2014 Volkswagen Passat Sport to start at $27,295

The 2014 Volkswagen Passat Sport will start at $27,295 including destination when it goes on sale early next year. Compare that to the base S model, which starts in at $21,665, and the top-of-the-line SEL Premium sedan, which starts at $34,715. The Passat Sport will fall between the midlevel SE and range-topping SEL Premium trims.

The Sport model will feature 19-inch Luxor wheels, a rear spoiler, fog lights, a unique interior with sport comfort seats, carbon trim accents, aluminum sport pedals, paddle shifters for the automatic model, stainless steel door sills, and Sport-specific floor mats.

That Passat Sport will only be offered in three colors: gray, white and silver. White and silver get a black roof and black mirror caps.

In addition to the features on the SE model, the Sport also comes with a touchscreen sound system, automatic headlights, a rearview camera, heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

For motivation, the Sport will use VW's 1.8-liter four making 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The base price includes the manual transmission; the automatic is extra.

We think the Passat Sport takes on an Audi look in pictures with the twin-spoke wheels. Sure enough, if you cover the front end with your hand, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference. Perhaps it's because the shape is still on the bland side, as is the fascia. We'd have made the sheetmetal a bit more dramatic in the front, sides and back, but at less than 30 grand, there isn't too much not to like…and nobody at VW asked us, anyway.

We're guessing we'll see the new Sport at the Detroit auto show next week.

By Jake Lingeman