2021 Volkswagen Arteon Review

　　

2021 Volkswagen Arteon Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Volkswagen has doubled down on its flagship sedan, the Arteon, this year with a thorough styling refresh and the installation of a new infotainment system. It offers style and a driving experience not found in the Passat, as well as enough premium equipment to put it in close competition with some BMWs and Audis. And thanks to its sedan/hatchback body style, the Arteon has a cavernous cargo capacity.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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

　　$178/mo  for Arteon SE

　　Arteon SE

　　SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $36,995 MSRPSEL R-Line 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $41,595 MSRPSEL R-Line 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $43,395 MSRPSEL Premium R-Line 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $46,995 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　With all the premium features available on the Arteon, it might seem only natural to cross-shop it against something like an Audi A5 Sportback. But it'd be better to check out the Honda Accord. It serves up similar refinement, power and interior room for thousands of dollars less. And Kia's Stinger, another sedan/hatchback combination, offers a more powerful engine option with improved driving dynamics as well as available all-wheel drive. Still, there's enough good here to warrant a second look. Read our Expert Rating on the updated Arteon to learn more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Arteon drive? The Volkswagen Arteon's engine is powerful on the spec sheet (268 horsepower), but real-world performance falls short. In zzdcar' testing, it covered 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds, which is a little slower than rivals with upgraded engines. The transmission's shifting can also be slow, further diminishing the car's responsiveness.

　　On the plus side, the Arteon's steering is nicely weighted and communicative. In the Comfort or Normal driving mode, there's noticeable body roll when driving around turns. Switching to Sport really tightens up handling, and the Arteon's all-wheel-drive system does a good job of helping the car accelerate out of turns. The Arteon is more planted and stable when pushed than most midsize competitors. It's not exciting, but there's a lot of confidence and predictability.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Arteon? For the most part, the Arteon is a comfortable midsize sedan. The seats are nicely shaped and have a decent amount of cushion and support. The ride is usually well controlled, especially on the highway, but even the adaptive dampers can't filter out large or sharp bumps.

　　The standard three-zone climate control and rear air vents keep passengers happy and air circulated throughout the cabin, but the touch controls require more concentration to push than we prefer. Another concern is that the standard seats don't breathe much, so hot days create a swampy effect unless you opt for the top-of-the-line trim with ventilated seats.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Like most midsize sedans, the Volkswagen Arteon features a roomy cabin with plenty of legroom all around. However, headroom is limited for taller folks. The sunroof cuts into headroom for front occupants, and the rakish roofline reduces rear headroom. The Arteon's low-slung stance can also pose a challenge when getting in and out.

　　Most of the primary controls are easy to use, and VW's updated 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.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The Arteon's tech offerings include a digital gauge cluster (VW's Digital Cockpit) and an 8-inch infotainment screen. That touchscreen is stylish and easy to read. It has a few neat tricks up its sleeve such as hiding lesser-used controls when your finger moves away from the screen. You also have the option to integrate the navigation map into the digital instrument panel. The system's voice controls work well and can understand some natural speech requests. The available Harman Kardon audio system sounds quite good.

　　Android Auto/Apple CarPlay wireless integration is easy. The full-speed adaptive cruise control system can be slow to accelerate after the car ahead pulls away, but we do like that it's not overly sensitive when braking.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Arteon's hatchback design makes it easy to load in a lot of stuff. The sizable hatch frame opens to 27.2 cubic feet of space, dwarfing the cargo holds of just about every other competitor. Unfortunately, small-item storage is lacking. The cupholders are decently sized, but the center armrest bin is shallow, the phone cubby is small and hard to get to, and we couldn't fit the vehicle manual in the glove box.

　　As with most midsize sedans, it's easy to fit a car seat in the back. Ample room means front passengers don't have to scoot up, and car seat anchors are easily accessible behind covers. But the sloping roof might make it tough to attach a car seat to the upper tether points.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The all-wheel-drive Arteon posts an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined. The front-wheel-drive model is at 25 mpg combined. That's OK considering the car's power, but this isn't one of the more economical sedans. In our time with the Arteon, we achieved an average of 25.5 mpg over a few hundred miles of mixed city and highway driving.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the Arteon a good value? The Arteon is a pricey car, but the cost is justified if you're looking for a well-equipped premium sedan without paying extra for the luxury badge. The interior design is a marked improvement over the last model year. The materials and trim look more upscale due to better contrasting elements and improved integration of the tech features. It's also one of the few midsize sedans to offer all-wheel drive as an option.

　　Volkswagen offers basic and powertrain warranties for four years/50,000 miles. That's better coverage than most other automakers provide, but the powertrain coverage is a bit shorter. VW also includes the first two years of scheduled maintenance for free.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　The Arteon offers a distinctive combination of luxury and practicality for the price. But it's definitely a niche car that competes with a limited group. It doesn't prioritize performance, but the Arteon can be rewarding when driven down a curvy road.

　　The Arteon looks and feels quite chic, from the color-changing interior door panels that match the ambient lighting to the cool digital cluster and upscale interior. You buy the Arteon because you want a stylish, premium midsize sedan and because you don't want to pay extra for a luxury badge.

　　

Which Arteon does zzdcar recommend?

We think the Arteon SEL R-Line strikes a good balance between standard features and cost. It gives you the option to have either front- or all-wheel drive and includes a panoramic sunroof, adaptive headlights, 19-inch wheels, leather seats, and extra driver assists such as full-speed adaptive cruise control and front and rear parking sensors.

　　

2021 Volkswagen Arteon models

The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon is a coupe-like midsize sedan sold in three trims: SE, SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line. All are powered by a 268-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine that's paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on SE and SEL R-Line models. All-wheel drive is standard on the SEL Premium R-Line and available on the SEL R-Line. Feature highlights include:

　　SE

　　The SE is nicely equipped with:

　　18-inch wheels Adaptive suspension dampers LED headlights Keyless entry and ignition Heated front seats Simulated leather upholstery Tri-zone climate control 8-inch touchscreen Digital instrument panel Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity Eight-speaker audio system In-car Wi-Fi hotspotThe Arteon SE also comes with a handful of advanced safety features, including:

　　Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front and can automatically apply the brakes if a collision is imminent) Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic alert (alerts you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)SEL R-Line

　　Adds sporty styling enhancements and extra features, including:

　　19-inch wheels Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Stylish body kit Shift paddles Panoramic sunroof Leather seating surfaces Adjustable ambient interior lighting Remote engine start Wireless charging Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking) Blind-spot monitoring with intervention (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot and will automatically steer the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot) Lane keeping assist (steers the Arteon back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front and can also react to traffic signs and set speed)SEL Premium R-Line

　　This top-of-the-line trim is equipped with everything above, plus:

　　20-inch wheels Heated steering wheel Ventilated front seats Massaging driver's seat Heated rear seats Rear-seat climate control Rear-seat USB-C charge port 360-degree parking camera (gives you a top-down view of the VW and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Power cargo hatch with hands-free capability Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention) Harman Kardon premium sound system Full-size spare tire

　　

2021 Arteon Highlights

Trim: SESEL R-LineSEL Premium R-LineSE

　　

Base MSRP	$36,995
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$178/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	27.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles