Why The 2014 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T SEL Premium Competes Against Itself

The 2014 Volkswagen Passat. 

And now, a quandry from Volkswagen.

A week driving the 2014 Passat SEL Premium reveals it to be a competent, comfortable family sedan, capable of getting very good gas mileage (24 city/34 highway).  That is thanks to its 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.  That engine is small for its class---most of the competition has 2.5 liters---VW relies on the turbo to provide extra power on an as-needed basis, allowing the Passat to benefit from a gas-sipping engine most of the time.

2014 Volkswagen Passat.

The SEL Premium is the highest trim level, with a base price of $30,895. The good news is that it is so fully equipped at that price (everything you'd expect plus navigation, a Fender premium audio system, sunroof, automatic climate control and leather) that there really are no options left.  With $820 destination charge, the as-tested price is $31,715.

2014 Volkswagen Passat interior.

It's roomy, comfortable, rides well, has great visibility all around, is not fast but is not slow, and drives nicely, apart from a bit of a hair-trigger when taking off from a stoplight. Too much pressure brings the turbo into play.

So about that quandry. It comes down to one question: Which Passat?  In April, I reviewed the Passat TDI...the diesel. An SE, it was a lower trim level, without the powerful Fender audio system and navigation, but it was $2,600 less and gets six more miles per gallon on both city streets and highways (30/40 as opposed to 24/34).

It is not an easy choice.  Which speaks well of both Passats.