(1)
2009 Car of the Year: Family Cars Over $30,000
PETER BLEAKNEY FOR THE TORONTO STAR
The 2009 VW Passat CC is the winner of the 2009 Car of the Year Family Car over $30,000 category.
"Family Car" has a slightly pejorative ring to it, as if vehicles with a label like this should be worthy, if boring, prosaic and dull.
Sort of like the dates your mom and dad wanted you to go out with, rather than the ones you desired.
But this group of four family-friendly vehicles offers considerable style, performance and luxury to satisfy both sides of your needs—wants equation.
Nissan Maxima
A long-time strong entrant in this category, Maxima offers eye-catching style, loads of room and its ever-present smooth, strong V6 engine, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with optional (fitted to our test car) paddle shifters to give the driver more control over the gearing and performance.
Nissan bills this as a four-door sports car, which might be an over-sell. It is never less than competent in the twisty bits, although steering is a bit light and feel-less for me.
It has good interior space and lots of luxury and convenience features, although a fairly steep price (second-highest in this group) may have worked against it in the final calculations.
Price as tested: $42,535
Pontiac G8
The big Australian-built, rear-drive sedan is a bit of a throwback, but fans of traditional handling will like the way it feels. The V6 engine is decently quick, if not as quiet or smooth-running as Maxima's.
The interior isn't terribly luxurious, but is well equipped, including GM's brilliant OnStar communication and assistance system, with service for a year included.
It has more rear seat room than the Maxima – odd, given that rear-drive is supposed to be less space-efficient.
It's well priced with a long, strong warranty, but we'll have to see if General Motors Canada can market this car sufficiently for it to find its niche.
Price as tested: $36,460
Winner: Volkswagen Passat CC
The sedan-that-looks-like-a-coupe theme is running strong in Europe at all price levels.
The Passat CC is actually not a coupe in the literal sense of the word (it means cut), being slightly longer than the Passat sedan.
Gorgeous by any measure, the CC's sloped roofline doesn't compromise rear seat headroom, although the back is configured for only two passengers, which you'd think would count against it.
Comparing it to my 2003 Jetta, I think VW has taken a step backwards in interior trim quality. It is handsome and brighter than usual VW fare, though.
Price as tested: $33,375
Volvo V70 Wagon
Family Car and Volvo just go together, and this big luxurious cruiser had by far the best-finished interior and the most space in the field.
Yet it didn't even finish in the top three.
Another failure of democracy? The very high price surely counted against it. There were just too many options on the test car.
Great seats, as you would expect from Volvo.
The inline six cylinder engine is mechanically very smooth, but there is more induction and road noise than in the others.
Handling is also very good, with three levels of shock damping available at the touch of a button.
Got a big family and a healthy income? Then this is your family car.
Price as tested: $55,330
Video: Chevrolet Sonic a small car with a big car price
These four affordable, mid-size SUVs are worth a look
Rick Hendrick buys first Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Oshawa
