Volkswagen CC makes a good argument for sticking with the standard trim level

What’s the difference between the black Volkswagen CC I drove on the launch event in Tennessee and the black Volkswagen CC that I just recently drove for week here at home? Not a heck of a lot, really, unless you’re looking at the sticker price. It’s often hard to justify the extra cost of the top spec model (the “price walk,” in the parlance of automotive marketers), but with the CC, it’s just about impossible. There are two reasons: First, the price walk is more like a wind sprint, and second, the base model is actually quite nice.

The biggest difference between the two versions is the powertrain. The standard car, which VW calls the Sport, comes with Volkswagen’s familiar 2.0-liter direct-injected four-cylinder turbo. This engine is not only commendably economical (EPA rated at 21/31 mpg) but also surprisingly lively (0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, according to Volkswagen), and turbo lag is a non-issue. The only real downside to the 2.0-liter is its wimpy, bleating engine note, but the good news is that it sounds better the higher the tach needle climbs. Speaking of revving it, the most unusual aspect of the base-spec car is that is comes with a manual transmission.

Sadly, most buyers will bypass it, but they shouldn’t, because the light-shifting gearbox is a pleasure to use and it really helps wake up the turbo four. As its name suggests, the top-of-the-line VR6 4Motion adds all-wheel drive, a 3.6-liter V-6, as well as a six-speed Tiptronic automatic. The 280-hp six is strong but, particularly when tasked with driving all four wheels, it’s thirsty, managing just 17 mpg city, 25 highway. Yes, it’s a bit quicker than the 2.0T (by 0.7 second to 60 mph), but it’s hardly transformative, as this sleek four-door remains far more of a plush, neo-luxury car than hard-charging sports sedan.

Speaking of luxury, what about more hedonistic considerations? Don’t they justify the top-spec trim? Well, all CC models come with a twelve-way power driver seat, but of course in the VR6 4Motion the seats are upholstered in leather—available in a rich, cream-and-black color combo. The Sport, on the other hand, uses . . . um, vinyl. Okay, VW calls it “V-Tex leatherette” but it’s vinyl. The thing is, it’s actually a convincing imitation of the leather and VW even offers it in the same neat cream and black two-tone color combo. The upscale version also adds a sunroof (but it only tilts open), parking sensors, memory for the power seat, bi-xenon headlamps (that swivel), and a better stereo. But even on the top-spec car, navigation and a rear-view camera (bundled together) are optional, and for a rather hefty $2640. Obviously, both items are available in the aftermarket for a fraction of the price. With that Technology Package added in, the sticker price of my VR6 4Motion test car rose from an already-steep $39,800 to more than $42,000. By comparison, the Sport version that I drove on the launch starts at $26,790, and was more fun to drive (thanks to its manual transmission), was nearly as quick and far more economical, and was more than $15,000 cheaper.

That’s an awfully long walk for a very small reward.