VW Passat finally gets a personality

The Volkswagen Passat has always been a worthy car in search of a personality. Now, with the new slinkily-styled CC version, it finally has one - even if its concept is borrowed lock, stock and barrel from Mercedes-Benz.

Now, with the new slinkily-styled CC version, it finally has one - even if its concept is borrowed lock, stock and barrel from Mercedes-Benz.

Like the dramatic Mercedes CLS - stylistically one of the most influential cars of the last decade - the Passat CC is a low-slung, curvy four-seater saloon.

Its name might make you think it's a 'coupe convertible' (as in Peugeot CC) but there's no fancy retractable roof for this CC. The VW moniker instead stands for 'comfort coupe'.

It all starts to make more sense once you drive the car. The CC excels as a luxury cruiser with an unusual level of style for a VW.

It really does feel like it deserves to rub shoulders with Audis, BMWs and, yes, Mercs in the executive car park.

All of which might make it the ideal choice for the hard-pressed manager who is looking for a new car but wary of splashing out on a premium German model at a time of economic uncertainty.

The CC is well-specified and well-built - and costs from just £21,000 to put on the road. That's slightly more than the regular Passat, but then the CC feels the more special package.

It is longer, wider and lower than a regular Passat, which means headroom is slightly compromised in the rear.

The CC is also less practical - though I suspect many will happily forsake the extra space for its seductive shape.

Visibility out of the car is better than you might expect but a rear park sensor will be needed.

Obviously diesel models make the most sense but I was sent the flagship 3.6 litre V6 petrol to sample.

With prices starting from £31,000, this model will account for only a handful of CC sales - but again may appeal to the downsizing exec looking to cling on to a little indulgence in their choice of vehicle. The auto-only V6 CC will not let them down.

It's powerful, smooth and quick - capable of hitting 60mph in under six seconds without seeming to break into a sweat.

There's also a satisfying roar from the twin tail pipes when you put your foot down.

The trade-offs are poor fuel economy and high CO2 emissions. The flagship CC can barely hit 30mpg on a run and needs to run for some time before it can manage even 20mpg - and that's on super, not standard unleaded.

There are three suspension settings, though arguably only one is needed: the comfort setting introduces unwelcome waftiness, while the sport setting is overly firm.

The standard setting is best for regular motoring. There's an electronic handbrake which goes off and on automatically - except if you try to move off without having fastened your seatbelt.

Apart from the R36 sport models, this is by far the most interesting Passat in its 30-odd year history.

There was very little about the car I disliked - apart from one issue, which the CC shares, funnily enough, with the CLS.

Neither has a rear wiper, which can be very exasperating as the nights draw in and condensation starts to become an issue.

The CLS does without a rear wiper for what appear to be cosmetic reasons. Maybe Mercedes thinks anyone who can afford one of its cars will ensure it is garaged every night.

But unless owners do this, they face having to wipe their rear window every morning because it takes several miles before the air conditioning system clears the glass.

You might not think this issue to be a dealbreaker but a reader phoned in a few months back saying he was seriously considering getting rid of his car because it had no rear wiper.

It was a £50K Mercedes CLS...

By Peter Carroll