2009 Volkswagen Passat CC V6 FSI Road Test Review

AT THE AUSTRALIAN release of the Passat CC in February, outgoing Volkswagen Australia Managing Director Jutta Dierks said, “We feel we have something very special on our hands with the CC.”

Most who have spent some quality time behind the wheel of the four-door coupe would agree. It is arresting looking – unmistakably Volkswagen - but lower, longer, leaner and wider than anything we’ve ever seen in Australian Volkswagen showrooms.

And inside: understated, integrated, with sumptuous leathers and trim and a six-speed DSG transmission lingering at the fingertips, it carries an elusive air of quality and sophistication that sets it quite apart from the regular Passat range.

In the V6, with 220kW under the right foot, it is also impressively swift, effortless really, and, with Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive below, equally impressively sure-footed.

Adding to the good news is the sharp pricing; of the diesel model in particular. You can slide the CC TDI diesel into your drive for $54,990 plus statutory and dealer charges, while the V6 FSI rattles the cash register at $65,990 plus charges.

So, on face value, the Passat CC would indeed seem to be “something very special” and a rock-solid inclusion on any premium sector short-list.

But what’s it like when we dig a little deeper? How does it measure up to its natural showroom enemies, like, say, BMW’s 3 Series, Audi’s A4 and Ford’s G6E Turbo?

Styling

The CC’s wide low stance, sweeping roof line, heavily accented curves and pronounced boot lip give it an individual and striking presence.

While its silhouette is clearly influenced by the Mercedes CLS, the Passat CC reeks of distinction and, arguably, its lines more comfortably gel than the car that inspired it.

While the CLS looks slightly ungainly from some angles, the CC is beautifully proportioned from any angle. Everything – from the black panoramic glass roof panel, to the frameless doors, to the deep heavily slatted grille and hooded ‘eyes’ – integrates seamlessly and stylishly.

Its long, lean and wide stance is not just illusory. Next to the standard Passat, the CC is 31mm longer, 36mm wider and its roof height 50mm lower.

The play of light on the strong creases, the superbly finished coachwork and that long low silhouette, give it real presence in the carpark. And though low, the incredibly long rear doors and low-set seating provide good access and reasonable head-room under the CC’s long roof.

A bonus of that long roof, and the high tail, is that the CC’s boot is immense.

Both the less-expensive diesel TDI and the V6 FSI hunker down over 18-inch alloys, nicely filling the guards and putting solid rubber to the tarmac.

As we mentioned when we first drove the sublime CC, it looks good, and more to the point, it looks like you paid very good money for it.

The Interior

It’s equally smart inside with a premium ‘feel’ to the surfaces, highlights and trim.

With soft Napa leather seats, sumptuous buckets both front and back, and a stylish and restrained dash, the accommodation inside is quite up-market and tastefully understated.

A brushed metal panel, canted away from the driver and running the full width of the dash, is a particularly appealing touch in a very nicely styled and user-friendly interior.

The electric front seats (with three-position memory) are deep, supportive in the right places and comfortable. In the rear, instead of the more-conventional three-position seating, there are just two individual buckets with a wide console between them.

While they offer unusual comfort for rear-seat passengers, not all will favour this set-up. It’s a fair bet though that Volkswagen has done its research on what buyers want in arriving at this configuration (fact is, I don’t mind it at all).

There are a whole lot of premium touches like shopping bag hooks and luggage net in the boot, stainless steel sports pedals, height and reach-adjustable multi-function leather-bound steering wheel, reading lights front and back, heated front and rear seats, heat-insulated tinted glass and chillable glovebox.

Everywhere the eyes rest inside the cabin the Passat CC appeals. It really is quite a nice place to spend some time, either at the wheel or as a passenger.

Equipment and Features

There is no shortage of technology and features in the Passat CC FSI V6. If you want to impress the neighbours, just throw the doors open and wait a couple of minutes.

It comes featured as standard with Bi-xenon self-leveling headlights, cornering lights and an automatic ‘kerb-function’ exterior side mirror when reversing.

For communications and entertainment, the CC comes with Media Device Interface with USB port and IPod connections (Bluetooth integrated hands-free), touch-screen display, CD and MP3 compatible, eight-speaker sound system, while sat-nav is available as an option.

A trip computer with multi-function display, dual-zone automatic climate control, and multi-function steering wheel, are also among a long list of standard features.

Parking sensors that provide an optical silhouette of the car - so you can ’see’ the space available – make parking easier, or you can option VW Park Assist (and freak yourself out while the car steers itself into a parking space).

Radar-operated Adaptive Cruise Control is also available as an option which monitors the speed of the vehicle ahead, and adapts the CC’s speed accordingly (bringing things to a complete stop should it be necessary).