Used 2013 Volkswagen CC

Based on VW’s award-winning Passat, the 2013 Volkswagen CC, which stands for "Comfort Coupe," ditches the unique front and rear styling of its predecessor for a new look that conforms to the brand’s current design language. While its "4-door coupe" designation is, in fact, an oxymoron, the Volkswagen CC offers the sweeping roofline, frameless side glass and low, aggressive stance of a coupe with the practicality of four doors. The CC differentiates itself from the affordably priced mid-size Passat with superior interior materials and a distinctive, curvy profile resembling the elegant designs of more expensive luxury-branded vehicles.

The 2013 Volkswagen CC drives as sharp as it looks. A laser-seam-welded body combined with taut suspension mitigates body lean and flex for an engaging driving experience. And despite its rigid construction, the CC still manages to soak up most pavement deformities without feeling overly harsh. Steering is light and manageable for simple parking maneuvers and appropriately weighted for increased control at highway speeds. While the standard turbocharged 4-cylinder engine provides an abundance of low-end torque and ample fuel efficiency, we did, however, observe some mild vibration at low engine speeds. On the other hand, the available V6 smoothly delivers all of its 280 horses through a 6-speed DSG automatic transmission with gear changes so quick the tachometer needle can hardly keep pace.

From the flagship VR6 4Motion Executive to the entry-level 2.0T Sport trim, every 2013 Volkswagen CC boasts high-quality interior materials and an elegantly crafted layout. Standard leatherette can be replaced with optional leather trim in a solid or 2-tone color scheme. The front seats are supremely comfortable thanks to their standard 12-way power adjustability with 4-way power lumbar support and headrests that adjust fore-and-aft. Despite its compact display, the standard multimedia system features an intuitive interface with uncluttered graphics and large buttons for simple operation. While stylish, the CC’s swept roofline compromises rear seat headroom while the trunklid’s sloped design hinders luggage space.

The Volkswagen CC’s principal selling point is its sharp, elegant shape. Touted as the only 4-door coupe in its class, the 2013 CC features a refreshed front end comprised of a new front bumper, hood, headlights and grille. The CC’s facelift is complemented by LED running lights while new LED taillights round out the changes to the rear. R Line models add a bit more flair to the mix with 18-inch alloy wheels, smoked taillight bezels, and a bolder front bumper with corresponding side sill extensions.

4MOTION ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD)
The top-of-the-line VR6 4Motion Executive model features an adaptive all-wheel drive system with the ability to transfer nearly 100 percent of the engine’s power to a specific axle for peak performance in a variety of driving conditions.

DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The available 6-speed DSG transmission is essentially comprised of two separate manual gearboxes housed within a single automated unit. When compared to a traditional automatic transmission, the DSG delivers increased fuel economy, a decreased loss of torque during gear changes and faster, smoother shifting.

Well-appointed even in base trim, the 2013 Volkswagen CC offers a host of standard features, including 17-inch alloy wheels, a 6-speed manual transmission, bi-xenon headlights that are nearly three times brighter than conventional halogen bulbs, rain-sensing windshield wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated 12-way power front seats, and an 8-speaker audio system with iPod connectivity and Bluetooth wireless technology. Standard safety equipment includes six airbags and Volkswagen’s Intelligent Crash Response System that shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors and activates the hazard warning lights when the system detects an airbag deployment.

Like most VW models, optional equipment for the 2013 CC is trim level specific. The five available trims (the R Line makes six in early 2013) include Sport, Sport Plus, Lux, VR6 Lux and VR6 4Motion Executive. Sport Plus models add a navigation system, 18-inch wheels and a DSG automatic transmission on top of the Sport’s standard equipment. The Lux adds a power sunroof and dark brushed-aluminum interior trim, while the VR6 Lux tacks on a navigation system with a 6.5-inch display, leather-trimmed seats and, you guessed it, a V6 engine. The fully-loaded VR6 4Motion Executive features all-wheel drive, ventilated front seats, a premium audio system, and a sonar proximity warning system for difficult parking spots.

The 2013 Volkswagen CC Sport, Sport Plus and Lux models are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that gets 32 miles per gallon on the highway while churning out 200 horsepower. VR6 models suffer a notable drop in fuel economy for a 280 horsepower naturally aspirated V6 matched to a 6-speed DSG automatic transmission. The turbocharged 2.0-liter can be mated to either a 6-speed manual gearbox or the DSG automatic.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
200 horsepower @ 5,100-6,000 rpm
207 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/32 mpg (manual), 22/31 mpg (automatic)

3.6-liter V6
280 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
265 lb-ft of torque @ 2,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/27 mpg (FWD), 17/25 (AWD)