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The new Volkswagen CC is the latest in the manufactures line-up and is designed to appeal to those who are looking for a luxury sport sedan without the sticker shock that can accompany a purchase of this type. The CC is designed to do just that, along with being a vehicle that most any family would enjoy.

Originally released as the Passat CC in 2008, with the CC standing for Comfort Coupe, Volkswagen decided to make it an original label in 2012 by bringing it out at the Los Angeles auto show as the new CC. Volkswagen markets that new version as a sporty, sexy with curb appeal that will draw in those looking for a more stylized exterior and an interior that doesn’t disappoint, from a general appearance standpoint to turning heads when out for a Sunday Drive!

After a week with the CC we had to say mission accomplished! The vehicle was both fun to drive and had the looks of a much more expensive vehicle inside and out. We found ourselves looking forward to time with the sedan each day, although we may have been somewhat biased after our 6 year stint with our last Jetta which we completely enjoyed.

The CC is the star in the premium sedan line up for Volkswagen, and they are doing all they can to have it appeal to a group of consumers looking for luxury in an affordable vehicle with all the distinctions of other premium sedans. The CC comes in six trim levels, including the 2.0T Sport, the 2.0T R-Line, the 2.0T Sport Plus, the 2.0T Lux, the 3.6L VR6 Lux and the 3.6L VR6 4Motion Executive, in which “4Motion” means all-wheel drive. All other CCs have front-wheel drive.

We drove a middle-of-the-road R-Line with a manual transmission. The R-Line and 2.0T Sport comes with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Usually when we drive a vehicle with a letter R involved in the name, it means some kind of a speed upgrade, but with the CC it gave the vehicle some very nice chrome enhancements on the body and a lowered front air intake, giving it a more masculine look.

The headlights were redesigned this year and included a very nice bi-xenon light that was surrounded by new LED accent daytime running lights, that added just the perfect amount of twinkle to look really great. The headlights would also adjust up 15 degrees when cornering at night giving the driver a better view of what lay around the corner. We have had cars with lights that moved in the direction of the turn, but these lamps seemed come on to light up that usually dark space on the front side of the CC as we went into the turn. This was a very welcome addition and would an extra measure of safety when cornering at night by illuminating the area as you went into the corner.

We had the opportunity to take the CC out on a ‘Sunday Drive’ in early June up Hobble Creek Canyon, going as far as the pavement would allow on the left hand fork. We had Laura, one of our friends with us in the back who was quick to point out the amount of legroom available in the rear for an adult, and was completely comfortable on the entire hour long journey.

Laura, having had the opportunity to ride with Deanne in many of the vehicles that we drive, was extremely impressed with the leatherette interior, and the way that Volkswagen had come up with two tone beige and black surface, and we agreed worked very well together. She thought this was one of the nicest interior designs that we have had, and thought the price of the vehicle would be at least a third more than it really was. Her only complaint was with the way the rear roofline swooped to the trunk, and getting into the back required an effort as to not hit ones head on the roof!

The CC R-Line comes standard with a 2.0 liter turbocharged 200 horsepower engine that puts out 207 ft.-lbs. of torque. At first glance one might wonder if this was enough juice for a mid-sized sports sedan. Well it did just fine accelerating, and getting up to 4 adults around without any hesitation. Our older 2001 Golf TDI had quite a bit of what we would consider turbo lag as the turbo revved up and really got going. We didn’t notice and distinct lag in the new CC as it just got right to the point when needing that extra little bit of acceleration.

There is however, a V6 option in the CC if more speed and acceleration are just something that you have to have. The mpg does decrease to 17 city 25 highway from the 21 city and 32 highway that we enjoyed for the week, averaging just over 27 mpg on the week.

Standard is also a 6 speed manual transmission that can be switched out for an automatic if preferred. After having had 2 other VW’s with standard transmission we would have opted for the automatic. The standard worked very well and added some enjoyment to the drive. It’s just as we are getting somewhat more advanced in age, we also like not having to depress the clutch all the time.

The interior of the CC was beautiful, with Volkswagen’s back up camera and navigation coming standard with the mid level trim that we received. The touch screen was nice, not to small to be useful and easy to program. Craig’s only complaint came when trying to hook his iPhone through that same touch screen.

It seemed to make sense that by pushing the setup button located on the side of the screen and choosing phone would have allowed the Bluetooth to sync with the phone. That was not the case and after three for four failed attempts to get the phone hooked up, he had to resort to YouTube to see a video on how to make this happen. It was really quite easy after that, it just required using the controls on the steering wheel, and not the video screen to make it happen.

There were some other great standard features besides the ones we have already mentioned that came with the R-Line version of the CC. Things like a sport tuned suspension, all wheel drive that would be great during the Utah winter, powered and heated front seats, a dual climate control system that kept both Craig and Deanne happy along the way, rain sensing windshield wipers and a push button start all rounded out a very luxury enhanced vehicle.

Overall we were very impressed with the new CC and for the price and all the options that came standard, we would definitely have to put it on our list of vehicles to drive. If you are in the market for a mid-sized sports sedan that as Volkswagen puts it so adeptly ‘with shocking good looks’. See the new Volkswagen today at Ken Garff Volkswagen in Orem, 195 East University Parkway, 801-714-2300.

Base Price: $33,025

Price as Driven: $33,025