2009 Volkswagen Passat CC Review & Road Test

Pros: Captivating looks; grip, steering, ride & handling; smooth V6 power

Cons: Occasional DSG/throttle calibration mismatch; windscreen wiper noise

By Matt Brogan | May 04th, 2009

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Price: $30,690 to $48,120

Our Rating:

Performance, Ride & Handling	3.5
Comfort and Interior	3.5
Quality & Design	4
Value & Features	4
Safety	5
Green	3.5

2009 Volkswagen Passat CC V6 FSI Review & Road Test

The best value luxury car on the market bar none.

Model Tested:

2009 Volkswagen Passat CC V6 FSI, 3.6-litre, six-speed DSG, sedan – $65,990 (RRP)

Options:

Metallic paint $1000 (fitted – Mocha Anthracite); Active Climate front seats $500 (fitted); Satellite Navigation $2500 (fitted); rear view camera $600 (fitted); Park Assist $900 (fitted); panoramic glass roof $2000; CD changer $850; iPod connectivity $300; DynAudio 600W premium audio system $2000; adaptive cruise control $2000

CarAdvice Rating:

- by Matt Brogan

The Volkswagen Passat CC grabbed my attention from word go. In fact since I first laid eyes on the car at the Sydney Motor Show last year I’d been waiting for the day I’d finally get a steer.

You see I’m a bit of a sucker for a gorgeous body, and with its seductive styling, coupe-like proportions, and endearing, effortless charisma the Passat CC certainly boasts a rather striking form.

But when it comes to ticking all the boxes, at least as far as a car is concerned, a sexy body isn’t quite enough to push all of my buttons, there’s got to be a whole lot of substance there too.

Fortunately for me the Passat CC delivers in spades.

Now sure, I know what you’re thinking, it’s obvious, Mercedes-Benz had produced a similar shape in its CLS some years prior. However, to me the Passat is just a little more complete in terms of styling, almost as if it isn’t trying quite so hard, and at this price, that can only be described as a good thing.

Beyond the flowing lines and balanced proportions though the Passat CC extends its refined character through to every last element of the car, which again makes it such an appealing proposition.

It drives exceptionally well, it’s quiet and comfortable inside, offers gargantuan grip levels for a car of this size and offers character building levels of handling while at the same time delivering confident performance and pleasing fuel economy returns.

The cabin is typically Volkswagen. Simple, yet elegant in design and despite its number of buttons and dials remains true to the brand’s ethos of being remarkably user-friendly.

Of prominence to what is a fittingly specified cabin for a range-topping model, the RNS510 satellite navigation, stereo and Active Climate front seats do add that extra je ne sais quoi to what is an already comfortable and enjoyable space.

To me these three elements alone lend an extra feeling of refinement and pampering that increase the value of the Passat CC as a luxury proposition immensely, even if they are cost options.

Furthermore the electro-mechanical (rack and pinion) steering is perfectly weighted and is both vehicle speed and input sensitive. Resistance through cornering firms in accordance with your velocity and at 10/10ths offers a weighty, positive and sports-like level of feedback, almost unfitting of a luxury car.

Similarly the 3.6-litre, DOHC, V6 engine is a real treat delivering smooth, strong power with a love for the north end of the tacho. Developing 220kW at 6600rpm the acceleration on hand is certainly very capable, and enough to propel the Passat CC from zero to 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds.

Torque is linear, almost endless and completely usable being drawn across a hefty 2900rpm (from 2400 to 5300) of the rev range to provide 350Nm to all four wheels via Volkswagen’s renowned six-speed DSG gearbox.

Paddle shifts are on-hand to induce maximum involvement in your driving though I have to say ‘Sport’ mode offers very similar levels of enthusiasm matching shift points exceptionally well to a more performance orientated driver’s demands.

Road holding is, in a word, remarkable and, given the car’s appearance, you could almost be mistaken for wondering just how such a large, luxury vehicle is capable of such rapid cornering.

There’s a little in the way of “push” or feedback noticeable from the Haldex clutch under sharp throttle changes, but if you remain smooth, and at a pace more suited to the car’s orientation, then this one small downside is negligible. In fact the only other negative I could find was a little wiper noise from the passenger side blade.

From a practicality standpoint it should be noted that the Passat CC is a dedicated four-seater with a rear centre console in place of the middle seat. Fittingly however this makes for a more accommodating and generously proportioned aft end with ample head, hip and leg room for even the tallest of passengers, a feat you would not think possible given the rake of the roof.

Continuing rearward you’ll find a cavernous 532 litres boot that can be extended via 60:40 split fold rear seats. The Passat CC V6 FSI (as tested) also has a braked towing capacity of 1800kg.

