Volkswagen Arteon review
The VW is great to drive, highly reliable and won't cost the earth to run. It's swooping roof gives it a seriously sporty look without compromising on space.
Pros
- A great combination of executive and sporty looks
- Excellent interior with good rear passenger space
- It's fun to drive
Cons
- Sloping roofline impacts headroom for tall adults in the back
- Ride can be firm on the sporty models
- Rear visibility isn’t the best
Summary
“It looks super stylish and provides a great drive in town or in the countryside.”
The Arteon is a four door family car with a stylish coupe-like look. It’s practical with loads of space for five passengers and their luggage. Passengers in the back will have enough legroom and there are also several cubby holes dotted around for you to store things in.
The interior is stylish with comfortable seats and a good driving position which gives you a great view of the road ahead. The Arteon is well equipped with a digital speedometer and an excellent infotainment system. The pillarless doors make it look even cooler.
The Volkswagen is easy to drive in town and is relaxing on long journeys, thanks to its versatile engines. There’s a good choice of engines so you'll be able to find the right Arteon to suit your driving needs. Most engines are efficient so running costs will be affordable.
What's the interior like?
“It's a practical car with excellent design and technology all in one good looking package.”
The interior looks stylish and executive with the latest technology and a minimalist yet premium feel.
The air vents look as if they run from one side of the car to the other, while the long centre console sits below them and sweeps down between the front seats.
It has a great touchscreen infotainment system available in eight or 9.2 inches, as well as Volkswagen’s digital instrument cluster (the information you see through the steering wheel) with changeable views and settings.
The materials all feel solid and high-quality, from the thick padded plastic on the dash to the gearstick and climate control dials.
The front seats offer plenty of adjustment and are comfortable regardless of the journey length. The back seats also provide great legroom, although the coupe-style roofline may not be the comfiest for tall adult passengers as they may bump their heads climbing in and out.
Boot space is superb at 563 litres. It can fit four big suitcases and has a hatchback style boot for easy loading access. You can also fold the seats down to give up to 1,557 litres, so you can fit your bike in.
What's it like to drive?
“A great drive with excellent comfort.”
The Arteon is just as comfortable cruising long distances on the motorway as it is idling in traffic.
The three petrol and three diesel engine options provide lots of choice. The diesels don’t offer much more in terms of economy, so it’s worth going with the petrol engines for greater performance. There are manual transmission models available, but the DSG dual-clutch automatic is the best option as it makes life easier when you’re in traffic.
All models have a driving mode selector to switch between Eco, Comfort, Normal and Sport, but look for ones with the optional Dynamic Chassis Control so you can adjust the suspension.
Top-spec models have VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive which provides a slightly better grip on wet or wintry roads.
Is it cost-efficient to buy and run?
“Cheaper than premium rivals with a range of efficient engines.”
The diesels have the most fuel-efficient engines, but the petrols aren’t far behind, particularly if you don’t do high mileage (more than 12,000 a year).
Insurance and road tax will be slightly more than a Volkswagen Passat but less than the equivalent Audi or BMW models. A major service is only needed every 36,000 miles.
How reliable and safe is it?
“The Arteon features a long list of safety equipment.”
It’s too early to get a proper indication of reliability for the Arteon because it’s still a relatively new car, but given the good reputation of the Volkswagen Passat, you shouldn’t have any major issues.
The Arteon earned a full five-star rating from the Euro NCAP crash test programme. It’s packed with safety features, from active cruise control to autonomous emergency braking.
Which one is best for you?
Best for economy - 2.0 TDi (147 hp)
Best for family - 2.0 TSi (187 hp) Elegance
Best for fun - 2.0 BiTDi 4Motion R-Line
If you’re buying an Arteon to travel more than 12,000 miles a year look at the diesel variants, preferably the 187 hp 2.0 TDi. You’ll only be a few mpg worse off by going for the 187 hp 2.0 TSi petrol car, which is a great choice. It’s smoother and quieter but still delivers enough power in town while being a great long distance cruiser.
There are only two trim levels, so opt for the Elegance unless you want the more sporty looks of the R-Line. Look for cars that have Volkswagen’s adaptive chassis technology for the complete package. This clever system lets the Arteon adapt automatically to different driving conditions.
