Volkswagen CC brings sensibility to compact segment

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2012 VOLKSWAGEN CC R-LINE

ENGINE: 200-horsepower 2.0-liter four cylinder

TRANSMISSION: six-speed automatic

DRIVETRAIN: front-wheel drive

FUEL ECONOMY: 22 city/31 highway

BASE PRICE: $31,560

AS TESTED: $32,380

WEBSITE: vw.com

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Updated: November 28, 2011 3:57PM

Our definition of a perfect compact sedan is one that seats just four people. What’s the point of squeezing a fifth person in a “compact” car anyway?

That’s what we like about the Volkswagen CC – it’s a truly comfortable, compact four-door sedan. Imagine yourself in a compact sedan that comfortably holds four people and looks like a coupe. It’s the perfect sedan for someone not looking for a family car.

This particular model from Volkswagen is pricey, with figures that approach entry-level luxury status starting at $28,515. But the CC is the prettiest of the Volkswagen models – with looks capable of rivaling luxury cars.

Our 2012 CC tester, priced at $31,560, was outfitted in the optional R-Line package, which instantly ups the visual wow factor on this sedan. VW describes its R-Line as an aggressive appearance package. The styling elements that Volkswagen uses on the R-Line are key features traditionally used for setting up an aggressive look, but we think the R-Line is better than that; it’s svelte and seductive, giving the CC upper-class luxury appeal. Included on the R-Line package are lower body side trim, darkened tail lamps, fog lamps, stainless doorsill plates and 18-inch Mallory wheels.

New for the 2012 model year, this stylish sedan gets an interior freshening. Volkswagen updates the 2012 CC with dark wood interior trim and an analog clock. The CC comes in front-wheel-drive Sport and Luxury trims, as well as the VR6 4Motion all-wheel-drive trim.

Engine choices are the 2.0-liter turbocharged, intercooler four-cylinder and the 3.6-liter V-6. The CC Sport comes standard with the six-speed manual transmission that earns Environmental Protection Agency ratings of 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.

The 2012 CC Luxury tester with the R-Line package featured the four-cylinder turbo mated to the DSG six-speed automatic transmission. The automatic also gets 31 mpg highway and is rated to do 1 mpg better in the city over the manual transmission with an EPA rating of 22 mpg city. Volkswagen recommends premium gasoline for maximum performance.

This DSG automatic transmission gets far better fuel economy mileage ratings over the automatic transmission that was first introduced in 2009. That model had an EPA fuel rating of just 19/29 mpg.

The 16-valve, 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo with direct injection produces 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, which we found to be enough shove to move this 3,374-pound sedan satisfyingly. The 18-inch wheels give the CC sedan not only a great appearance, but also a sporty ride.

The up-level engine is mounted into the VR6 model. This is really a lot of engine for a compact sedan, probably more than most drivers in this class would care to handle. The Volkswagen V-6 is rated at 280 horsepower, 265 pound-feet of torque and goes from 0-to-60 mph in 6.6 seconds. Its EPA is estimated at 18/27 mpg.

The CC has a sports suspension, making it a really fine driver’s car, but it has to be fun seated in the rear, too. The two back seat occupants are nestled securely in sport seats that are ergonomically bolstered for support. Splitting the two rear seats is a center console with a roll top that conceals storage space as well as holds two beverage cups.

Six air bags, electronic stability control, antislip regulation, engine braking assist and three-point safety belts with force limiters are also standard on the 2012 CC.