, the VR6 is your only choice.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the base level CC Sport, and it could be a little smoother in its shift motion. A semi-automatic, Tiptronic transmission shows up on the options chart.
Tough choice
Say you drive down to the local VW dealership — to the right, you have the Passat and to the left, the CC. Why anyone would anyone would pick the Passat is beyond me now that the much better looking CC is available. The regular Passat is nearly the perfect definition of a conservative German sedan. It goes pretty well and it’s comfortable, but it’s very boring to look at – and for 2009, it lost virtually all of its optional equipment.
The CC is something altogether different. It’s sporty-looking, has an aggressive stance, sleek lines and is, dare we say, exciting to behold. The lower roofline and coupe-like appearance make this one of the best designs to come from VW in a while. When you factor in that the CC can be had for a little less than the regular Passat, how difficult does the decision become? Sure you do give up one seat in the back of the CC in favor of rear, center console, but you really don’t like that fifth person that much anyway, do you?
Why you would buy it:
You want a sedan that’s sleek, sexy and costs only $28 grand. There’s almost nothing else on the road that looks like this.
Why you wouldn’t:
The only other sedan that does look like this is the Mercedes CLS. If you’ve got to have the best, then the CLS is what you need. You’ll also need about $43,000 more.
2009 Volkswagen CC Sport base price, $27,100. As tested, $28,225.
Sirius Satellite Radio, $375; Destination, $750.
Words and photos by Chris Doane.
07/06, 5:42 PM
posted by:
DB9
lol:-)) Yup… My other Baby;-) The only thing I would change would be what passes for a sunroof. The vent roof, though large, just doesn’t cut it. Everything else, couldn’t say it better than ‘The Drew’;-)
DB9;-)
07/06, 5:44 PM
posted by:
ASIMO
Looks mostly good except for the rear lights and the rear in general. Almost no rhythm nor rhyme in the tail lights. And the whole rear reeks of GM (Buick, in particular), but if that’s your thing, then more power to you.
07/06, 5:57 PM
posted by:
DB9
^lol:-)) That’s Funny – thanks:-) You should see the rest…
DB9;-)
07/06, 6:00 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
I agree. The rear lights are like amorphous blobs … almost amoeba-like, but the greenhouse doesn’t do it for me either.
And I don’t think it looks like a CLS either – the CLS has a bit of drama and coolness to it, but the CC look like a slightly different sedan. If the same car said “Buick” it would be laughed at as more proof that GM doesnt get it and builds cars for geezers. I think the hype about the styling is a joke.
Now, about that only big downer being backseat head…….
07/06, 6:04 PM
posted by:
ASIMO
BTW, the previous generation Passat (B5.5, from 2001-05) was/is the epitome of the Passat design — and quintessential VW design at that time. Clean lines, succinct creases and light elements, and sublime rounded edges which gave it a certain avoirdupois yet never even approached a sign of pudginess.
These successors don’t quite measure up. Aside from the emblems and “grand” grille/bumper design, this CC could have come off a ship alongside Elantras and Santa Fes.
07/06, 6:26 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
I like BPM on Sirius too LLN, go to see someone else is listening to it
The back end is ugly? Really? I think the car as a whole is awesome, there isn’t much negatives with this car, it’s all pretty good. I’d like the DSG from my GTI as thr tranny and a grey interior option, but everything else is great. Good job VW on making this such a good car for reasonable money – rare for a German car manufacturer to actually be near Americans on their own turf based on price.
07/06, 7:53 PM
posted by:
scratchy
i drove behind a black one yesterday and i really like the rear lights , especially in the dark.
07/06, 8:30 PM
posted by:
reedfast
the CLS is definitely better looking, but if i were to get one of the two, i’d get this because it’s about a third as much. Also, i’d be tempted for uthe AMG, and i’d probably go into debt from speeding tickets. But anyway, good job VW.
07/06, 9:27 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
reedfast,
Fully agree, I think VW made an effort to differentiate this model from CLS. But as the CLS is the perfect 4dc (IMHO) they went for good, and it ended up with some CLS-esque air.
07/06, 10:22 PM
posted by:
LS7
Get a real sportscar. You thought you bought a perfect plenty of sports and luxury… when in reality what you bought is quite possibly the worst of both. Many sedans pump your DB9 at the track, yet is more comfortable. This makes you a total poser.
[Edited by Leftlane staff: LS7, this is your first and only warning. Work around the site's built-in filters again and you'll be banned.]
