Volkswagen Arteon Review (2017-2024)

What is the Volkswagen Arteon?

The Volkswagen Arteon is a large flagship luxury car, billed as a five-door grand tourer by VW, which rivals long-established competitors such as the Audi A5 Sportback. Slotting in above the brand’s humdrum but more practical Passat, the Arteon aimed to attract customers who would normally splash out on more premium machines from the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

It was launched in 2017 and immediately proved a bit of a hit, although not in quite the way VW probably intended, with buyers choosing it over the Passat saloon. In fact, it stole so many sales from its more sedate sibling, that the firm axed the four-door model in 2021. From the outset, the Arteon was fitted with powerful turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, while it also packed the brand’s latest technology and safety equipment.

In 2020, the Arteon was treated to little mid-life refresh, which ran to some subtle exterior changes, revised trim levels and extra kit. More importantly, the hatchback was joined by the handsome Shooting Brake estate that added a dash of extra practicality to the stylish Arteon Package. This new arrival was also available in high performance R guise, giving the car an injection of appeal for keen drivers.

In 2023, Volkswagen announced it would wind down Arteon production to focus on more popular models, and the last new UK examples were sold in 2024.

How practical is it?

Despite its more streamlined looks, the VW Arteon is an impressively practical car, serving up enough space to keep most growing families happy. And if you need more space, then there’s always the versatile Shooting Brake version.

Regardless of versions, the interior of the Arteon looks suitably high-end too, thanks in part to standard-fit brushed aluminium trim, an analogue clock, LED interior lighting and a leather-trimmed wheel. The materials have an upmarket look and feel too, with plenty of soft touch plastics, while the fit and finish are excellent. Is it good enough to feel a cut above premium brand rivals? Not quite, but it’s close enough, especially when you consider the VW undercuts almost all these competitors on price.

While that low roof line suggests cramped conditions inside, the Arteon is actually very roomy. Occupants in the back get good head and legroom, plus there’s just about enough space across the bench for three adults, although the higher set middle rear seat is best reserved for children on longer journeys.

Up front, there’s plenty of room to stretch out and, as with most VW models, an extremely wide array of seat and wheel adjustment, meaning drivers will have no problem getting comfortable. However, visibility out of the steeply raked rear screen isn’t great, making the standard parking sensors a welcome addition. At least there’s plenty of storage, including a deep glovebox, a lidded cubby between the front seats and door bins that can store water bottles and more. Oh, and of course there are plenty of cupholders.

On the standard car, the wide opening hatchback makes loading larger items straight forward, while the 563-litre boot is bigger than that of most rivals. Fold the split/fold rear bench and the amount of space swells to 1,557-litres. Go for the Shooting Brake and these figures increase to 590-litres and 1,600-litres respectively, while lowering the rear seats is made easier by the inclusion of handy quick release levers in the boot.

What's it like to drive?

Where the Arteon struggles against its premium opposition is in the driving experience, which feels far too similar to the Passat’s - although that’s hardly a surprise when you consider they both share the same platform, engines and suspension. Still, what the VW lacks in ultimate sparkle it makes up for with effortless comfort and refinement, making it a relaxed choice for long journeys and traffic-clogged commutes.

Some buyers might find the engine line-up a little uninspiring, as it consists of conventional four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines. All are offered in conjunction with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, but there have been a handful of manual options over the years. Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is also available in range-topping models, which adds a layer of all-weather security, as well as small advantage when pressing on through a series of corners.

Performance is good, irrespective of the engine you opt for. Even the entry-level diesels deliver a 0-62mph time of around nine seconds and, if you go for the range-topping 268bhp turbocharged petrol in the hatch, then the Arteon can sprint from 0-62mph in just 5.6 seconds. Of course, the Shooting Brake R is faster still, the 316bhp machine able to put the frighteners on a some serious sports cars, such as the Porsche Cayman - in a straight line at least.

That said, the R doesn’t handle well for such a large machine, the accurate steering and strong grip giving it an impressive sense of agility. Standard adaptive dampers also allow the Arteon to slice through bends with impressive poise and composure, and while it isn’t as involving as some, the VW is brutally effective and picking apart twisting back roads.

