When is a coupe not a coupe? When it’s the 2009 Volkswagen CC sport sedan. The German automaker has thrown a short jab in its fight to regain a favored position in the U.S. auto market. Just arrived from Europe this year, the Passat-based Volkswagen CC is a bit racier, a tad sleeker, and a touch more Porche-like than its older sibling, but gives away little of the Passat’s roominess and driving ease. Standard equipment, cabin design, and interior materials are the methods Volkswagen has used to separate the CC from the basic family sedan. Face it - this automobile is not meant to take the gang for ice cream after soccer practice.

Offered in four trims, the CC features a standard 2.0-liter, 200-hp inline-four turbodiesel that gets 21/31 mpg in its base Sport and Luxury trims. The higher-end VR6 Sport and AWD VR6 4Motion trims have a a 300-hp, 3.6-liter V6 gas engine, with the VR6 Sport getting 18/27 and the VR6 4Motion getting 17/25. A manual six-speed overdrive transmission is standard in the Sport trim, which can be upgraded to the Tiptronic six-speed automatic that's standard in the Luxury, VR6 Sport, and VR6 4Motion trims. Volkswagen claims the 2.0-liter turbodiesel can get from 0-60 in 7.4 seconds and the V6 accelerates from 0-60 in 6.6 seconds.

The base 2009 Volkswagen CC Sport trim offers an impressive list of standard handling, comfort, and convenience features including a sport-tuned suspension, climate control, radar enhanced cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-disc CD/MP3 player, power windows, doors, and heated power outside mirrors, remote keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leatherette-trimmed upholstery, digital outside temperature display and compass, foglights, daytime running lights, heated front seats, and an 8-way power driver’s seat. The Luxury, VR6, and 4Motion trims add such standard luxuries as a power-tilt sunroof, a power rear sunshade, leather-upholstered and heated front bucket seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, 10 Dynaudio premium speakers, and a 12-way power driver’s seat and 8-way power passenger seat.

Options for the ’09 CC include Sirius satellite radio, supplemental rear side impact airbags, and Bluetooth connectivity for the base Sport trim and a Technology Package for the Luxury, VR6, and 4Motion trims that includes a nav system with a 20GB hard drive and a rearview backup camera system.

Standard safety features for Volkswagen’s 2009 CC include four-wheel disc ABS, an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), electronic brakeforce distribution, front and side impact airbags, head side curtain airbags, and rear three-point restraints on each side.

Rear-seat room and pricey high-end trims are some drawbacks to the ’09 Volkswagen CC, but overall, coupe-lovers will feel right at home in this sporty and well-appointed sedan.