New Cars 2010/2011: VW CC

With the Golf VI lineup (including the GTI among other variants) getting all the attention at VW dealers this summer, it's fair to say the rest of their lineup is much underrated, and overlooked. Case in point would be the CC midsize sedan. Squaring off in the premium midsize market against cars such as the Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata and much-dated-but-soon-to-be-replaced Saab 9-3, the CC has the premium aspect of the field covered.
Equipped with features such as two tone leather, heated and cooling front seats, and enough optional 19 inch wheels, the CC is by choice the sporting variant in its field. That sporting moniker is well deserved, too, with its R-Line trim pictured here. Rolling on 19s, and sporting a front lip kit, side skirts, and a rear lip, this package is available coupled with the amazing 2.0T shared with the majority of the VW/Audi stable. Packing 200 horses, and 207 foot/pounds this engine paired with the DSG transmission is amazing. Having ridden in the much more aggressive GTI, this combo does wonders. I'm sure if you do, indeed, have the nerve, you can get the back of the CC to step out much like that of its more rambunctious GTI sibling. A wilder choice would be the 3.6 V6, again shared with the majority of the VW/Audi group. Coupled with VW's 4Motion AWD system, 3.6 VR6 CCs reach 60 in 6.5 seconds. Okay, so it's not the quickest car in the group, but it boy does the engine sound good.
If sporting isn't much your style, there is a Luxury group, too. Unlike the sporting versions, the luxury version rolls on 17s, comes in more plain colors (whites/beige/grays)and, like the Mercedes CLS it was modeled after looks downright pathetic with the smaller wheels. Infact, to be honest, the 19s are really the only wheels that suit the fluidic, decidedly coupe-like lines of the CC.
It's a tough draw between the CC and Hyundai Sonata for style points. Both have coupe-like bodylines, both pack a mean wheel choice, but the CC has the edge with its frameless doors and optional V6. When the Sonata Turbo comes out later this year, well.. we'll see. Check back for a re-analysis. Maybe I should do a head to head comparison.