2023 Volkswagen Arteon Hatchback

　　

2023 Volkswagen Arteon Review

byClint SimoneSenior Reviews Editor

　　Clint Simone has worked in the automotive industry since 2015. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Before joining zzdcar as a senior reviews editor, Clint contributed to Motor1.com and InsideEVs, evaluating mostly electric cars. Clint loves hot hatchbacks more than any other type of vehicle but secretly enjoys driving big trucks when he gets the chance. He would never admit to that.

　　The Arteon has never caught traction in the U.S. market like Volkswagen wanted it to, but the sedan continues forward for the 2023 model year with some updates. VW added more standard equipment to the base SE R-Line trim, including adaptive LED headlights, a front grille-integrated lightbar and a power liftgate. These changes accompany those from last year's model, which brought some powertrain upgrades.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon SE R-Line 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) 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

　　$165/mo  for Arteon SE R-Line

　　Arteon SE R-Line

　　SE R-Line 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $43,010 MSRPSEL R-Line 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $47,180 MSRPSEL Premium R-Line 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) (Most Popular) - $50,175 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Like last year, the 2023 Arteon is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder putting out 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels as standard or all four wheels if optioned. The new powertrain sourced from the Golf R makes the Arteon more lively to drive than before.

　　Beyond the fresh hardware under the hood, the Arteon is a practical, comfortable sedan with lots of space in the trunk thanks to its liftback design. This makes it a viable alternative to the Audi A5 hatchback and Kia Stinger, both of which offer similar luxuries and performance. Like the Stinger, the Arteon may soon have its curtain call, so if you're clamoring for one now might be the time. Check out our test team's Expert Rating below for more information on the Arteon's hits and misses.

　　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

　　7.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Arteon drive? The latest VW Arteon is pretty quick thanks to its 300-horsepower engine. Our test car accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds, which is similar to sport-oriented sedans such as the Kia K5 GT. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission shifts quickly and unobtrusively.

　　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.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Arteon? For the most part, the Arteon is a quiet, comfortable midsize sedan. The front seats are nicely shaped and have a decent amount of cushion and support. As for ride quality, the Arteon feels comfortable and in control. Driving over large bumps or broken pavement can be disruptive, however.

　　The standard three-zone climate control and rear air vents keep air circulated throughout the cabin and passengers happy, 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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below