By Jim Powell
The Volkswagen Group still remains one of the largest automotive manufacturers in the world, even after trouble with diesel powertrains. Through the challenges of the Covid-19 virus, the VW group has not only survived so far, but they have also upped their commitment to the US market at the time of this writing. Even with their sights set on all electric-powered vehicles, they continue to develop turbocharged cars and SUV’s for the US market with a German-flair.
Their new revised luxury sedan is called Arteon was introduced in 2019. It is a compelling sports sedan built upon the new MQB platform shared with Atlas and Atlas Sport. Built for the European and Chinese markets in recent years, it replaces VW’s slower-selling CC. It is a small step up in luxury over other VW sedans but creates some questions about VW’s business plan.
2020 Arteon prices start at $36,000, which is $13K more than a 2020 Passat. The 2020 Arteon Elegance model is dressed up with even more bells and whistles, using a new infotainment screen and interface. However, VW has priced itself into the Audi A4 and even A6 territory with these expensive accessories. Our tested 2019 SEL Premium R-Line AWD topped out at $46,710 with lots of luxury amenities and all-wheel drive. Even so, Arteon is worth a test drive.
For this price, one gets a dramatic coupe-like design with frameless side windows, VW/Audi’s 4MOTION AWD, turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 8-speed automatic transmission, and 20” wheels. All the modern safety features include active start/stop automated cruise control, lane control, and blindspot detection, and a really good lane-keep assist.
VW has included automatic emergency braking for highway and streets with animals and people, which VW labeled as Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian. VW has a great driver-assist package. However, these are not really autonomous driving systems, and the driver must always pay attention and steer the car.
The 2.0-liter TSI® engine, used in VW Group vehicles across the world, produces 268 hp and 258 lb-ft. of torque. Power comes on early in the rev-range so stoplights feel more fun. The eight-speed automatic transmission feels crisp enough but is too eager to shift up through the gears in ECO mode- always seeking higher fuel mileage. Normal, Comfort, and Sport modes fix this issue, and paddle shifters are standing-by for more control.
There is no torque-vectoring rear axle option on the Arteon, so the typical Audi Quattro AWD system tends to pull the car around the corners instead of pushing it around like a rear-wheel bias system. Arteon continues to demonstrate the VW/Audi signature feel of controlled understeer. For a more sporty experience, try the Acura’s TLX with the Super-Handling AWD. For a more comfortable and secure experience, the Arteon stays planted on all road surfaces and maintains grip in all kinds of corners.
A real upgrade over other VW’s is the adaptive suspension, giving the Arteon a great ride on all road types and at all speeds. Volkswagen’s DCC® adaptive damping suspension is superior to many other sports sedans. It electronically controls the dampening and rebound of the suspension with noticeable precision into a very capable corning machine in SPORT and a cross-country cruiser in COMFORT mode. Fully customizable, VW allows the driver almost endless steering, drivetrain, and acceleration settings.
Style is what this handsome sedan is all about. We can see VW’s new styling direction with long, sleek lines that run across the body and the integration of Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), taillights, and huge attractive grilles. Fender flares, low hood, and short overhangs give Arteon a unique stance and create a low 0.30 coefficient of drag
Arteon is actually a 4-door hatchback. It also sits on a wheelbase that is 5 inches longer than the previous CC sport-hatch. The view from the driver’s seat is like seeing the road from a go-cart and provides good forward visibility aided with the self-adjusting LED headlights. The huge B-pillar somewhat hampers the view out the side, and the rearward view is more limited.
However, a crystal clear backup camera and screen with cross-traffic detection is very helpful when reversing. Parallel parking this sedan is also easier with VW’s automated Park Assist. The “Overhead View Camera” gives a 360-degree view around the car.
Arteon is not small at 191.4 inches long, and 73.7 inches wide. It sits lower than some sedans at 56.5 inches tall. Fortunately, It has a large cargo space behind a 60/40 split rear seat and gets a ski pass-through for move versatility. The cargo area is larger than the similar BMW 4-Series Grand Coupe and the Audi A7 Sportback models. It has 3 more cubic feet than the similar-sized Kia Stinger.
The interior ambiance is modern VW excellent fit-n-finish, with some upscale materials. VW adds some interior style, similar to their Audi cousin’s cabin, with air vents and panels flowing together across the front and into the doors. Again, there is really not enough of a departure from Jetta or Passat to feel $36K special.
The premium features include a new adjustable digital instrument readout, a panoramic sunroof, nighttime ambient lighting, and a massaging driver’s seat. All controls and screen touch buttons work logically in the center console. The three-zone Climatronic® automatic climate control is standard and very simple to operate with actual buttons and knobs.
R-Line models also get contrast stitching in the leather, paddle shifters, black headliner, stainless-steel sport pedals, and stainless-steel door sill plates with the R-Line logo. The SEL Premium models feature a 700-watt Dynaudio sound system with 13 channels and 12 speakers.
The Nappa leather seating surfaces and a memory setting make for comfortable long trips. Nice ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a leather-wrapped multifunction and heated steering wheel keeps hands and backsides happy.
The cabin is quiet on the open road. Only the sound of the engine enters the car under hard acceleration. Even the optional 20-inch wheels and tires are well isolated from the platform, and road-noise is barely noticeable over uneven terrain. The R-Line also includes a badging, a unique front bumper with gloss-black finish air intakes, and a rear spoiler.
I really enjoyed the style and road-worthiness of this new sedan with a hatchback. It is comfortable, competent, and confident in the corners. The Arteon is also expensive and blurs the line between VW and Audi. The real premium upgrade is a coupe-like shaped sedan with four doors and a larger, more usable backseat with 40.2 inches of rear legroom and 37.0 inches of rear headroom. All 2019-2020 Volkswagen Arteons come with their “People First Warranty” which translates into a six-year or 72,000-mile Bumper-to-Bumper New Vehicle Limited Warranty.