The model we are driving has the 125kw 2.0L TDI engine which produces 125kw @ 4200rpm and 320Nm @ 1750 rpm which is mated to a 6sp DSG automatic.

Options fitted included Adaptive Chassis Control, VW's brilliant Park Assist, Satelite Navigation System RNS510 and active climate controlled front seats

Inside it is typically Volkswagen. That means good! It is comfortable, cocoons the driver, functional with subtle luxury. The front driver and passenger sit in complete comfort. The rear passengers need to be very short though, especially with a tall driver. However with style come limitations.

It is difficult for entry and exit, especially if you are a big beefy guy like me. You have to open the wide doors fully and put your bum in first. The low roofline is a magnet for heads. Visibility is restricted, with long wide ‘A’ pillars and sloping body that just disappears from view. 

Having said that I would happily jump in one and drive to Noosa for holidays and enjoy every minute of it. You get pleasure from driving it!

• Stylish design
• 2.0L TDi motor and 6sp DSG transmission
• Outstanding level of standard features
• Surprisingly ample boot space 

What’s not so Good?

• No Bluetooth for hands free
• Low roofline makes entry/exit difficult
• Rear seat leg room
• No 4motion AWD

The four-door coupé measures 4,799 mm in length and a width of 1,855 mm. Combine this with a roofline of 1,417 mm in height and you have a vehicle that has a sleek low stance. There are numerous design clues that tie in with the Volkswagen family design while enough new features to give the Passat CC a sense of uniqueness. 

The roof sweeps toward the rear with a very flat curve radius that gives the flowing lines, along with the frameless coupe’ doors. A strong waistline and muscular wheel arches housing 18-inch alloy wheels with size 235/40’“mobility’ tyres from Continental completes the look.

The front heated leather seats are 12-way electronically adjustable with memory settings. Combined with the leather multi functional steering wheel that is both reach and height adjustable you are able to find your perfect driving position.  

Driver visibility is a little restricted with the edges of the vehicle just disappearing from view. Also the long ‘A’ pillars and thick ‘B’ pillars give significant blind spots. The low roofline also prevents you raising your seat enough to fully compensate.  

There are 2-cup holders in the centre console along with both open and covered storage, side door pockets (small). 

Rear passengers are treated to individually sculptured seats that are extremely comfortable. Centre console again provides plenty of storage for goodies and drinks. Legroom and headroom is restricted and tall passengers will feel cramped.  

All the windows are electronic with one touch operation and automatic convenience feature for opening and closing. There is a dual zone automatic climate controlled air conditioning system to keep things at the perfect temperature. 

Entertainment is provided by AM/FM security coded radio (RCD510) with 61 ?2” touch screen display, SD card slot and MP3 compatible 6 disc CD changer, in dash. Audio functions mounted on steering wheel. Auxiliary input socket for external audio source in front centre console and 8 speakers, front and rear.

Bluetooth hands free for your phone however is a dealer fitted accessory.

The driver and passenger are protected by front and side airbags. There are outer rear side airbags and curtain airbags front and rear.  There is ABS, EBD, BA and an electromechanical parking brake with an auto hold function.

In addition there is ASR, ESP, and Adaptive Cruise Control, Adaptive Chassis Control, Park Assist and BiXenon headlights with active cornering facility.

The combination provides spirited performance and outstanding economy. We averaged 8.0L /100k around town and this dropped to 5.4L/100k on the freeway.  The torque of the TDi means that turbo lag is minimal and you never seem to be in the wrong gear. In its rev range the motor is sweet. While noticeable below 1750 it is has a linear feel to it. 

Volkswagen does its small diesels about as good as anyone in the world. They truly are gems and I always struggle to see reasons why you would choose a petrol motor over them. 

The 4Motion AWD drive system is only on the V6 Passat CC and it is noticeably missed. Even though there is adaptive chassis control the CC tends to lean a bit into corners. There is a bit of body roll when pushed hard and it can be unsettled mid corner if you hit a bump. Having said that it has a solid feel to it and almost all drivers of the CC will feel comfortable with it.  

The feel through the steering wheel is excellent and with the paddle gearshifts you can extract quite a bit of fun out of the car. You would say it has a balanced feel rather than a sporty feel and I guess that is exactly what it should have. It’s just that when driving it you want more. Switch it to sport mode and the characteristic changes for the better.

Great looks, powerful, smooth and frugal 2.0L TDi motor mated to the 6sp DSG and balanced handling make this appeal to the driver in you. This is a car that you can convince yourself, or whoever needs to be convinced, that you are buying a sporty coupe’. It’s almost a Claytons mid life crisis.  

VW has packed heaps of standard features into the CC and it has a subtle luxurious feel to it. It has some limitations as a result of the design, but these are minor compared to the benefits. With features such as Adaptive Chassis Control, Adaptice Cruise Control, Park Assist you are way in front.

At a manufacturer advised starting RRP of $54, 990 this could be considered a bargain. There is almost nothing else within Cooee of it that combines the same levels of style, luxury and pizzazz as the CC. 

VW has gone one up on its European rivals.