The rear VW badge not only acts as a boot handle, something common to most Volkswagens, but also houses the reversing camera which helps keep the car’s appearance clean and clear from any unsightly add ons.

It’s a great camera too and unlike many rivals, manages to work well regardless of light or weather conditions. The reverse park assistance feature, which the rear camera forms part of, is also a bit of a treat and despite being a bit of a control freak, I was brave enough to give this a go and found it to be spot-on when self-parking. A great feature to show your mates.

The Passat CC offers a five-star EuroNCAP and five-star Australian ANCAP safety rating with a long list of standard safety credentials including with front, side and curtain airbags; active chassis control; electronic stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes; electronic brake force distribution; and electronic brake assist.

As you’ve no doubt noticed I really enjoyed my week with the Passat CC, and it’s not just because I like to keep attractive company either, for the car is so much more than that. In fact for a click under $70,000 on-road (in standard form), this has to be the best value luxury car on the market bar none.

Ratings:

CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:

Specifications:

Engine: 3597cc DOHC V6 (24-valve)
Power: 220kW @ 6600rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 2400 – 5300rpm
Induction: Direct Injection
Transmission: Six-speed DSG
Driven Wheels: All
Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
0-100km/h: 5.6 seconds (Claimed)
Top Speed: 250km/h (electronically limited)
CO2 Emissions: 254 grams per kilometre
Fuel Consumption: 10.5 litres per 100km (ADR combined)
Fuel Consumption: 11.1 litres per 100km (As Tested)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 68 litres
Fuel Type: 98RON petrol
ANCAP Rating: Five star
Airbags: Front, side & curtain
Safety: ACC, ESP with Traction Control
Spare Wheel: Full size alloy
Suspension: Strut (F) / Independent (R)
Cargo Capacity: 532 litres
Tow Capacity: 1800kg (Braked)
Turning Circle: 11.4 metres
Warranty: Three Year/100,000km
Weight: 1656kg (Tare)
Wheels: Alloy, 18 x 8.0-inch

Reader reviews of the VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC

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ODOG

Great review I test drove a CC a while back and thought it was an excellent car.
Quick

Just wondering, how does this car compare with the Passat R36?

Both are around that high 60 grand on-road mark, have the same engines and gearboxes, same 0 – 60 time, based on the same chassis I think, and has similar weights too

I simply don’t see the point of this car, it just seems like a much better looking and classier Passat and all this car will do is cannibalise sales

Yes and no

Yes agree that it “may” cannibalise Passat sales. It is far more stylish than the old boxy styled R36 Passat. The only thing that may go against the CC is the 4 seats, although it certainly did not sway me against the CC: I have just bought one! Having said that – from my own experience – it did NOT cannibalise sales from the (standard) Passat for me. You see, I simply wouldn’t have bought any VW if it wasn’t for the CC. If anything, I probably would have bought an Audi A4/A6 (which the CC nicely slots between) or a 3 series or C Class Merc.

Mega

Very nice car. 11.1L/100km for a large heavy AWD barge is great. 5.6 to 100km/h is very fast, considering it only has a 3.6L.
$66k… mmm.
http://subaru Sam

5.6 seconds 0 – 100 out of a 3.6 naturally aspirated V6. Bravo!
Tom

Nice accelerations figures

id be surprised if it can actually recreate them in real life, those are manufacturer claims right?

1650 isnt insubstantial mass, and 220kw isn’t exactly high power. Its direct injection right?
Lukaas

Yeah I find the 5.6 sec 0-100 to be a tad too good to be true.

Its 1650kg with 220kW/350nM…. 4WD helps… but… hmmm.

For 70K that IS pretty good.
However, I must say that if you have 70K to spend on an everyday driver (sedan). You most likely also have another 20-30K to spend on a “better” brand than VW. But 70K definitely nice IMO…

If I had 70K for an everyday driver, I’d pick the Subaru Liberty STI tuned. VW service fees are pretty hefty, Subaru have a more reknowned 4WD system. Not as much power (185kW STI tuned), but also engine is smaller. Looks wise, Liberty definitely more handsome…
But still this car is very nice indeed.
Jazrod

i saw one on these in circular quay last week, in black… man, it was stunning. just enough chrome to not look ridiculous, sleek, it just flowed in traffic.
beautiful interior too (though prefer the toffee brown leather…)
topdog

Gee this is excelent value,Its only about 6thou more than a calais v and the commondore would not be as good as this,Why would anyone buy a commondore when there are cars like this now just as cheap
Supply & Demand

The back of this car looks like its from 1990′s America.
Jake02

I dunno about the CC. Alot of times I like it but sometimes I see it and think the rear end is bloody ugly and the grille waaaaay to wide. I’d take a Skoda Superb V6 thanks. Same exterior size, much more interior room, a better quality of interior, and it’s only around 0.5 seconds slower to 100km/h. Oh and 9 grand cheaper too…it’s a better car for me!
Will

Agreed Jake, there is however a diesel option with the CC that is very appealing. However the brands are probably aimed at different demographics where badge plays apart.

