Volkswagen Arteon - TopCarNews

Volkswagen Arteon (2017 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Volkswagen Arteon is a large five-door liftback (and, from late 2020, also available as an estate) based on the Volkswagen Passat. It was launched in 2017 and received a mid-life update in mid-2020. The updated model is set to arrive in the UK before the end of the year.

Along with updated versions of the Arteon range and the new estate model (Volkswagen appears to work from the same German-English dictionary as Mercedes-Benz as it insists on referring to the estate as a ‘Shooting Brake’, which it absolutely isn’t), there will also be a high-performance Arteon R model. Plug-in hybrid powertrains will also join the range, although they may not be available until later.

As of December 2021, the Volkswagen Arteon has an Expert Rating of 67%, which is pretty reasonable in the overall new car market but falls well short of many of its rivals in a segment that oozes quality. It’s also five points behind the Volkswagen Passat on which it’s based.

The Arteon has been praised for its comfort, equipment levels and practicality – especially its load space. However, the interior is considered a bit dreary and its pricing puts it right in the same ballpark as premium rivals from Audi and BMW, which better driving dynamics and more prestige.

Key specifications

Body style: Mid-sized liftback and estateEngines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £33,150 on-road

Launched: Summer 2017Last updated: Summer 2020
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

autos, cars, volkswagen, volkswagen arteon

Volkswagen Arteon (2021)

Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake (2021)

Volkswagen Arteon (2017)

Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake (2021)

Volkswagen Arteon (2017)

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Volkswagen Arteon is a dramatically styled hatch with a luxury feel that takes on premium executive rivals.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automaticScore: 8 / 10“This is the cheapest Arteon on sale, and is an appealing proposition for private car buyers. Performance is adequate rather than ferocious, and it’ll accelerate up to the national speed limit as fast as you need it to, but without any drama or fuss.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automaticScore: 8 / 10“VW’s latest push into a premium market sector is a stylish, comfortable and capable attempt. Sure, a BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is better to drive and an Audi A5 Sportback more luxurious, but the Volkswagen Arteon’s more distinctive look will get it noticed in the company car park.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Estate 2020Score: 8 / 10“Like a traditional estate but sleeker, the Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake is stylish family transport for those not sold on the SUV craze but need something more exciting.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Volkswagen Arteon is an appealing prospect. Trouble is, the Audis and BMWs it competes with have much the same virtues, along with more desirable premium badges, and yet these rivals aren’t much more expensive than the VW, either to buy or to run.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic R-Line Shooting BrakeScore: 7 / 10“The Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake is comfortable and usable and its balance of economy and performance is certainly adequate. But it isn’t in any way memorable to drive to spend time in. It’s an attractive tool, but a tool nonetheless.”
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Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Shooting Brake (estate)Score: 8 / 10“The Shooting Brake offers a little more space than its fastback sibling without giving anything away in performance or dynamic terms. If you’re captured by its design, sometimes require lots of space and like the idea of being able to drive it as an EV, it’s well worth considering.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Arteon has mostly been executed with the thoroughness we expect of VW, but on style, richness, rolling refinement and driver appeal, it’s short on the makings of a great mid-sized exec option.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual EleganceScore: 7 / 10“Entry-level fastback doesn’t do enough to make the Volkswagen Arteon any more competitive in an already-tough class.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 150hpScore: 7 / 10“For fleet drivers looking for a capable motorway cruiser fitted with loads of standard equipment and is stylish to boot, the Volkswagen Arteon would have to be on their list of cars to consider, alongside the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé and Audi A5 Sportback.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic 280hp R-LineScore: 7 / 10“Petrol power does a little more for VW’s new flagship than diesel, but the Arteon remains short of a selling point in a competitive class.”
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Business Car

Model reviewed: Shooting BrakeScore: 8 / 10“The Volkwagen Arteon Shooting Brake would be rewarding to use as a company car.”
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Car

Model reviewed: Shooting Brake estate (2020)Score: 6 / 10“The Arteon is a fantastic motorway cruiser, with an impressive ride even without adaptive damper trickery and a quiet petrol engine.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Volkswagen Arteon defies ready categorisation: bigger than a Passat, sleeker than a Skoda Superb, fancier than a Ford Mondeo or Vauxhall Insignia, more passenger-friendly than an Audi A5 Sportback. It’s heavy and on the expensive side.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 190hpScore: 9 / 10“If you’re after a long-range cruiser that’s a bit different from the Audi, BMW and Mercedes models that have placed a monopoly on the segment, then the Volkswagen Arteon could be for you.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.4 / 10“The Volkswagen Arteon is a polished all-rounder, with the potential to upset premium rivals.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic R-LineScore: 8 / 10“The R-Line trim level adds sporty looks to VW’s flagship saloon but doesn’t change the relaxed driving experience”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Volkswagen Arteon has cool exterior design and a big boot, but it’s expensive, and the interior and the way it drives could do with a bit more wow factor.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic R-Line estate (Shooting Brake)“Good looking and practical with a high-quality cabin, the Shooting Brake is a neat addition. Its minimal cost over the fastback should allow it to grab attention within the improved Arteon range.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Elegance“It’s a very stylish and well-priced four-door coupe, albeit the Passat saloon roots are there. The downside is that there’s a hefty price walk of thousands of pounds to get from the humble Passat to the Arteon.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic Elegance“Technology impresses more than the driving experience, and the interior could be a bit more special, but the Volkswagen Arteon is a classy alternative to the existing flash four-door coupes.”
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Evo

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic 280hp R-LineScore: 7 / 10“Handsome yet understated Arteon is fast, refined and capable, but you pay for the privilege.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Even in more powerful variants, the Volkswagen Arteon isn’t exactly a thrilling drive. But that’s not what you buy an Arteon for. If you’re looking for something that stands out, feels extremely upmarket but you’re not too worried about the badge on the bonnet, the Arteon could be the car for you.”
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Motoring Research

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“Available as a Fastback saloon or Shooting Brake estate, the Arteon is a more stylish alternative to a Volkswagen Passat. But be warned: top-spec versions of the Arteon can breach £50,000, pushing the Volkswagen well into upmarket territory.”
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Motors.co.uk

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Volkswagen Arteon is a rare thing in the car world, as it manages to both look the part and be exceedingly practical at the same time.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.2 / 10“The Volkswagen Arteon is a supremely competent car. The question is whether you, as a buyer, value this competency over the image and also the driving dynamics offered by more recognisably premium competition.”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic R-Line“If most of your miles are done in a company car, the VW Arteon is something to aspire to. This is the car David Brent will drive in five years’ time when he is hitting his targets.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic 280hp AWD R-LineScore: 6 / 10“I simply couldn’t think of anyone I’ve met, or even seen, who might want a good-looking four-door coupé that’s huge in the back and ordinary at the front, with a VW badge and a 40 grand bill” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid eHybrid Elegance liftbackScore: 8 / 10“It isn’t flawless but, on balance, the Volkswagen Arteon eHybrid is a solid effort. Perhaps a little expensive, but not so much so that you couldn’t justify it if you were in the market for a PHEV and really liked its styling, especially given it’s more polished than a Passat and more stylish than a Superb.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“There’s little doubt the Volkswagen Arteon is a fine car with a smooth ride and lots of space, but whether or not it can tempt buyers out of their Audis and BMWs is another matter.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“Good looking, spacious and well equipped, but it’s missing on that oh-so-important ‘buy-me’ factor…”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The VW Arteon is good to drive, stylish and amazingly practical when considered in the company of other coupés, and even some saloons in the executive car class.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Range overview“The VW Arteon manages to combine stylish looks with great practicality (it can seat five people and has a very spacious boot). The cossetting ride, refined cruising ability and impressive dynamic ability also make it a superb long-distance companion.”
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Safety rating

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: July 2017

96%

ADULT OCCUPANT

85%

CHILD OCCUPANT

85%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

82%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

No eco rating

The Volkswagen Arteon has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP, and only a few cars have do far been assessed. As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic.

If and when the Arteon is tested by Green NCAP, we’ll publish the results here.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Volkswagen Arteon has received

2021

What Car? Awards – Best Coupé for Practicality

2019

Tow Car Awards – Overall winner + 1,550-16,99kg category winner

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Volkswagen Arteon, you might also be interested in these alternatives

The Arteon is conceptually similar to the Audi A5 Sportback, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLA – all of which are lower and sleeker versions of more mundane models (the A4, 3 Series and A-Class, respectively). But the fact that the Arteon is essentially a reworked Passat means that it also competes with a wide range of other models, including the Passat itself.

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