Volkswagen Passat CC 2.0 TSI Review: The beautiful one

What we like:

Swanky looks for a Volkswagen - check out those frameless doors! Plenty of legroom in the airy interior.

What we dislike:

Tyre noise despite extensive insulation. And there's the question of just how long the CC's uniqueness will last...

Out on the expressway, the CC proved to be a pliant cruiser. It absorbs irregular road surfaces with aplomb, and irons out manholes and potholes with much gusto – all these done with the Adaptive Chassis Control set at “Normal”.

Now, with the Adaptive Chassis Control, the driver has the luxury of choosing between “Comfort”, “Normal” and “Sport”. It feels hard-sprung in “Sport”, and that’s best set when you have the urge to carve that tight bend and sweeping corner – surprisingly, comfort isn’t compromised too much either. I’m not fond of the “Comfort” mode though – it feels rather floaty, and there’s that obvious lack of contact with the road. You can probably use this when you have to ferry the in-laws around.

At most times, it’s a hush affair in the CC. Despite the frameless doors, wind noise is very well suppressed. The same can be said about the engine noise, thanks largely to extensive sound-absorbing material around the engine area. But unfortunately, tyre noise still remains intrusive.

So, while opinion remains divided about the longevity of the CC’s uniqueness, what readers should be glad to hear is that as a whole, the CC is one noteworthy car with the potential to attract buyers who want a car that has the stylish combination of a sedan, coupe and tourer all rolled into one. Luxury is what this car is all about, surprisingly with not such a luxurious price - how much do you think this car costs? $200k? $250k?

Try $130k.

Credits: Story & pictures by Azfar Hashim