Standard versions are more easy-going, with an emphasis on comfort, the suspension doing a fine job of soaking up bumps and potholes. Wind and road noise are also kept to minimum, which helps leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed even after a long journey. And while a BMW 3 Series is far more fun to drive, the Arteon is composed and capable, steering accurately and always feeling safe and predictable.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

Given it’s pitched against some fairly impressive upmarket rivals, VW has made sure the Arteon is kitted out with all the equipment upwardly mobile buyers would expect. In fact, there’s no such thing as a poorly equipped version, with all models getting every essential and more besides.

Even the entry-level SE, which was introduced in 2019, includes features such as triple-zone climate control, an 8.0-inch touchscreen media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, as well as adaptive cruise control and electrically adjustable seats.

Step-up to the Elegance and you’ll benefit from heated seats, a rear view camera and powered tailgate, while the R-Line adds a panoramic sunroof plus some sporty exterior and interior upgrades.

Volkswagen’s luxurious Arteon is also a safe option, as it received the maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing in 2017. It scored remarkably well for adult occupancy, racking up a 96% rating, and outperformed the comparable Audi A5 across the board. Features such as autonomous emergency braking and lane keep assist are standard, while other features include a system that prevents the car from reversing into traffic by issuing a warning and applying the brakes.

Volkswagen Arteon running costs

The Volkswagen Arteon's running costs should prove comparatively low, thanks to its line-up of efficient engines, good residual values and sensible service intervals.

Go for a 2.0-litre TDI diesel model with 148bhp and a manual transmission, for example, and it’ll average at least a claimed 57.6mpg. It’ll also emit as little as 126g/km of CO2, according to the new, more realistic WLTP test procedure, granting comparatively low VED – Vehicle Excise Duty – tax charges.

Somewhat surprisingly, when that engine is coupled to a seven-speed DSG instead of a manual, it both consumes more fuel and emits more CO2. The difference isn’t great but owners do report the manual versions as being more efficient, which could be worth bearing in mind.

Both the 2.0-litre TSI 4Motion and 2.0-litre BiTDI 4Motion variants of the Arteon do emit a lot of CO2, however, and burn through more fuel. Consequently, if keeping running costs low is essential, steer clear of these more heavy-hitting versions. On the plus side, all versions of the Arteon appear to do relatively well in terms of real-world economy, with the aforementioned and more conventional 148bhp diesel often returning an mpg figure or around 50.

There was also a 1.5-litre TSI petrol version of the Arteon in the past, but the engine – which was also used in other models – initially suffered from a persistent problem with juddering. It is a clean and efficient option but, if you’re interested, ensure it’s had the required software fix to solve its juddery nature. Some owners, that said, have indicated that there are still minor issues with the way the engine performs

When it comes to Arteon servicing, Volkswagen offers two types of plan. Customers can opt for a straightforward fixed service, which takes place every 10,000 miles and 12 months; this is recommended for those who regularly do lots of short trips or harder driving.

In cases where the Arteon is being driven more gently, or just sitting on the motorway for extended periods, customers can choose a flexible service plan. Using this scheme, the car can cover up to 20,000 miles or 24 months without requiring a visit to the dealer. To help control future costs, a range of service plans are also available, and extended warranties can be purchased to protect against unexpected breakdowns.

Volkswagen Arteon running costs

The Arteon was sold new with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty and a three-year paintwork warranty. It also had a 12-year inside-out corrosion warranty, which covers rust that breaks through to exterior panels from inside the car.

It’s not a bad offering and on a par with Audi’s warranty, but BMW gives customers unlimited mileage cover for three years. Buyers considering alternatives such as the Kia Stinger will also find its seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty far better than Volkswagen’s.

Although Volkswagen doesn’t fare as well in brand reliability and customer satisfaction support as Kia, it generally does well. Arteon reliability should prove good, too, as it uses many tried-and-tested parts. There have also only been a handful of recalls on the Arteon so far, which bodes well, but the aforementioned issue with earlier 1.5 TSI variants means those will require more careful inspection.

Buying a used Arteon should also be fairly straightforward, given the car’s age, but just check for any obvious damage and make sure that everything works.

Go for an approved used Volkswagen and you’ll have even less to worry about, as each carefully inspected car will generally come with a 12-month unlimited-mileage warranty, 12 months’ MOT cover and 12 months’ roadside assistance.

Every approved used Arteon will also benefit from a comprehensive history check and a 30-day, 1,000-mile no-quibble exchange is available if you’re not happy with your new car.