07/07, 2:22 AM
posted by:
KarLoveBoy88
This could possibly be my next car. This car is beautiful without trying. But I agree with the lights. Its like they stopped at the back window and didnt know what to do with the back. But this is typical of VW designs and as well as many of these car designers these days. Some dont know from the beginning to the end.
07/07, 2:36 AM
posted by:
A4
Its a beautiful car but I’ll stick with the GLI.
07/07, 3:48 AM
posted by:
CarsNut
28 grand? I’ll buy a Camry and spend that 8 grand on my next vacation haft way around the world and still have some change left any time.
07/07, 7:56 AM
posted by:
West Ryder Lunatic
It Looks good at the front, but then gets steadily worse.. I never understand these four door coupes. I know the purpose, but they just don’t look right to me.
If you want a coupe. Buy a Sciroco. and if you want 4 doors, Wnats wrong with a GLI?
07/07, 8:34 AM
posted by:
MikeFX
Somehow CarsNut and Camry do not belong in the same sentence. A good car, no doubt, but has anyone ever gone nuts for one? “Look Edna, Consumer Reports says we ought to get us one of them Camrys again”.
07/07, 8:47 AM
posted by:
05Z88Path
@CarsNut
Well, you won’t be much of a “car nut” if you do…
07/07, 9:24 AM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Volkswagens like all other German crap look their best when they’re on the back of flatbeds which is where everyone usually finds them.
Yup, from dealer lot to flatbed to the junkyard. Ah, the life of an import.
Buy American. Buy GM. It is our patriotic duty
07/07, 10:00 AM
posted by:
Lansing
NMOFGM,
So nice to see you back bashing imports – the group is looking for you in the news feeds relating to your beloved Government Motors.
07/07, 10:35 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
Using CarsNut logic, I should just go and buy a Yaris instead of a Mustang GT because, heck, it fits 4 and has two doors… There is no room for Camry talk on a car website- Camry’s are for the completely Oblivious folk who thought the Accord looked “too sporty” and always go for the “safe” bet that they know is going to be boring as oatmeal.
This VW is for the other set of people. Sure it may not be as reliable – but you can fit 4 in comfort AND have a gorgeous German sedan nicely equipped with a Turbo 4 and a 6 Speed. Even to get Camry with the same equipment – you’d be spending at least $28k – so I don’t see how anyone would pick a Camry unless you are car – nuts.
07/07, 10:40 AM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
You’d be a complete moron to choose this German pile of sh1t over a Chevy Malibu. For the same money a Buick Lacrosse will be a better choice as well.
Buy American. Buy GM
07/07, 11:55 AM
posted by:
iluvamcars
I like the VW logo inside the headlights.
07/07, 12:43 PM
posted by:
ricky_b
wish they would give the CC treatment to a wagon. until then, I’ll just keep enjoying my 08 wagon
07/07, 2:29 PM
posted by:
CarsNut
@JakeK66. “so I don’t see how anyone would pick a Camry unless you are car – nuts.” Why do you think the Camry outsells this car probably 100 to 1? A lot of people, like me, are ” Car nuts” but not “Money Nuts” Kow what I mean?
07/07, 2:55 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
You’d be a complete moron to choose this German pile of sh1t over a Chevy Malibu.
07/07, 3:52 PM
posted by:
scratchy
“Kow what I mean?” – you mean “cow” ?
07/07, 3:58 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
CarsNut – You’re Funny.
I thought you were serious, but now I see you have to be joking. Yeah, like a 100 to 1, if you go on numbers of people who don’t give a poo about cars it’s about a 100 to 1 too… You’re fighting a losing battle here, I don’t see anyone on your defense. The Camry is a reliable, boring, pieace of vanilla that car enthusiasts look at as the epitome of a road appliance. Gets you to A from B so quietly and boring you can’t remember the journey.
There are plenty of ‘08 Passats with the 2.0T in them for less than $20k too, so your money equation doesn’t work. Or how about a Mazda6? Also a better choice – or even an Accord…
07/07, 4:58 PM
posted by:
F50
Front lights remind me of the BMW 6-Series and the rear lights look slightly like a Sebring.
07/07, 7:15 PM
posted by:
reedfast
the entire car reminds me of a stretched out, sculpted sebring
07/07, 7:51 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
This automobile is going places. Give it a few mores versions, and years of refinements (as the Germans consistently do) and the CC will get where it was intended to go. Currently, and with its flaws, I would take this over a Chevy Malibu any day of year—including Leap Day.