2010 Volkswagen CC Overview

2010 Volkswagen CC

The 2010 Volkswagen CC follows a stunning, coupe-like silhouette similar to that of the Mercedes CLSCLS, with frameless windows and a long, flowing design. Whether or not you take offense to anything with four doors calling itself a coupe, VW has successfully produced a very elegant overall design, with the exception of rather long overhangs (especially in the front).

The VW CC follows a stunning, coupe-like silhouette similar to that of the Mercedes CLS, with frameless windows and a long, flowing design. Whether or not you take offense to anything with four doors calling itself a coupe, VW has successfully produced a very elegant overall design, with the exception of rather long overhangs (especially in the front).

Whether you opt for the Sport, Luxury, or VR6 Sport or 4Motion trims, the 2010 VW CC flaunts the same curvy silhouette, with only wheels and trims to note as different. In any case, Edmunds reviewers report, the Passat CC is "created by taking a Passat—same wheelbase, same powertrain, same basic interior—and lowering its roof line by 2 inches while radically changing the styling." Road & Track reviewers describe one of the hallmark features as a "side character line that runs from the front to rear fenders [and] apes the sheet-metal crease on other vehicles including the MB C Class and BMW 3 series." MyRide.com reviewers state that they are "certainly not disappointed with the exterior design," which they claim makes the 2010 VW CC "one of the most striking attractions to race down our streets in a long while." Overall, the VW CC's exterior is "a hell of a lot less awkward than the CLS or any current BMW ," according to Jalopnik, and Car and Driver contends that, "depending on your styling preferences, [it] could even be considered sexy."

Inside, the CC is especially stunning, with contrast stitching, contrasting-color leather seats, and upscale trim that you'll likely be surprised to see in a vehicle that costs less than $30,000. MyRide.com says that the interior has a "combination of a texture, engineering elegance, and artistic elegance"; they add that the "cantilevered dash alone is an exquisite combination of surface contours that might be found on a vehicle costing two or three times the VW CC price." Car and Driver notes that the VW CC features a new "instrument luster and an optional touch-screen navigation system" to set it apart from the standard VW Passat, and Edmunds reviewers praise the "well-laid-out, uncluttered control design."

Conclusion

Expect to turn lots of heads while driving the 2010 Volkswagen CC. It looks great from inside, too.

If the 2009 Volkswagen CC VR6 Sport represents the future of Volkswagen, the company has a bright future indeed, and we get to benefit from some very beautiful cars that strive toward luxury. But the CC's beauty is mostly skin deep, as many attributes of the car reflect its folks' wagon underpinnings. The engine and interior quality are clear stand-outs, but the ride quality removes some of the car's luster.

Electronics also seem impressive at first, but the cabin gadgets are bedeviled by weird quirks and outright faults. The model's broad $13,000 price range between base and upscale models suggests Volkswagen couldn't decide if it wanted to market a midsize or sport-luxury sedan. But we can't deny the car's aesthetic appeal, its nicely curved roofline suggesting the much more expensive Mercedes-Benz CL550.

Test the tech: Touring
In poking around the navigation system for our 2009 Volkswagen CC VR6 Sport, we found a feature called Tour, which allowed us to enter a series of destinations and organize them into a coherent route. We used the system to define a route that would test the car on high-speed freeways and mountain roads where we could see if the word "sport" in the model name had any foundation. Entering destinations along the freeway was easy using the onscreen keyboard, but when we tried using the map to find waypoints on mountain highways, we ran into trouble. In map input mode, you get a disc overlay on the screen, which you have to drag to your destination. But the disc was extremely balky, refusing to easily follow our finger on the touch screen and leading to an epithet-filled one-way shouting match with the car.

Vehicle Highlights

The 2010 Volkswagen CC is largely unchanged following its introduction for the 2009 model year. This premium-midsize car has a coupe-like roof line and seating for four. CC is available in Sport, Luxury, VR6 Sport, and VR6 4Motion trims. Two engines are available. Standard on Sport and Luxury models is a 200-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. It teams with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission in Sport versions. Luxury CCs are automatic only. Powering VR6 Sport and VR6 4Motion versions is a 280-hp 3.6-liter V6 paired solely with the 6-speed automatic. The automatic transmission can be manually operated using the floor shifter in 4-cylinder models or via steering-wheel paddles in V6 versions. Most CC models are front-wheel drive. The VR6 4Motion has all-wheel drive. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, front side airbags, and rear side airbags. Leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a sunroof are standard on all but the Sport. A navigation system is optional on all but the Sport.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Midsize Cars sport interior dimensions similar to Midsize Cars. Premium Midsize Cars offer more luxury, performance, and prestige when compared to Midsize Cars.

Our Best Buys include the Cadillac CTS, Infiniti G37, Jaguar XF, and Volkswagen CC. Our Recommended picks are the Audi A6, Lexus ES 350, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Volvo V70.

New or significantly redesigned models include the BMW 5-Series (Gran Turismo), Infiniti G37 (coupe and sedan), Lexus ES 350, Lincoln MKZ, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The Cadillac CTS gains a 4-door wagon body style for 2010.