2019 Volkswagen Arteon Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　

What's new

The Arteon is an all-new Volkswagen sedan-style hatchbackPart of the first Arteon generation introduced for 2019

　　In real estate, buyers are taught to buy the most affordable house in a nice neighborhood rather than the nicest house in a less appealing ZIP code. In the case of the all-new 2019 Volkswagen Arteon, the latter half of that analogy seems to apply.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Volkswagen Arteon SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$181/mo  for Arteon SE

　　Arteon SE

　　SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $35,845 MSRPSE R-Line 4dr Hatchback w/19" Wheels (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $37,110 MSRPSE R-Line 4dr Hatchback w/20" Wheels (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $37,610 MSRPSE 4MOTION 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $37,645 MSRPSE R-Line 4MOTION 4dr Hatchback AWD w/19" Wheels (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $38,910 MSRPSE R-Line 4MOTION 4dr Hatchback AWD w/20" Wheels (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $39,410 MSRPSEL 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $39,995 MSRPSEL R-Line 4dr Hatchback w/19" Wheels (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $41,260 MSRPSEL R-Line 4dr Hatchback w/20" Wheels (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $41,760 MSRPSEL 4MOTION 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $41,795 MSRPSEL R-Line 4MOTION 4dr Hatchback AWD w/19" Wheels (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $43,060 MSRPSEL R-Line 4MOTION 4dr Hatchback AWD w/20" Wheels (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $43,560 MSRPSEL Premium 4MOTION 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $44,945 MSRPSEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION 4dr Hatchback AWD w/19" Wheels (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $46,210 MSRPSEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION 4dr Hatchback AWD w/20" Wheels (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $46,710 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　This large-ish sedan-styled fastback is emblazoned with the familiar VW badge that typically represents accessibility for mass-market shoppers. The problem is that the Arteon's price starts in entry-level luxury territory and extends even further in its top trim levels. Volkswagen's approach reminds us of its Phaeton luxury sedan from the mid-2000s that never caught on.

　　To its credit, the VW Arteon is substantially less expensive than the Phaeton when it was new. It's also in a very specialized subclass of vehicles that is positioned somewhere between sedan, hatchback and wagon. And compared to rivals such as the Kia Stinger and the Buick Regal Sportback, the Arteon's base price isn't nearly as jarring.

　　The 2019 Arteon does have some potential merit for its rather small audience. It possesses hatchback-based utility, available all-wheel drive, and a sleek and modern design. Overall, it's worth a look if you want something nicer than the typical family sedan but can't afford a luxury-branded model.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.5 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Volkswagen Arteon SEL (turbo 2.0L 4-cyl. | 8-speed automatic | AWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.5 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	7.5
Utility	8.0
Technology	7.0

　　

Driving

7.5

　　The Volkswagen Arteon's power specs are impressive, but real-world performance falls short. The transmission's tall gearing and occasionally stubborn shifting are the primary culprits. On the plus side, the Arteon has Audi-like handling and steering.

　　

Acceleration

7.0

　　The engine feels strong taking off from a stop. But the transmission is tuned more for smoothness than sport. Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph took 6.6 seconds in our testing. That's quicker than most midsize sedans but a disappointing result considering the car's sporty pretensions.

　　

Braking

7.5

　　The brakes feel strong and natural, and the car is stable even under hard braking. We measured a stopping distance from 60 mph of 121 feet, which is what you'd expect from a vehicle of this size on all-season tires.

　　

Steering

8.5

　　The steering is nicely weighted. It also gives you a decent feel for the road, which is more than most systems in this class offer. The on-center feel is quite good. Overall, the steering imparts a pleasing sense of sportiness to the car.

　　

Handling

8.5

　　In Comfort or Normal mode, there's noticeable body roll. Switching to Sport really tightens up handling, and the all-wheel-drive system does a good job pulling the car through turns. When you drive it harder, the Arteon feels more planted and stable than most midsize competitors. It's not exciting, but there's a lot of confidence and predictability.

