Rented an almost new (200-miles on odometer) CC this past weekend; it's an RXAR (Standard Elite), and now, quite possibly, one of my favorite sports sedans. If I were in the market for an entry-level sports sedan, I would strongly consider the CC. The base model stickers for just $28K (which is quite reasonable), and comes loaded with a lot of standard features, e.g. 12-way power seats with 4-way lumbar for BOTH driver's and front passenger seats, and heated seats. Not to mention driver's side grab handles (those are always omitted from the driver's side on other cars for some reason).
The exterior design is beautiful, and strongly evokes the styling in the Mercedes CLS, that is a 4-door coupe sedan. The base engine is a turbo-4 producing 200 hp and 207 lb-ft torque, surprisingly providing sufficient acceleration in the 0-60 (6.9 seconds for manual, 7.4 for automatic) and returning good fuel economy (21/31 for manual, 19/29 for automatic). There is very little to no turbo lag. The uprated 280 hp V-6 with AWD adds an additional 500 lbs of weight, and is faster in the 0-60 (6.2 seconds) while producing worse fuel economy (17/25).
If were buying a car, I'd get the 2.0T base 4-cylinder in Lux/Limited trim, which comes fantastically optioned for ~ $32K. If you want a larger car with the same amount of options, you'd probably have to go with the Hyundai Genesis, which looks positively staid in comparison to the CC.
The CC is characterized by its long graceful snout, and looks nothing like the bulbous Passat it replaced. I think the rear doesn't look as nicely as the front, but it's certainly distinctive.
The interior is very nice and functional for a $28K car. The 2012 MY adds an analog clock (which is slightly hard to read due to the placement angle), and different HVAC vents. TWO THUMBS up for the CC because it includes automatic daylight savings adjustment for the clock! The large strip of metal colored plastic looks a little cheap, but at least it seems well put together with no gaps.
The frameless doors are neat, and coupe like. Beware, as that means a larger B-pillar, which slightly obstructs visibility on the driver's side.
The center entertainment screen comes standard can also be accessed using directional pads on the steering wheel (not unlike those used on the 2011 Ford Edge), and the pads have a great tactile feel. Touchscreen performance is snappy and responsive. The driver's instrumentation gauges are housed in two aluminum ringed bins, and are very legible. The 4-wheel tire pressure monitoring system is handy. The steering wheel is covered in a vinyl-leatherette like material, which is surprisingly comfortable, and better feeling than that used on the Hyundai Genesis.
The seats are beaucoup comfortable, and the leatherette feels very nice. The seats have excellent side bolstering, and even have a slight (non-adjustable) extension for the thighs.
The main drawback of the CC is the rearward sloping roofline, which decreases headroom and kneeroom for tall passengers. I'm 6'1", and with my seat as far back as it was, there was very little room for anyone over 6' in the back. Also, the CC only has room for 2 in the back (which I think is fine since very few people can comfortably sit in the middle in most cars anyway), and the center seat is instead occupied by a console.
In conclusion, nothing but praise for the CC. A few minor quibbles, but I'm very pleased with this car.
PROS:
- Beautiful exterior with distinctive flowing lines. More than one person came up to me to ask what kind of car I was driving.
- Sexy roofline.
- A lot of standard options for the price.
- Comfy seats
- Excellent base engine with great fuel economy.
- Very little to no turbo lag
- EPAS handling tuned to provide good road feel.
- Good braking response.
- Fun to drive.
- Despite the design, surprisingly good outward visibility.
- Daylight savings automatic adjustment!!
- Base stereo sounds pretty good.
- Touchscreen is snappy and responsive.
- Standard daytime running lamps and extra turn-signal LEDs mounted on sideview mirrors
CONS:
- DSG delayed shifting mistaken for turbo lag?
- Start/stop button mechanism is a little quirky; you have to insert the key fob into the holder and push inwards, to start the engine. Not a true keyless start/stop system.
- Tilting only on steering wheel (for base model), no telescoping.
- Rearview mirror plastic looks cheap.
- Knee and head-room lacking for rear seat passengers.
- Analog clock difficult to read due to placement angle.
- Questionable VW reliability?
- Large B-pillar may obstruct driver visibility out the left.
- Egress can be a little difficult initially if you're tall (I hit my back on the A-frame once, haha), but you get used to it.
**EDIT: Some noticeable DSG shifting lag, mistakable for turbo lag.