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Volkswagen CC sedan 2012 review

It’s a business class cabin: upmarket fit-out, plenty of gadgets and comfortable seats – at least in the front.
EXPERT RATING
8

Volkswagen is aiming to move its Passat-based four door coupe upmarket, but is keeping prices down.

The reborn former Passat CC (Comfort Coupe) has been renamed – now just CC to its friends – repositioned and reloaded with ammunition to take value potshots at German and Swedish rivals.

The CC is the flagship for the local line-up, and needs to amplify its premium stance to get more attention in a marketplace where nearly every brand has become a clawing profile climber. 

MODELS AND PRICES

Like the previous version, it’s a two-model range, and prices for both have been frozen, with the entry level still sitting at $54,990 for the 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel that delivers 125kW of power and 350Nm of torque to the front wheels with a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

For $64,990 the 3.6-litre petrol V6 version uses same DSG transmission to deliver 220kW and 350Nm to all four wheels. Both engines get brake energy recovery, while the diesel’s ‘Bluemotion’ tech (Blue = green at VW) includes stop-start system and a coasting function that decouples the engine when it’s not under load.

The diesel is the bowser hero at 5.5 litres/100km compared to the V6’s 9.3L. Neither are performance heroes, and aren’t intended to be, despite having quite workable Sport modes for the suspension and transmission, and handy steering wheel paddles to spur things along in short bursts.

DESIGN

The CC wears the new family grille, with triple horizontal bars lending sleight-of-eye to make the incoming car look wider than the exiting model, despite little real difference in size. The light cluster design has been sharpened, with new LEDs blazing the tail and a cleaner look at both ends. In the cabin you get an updated look around the centre stack, and the two-seater rear pew has grown an extra spot in the middle – albeit not one anybody will be fighting to get to.

RIVALS

Shopping the volume-selling diesel CC against the similar-sized Germans, there are bigger price tags but arguably extra selling points -- variously on dynamics, finish, fit-out and luxury. But you shouldn’t overlook the Volvo S60 D5 at just $500 more than the CC, and with a similar premium positioning and high quality in every aspect.

EQUIPMENT

The standard equipment list has been beefed up with about $5000 worth of extras, led by a large touchscreen colour satnav and infotainment system, rear view camera, keyless access, an ‘easy open’ function that lets you open the boot by kicking a foot under the bumper. That lot comes on top of all the usual kit – leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone aircon and the like -- plus a list of options to add extra tricks.

SAFETY

It hasn’t been tested here yet, but expect the CC to get a full five stars. Features include six airbags, anti-skid brakes with electronic assistants and stability control. It also gets some high-tech helpers, including active bi-xenon headlights and a fatigue avoidance system that keeps an eye on steering patterns and alerts you if it detects signs of tiredness.

There’s also an optional package that includes adaptive cruise control and a combined blind-spot/lane drift warning system – which could save your life, but will possibly annoy you to death in the process (more on that later).

DRIVING

It’s a business class cabin: upmarket fit-out, plenty of gadgets and comfortable seats – at least in the front. The rear row squishes three but has plenty of room for two. You’ll probably be able to shackle a child in the centre spot, but long trips will have them calling welfare services.

Extra sound deadening means you can barely hear the engines, and even then only when you tramp the pedal, although it’s still an effort. The generally whisper-quiet cabin means that when wind rush and rough-chip bitumen noise comes it stands out more, but overall unless you plan to spend a long time on roads outside the city it won’t be noticeable.

The steering is accurate but very light, which suits the target urban buyer. However, activate the blind-spot/lane drift safety system, and the wheel becomes possessed by a twitchy little demon, tugging against your hands if it disagrees with your direction. It became confused a couple of times in country cornering, leading to a disconcerting battle of wills. Still not sure the humans won, either. 

Both engines are competent, and while there’s more sparkle from the petrol V6, its not enough to justify the price difference against the very capable diesel unless you particularly want the V6’s AWD. VW expects to do about 60 per cent of their sales on the diesel, and with the price positioning they’re certainly encouraging that.

VERDICT

The extra equipment and styling brush-up pitch the CC into the gap between top-level Japanese cars and the lower end of luxury brands. It doesn’t have the dynamic chops of the 3-Series, the cosseting of Merc’s C-Class or the refined cabin of the A4, but it offers enough in every area to give a premium combination and still leave some change in your wallet.

Pricing guides

$10,988
Based on 3 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months
Lowest Price
$10,835
Highest Price
$10,995

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
V6 FSI 3.6L, PULP, 6 SP $18,370 – 23,320 2012 Volkswagen CC 2012 V6 FSI Pricing and Specs
125 TDI 2.0L, Diesel, 6 SP $15,400 – 19,800 2012 Volkswagen CC 2012 125 TDI Pricing and Specs
EXPERT RATING
8
Karla Pincott
Editor

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Pricing Guide

$10,835

Lowest price, based on 4 car listings in the last 6 months

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Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.