　　

Drivability

6.5

　　The transmission's lax gearing makes the Arteon feel like a larger, heavier car than it really is. Overall, the transmission is smooth, but shifts are a bit slow and slushy. Opting for the R-Line package and paddle shifters gives you more control for sporty driving.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　For the most part, the Arteon scores high in comfort thanks to supportive seats and a smooth freeway ride. Unfortunately, the suspension is overwhelmed by large bumps, and cabin noise levels are high for a car of this price.

　　

Seat comfort

8.0

　　The front seats are supportive and sufficiently cushioned. There's not a lot of side bolstering. The simulated leather upholstery makes the seats feel hot even with the perforation. On cooler days (or with the SEL Premium's seat ventilation), these seats offer all-day comfort thanks to a nice shape.

　　

Ride comfort

7.5

　　In Comfort mode, the Arteon's adaptive suspension irons out minor road imperfections really well, making it a great freeway cruiser. But bigger or sharper bumps, like those on a bad road, overwhelm the suspension and are transferred into the cabin.

　　

Noise & vibration

6.0

　　Wind noise isn't much of an issue in the sleek Arteon, but the cabin gets surprisingly loud on the freeway due to plenty of tire noise. There's also not enough isolation from loud freeway traffic.

　　

Climate control

8.5

　　The standard three-zone control with an optional rear-seat climate panel and heated rear outboard seats make this one of the more comprehensive climate systems in the class. VW's controls are straightforward enough, and the system does a good job adjusting to keep the car at your desired temperature.

　　

Interior

7.5

　　The Arteon's interior is spacious and well-organized. Visibility is also excellent. While there are a lot of soft-touch materials, unimaginative texturing and placement mean the interior looks and feels a bit cheaper than it should.

　　

Ease of use

7.0

　　Most of the primary controls are easy to use, and VW's digital information screen is straightforward. The infotainment menus are a bit more cluttered and could be easier to navigate, but finding the primary controls you need isn't a problem.

　　

Getting in/getting out

7.0

　　The low-slung body and sloping rear roofline mean getting into the rear seat requires some ducking. Luckily, the generous rear footroom and knee room help.

　　

Driving position

7.0

　　The Arteon encourages you to sit lower to the floor, but there's enough adjustability in the steering column and seat to sit more upright if you want. Headroom becomes an issue for taller drivers who prefer an upright position. The pedals oddly feel a bit too close, so taller drivers will find their knees bent more when situated relative to the rest of the cabin controls.

　　

Roominess

8.5

　　Front headroom and rear legroom, along with elbow and shoulder room, are good all around. Rear headroom only gets tight for passengers 6 feet tall or over. The Arteon also feels more open thanks to all the glass and light interior colors.

　　

Visibility

8.0

　　It's pretty easy to see out of, especially for a coupe-style hatchback such as this. The long side windows provide good over-the-shoulder views, and the front roof pillars don't create much of a blind spot when turning. The small side mirrors are the only real issue.

　　

Quality

6.5

　　The interior looks less rich than it is because even the soft-touch materials are molded with the same texture used in VW's hard plastics … and, yes, there are still hard plastics around. It's a weird mix: A lot of surfaces feel nice for a VW, but overall it falls short of what several competitors offer.

　　

Utility

8.0

　　The Arteon offers an incredible trunk space, with a massive hatch opening and expansive cargo area. Unfortunately, small-item storage is lacking, with too-small trays and cubbies. You'll have issues even keeping a large smartphone within easy reach.

　　

Small-item storage

6.0

　　There aren't a lot of interior storage options. The center armrest bin is shallow, and the phone cubby is undersized. The tandem cupholders are decently sized, and the door pockets are padded to keep stuff from knocking around, but there's a definite lack of space.

