VW R36 Passat vs V6 Passat CC

[Leagle]

Hi everyone. I am pulling the trigger on buying a new CC Passat as I just can't put aside the incredible look of this coupe like sedan. However, I am curious to hear everyone's thoughts on this forum. Just two simple questions: if you were in the market today, what would you choose between the above two and why? Best answers will receive a gold star (um, not really, but would like to know)

[Gti Dave]

Hmm this has also crossed my mind in recent times. So far no clue cause I too am confused cause the CC is luxurious and sexy (not too convinced about the rear tho as I rekon the rear lights are way too long and kinda spoils it) whilst the R36 may have more performance pedigree but the tail is so big and long that it looks plain. Both use the same engines right? Might be wrong though.

[team_v]

Both do use the same engine for the 3.6 variant yes

[Rocket36]

I bought my R36 in April this year after initially going in to look at the new CC. When I first saw the CC I started investigating it. Reading the VW website, reading reviews etc... I was only ever interested in the 3.6 petrol version so the R36 is pretty much the same price.

I now own an R36. Why? Well I test drove the CC and while it's a FANTASIC car and quite luxurious, it's handling leaves a lot to be desired for what I want from a car. Even in "sport" mode. When I drove the R36 for comparison its handling was FANTASTIC, in fact the best I've experienced from a factory setup (I'm not saying it's the best, just the best I've had. My VE HSV Clubsport wasn't even close from the factory!).

If the CC could have had the same suspension as the R36 as an option, I'd probably have ticked the option box and be driving around in a CC right now.

Other than that, what else does the R36 beat the CC on? SEATS! I really can't emphasise that enough. The R36 seats are the best in the Passat range and really are top notch, both in support, fabric/leather quality and comfort. Rear head room is also a concern for the rear passengers in the CC I'm 6'1" and I couldn't comfortably sit in the back seat of the CC without my head touching the roof.

Drive train is identical so no comparisons there (when not comparing the diesel CC obviously).

Then it comes down styling preference. The CC is REALLY sexy, sexier than the R36 but can also be considered a bit of an "old man's car". I have also never been a huge fan of frameless windows on the doors. That's a personal preference thing but to me, full frame doors always feel more solid and IMO look better. The R36 on the other hand has subtle sporty styling queues. It's not obnoxious (like some consider a VE HSV for example) but it's sporty enough to turn a few heads. And then there's the exhaust note. The R36 exhaust note at WOT gives you a tingle in your pants that's for sure.

Standard equipment for both cars is pretty much the same... So in the end personal preference for the differences between the two cars will be how you make your decision.

The one thing I would have like to get on the R36 that I couldn't (but could get on the CC) is the Adaptive Cruise Control but I believe (not confirmed) the MY10 R36 has this as an option.

Cheers,
Kris

[Rocket36]

Oh, I forgot to mention options. Initally I went in not wanting ANY. Obviously if I went with the CC I'd have ticked the Adaptive Cruise Control Option but that panoramic roof is just a pointless waist of money IMO. And I had a TomTom so I have always thought factory SatNav was a waste of money.

I ended up with a Biscay Blue R36 sedan with sunroof and factory SatNav not because I wanted it but because it meant waiting 4 days instead of potentially 3 (or more) months. I initially wanted a Candy White R36 without sunroof (I have since learned all Candy White ones come with a Sunrood since they miss out on metalic paint) or SatNav. But that would have meant waiting FAR TOO LONG for me. I do like the Biscay Blue, it's the "hero" colour after all, and the dealer had one on the showroom floor with 17km on it - i.e. brand new. It was already fitted with sunroof and SatNav so I had no choice.

Ended up costing $70 drive away including GST, LCT, 12 months rego and 3rd party insurance. For those that care, it's insured with Shannons as a daily driver with an agreed value of $70,000 for $800 a year.

Anyhow, back to the options. Having had them, they're both worth it in my opinion. The SatNav is the best factory SatNav I've ever used and the touch screen makes it easy to set destinations or find points of interest. I have since sold my TomTom.

Cheers,
Kris

[Steve]

Hi everyone. I am pulling the trigger on buying a new CC Passat as I just can't put aside the incredible look of this coupe like sedan. However, I am curious to hear everyone's thoughts on this forum. Just two simple questions: if you were in the market today, what would you choose between the above two and why? Best answers will receive a gold star (um, not really, but would like to know)

I bought an R36 because I wanted a wagon. The R36 was the best option. The regular V6 Passat had woeful seats, and the Liberty was a far smaller car. I didn't want a small, A4 type wagon or a large car like an Audi Q7 (Dad has one, there's no point in me having one too).

I'd do it again. I'm one of those young guys who like hot wagons

If I didn't want a wagon I probably would have gone for a BMW 135i or something. I'm too poor for a C63

[victorwhisky]

I was in the exact same position...

I love the CC, love the interior (door trims win over R36) and, while I agree with Rocket in relation to the R36 seats, I loved the CC seats... The look so good, not sure what it is but looks like a very separate saddle v back rest. I think they got that right. The look of the car is simply stunning too, especially when the price is taken into consideration. I see that MB are bringing out a similarly sized version too... I did not have much opportunity to give it a work out on the test drive, so for me the handling and performance were fantastic.

