By Zach Vlasuk
KBB Expert Rating: 7.4
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 offers luxury vehicle styling at a non-luxury price. If you are looking for an upscale mid-size sedan with a coupe-like shape and premium amenities, the CC might be the right choice for you.
If you are not enticed with "4-door coupe" designs and seek an exceptionally efficient sedan with generous rear-seat space, the Passat's superior interior volume, attractive sub-$22K starting price and incredibly efficient diesel option might be the better choice.
What's New for 2013
The Volkswagen CC receives seating for five and a number of appearance enhancements for 2013, including some new external styling and colors, new wheels, and LED running lights. Also, the sporty R-Line trim makes a return engagement this year, adding a number of tasteful interior and exterior enhancements that serve to further bolster the CC's visual appeal.
Driving Impressions 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.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.
Interior
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.
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)
The 2013 Volkswagen CC starts just over $31K in base trim, while the top-of-the-range VR6 4Motion Executive will set you back around $42,000. Sport Plus trims and the stylish R-Line begin right around $33,000. On the value side, a comparably equipped BMW 3 Series or Audi A4 can quickly jump into territory some $10,000 more expensive. However, given the CC's $10,000 premium over the Passat, there may be fewer interested in the CC at its much higher relative cost. Prices consumers are actually paying may vary, so check our Fair Purchase Price in the "What should I pay for my new car?" section on our homepage to see what others in your area have paid for their CCs. Projected resale values for the 2013 Volkswagen CC over five years are in line with the Nissan Maxima and below that of the Lexus ES 350 and Audi A4.
To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Volkswagen CC vehicles for sale near you.
Based on 130 Ratings for the 2009 - 2013 models.
Review this carBy birdie (IL) on Saturday, July 27, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 18,000
overall rating 2 of 10rating detailsPros: "handling ,headlights,"
Cons: "rear visibility,dealer service"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 2
"My first new car experience has been terrible,car is ok but dealer service has been the worst.PROS-great handling,headlights are awesome, CONS-poor rear visibility,unreliable nav system,v.w. service dept,v.w.service dept . I would not purchase this car again do to my poor service experiences"
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful
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By knightl54 (OR) on Monday, July 15, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 15,500
overall rating 9 of 10rating detailsPros: "quality, handling and driveability"
Cons: "interior back seat limited to two passengers"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8
"I have ridden in a $65000 car, and the creature comforts are no different. Wood trim and leather don't feel different, they stroke your ego. This is a quick reliable ride. Maintenance problems have been zero..and everything is covered for three years. A very responsive drive train, and the six speed automatic with three shift options is totally awesome. Negative?- silly two passenger back seat with a divide..the dog hates it"
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful
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By J (CA) on Friday, July 05, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 20,000
overall rating 8 of 10rating detailsPros: "Style, pricing, economy"
Cons: "Transmission hesitation when in stop position."
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7
"Great gas mileage and above avg power. Transmission hesitates from stop position. I was told this is the old race car tranny and it's normal. Comfort is avg, but does have lumbar switch which helps. Overall I like the car for it's style, handling and gas mileage. If your going for looks at a modest price, it's a great choice. If you enjoy the above, but demand more comfort and smooth ride, get an Audi and spend a lot more money. Bottom line, it's German engineering which is always a plus!"
3 people out of 3 found this review helpful
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By J (CA) on Friday, July 05, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 20,000
overall rating 8 of 10rating detailsPros: "Style, pricing, economy"
Cons: "Transmission hesitation when in stop position."
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7
"Great gas mileage and above avg power. Transmission hesitates from stop position. I was told this is the old race car tranny and it's normal. Comfort is avg, but does have lumbar switch which helps. Overall I like the car for it's style, handling and gas mileage. If your going for looks at a modest price, it's a great choice. If you enjoy the above, but demand more comfort and smooth ride, get an Audi and spend a lot more money. Bottom line, it's German engineering which is always a plus!"
Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse
By J (CA) on Friday, July 05, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 20,000
overall rating 8 of 10rating detailsPros: "Style, pricing, economy"
Cons: "Transmission hesitation when in stop position."
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7
"Great gas mileage and above avg power. Transmission hesitates from stop position. I was told this is the old race car tranny and it's normal. Comfort is avg, but does have lumbar switch which helps. Overall I like the car for it's style, handling and gas mileage. If your going for looks at a modest price, it's a great choice. If you enjoy the above, but demand more comfort and smooth ride, get an Audi and spend a lot more money. Bottom line, it's German engineering which is always a plus!"
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful
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By Frankj (FL) on Thursday, June 06, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 19,000
overall rating 9 of 10rating detailsPros: "so many great features included in base price"
Cons: "With Manual 6 Speed, Gears are close together"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10
"Many years ago I owned a VW Jetta. Many issues. So I wasn't sure if I truly wanted this car. But now owning it for nearly 3 years.... one of the best most reliable cars I ever owned. Other then bringing it in once a year for servicing, I have had no issues. Two things I would change Back seat only has room for two (I think newer modle now supports 3 When using Blue-Tooth, volume of system is very loud... must turn down volume when placing "a command". Once connected to my party, must then turn volume up"
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