Volkswagen CC Sport, 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

James Raia

A guy in a back parking lot of a Chinese restaurant, speaking with a French accent, starred at the 2009 Volkswagen CC Sport and said: “I’ve never seen that car in the United States before. I’ve only seen it in Germany.” It wasn’t the first nor the last time someone asked about the new VW sedan. It’s the German manufacturer’s second attempt at a luxury sedan via a sleeker design of the Passat.

This time, VW has been influenced by Mercedes and Audi and it’s offering a four-passenger luxury-style car that costs less than $30,000.

It’s a much better approach than VW’s brief, unsuccessful experiment with the Phaeton.

The Weekly Driver’s Ratings

Acceleration (6)

There’s a slight delay, but the 2.0-liter, 200-horsepower engine holds its own. Not many cars in this price range can perform in both the sports cars/sedan arenas. The CC Sport won’t please a true sports car enthusiast, but it’s ideal for a sedan driver who still wants to have fun shifting gears or at least utilizing a peppy automatic.

Braking/Steering/Handling (7)

One of the new car’s strong characteristics. The CC Sport is confident around town and on the open road, brakes smoothly and handles cornering as well as some of its more well-known competitors like the Audi A4.

Cargo Room (5)

The trunk is fine for groceries, but the hinge will impede out-of-the-ordinary cargo. The cabin has a good supply of small storage areas and some unusually placed bins, like a rather large bin left of the steering wheel.

Controls (7)

Another major plus. Intuitive design, properly positioned, effect dials, controls and great functionality. Some more expensive luxury sedans have too many gadgets and complicated systems. Not Volkswagen. It offers a lot as standard equipment, but none with a severe learning curve.

Details (6)

Two-tone leatherette seats perfectly match the interior (Cornsilk Beige) and exterior (White Gold Metallic). If you like the look of two-tone shoes, you’ll like the color flow of the CC Sport. Brushed metal and finishing touches are reminiscent of higher priced vehicles.

Front Seats (7)

How’d VW do it? The bolstered front seats are extraordinarily comfortable and there’s ample head and leg room. The CC Sport isn’t the biggest car in its class, but it’s comfortable and spacious beyond its appearance.

Fuel Economy (5)

The EPA averages are 19 and 29 respectively for city and highway mileage. Couldn’t something have been done to get the respective averages to 20 and 30? That’s only one mpg, of course. But it would have likely helped to manufacturer sell more cars, particularly since premium fuel is recommended.

Quietness (6)

The engine growls, but it’s smooth, not annoying. Little wind rush and little freeway noise.

Rear Seats (6)

A permanent divider (cup holder and tray compartment) make the CC sport a four-passenger car, without question. Head and leg room are satisfactory and at least it’s not four-seater described as a five-seater.

Ride Quality (7)

Volkswagen sedans are a staple in Europe, with good reason. They’re solid, stable and commanding on the open road, like the German Autobahn. Ditto for the 2009 CC Sport on the Interstate.

Total (62 out of 100 )

Class — Premium sedan.

Primary competition — Audi A4, Cadillac CTS, Lexus 250, Chrysler 300, Mercedes CLS

Standard equipment

Exterior — Painted front and rear bumpers, Day time running lights, Driver and passenger power heated painted door mirrors indicator lights, Front fog lights, Projector beam lens halogen bulb headlights, Luxury trim leather on gear knob, alloy look on doors and dashboard, Metallic paint, Fixed rear window with defogger, Variable intermittent windshield wipers.

Interior — Air conditioning semi-auto, RDS audio system with AM/FM, Disc Auto changer and six-disc remote changer CD player reads MP3, Clock, Compass, Computer with average speed, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption and range for remaining fuel, Floor and overhead console, Delayed/fade courtesy lights, Cruise control, Front seats and rear seats cup holders, External temperature, Floor mats, Driver front airbag with multi-stage deployment, passenger front airbag with occupant sensors and multi-stage deployment, Sports heated electrically adjustable driver with height adjustment, lumbar adjustment, six adjustments and tilt adjustment electric, electric and electric, sports heated passenger seat with height adjustment, lumbar adjustment and tilt adjustment manual, manual and manual, Height adjustable 3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners, Front seat center armrest, Two height adjustable head restraints on front seats and rear seats, Headlight control, Low tire pressure indicator, Remote power locks speed sensing, Vehicle speed proportional power steering, Front and rear power windows with two one-touch, Front and rear reading lights, 3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side and passenger side, Rear seat center armrest with trunk access, Two asymmetrical bench/sports front facing rear seats with zero adjustments, Automatic operation rear view mirror, Steering wheel mounted remote audio controls, Remote control remote trunk/hatch release, Front, front side and rear side curtain airbags, Leather seat upholstery with additional leather, Eight speaker(s), Leather covered steering wheel with tilt adjustment and telescopic adjustment, Tachometer, Illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirror, Ventilation system with micro filter.

For more standard equipment/option package information, visit www.vw.com.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price — $27,100.00.

Price As Driven — $29,325.

Mileage Estimates — 19 mpg (city), 29 mpg (hwy).

Warranty — Bumper-to-bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Drivetrain, 5 years/60,000 miles; Roadside assistance, 3 years/36,000 miles; Corrosion, 12 years/ unlimited miles.

The Weekly Driver’s Final Words — The 2009 Volkswagen CC Sport may be the most unheralded offering in its class. Simple, straight-forward, little badging, handsome exterior and interior designs with important but never embellished equipment. Combine the sleek, sporty sedan look, comfortable seats and understated presence and it’s a winner of a first-year car.

Article Last Updated: August 7, 2017.

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