I have a Skoda Jake. It has proved a worthwhile machine that has earned my respect over my year of ownership. Personally I would probably go the Superb, however the dimensions of the Octavia better cater for my personal needs. The CC…well can’t throw a few push-bikes in the back. Fine looking machine.
Simonsez

The difference between the Passat CC and a Skoda (In Australia) is that there sufficient buyers to keep them in short supply. Friend of mine drove one recently and remarked that he’d need to pay more than $100k to get a comparable Mercedes. I think that they look just fine and would certainly not hesitate if I was buying in that price range.
Jake02

Will, I’d like to say (and remind you) that I am also a Skoda owner and have had my Octavia RS since July 2008. I’d prefer the Superb TDI over a CC TDI as it’s the same power etc as well as my points in my above post.

Of course Skoda is aimed at different people to VWs as Skodas are cheaper (but so much better value, just look at VW GTI vs Skoda RS and the RS comes out in top in many key areas) and I reckon VW owners are abit snobbish…especially as better value versions of their cars are available!
ODOG

Do you guys know when the superb will be out in Australia and the approximate pricing.

Cheers
Jake02

ODOG, the Superb comes out next month (June) it starts at $42,000 for the Ambiente 1.8TSI 7DSG ranging to the Elegance V6 4×4 6DSG for $56,990. In between theres the Ambiente 2.0TDI 6DSG, Elegence 1.8TSI 7DSG and 2.0TDI 6DSG – I’m sorry but I’ve lost my price-list from the Melbs Motorshow but I think each varient adds around $2,000 roughly and the V6 about 4 onto the Elegance 2.0TDI price.

It looks to be a FANTASTIC car!
Bret

Jake, a bit later than the “First 1/4″ they promised then!
ODOG

Thanks for the info Jake02. I really thought the lift back on the skoda made it a very versatile option and at that price I am really considering it.
Jake02

ODOG you really should buy one. The brief sit-in at the MIMS 2009 really had me impressed. My Octavia RS hasn’t gone wrong since day one and it’s the perfect car for urban Australia it’s got performance room equipment bootspace and it’s great value for money! What more could be wanted from anyone? The Superb builds on my Octavia with even more room and value for money! Bret, yeah abit later but they have over 100 orders for it so it may have to be there in June/July. The Citroen C6 is another example of a delayed launch but that was by 18 months not just a few…
ChineseDriver

Jake02,

why you have to mention Skoda in every post? – –

I know you love your octavia.
Yanzo

it may have gotten a great rating but with that much money i’d rather buy a hsv. i wanna go do some burnouts.
Hayzel

Buying HSV’s earns you a respect from all the wrong people. Buying this car earns you respect from all ages, this car screams out prestige. ..WHile also pretty damn fast and very comfortable mind you.
Cupid Stunt

can’t say i’d pay the extra over a Passat. Its no where in the style league of Mercs CLS in comparison even taking into account the price differential.
Cupid Stunt

Besides I’d buy the Aurion a much more dynamic drive
Jake02

ChineseDriver,
I mentioned the Superb because I know that one of the CC’s closest rivals is the Superb. This months Wheels compares the CC to Laguna, 159 Ti and 407 SV HDi as alternatives to 3-series and the like. But the CC is longer than all these similarly-priced rivals (as is the normal Passat) so wouldn’t competitors be limited to Falcon G6E, Calais V V6, Superb V6, maybe Aurion Presara???

I also mentioned it because I wanted to know if people looking at this review (they might want one? It’s a review!) thinking of a CC, might want to know that the Superb exists.

Sorry for liking my car brand too much! ChineseDriver don’t you have a VW? If so shoulnt you post things about it?
Bavarian Missile (.)(.)

Quote “Besides I’d buy the Aurion a much more dynamic drive”

*Looks for soap, airmail stamp and Cupids address*
ODOG

Jake02 im interested to know how the running costs of the Skoda stack up. Would they be comparable to toyota or more similar to other european brands. I currently have a merc and it is pretty expensive to service through the dealer network. I use some guys in Brisbane called 3 Point who only service MB and while they are cheaper than the dealer services they are still pretty dear.

Cheers

Jake02

Hey, I’m terribly sorry about replying almost a year after you posted that…I don’t exactly check everything I post.

The service costs are slightly less than VW, and around the same as my old Subaru Liberty (the Subaru services were cheaper but had to be done twice as often, thus equalling the Skoda cost), so you could definitely say comparable to other Euro brands.

