2019 Volkswagen Arteon SEL R-Line Review

Written By: Jerry Reynolds | Sep 30, 2019 1:00:00 AM

This week we take a look at the new Volkswagen flagship sedan, the Arteon. This vehicle is the SEL model, which is next to the top-of-the-line model, and it is the sporty R-Line.

Exterior

The Arteon has distinct lines that run the length of the car, a large six bar grill that flows into the headlights, beautiful 19” wheels, a rear spoiler and dual exhaust. I find this car to be very good looking from every angle.

A few interesting things about this car, the entire hood opens, and goes deep into the front fenders, much like a dome. Also, the Arteon is a hatchback, which was a surprise, and the big VW emblem on the rear opens up when you put the car in reverse to enable the rear camera, and doubles as the trunk opener.

Performance

Under the chiseled hood, you find a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine putting out 268-horses and 258-pound feet of torque. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters and my tester has 4Motion, meaning it is all-wheel drive.

Interior

Moving to the interior, it is nice and a bit understated with minimal carbon fiber running from the front doors across the dash. The Nappa leather seats are comfortable and offer lumbar support.

Digital gauges are easy to read with a configurable driver info center in the middle that is controlled from buttons on the flat-bottom steering wheel.

Everything else operates from the VW Discover touchscreen which is 8-inches in size. It operates the stereo, Bluetooth, navigation system, voice activation, real-time weather and traffic, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The system is extremely easy to operate and it is lightning fast as you move through the screens. It also features a performance monitor and fuel usage that shows you what is taking away from your fuel economy.

The center console houses the emergency brake, the start button, the auto start/stop deactivation switch and the drive modes, which are normal, eco, sport, and custom which lets you customize elements of the car’s driving modes. Honestly, I can’t tell a big difference between the modes.

Utility

Legroom is very good in both the front and back seats. Rear seat occupants can control their own air conditioning and the rear seats fold down in a 60/40 configuration. With the seats down you have a massive amount of cargo area. There is a full-sized spare tucked underneath.

Standard Features

It is important to note that everything on this Arteon comes at no charge, there is not a single option.

The list of equipment is extensive and includes LED headlights, power panoramic sunroof, keyless entry, remote start, and heated power seats.

The Arteon has a host of safety features like blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with emergency braking, and rear traffic alert.

Ride and Drive

This car rides and drives very well, and is quiet inside. Fuel economy is rated at 20 in town and 27 on the highway.

Verdict

There are two problems with the Arteon. One is pretty severe turbo lag. It hesitates for a second before the turbocharger kicks in. Second issue is poor visibility out the back glass, due to the sloping rear hatchback glass and the rear seat headrests. Adults sitting in the back seat would worsen this problem.

Aside from that, the Arteon has a lot of positive attributes, and at a $44,055 MSRP, it’s a good buy based on its competition.