Test Drive is a new series that we’re starting at CrunchGear wherein we get a hands-on look at new or interesting modes of transportation. It’s not limited to just cars, either. We’ll take a look at just about anything from scooters to rockets and everything in between.
I’ve always been a tad averse to Volkswagens since my days in HS. For some reason, I always associated a VW with a girl’s car. Perhaps the flower holder in the Beetle was a bit much, VW. I simply could not be associated with any brand that touted a flower holder as a feature. Heh. I would have given my right arm for a mint Scirocco, but all the ones I could find were in disarray having been driven hard by those ‘racer’ types. When the parental units are doing the purchasing – you tend to keep your mouth shut and hope they don’t pawn the old family van on you.
For the better part of a decade, I’ve steered clear of VW – mainly because I don’t drive anymore- but I have to hand it to them with their recent ad campaign. They’re clever and the viral online campaigns are a big time sink, which is smart on VW’s part. VW is one of the very few brands that find a way to thrive and not just survive when times are tough. And what better than to offer a sophisticated looking ride that offers countless amenities, a smooth ride and that doesn’t hit your wallet too hard? Enter the CC.
Admittedly, the CC doesn’t quite have all the tech-related features we look for when taking Test Drives, but there are a few notables from our gadget-obsessed perspective. We drove around the CC Sport edition, which is the base model 4-banger with a 2.0L Turbo that gets a respectable 21MPG in the city and 31MPG on the highway. It comes as a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic that starts at $27,100. You can opt for the Luxury (same power plant as Sport), VR6 Sport or VR6 4Motion models that have a 3.6L, VR6 powerplant with 280HP that tops out at $39,800, but they only come with automatic transmissions.
When traversing a city you’re unfamiliar with, GPS certainly comes in handy, right? As a $2640 upgrade, the “technology package with MDI (Media Device Interface)” would probably be the one upgrade I’d opt for. And I suppose the Bluetooth option is worth the $275, or of course a dorky $50 Bluetooth headset would suffice as well. So, the MDI supports USB devices other than your iPod, like hard drives or flash drives, and displays ID3 tags with full control over devices via the touch-screen interface. There is, however, a USB port in the glove box as well if you choose not to opt for the tech package. Also included in the package are Sirius satellite radio, CD, DVD and a rear-view camera that’s inconspicuously hidden in the rear badge.
For the gadget-obsessed like myself, the CC has three 12V power outlets placed in the main cabin, rear cabin and trunk. It’s not an AC outlet, but it’s certainly better than nothing and it comes with every trim.
While not available in the Sport or Luxury model, the 10-speaker Dynaudio system puts out a total of 600W for adequate easy listening while on the road trip. Miley Cyrus sounded great, as did Smoosh.
One of my pet peeves is people who leave their blinkers on after they’ve already switched lanes. The CC comes equipped with the Lane Change Feature that blinks three times with just a tap and immediately stops. Can’t you people hear the ticking noise?
Another neat feature of the CC is the electronic parking brake that’s lever- and pedal-less. It’s just a button that you click to engage and disengage. Genius.
One of the simplest housekeeping things to keep in mind with your car is tire pressure. I typically checked air pressure in my car every couple weeks while getting a fill up, but I know some of you are guilty of not doing this or you know someone that is, right? Well, the CC automatically does it for you and alerts you to low tire pressure in the center cluster of the dashboard. Now you don’t have any excuses and you’ll save yourself money on gas and tires with this feature.
Available on the VR6 models are Bi-Xenon headlights that shift 15 degrees in the direction you’re going. I don’t know what it is about these new-fangled headlights that I enjoy, but I dug them on the MKS and CC. It might have something to do with growing up in the West Hills of Portland where all the roads in my neighborhood were twisties.
Well, that’s just a quick summation of the tech-related features of the Volkswagen CC. The CC offers a touch of class and adequate muscle without breaking the bank.
Photo Gallery by Picturesurf
Since when does $39,800 for a lil 4 door not qualify as breaking the bank?
I was more or less referring to the Sport Edition. But all trims are pretty well packed.
You guys should do a review of the new TDI Jetta. Theres some pretty cool tech going on in that car.
Its not little. Its almost a full size and it is absolutely gorgeous inside and out
Trying again…
I had a 2004 Passat up until last summer. Took immaculate care of it, loved driving that car. At about 30,000 miles it started having problems. Things like the locking mechanism in the drivers door would fail. Then it would fail again. Then it would fail again. Then an ignition coil went on way to an exam, which I missed because of that. Then it happened again, minus the exam. When I drove the car through puddles, water would seep up through the floor boards and soak the carpet. The techs blamed it on drainage plugs in the sun room, which they said they fixed. Then it happened again. They weren’t sure why that time. The trunk got stuck, they fixed it. The computer in the instrument panel failed after they replaced the failed radio, another two trips to the dealer. The motor in the front passenger window went out. Then it happened to the driver side.
I have a longer list of things, but all in all between 30,000 miles and 40,000 miles, I experienced twenty four major problems with that car. It had all proper maintenance, and I drove it with care. I turned in the car last summer and was thankful to be done with it, to never again consider a VW.
