Some cars just outstay their welcome, and the Volkswagen Passat CC was one. Launched in 2008, it was still with us in 2017. Still, it had given the company a toehold in the emerging four-door coupé class inspired by the Mercedes CLS of 2004, and we all know how important it was for Wolfsburg to bash Stuttgart (see VW Phaeton).
The letters ‘CC’ stand for ‘comfort coupé’, but if anyone thought they were code for a sporty drive, they were to be disappointed. Under those attractive, swoopy lines lurks the safe-as-houses Passat: reliable, comfortable and well screwed together but no barrel of laughs. However, the Passat CC was at least longer and lower for a sportier look, and it had classy frameless windows.
It was powered by a choice of petrol (1.8, 2.0 and 3.6 TSI) and diesel (2.0 TDI) engines. If the 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrols were irrelevant to the fleet market that was the model’s natural home, the 3.6 was doubly so – but a hoot nevertheless (see ‘One we found’). Not surprisingly, diesels dominate today’s classifieds.
There were two versions: one making 138bhp and another with 168bhp, the latter providing the best balance of power and economy. Both were offered with a choice of six-speed manual or DSG dual-clutch automatic gearboxes, today split 50/50. The autos can suffer mechatronic control issues and seem to thrive on 40,000-mile fluid and filter changes, but these things can be blown out of proportion. Just check it changes quietly and smoothly.
The Passat CC was more expensive than the Passat, but the extra cash bought a higher-quality cabin and more standard kit. Even base trim has sports suspension, 17in alloys and climate control. GT is the one to have, though, with 18in alloys, tinted windows and three-mode adaptive suspension, and from 2010 it gained nappa leather. Today, GT trim predominates in the classifieds.
That CC premium also bought one less rear seat. Doesn’t sound like much of a deal, does it? Most people didn’t think so either, although looking into the back of a Passat CC today, those separate chairs do seem more in keeping.
Join the debate
Add your comment
4yr or 84K? (which ever comes first).
84? Where did Autocar source that info from?
Something of a contemporary VW classic, which the awkward looking Arteon will never be. Even so, I am sure the designers wished they had a longer wheelbase to work with.
I loved closing the rear window electric blind to tailgaters.