Volkswagan Passat CC

Expert Rating:

Introduction

It's hard to talk about the Passat CC without making reference to the Mercedes CLS, the car that started the whole 'four-door coupé' niche, and until this came along, stood alone in it. The name is confusing, we know, but this is definitely a saloon - there's no folding hard top in sight on this CC.

Yet, whereas the Mercedes is more clearly set apart from the E-Class saloon on which it's based, the line between the Passat CC and its regular saloon namesake is quite blurred. If the CC were a two-door coupé its purpose would be a bit clearer, but it isn't. No, this is a Passat saloon alright, but it's slightly less practical and slightly more expensive - and sold alongside the 'normal' Passat. So, surely the trade-off is a rewarding driving experience and blinding good looks, right? Well, it possibly has one of those things...

What are its rivals?

Technically it doesn't have any direct rivals. Sure, the aforementioned CLS is similar in concept to the Passat, but that's a proper premium executive car, whereas the VW is very much the mainstream saloon. It's not competing with proper coupés either, because buyers in that market only need two doors and are less concerned about space and practicality. So, this really is a rival to all the cars the normal Passat is, though having said that, VW hopes its unique character and coupé-like styling catapult it onto the radars of middle manager types looking at a BMW 3 Series, a Mercedes C-Class or an Alfa 159 - that sort of thing. Price wise it's more in tune with the latter of those: our DSG-equipped test car, powered by a 2.0-litre, 168bhp diesel engine, will set you back £24,995, which won't get you anything like the same spec in an alternative German executive.

How does it drive?

Not like a coupé. It actually drives like a big, lumbering saloon - which is its main frustration. The problem is expectation: you expect it to be a sporty car with a driving experience matching (or at least coming close to) the best sports saloons. It doesn't. It is good, make no mistake, but it's good in a soft, comfortable, solidly engineered big VW sort of way. Our test car came equipped with VW's superlative double-clutch DSG auto 'box and the more powerful 168bhp TDI diesel engine, which is a brilliant combination - smooth, quick, and without any of the languid gear changing of some slush boxes.

GT spec endows the CC with VW's Active Chassis Control (ACC), which alters the suspension and steering settings between sport, normal and comfort modes, getting softer in that order. The problem is, the steering has no feel in any mode - the ACC just makes it heavier or lighter - and the chassis is too soft and wallowy in comfort guise, but too firm and fidgety in sport mode. Somehow, the system just doesn't work as well as it does in the Scirocco. Still, where the CC does excel is on the motorway - and a delightful six-hour blast from northern England to Sandbanks during our week with the CC proved that. The engine is a smooth, quiet and strong overtaker, and the DSG kicks down instantaneously when necessary. 'Effortless' is probably the best word to use to describe this car's performance.

What's impressive?

It looks great, especially pitted side-by-side with its saloon namesake. And it has masses of space inside, only really lacking in the rear headroom department - but even there it's more than adequate. It's also very well equipped, with alloys, sports seats, a big touch screen stereo (which makes it look like you've ordered satnav even if you haven't), two-zone climate control and automatic wipers and lights. GT spec adds bigger wheels and the ACC. And it's a VW, so of course the quality is absolutely top notch and VW has made a real effort to differentiate the cabin from its lesser sibling, too - and it has worked. It's not a feast of mind-blowing aesthetics, but it's clear, sensible and nice to touch.

And as we alluded to before, it's really comfortable, and that makes it a superb long distance car. It's no surprise to note, then, that VW expects well over two-thirds of these to go to the fleet market, with the vast majority powered by the economical 138bhp diesel. Even our 168bhp car will return 46.3mpg combined and emit 159g/km of CO₂, which will see you giving the tax man just £120 per year in VED tax.

What's not?

It's just so confusing. Because it's supposed to be a sort of sporty coupé-type-saloon, VW has seen fit to replace the middle back seat with a storage pocket, like you'd get in a BMW 3 Series Coupé. On one hand, how often do people really use cars like this to carry five people around? On the other, it's simply not a coupé - it's a big, comfortable, slightly spongy saloon that happens to look much better than the saloon it shares its name with. Expect a sharp, engaging drive and you'll be sorely disappointed, but cast your prejudices aside and it's very competent indeed. Basically, it's a marketing step too far.

Should I buy one?

If you were thinking about buying a Passat, or even one of the A4/3 Series/C-Class premium triple, we'd strongly suggest you check out the Passat CC. If VW had simply replaced the existing Passat with this one, we reckon it would have had one of the best looking sub-premium saloons on its hands, and one which fleet buyers would have flocked to get into for its combination of unique visuals, solid build, comfort and low running costs. It's also got a massive boot and acres of legroom. Unfortunately, it's a little pricey because VW has pitched it as a slightly more luxurious product than the regular car. And, fundamentally, it's always a slightly disappointing - almost frustrating - drive because you expect so much more of it. Still, if you can get past that, there's a satisfying ownership prospect there.

Mark Nichol