Unfortunately, my little sister leased a 2006 Passat while mine was still trouble free. She turns it in about six weeks from today, but as of today with about 28,000 miles on the car, it eating through about two quarts of oil every three weeks. When I pop the cap to add more oil, the oil around the cap is brownish with bubbles…denoting water getting into the system. The engine on that car with fail totally by the 40,000 mile mark, without question. Again, this Passat has had proper maintenance and has been driven with care. The guys at the dealership…well, I always thought them capable until I found the twist-tie they used the tie the oil dipstick to the engine. Clueless.
My uncle got a fully loaded 2006 Passat, a six cylinder, but unfortunately this time the car was purchased instead of leased. He wasn’t thrilled when the catalytic converter failed at 12,000 miles. Was actually thrilled when somebody plowed into the back of his car outside his apartment. That insurance check was a one way ticket to a Honda. Hasn’t looked back since.
I won’t eve get into my girl friends Passat. I’ve heard Volkswagen has officially acknowledged the quality of their vehicles went to crap, and “have taken steps to address this.” That’s all good and well, because their cars are fun to drive and nice to look at. But they’re not built well. Let these stories be a lesson to you.
Sorry, dude. flags comments over a certain length.
No worries thanks for deleting duplicate.
how is this a test drive? where’s the driving part?
also, peter really needs a copy editor
James Talvy, it’s time to step out from behind the Hyundai – Ever heard of a BMW, an Audi…? $39,000 is nothing unheard of, and really, the Passat CC is again a bargain A4.
thebonafortuna, spare us the sob story. Yes VWs aren’t as reliable as a Japanese car, but they are much more solidly constructed. Just compare the weight of the doors on a Toyota to a VW – not even comparable. Quality is not “crap” because you had a few coils on your 1.8t go. Let me guess, you change the oil at Jiffy lube, pay $30 and think you’re doing the car a favor. Go get a Japanese appliance if that’s how you treat your cars, you have no business with the highly sophisticated award winning 1.8T, let alone the direct injection 2.0TFSI. And lastly, no, the Japanese have nothing to even remotely compete with the state of the art dual clutch DSG automated manual. German innovation will eventually be enmulated by the Asians, it will take a few years, just watch.
vw is not bad, they are number two behind Toyota. Sell many more cars than Honda and Nissan combined, so no, they are not “terrible”.
Buddy, I never said anything about VW not being solidly constructed. I would never buy a Toyota for pretty much the same reasons you’re giving, get off your high horse.
My services were done at the dealer, actually, or by myself. I admit I had a single service performed at Jiffy Lube, but when I got home and checked their work I found the intake leading to the air filter had been left disassembled when those idiots “checked” my air filter. I fixed everything up and it wasn’t an issue.
Like I said, I took immaculate care of the car. I enjoyed driving it. But once I hit 30,000 miles, the car turned to crap and here’s the kicker – out of the four Passats owned by myself, my sister, my uncle, and my girlfriend, ALL four of them were garbage. It wasn’t like one of them had lots of problems. It wasn’t that half of them had problems. They ALL had tons of problems.
VW admitted their quality was garbage. Selling tons of cars doesn’t equate with making quality automobiles.
thebonafortuna no car company is lemon proof. My family has owned VW’s and Audi’s since 76 with less than a handfull of problems in that 30 + year span. Check out how many major recalls Toyota brings to the table and then tell me who is more reliable. More options means more potential for trouble. When Toyota makes a car that gets 30 + miles per gallon with 200 Hp and 207 lb-ft and has a suspension as tight as VW, maybe then id consider it. Then again it would prob. shoot oil through the spark plug ports at 80k like my 98 Celica did.
Jack…not sure why you’re picking up on Toyota either. I’ve driven plenty of their cars, including their “S” type or whatever its called, and you know what: its like driving a tractor.
I’m not ragging on people who buy Toyotas, but I don’t like them either. VW is definitely innovative and designs nice cars with lots of options. But I spent years defending them too, until I hit 30,000 and experienced first hand what everyone else was saying about their quality.
Yeah more options means more potential for trouble…but if those fancy options keep leading to trouble, its not unfair to call them out on it. Its still time spent at the dealer and not with your car, and since VW doesn’t offer loaner cars when your vehicle is with them once or twice a month, it gets old quick.
I remember when I was doing my graduate study at Michigan State University, I bought a Toyota, drove it for a long time (0% trouble) and then sold it more, basically I made money rather than losing. To me Toyota is the best car in the market.
test drove VW went to redeem $25 gift card at VWTestDriveOffer.com and it can not find the site
Can u direct me to the link
I can not find the website either to redeem my gift certifiate for test driving a Routan and it must be redeemed by 5/11/09..anyone have a link?
Like Lola & John I test derived a VW at the dealership and I can not find the website either to redeem my gift certifiate for test driving and it must be redeemed by 5/4/09. Perhaps it is a trick to get your e-mail address or else .. anyone have a link?
Have been looking for web site for over 3 weeks. If you can help please notify. Thanks