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CAP Blog > CAP Blog > Martin's Blog
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Mar
25
Written by:
Martin Ward
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
 Volkswagen managed to get so many things right when it comes to the Passat CC but they are also some negative aspects. On the plus side it has to be the most stylish four door Saloon available today; it looks superb from every angle, it stands out in a crowd and it is noticed everywhere it goes. The interior quality is as good as the best premium cars on the market as the fit, finish and materials used are of the highest quality.
The standard specification list is endless; it goes on and on. My favourite feature is the electronic parking brake with auto hold. This works when you press the foot brake and the parking brake comes on automatically, whether facing uphill or down. As soon as you want to start moving it releases itself quietly and efficiently and unlike some other manufacturers, it works every time. It also has as standard, a multi-function trip computer, rain sensor, auto headlights, front fog lights, lockable cooled glovebox, electronic stabilisation programme with an electronic differential lock and traction control (ESP/EDL+TC) and adaptive chassis control (ACC). I will explain more about ACC later, but now on to a few negatives on the Passat CC.
 One of the main features this car lacks is a fifth seat. It is a strict four seater; it only has four seat belts and there is an armrest with a cubby box where the fifth seat should be. For the majority of the time, most people only have one or two people in a car but every now and again you do need five seats. I did on mother’s day but the car was rendered useless because I was unable to get five people in. The Passat CC should have been offered with a choice of seats; five as standard and four as a no cost option. The name doesn’t do the car justice either; should it have even been called a Passat? Does the CC send out the wrong message? CC is generally thought to stand for Coupe Cabriolet rather than Comfort Coupe. In truth it is a four door Saloon – albeit a very stylish one. Also, a premium car such as the CC really should have leather trim as standard but it doesn’t. Instead VW choose to have ACC as a standard feature on the GT model and once you have played with it a few times, switching from sport to comfort then normal to sport and back again, you tend to leave it in comfort and forget about it. Leather trim would have been so much nicer.
 Now back to the positives. The 2.0 litre TDI CR 140ps engine with a 6 speed gearbox in our test car was brilliant. It was quiet, smooth and had more than enough power. On a long motorway journey the car easily achieved over 55mpg and no matter how you drive it, it would not do less than 45mpg. This is a great result for such a large car. The price of the Passat CC GT we tested is £21,986 on the road which looks to be reasonable value for a very stylish Saloon.
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