For me, I had to take a couple of things into consideration and while both had positives, I had to come down to regrets...

I have one child and one on the way, so I felt that I would never regret having a wagon, but I may regret not having one...

I also agree with Rocket about the age factor... I have always wanted a sporty wagon and felt that by the time this car runs its course, I will be in my 40's... so not likely to buy a nice wagon then, but now...

So I went down the R36 wagon path, no regrets, age appropriate and the cc can be my, wait for it, upgrade next car... I await your "constructive feedback" on that last one.

All in all, no wrong decision here, both great cars and comes down to personal choice. For me, $70k is a big investment, so only you (and of course the missus) can make that call.

Good luck.

[apom]

For me it was all about the handling of the R36. I took a long time to decide what to buy and one drive of the R36 had me hooked. The glorious sound, the outstanding handling and the performance are all nothing short of remarkable in this price bracket given the goodies that it comes with.

The wagon was simply that I preferred it to the look of the sedan and it is ultimately much more practical. I have teenage son that is growing faster than I care to think about too much and coming from a Monaro it was simply too hard for him to get into on a regular basis. The head room in the back and the hint of AU falcon meant the CC wasn't a consideration for me.

[Luminary]

Some great replies already.

I had the same dilemma ultimately. I only became interested in VW after the CC came out. I test drove it and was impressed with both the petrol and diesel in different ways; though I preferred the performance of the petrol.

The biggest problems for me with the CC: The factory sunroof design - awful since I wanted a sunroof. The frameless doors - not a fan. The rear seats - two bucket seats only - a strict 4 seater.

The R36 was an afterthought when I saw the wagon on the lot. They wouldn't agree to a test drive because the car had already hit 200km and they didn't want to sell it as a demo car. They lost my business right there.

I went to the other Brisbane dealership and they had a sedan that they agreed to allow me to drive the next day. Took it out for 40 mins and the performance and handling blew me away. All thoughts of the CC were rubbed out.

I too was disappointed at no adaptive cruise control as an option, but it seems that it has its own issues and would have cost an extra $2000 or so which I don't think is worth it if it has issues.

The price is really at the limit of a sensible daily car. It's when I looked at a BMW 335i and the relative prices in Europe vs here against the R36 that the penny dropped and I put in an order for the R36.

For the money there's hardly anything if anything at all that compares.

[Rocket36]

That's absolutely right Luminary! You get the quality, the fit, the refinement and the styling of the Germans as well as the performance!!! Try to get a similar package from Mercedes, BMW or Audi and you need to spend easily $100,000 plus... And also like you, I wasn't really interested in VW until the CC came out. It's what got me into the showroom but ultimately for me, the R36 was a better package for the price.

VW are in a class of their own with almost all their models if you ask me. You can't really go wrong with either a CC or an R36 so it really will boil down to what you do and don't like about each model.

[theplanner]

Having read the excellent replies, I think there is a common factor and you have to ask yourself whether you prefer something more on the sporty side or luxurious side (presuming the number of seats/ size is not an issue).

Sporty = R36
Lux = CC 3.6

I placed an order for my R36 6 mths before the 1st one arrived in Aust so the CC was not really in my consideration, however, I would have still got the R36anyway becos I hv a preference for the sportiness and an extra seat.

And as everyone else hv mentioned the next closer euro rival is at least another 30+ or more k eg A43.2/S4, 335, C320 etc

[Rocket36]

When you say

Sporty = R36
Lux = CC 3.6

I assume you pretty much mean because of the ride, and it's looks. Because the R36 has all interior luxury of the CC and then some... Have I mentioned those super sexy R36 seats? LOL!!!

[Steve]

I placed an order for my R36 6 mths before the 1st one arrived in Aust so the CC was not really in my consideration, however, I would have still got the R36anyway becos I hv a preference for the sportiness and an extra seat.

I did the same thing. Further to my above post, the CC wasn't an option when I ordered mine. In fact, the R36 wasn't official yet, either.

[Luminary]

When you say

Sporty = R36
Lux = CC 3.6

I assume you pretty much mean because of the ride, and it's looks. Because the R36 has all interior luxury of the CC and then some... Have I mentioned those super sexy R36 seats? LOL!!!

Not just sexy, but instantly entrancing in their comfort. I swear that I don't have a seat at home more comfortable! Maybe that says more about my choice of furniture, but the seats in the R36 have to be the best I've ever sat on in a car. Ever.

[Rocket36]

I'd go one step further and say you sit IN them. In fact the R36 makes you feel like you're part of the car, like you're really IN the car. Hard to explain what I mean.

Takes some getting used to getting in and out of the R36 seats. I'm also careful not to slide over the side or put weight directly down on the side bolsters. But at 110kg (and falling I might add haha!) I wouldn't want to be any bigger and try to fit. Not trying to sound offensive or rude here but the R36 seats aren't for fat butts! Wouldn't want to have one any bigger than mine. lol