Think of the CC as the Passat’s less practical, more stylish brother and you won’t go far wrong. It might not be the roomiest tow car in this class, but if the kids have long since left home, does that really matter?
If you can live with some compromises for the sake of good looks, then the CC makes a great tow car. It’s every bit as stable as the Passat Estate – in fact, it was ahead on some judges’ score sheets.
Our test car came with the less powerful 140PS version of VW’s 2.0-litre engine, but there was no sense that the CC was underpowered compared with the Estate. However, the GPS test kit showed a three-second difference in 30-60mph time.
The drivers’ impressions and data from the Al-Ko ATC system show how composed the Volkswagen is at speed, even in strong crosswinds, and the lane-change test was tackled with confidence and composure.
The CC made a good fist of the hill start on a challenging 1-in-6 slope, too, although a little more care was needed than when driving the Passat Estate to avoid a burning smell from the clutch.
In solo driving the CC isn’t as entertaining as some rivals, but it is economical, smooth-riding and refined.
