Keen to distance the swoopy four-door from its more conservative sibling, the Volkswagen CC now does without the Passat moniker. But while the name has changed, the car isn't radically different.
The looks have been brought up to date with VW's new trademark headlight and bumper arrangement, and there's an improvement in the amount of equipment fitted as standard, most noticeably a three-seat bench, rather than two individual seats.
The badge may have changed, but the CC is a comfortable, quiet, relaxing mile-eater that places the emphasis on refinement above all else, like the model it replaces.
Engine options include a 148bhp 1.4 TSI on the petrol side, with a 2.0 TDI with either 148bhp or 181bhp offered for diesel buyers. The main advantage of the 181bhp diesel over the more popular 148bhp version is the addition of the XDS electronic differential. It aims to provide greater traction for more engaging handling when cornering, thus addressing one of the Passat CC's main criticisms, it's lack of driver involvement, to a certain extent.
The diesel engines are well suited to motorway, and a tall sixth gear aids economy, with the official economy figure of 57.6mpg well within reach for the high-power diesel. The low-power diesel, predictably, is the running cost champion, with a claimed 60.1mpg possible on the combined cycle.
The interior is largely unchanged over the old Passat CC, so it retains that model's sophistication. The CC's dash is based on that of the standard Volkswagen Passat, but all touchpoints are bespoke. Equipment levels are good, with all buyers able to choose from five generous equipped trims.
