2009 Volkswagen CC Sport Review

HEELS ON WHEELS: 2009 VOLKSWAGEN CC SPORT REVIEW

HEELS ON WHEELS
By Katrina Ramser
San Francisco Bureau
The Auto Channel

INTRO TO THE 2009 VOLKSWAGEN CC SPORT VEHICLE
VW CC Sport seems to fill an important niche in the life of a seasoned Farfegnugen loyalist – that place being an age-appropriate coupe (but looking more like a sedan). If your Jetta, Passat or Beetle is beginning to feel too young, you might want to check out what the CC Sport has to offer.

I drove a white gold 4-door 2009 VW CC Sport with the 4-cylinder, 200-horsepower, 2.0T-liter turbo engine. With just a Sirius or satellite radio ($375) and the tiptronics 5-speed transmission ($1,100) for a total vehicle price of $29,325. Being coupe-like and all, it allows for just four passengers.

While it certainly sounds like stereotyping or even ageism, the vehicle on more than one occasion seemed to attract a more distinguished population inquiring about its details. Personally, whether the design and the specific target market we're talking about here was intentional, I think it's a brilliant move to retain lifelong VW customers.

HEELS ON WHEELS REVIEW CRITERIA

Stylish But Comfortable Results: The two-tone, bucket-style seats are a little difficult to get in and out of. Initially I was a skeptical of the driver seat arrangements, as I seemed to be sitting pretty low (even with adjustable power seating); but by the end of my weeklong test drive I loved the positioning. Heatable front seats are standard. The climate controls offer four settings (I appreciate a dial that has a wider grade of choices between a blast and a blow – call it a vehicle pet peeve). The almost-triangular shape of the exterior side mirror is perhaps a little too small. Overall there is a good use of space in the center console; like a BMW, there are hidden compartments offering space for practical items like phones. I think it's neat the rubber pulls out of the cup holders for easy cleaning. You'll appreciate the CC Sport casts a light at night around the car when you unlock from a distance.

Reliability & Safety Factor: You will love the Bi-Xenon headlamps and Adaptive Front Lighting System that is almost identical to the more expensive VW Touareg. The headlights actually turn up to 15 degrees in the direction you're headed, casting a very bright white light to everything in your path. Like Toyota and Honda, VW offers a standard 3-year or 36,000-mile (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty – but VW now offers the Carefree Maintenance Program, which includes no-charge maintenance for the life of the warranty. That gives the CC a foot up in the sedan/coupe game right there.

Cost Issues: The CC Sport is a slick and affordable sedan at $29,325 with a better-than-average gas consumption. If you're not paying for basic maintenance, you're also saving at least a hundred or two a year.

Activity & Performance Ability: Essentially what's underneath the exterior is a Passat. The CC Sport has a quiet engine and a notable turbo pickup; it certainly hugged and grabbed corners well. However, the steering just was too loose for my taste.

The Green Concern: The CC sport gets 19-mpg city/29-mpg highway for an average of 24-mpg. Thank the 4-cylinder smaller engine that still delivers decent whoop. The CC also offers a bigger V6 if you want to burn a little more – try 17-mpg city/25-highway for the V6 4Motion.

FINAL PARTING WORDS
Are you that sporty, retired couple tired of the same old offerings – or perhaps a VW fanatic ready to try something in the lineup not so young looking but still possessing good old German pep? While the CC Sport I drove highlights it's affordable, you can add more features and a bigger engine.

2009 Volkswagen CC Sport Review

Katrina's Car Tips For Women Drivers

Katrina's 2010 and 2009 Model Reviews For Women Drivers

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