Sorry again

Alex II

Great value for money and Volkswagen, this is not the first time these two terms have been used in the same sentence recently, has Volkswagen become “European Hyundai”?
Frontman

Alex II Says:
May 5th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
So by that does that make Skoda the euro Kia??????
Will

Frontman, and while on the thread; the Falcon the old Taurus, and the Commodore the new orphan??
Simon

Love the varied opinions here. The CC is impressive but I’d prefer a regular 3 seats in the rear. The R36 is really nice but looks more agressive. The CC’s rear is a tad unsightly.
A previous article on the CC was written here and who ever wrote the article was raving about the Continental tyres that use a special compound to resist punctures.
A great idea and sounds like they work, but consider the replacement costs. On my TDI Passat it has standard Sports Contact 2 tyres. They are fantastic rubber but a quick quote today was $400 per tyre, and that’s just the dealers cost! I’d hate to think what the puncture resistant tyres would cost.
http://becomeablogger.com Gideon Shalwick

Yo Alborz

This is the car that I was trying to tell you about the other day.

Would LOVE to own it!

Gideon Shalwick
Become A Blogger
The Realist

Better looking, better equipped and cheaper than any top end falcodore.

Hands up who would rather own a rep mobile than one of these.
http://internode.on.net Peter

Simon, I recently (January) replaced the tyres on my V6 Passat wagon with Pirelli P Zero Nero at $210 per tyre balanced and fitted (from Blair’s Tyres).

On topic – very nice car. I’m looking fwd to a test drive at the local dealer.
Flavio

I purchased the diesel Passat CC about 5 weeks ago. Have done nearly 6,000kms. My previous 3 cars are 2 E Class Mercs, and previous model passat. This car is 11 / 10. Absolutely supberb. Fuel economy on a trip at times at 4.8l/100kms. Around town (peak hour travel to the city) easily gets 6.5l/100kms. Great get up and go. Had the Merc E200 compressor and this would leave it for dead on take off. No comparison in comfort and quietness. Another win for the VW. A must have option is Active Cruise Control. Makes city driving a pleasure as car will stop by itself in heavy traffic. Have the automatic park option. Bit of a gimmick. Does not always line up perfectly (hits the gutter) but it is easy to use. Amazing car for the price.
Seeker

I’d rather be a snob than own a skoda.
Ford and holden rubbish forget it.

Trading up from Liberty.

CC fsi sedan, here I come.All boxes are ticked.
Will

Drove a diesel CC and like all diesels sounds like tractor from inside. not quite as bad as diesel Mondeo though and I would not buy a diesel, if it did 1000 kilometres to the litre. Have driven a few diesel now as they are much quiter than they used to be according to the gurus, well my hearing must be totally different from thiers or do they have thier hearing aids turned off ?
Sigh

Jake02 im not sure why you keep pimping skoda like a loyal lapdog … espicaly agaisnt its perent company.

Golfschwein

Would you prefer him to be semi-literate instead?

caminperth

Tried to have a look at a V6 version in Perth, still haven’t been able to see one, let alone drive one…

Tried the Wangara dealer, was given a price of around 84k on road with options (sat nav, dynaudio, sunroof) and a delivery of around 3 months..

Tried the Melville dealer, was told there was one to drive an it turned out to be a regular Passat? Director had taken the only one they had home. Was given a price of around 78k for the same spec and a delivery of about 2 months..

Will be trying Osborne Park next – though this is getting a bit too hard.

For all the Skoda lovers – went to the Melville dealer, rather than having the car explained to me I was told that a V6 wouldn’t get to me till December and given a black and white photocopy of the brochure.. Lame..

Think I’ll just get an A5 – Audi sales service was excellent, stock levels are great..

In short – you get what you pay for…
Chris

I own an audi A6 2003 and bought the passat cc v6 model which includes the 4 motion all wheel drive and you can really feel the the power and refinement of the engine.
The Dsg transmission is smooth and very quick to change gears
In the wet thumping it hard through turns you can feel the haldex clutch engage the rear wheels.
Don’t forget that it was audi Vw group that invented all wheel drive for rally not Subaru.
This car is an a great package from finish to equipment included safety ect…..
You can’t even compare this car to local or Asian built cars or even Korean rubbish
Damian

“You can’t even compare this car to local or Asian built cars or even Korean rubbish”

We’ll see how nonchalant you are when your Hitler mobile runs out of warranty.
Chris

I’ve had 3 hitler mobiles in the past and they when past warranty and the last one I’ve owned
Went for 7 years and done 270,000 kms and have not had any major issues with it.
Just normal serviceable items.
I don’t understand your point