　　

Cargo space

9.0

　　The Arteon's trunk is fantastic. The hatchback body provides lots of space and a big opening to make loading easy. At 27 cubic feet, maximum space dwarfs just about any competitor's figure in the segment. But the rear seats don't fold perfectly flat, so you can't slide long, heavy objects through easily.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

7.5

　　There's plenty of room for car seats, and the anchor points are covered with plastic sleeves that make them very easy to find and access. The sloping rear roofline means you'll be bending over a lot to manage things.

　　

Technology

7.0

　　The Arteon offers a comprehensive set of technology features and sharp-looking interfaces along with standard smartphone integration. Unfortunately, Volkswagen's infotainment functionality feels a half-generation behind leading competitors.

　　

Audio & navigation

7.0

　　The base stereo leaves a bit to be desired, considering for the money you're getting slightly better upgraded units in competitive cars. VW's navigation system is easy to read and has a few neat tricks up its sleeve, such as integration with the large gauge cluster display and a proximity-sensitive touchscreen. But it doesn't offer any real practical advantages over competitors in finding destinations or navigating traffic.

　　

Smartphone integration

7.0

　　While you get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, they don't integrate quite as well as in some competitors. For example, nav prompts and track listing info aren't displayed in the gauge cluster. (Honda has figured out how to make that work.)

　　

Driver aids

7.0

　　Adaptive cruise is slow to accelerate after the car ahead pulls away. But we do like that it's not overly sensitive in braking, and it works in stop-and-go traffic. Blind-spot monitoring is standard, which helps compensate for the small side mirrors. Oddly, lane keeping assist is only available on the highest trim level.

　　

Voice control

6.5

　　Volkswagen's integrated voice controls can be a bit finicky. You'll have to learn the system's specific phrasing to access various commands. The on-screen prompts help, but they don't solve the issue.

　　

Which Arteon does zzdcar recommend?

　　Based on price and feature content, the Arteon in SEL trim looks like a sensible choice. You get all-wheel drive as standard plus more tech features and leather upholstery. The SEL R-Line is merely a cosmetic package that comes with larger wheels that may degrade ride quality.

　　

2019 Volkswagen Arteon models

　　The 2019 Volkswagen Arteon is a four-door hatchback that is available in three trim levels: SE, SEL and SEL Premium. All versions are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (268 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) that is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All but the base front-drive SE trim come standard with VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

　　Standard SE features include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated mirrors, automatic wipers, adaptive suspension dampers, keyless entry and ignition, selectable drive modes, three-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, simulated leather upholstery, heated front seats and 60/40-split folding rear seats.

　　The SE also comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, VW's Car-Net smartphone app integration, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an eight-speaker sound system with satellite radio. Standard advanced safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and a blind-spot monitor.

　　Stepping up to the SEL trim adds adaptive headlights with cornering lights, a sunroof, remote ignition, adaptive cruise control, driver-seat memory functions, leather upholstery, a digital gauge cluster, interior ambient lighting and a navigation system.

　　At the top of the range, the SEL Premium comes with 19-inch wheels, automatic high beams, a hands-free hatch, ventilated front seats, driver-seat massage functions, steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, three-color interior ambient lighting, and a premium audio system. You also get lane keeping assist, front and rear parking sensors, an automated parking system, a surround-view camera system, and additional telematics features (vehicle location, remote locking and diagnostics). 

　　In general, features are exclusive to trims and are not available on supporting models. VW is offering an R-Line package that dresses things up with 19- or 20-inch wheels, a sporty front bumper, shift paddles (if not already equipped), contrast interior stitching, a black headliner, and metal pedals and scuff plates.

　　Jump to:Related 2019 Arteon articles

　　

2019 Arteon Highlights

Trim: SESE R-LineSE 4MOTIONSE R-Line 4MOTIONSELSEL R-LineSEL 4MOTIONSEL R-Line 4MOTIONSEL Premium 4MOTIONSEL Premium R-Line 4MOTIONSE

　　

Base MSRP	$35,845
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$181/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	27.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	6 years / 72,000 miles