2013 VW CC VR6 4 Motion

Freshened front and rear styling gives the CC a bolder look at the expense of some elegance, but the CC remains a beautiful car that looks more expensive than it is. Practical buyers can finally add the CC to their shopping list, as Volkswagen has replaced the rear bucket seats with a three-person bench. The face-lift adds bi-xenon headlights and LED taillights to the CC’s standard equipment list.

The 2013 Volkswagen CC’s fully galvanized steel body comes in several colors of clearcoat monotone paint. Chrome bodyside moldings and grille trim add a touch of refinement. The wheels are silver aluminum and come with all-season tires, suitable for driving on most roads, during most weather conditions. These particular tires are rated to travel safety at speeds up to 130 miles per hour.

The Lux and Executive models come with first and second row sunroofs, which provide an excellent ventilation and view of the scenery, although sunshades are not included, so the car would become a mini-greenhouse in the summer, unless the driver opts to buy sunshades elsewhere.

Dual zone automatic air conditioning, complete with an air filter, keeps both front passengers comfortable. Unfortunately, rear controls are not available so rear passengers will have to rely upon underseat ducts for air circulation. The front seats are sport seats and are eight-way power adjustable to accommodate passengers of various heights. Both front seats are also equipped with lumbar support, for added comfort, and come heated- a nice feature for winter months. The rear seat is a 60-40 bench and features a pass-thru rear armrest for easy access to the rear cargo area. All seats come upholstered in leatherette. Unfortunately, real leather is not available.

The audio system is decent, with an AM/FM/Satellite/CD player. It is CD changer compatible, but there is no option to have one equipped, so it will have to be purchased elsewhere. The audio system is MP3 capable and has auxiliary audio input, for some models. Music plays through eight up to ten speakers depending on trim level chosen and it can be controlled through buttons on the steering wheel. Unfortunately, this audio system is not voice activated. A navigation system is standard on all but the base Sport model, where it is not available, unfortunately.

For help with managing cargo, cargo tie downs come standard and a cargo net is available as an option. The CC has a maximum cargo space of only 13.2 cubic feet; however, it can carry up to 1052 pounds of passengers and cargo- depending on the model chosen.

The 2013 Volkswagen CC received a good rating from the IIHS in every category, an impressive feat. Driver and passenger front impact airbags, seat mounted side impact airbags, and side curtain airbags in the first and second row keep passengers safe and come with an occupant sensor. Anti-lock brakes and traction control help the driver stay in control of the vehicle, even in poor driving conditions. The CC keeps the driver informed of outside temperatures through a digital display. It also lets the driver know when it is time to have the vehicle serviced or when the tank or tires need refilling.

A key fob allows the driver to remotely unlock/lock doors and comes with a panic alarm that can be used to deter theft. Ignition disable also come equipped to help with deterring theft through making the CC impossible to hotwire. Rear child safety door locks keep young passengers safe in the back. Unfortunately, neither keyless access nor remote start are available features.

The 2013 Volkswagen CC 2.0T models come with a 2.0-liter, 200 horsepower, four-cylinder engine. This engine comes with an intercooled turbocharger. The other engine does too, except in the top two tier cars, strangely enough. This engine produces 207 lb-ft of torque and is rated at 21-22/31 mpg city/highway. The 2.0T models, save the Sport Plus come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, with the option of a six-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and auto-manual. Only the automatic transmission is available for the other models. The 3.6L models come with a 3.6-liter, 280 horsepower, V-6 engine. This engine produces 265 lb-ft of torque and is rated at 17/25-27 mpg city/highway. Cruise control comes standard. All CCs are front-wheel drive cars.

All Volkswagen CC models have a sport tuned suspension, for maximum drive and handling capabilities. A strut suspension is equipped in the front and comes supported by an anti-roll bar, coil springs, and gas-pressurized shocks. This combination allows for a smooth ride as the strut suspension works with the coil springs to dampen the effects of road irregularities on passengers. The gas-pressurized shocks help control the springs, to prevent too much ‘bouncing’. The rear suspension is a multi-link and comes supported by an anti-roll bar, coil springs, and gas-pressurized shocks as well. The multi-link suspension provides for excellent handling, allowing the driver to maneuver easily, even around corners and bends.

An electronic stability system, along with the anti-roll bars, increase vehicle stability when performing cornering, and other difficult maneuvers. The steering is speed sensitive rack & pinion steering.

• Acura TSX
• Buick Regal
• Nissan Maxima
• Volvo S60