Remember the good old VW Passat? We mean the one from the early days, not the soon-to-be-discontinued one. The first generation of this lineup of large family cars appeared for 1974. Eight generations followed suit, gaining global recognition for top quality and performance. Some of them have been holding up quite well over the years. Some of us can even testify to seeing the Passat models from the 2000s with engines in peak condition, but that's another story.

We wanted to evoke the memory of the Passat, so we can then remind you of its sleeker sibling, the Volkswagen CC. This variant of the Passat appeared in 2008, trading the existing headroom and cargo space for a coupe-like body. It gained the CC name for Comfort Coupe, and although sharing the Passat wheelbase, the variant was an inch and some longer, lower, and wider than its sibling.

The Volkswagen CC achieved mixed reception over the years. Some loved its sleeker and more luxurious styling, but others claimed the extra pricing was not worth the "minor" update. The car was ultimately discontinued in 2017, but you'll see some models still lingering around.

Today, we take a closer look at the very beginning of this special series. Namely, we'll explore the specs and the styling of the 2008 Volkswagen CC. Stay with us to learn more interesting info about this ride.

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The 2008 Volkswagen CC Appeared As A Sporty And Elegant Four-Door Sedan

The 2008 Volkswagen CC on display.
Via: Carpixel

Upon the very introduction of the 2008 Volkswagen CC, it was clear that the new model was meant to surpass the Passat in exterior design. The four-door sedan combined the practicality of a sedan with coupe looks, getting a sleek and handsome appearance. It did trade some space for the looks, but you can't always have everything in life.

As we mentioned above, the CC was only an inch and some longer, lower, and wider than the Passat. But when we look at both vehicles, that difference seems much more significant. It's because the 2008 Volkswagen CC has a sportier, smoother roofline that makes it appear longer. A tad lower profile also shows how small change can make a significant visual impact.

Overall, the 2008 Volkswagen CC is an attractive and sporty car, although maybe a little on the firm side. The interior also comes as a pleasant surprise, standing out from the other standard Passat styling of the same period. The CC offers high-quality materials all over and appears elegant and comfortable, especially the seats. The functions are no-nonsense and more focused on practicality.

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A Quick Overview Of The Powertrain Options, Performance, And Handling

A side view of the 2008 Volkswagen CC.
Via: Carpixel

It's interesting to note that the 2008 Volkswagen CC offered several powertrain options across different markets. For instance, Finland and Sweden got the inline-four petrol and TDI engines in various configurations. There was also a V6 engine or VR6, producing 295 horsepower.

The North American market also got an inline-four and a V6, with the former producing 200 horsepower and the latter 276 horsepower. On the other hand, the European market got TDI variants with 140 PS and 170PS.

The bottom line is that there were plenty of powertrains in total, but about two for each market. Still, all the options ensured a smooth and consistent driving experience. Unquestionably, the 2008 Volkswagen CC was not a super powerful sports sedan, but its performance was decent and satisfying.

What's more, there's one thing that the CC did and still does perfectly — cruising. Drivers don't get the BMW feeling when getting into the corners or speeding up, but they can still enjoy the premium feeling of a quality ride.

The Volkswagen CC Is Still A Beautiful And Cost-Efficient Ride Today

The rear end of the 2008 Volkswagen CC.
Via: Carpixel

As we mentioned before, the 2008 Volkswagen CC got some mixed critics back in the day due to its pricing, stiff ride, and some other reasons of similar nature. Thus, the sales were not the best, or at least not what VW expected at the time of the lineup launch.

So, most of the CC models are extremely affordable these days. Finding the 2008 Volkswagen CC may prove to be a struggle, but other and more modern versions are widely available. For instance, we've found the 2009 CC priced as low as $5k. In fact, the younger versions built until 2015 are easy to locate and acquire under $15k, and the last two years of production are priced just a little over this sum.

So, all those on a limited budget who want a sleek looking sedan with reliable performance can opt for the Volkswagen CC. The models that came after the 2015 are actually quite similar to newer VW ones, with a strong grille and all those sharp accents.