Tweet
Can't believe it but it is almost a year since I have taken delivery of my Passat CC. For anyone out there considering buying one I thought I would share my experience thus far with the main highs and lows
Highs
- Design. I still can't help but look at it every time I park it. I still get many admiring glances and its amusing to see how many people simply stop and stare at it each time I park it (ok, I admit it I am the first to join the queue).
- Quality. My car is rattle free and still looks and feels like it did on day 1. That dashboard/interior rivals that of any BMW, Merc and Audi costing up to $100K more!
- Performance. The 3.6L V6 (same as the R36) is seductive. Unlike my previous car (WRX) it can be silky smooth for when you want to settle back and cruise. But when you poke it in the guts - as anyone with the CC V6 or R36 will know - it turns into a real sports car. Its a lot more responsive than the turbo 4 in the WRX which means that it the power is actually more useable and quicker too in every day application.
- Handling and ride. The real surprise for me is how great the handling/ride balance is. It definitely does comforting ride (especially with the Adaptive chassis setting set to "comfort"), but a recent blast through Kangaroo Valley in "sports" chassis mode (which the WRX always loved) highlighted how impressive handling is as well. In fact, whilst the CC does not seem as "agile" as the WRX, dare I say I think it actually handled better!
- Noise. This is a real jekyl and hyde car. Cruise and there simply is a lack of noise. It does a very good impression of an S class Mercedes Benz. But put the boot in and it emits a nice sporty V6 growl too.
- Reliability. So far I have not had to take it back to the dealer to fix anything (apart from a loose connection to my Kufatec blu tooth mike). There is a minor oil leak that I will need to look into at the next service though.
- Gadgetry. For a gadget geek like me, the CC is proving ridiculously amusing. The fact that my iphone4 works seamlessly (most of the times) with the Kufatec blu tooth/RNS510, the great GPS, all those sensors, cooling seats, a car that parks itself! It never ceases to amuse and amaze.
- Storage. The boot is so huge and there are so many storage binnacles that I simply cannot see why anyone would need a wagon.
Lows
- It doesn't really bother me but I have to admit its not the most fuel efficient car I have owned. In city driving, I typically use between 12.5 to 14L per 100kms. In freeway conditions, I get down into the 9s which is more reasonable.
- The self sealing continentals don't get you out of all trouble and are expensive to replace. Ok, I have not had a flat tyre yet so I cannot argue that the tyres do their job of keeping small punctures at bay. However I did have a recent experience at a car park where the rear tyre was damaged by a jutting kerb. It slashed the sidewall and although the tyre still retained pressure, it was deemed "unroadworthy" and hence I had to replace the tyre. There is a full size spare in the boot but I bit the bullet and bought a new one. Tyre cost me $350 to replace. Ouch.
- Lack of 5 seats. The fact that there are 4 sculptured seats including handy storage for the kids in the back is actually more of a positive than negative. However even I concede that there have been 1 or 2 times this year when having a fifth seat would have been a little more convenient in carrying an extra passenger.
- Rear seat height space. Yes a few passengers have had to lower their heads when entering into the rear of the car. Not a problem for my kids though. But again a very minor limitation and definitely a lot more convenient than your typical "coupe" which the CC is meant to be compared with (though it does have 4 doors). Overall though the CC is very spacious inside for both front and rear alike.
Anyone else with CCs are invited to share their high and lows here. Overall I am very happy with the CC. It really does represent outstanding value for money compared to all those overpriced "premium" germans and surprisingly (for the relatively minimal extra outlay) even seems better value than some of the cheaper quasi luxo Japanese cars out there.
Highs
- Design. I still can't help but look at it every time I park it. I still get many admiring glances and its amusing to see how many people simply stop and stare at it each time I park it (ok, I admit it I am the first to join the queue).
- Quality. My car is rattle free and still looks and feels like it did on day 1. That dashboard/interior rivals that of any BMW, Merc and Audi costing up to $100K more!
- Performance. The 3.6L V6 (same as the R36) is seductive. Unlike my previous car (WRX) it can be silky smooth for when you want to settle back and cruise. But when you poke it in the guts - as anyone with the CC V6 or R36 will know - it turns into a real sports car. Its a lot more responsive than the turbo 4 in the WRX which means that it the power is actually more useable and quicker too in every day application.
- Handling and ride. The real surprise for me is how great the handling/ride balance is. It definitely does comforting ride (especially with the Adaptive chassis setting set to "comfort"), but a recent blast through Kangaroo Valley in "sports" chassis mode (which the WRX always loved) highlighted how impressive handling is as well. In fact, whilst the CC does not seem as "agile" as the WRX, dare I say I think it actually handled better!
- Noise. This is a real jekyl and hyde car. Cruise and there simply is a lack of noise. It does a very good impression of an S class Mercedes Benz. But put the boot in and it emits a nice sporty V6 growl too.
- Reliability. So far I have not had to take it back to the dealer to fix anything (apart from a loose connection to my Kufatec blu tooth mike). There is a minor oil leak that I will need to look into at the next service though.
- Gadgetry. For a gadget geek like me, the CC is proving ridiculously amusing. The fact that my iphone4 works seamlessly (most of the times) with the Kufatec blu tooth/RNS510, the great GPS, all those sensors, cooling seats, a car that parks itself! It never ceases to amuse and amaze.
- Storage. The boot is so huge and there are so many storage binnacles that I simply cannot see why anyone would need a wagon.
Lows
- It doesn't really bother me but I have to admit its not the most fuel efficient car I have owned. In city driving, I typically use between 12.5 to 14L per 100kms. In freeway conditions, I get down into the 9s which is more reasonable.
- The self sealing continentals don't get you out of all trouble and are expensive to replace. Ok, I have not had a flat tyre yet so I cannot argue that the tyres do their job of keeping small punctures at bay. However I did have a recent experience at a car park where the rear tyre was damaged by a jutting kerb. It slashed the sidewall and although the tyre still retained pressure, it was deemed "unroadworthy" and hence I had to replace the tyre. There is a full size spare in the boot but I bit the bullet and bought a new one. Tyre cost me $350 to replace. Ouch.
- Lack of 5 seats. The fact that there are 4 sculptured seats including handy storage for the kids in the back is actually more of a positive than negative. However even I concede that there have been 1 or 2 times this year when having a fifth seat would have been a little more convenient in carrying an extra passenger.
- Rear seat height space. Yes a few passengers have had to lower their heads when entering into the rear of the car. Not a problem for my kids though. But again a very minor limitation and definitely a lot more convenient than your typical "coupe" which the CC is meant to be compared with (though it does have 4 doors). Overall though the CC is very spacious inside for both front and rear alike.
Anyone else with CCs are invited to share their high and lows here. Overall I am very happy with the CC. It really does represent outstanding value for money compared to all those overpriced "premium" germans and surprisingly (for the relatively minimal extra outlay) even seems better value than some of the cheaper quasi luxo Japanese cars out there.
BTW, I drive with 40psi in all four tyres which I find rides well.
Comment