Used 2020 Volkswagen Arteon

With its premium amenities, artistically sculpted exterior, and clean, modern interior, the 2020 Volkswagen Arteon sits as a viable alternative to the smaller Audi A5 Sportback and more expensive Audi A7. This 5-passenger liftback sedan features an adaptive suspension with various driver modes for Comfort, Normal, and Sport as well as Comfort+ and Sport+ settings.

The Arteon’s 268-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is far from slow, but it doesn’t really deliver the kind of performance we’d expect at this price. We’re also not impressed by the fact that the Arteon’s full suite of driver assists is not standard across the line.

Rivals like the Kia Stinger offer the option of a twin-turbocharged V6, while comparably-equipped luxury models such as the Acura TLX and Nissan Maxima undercut the Arteon’ price. Still, if you hold German engineering in high regard, the 2020 VW Arteon is an affordable way to get it without compromising quality, features, safety, or style.

We drove the Volkswagen Arteon on California’s smooth and sweeping Highway 33, which winds its way through the Los Padres National Forest and felt tailor-made for this VW, whose enviable ride comfort fortunately doesn’t come at the expense of good body control in turns.

Despite the large opening for the rear hatch, the Arteon’s unibody chassis felt tight, and the VW’s ’s turbocharged 2.0-liter engine — which produces 268 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at only 1,950 rpm — didn’t feel overwhelmed by the Arteon’s approximately 3,500-pound curb weight. The engine delivered power in a smooth, linear fashion, while the 8-speed automatic transmission got its job done without calling much attention to itself. We liked its smooth shifts and its traditional P-R-N-D-L shift gate, which, unlike today’s raft of confusing electronic shifters, left no doubt as to which gear the Arteon was in.

Moreover, the shift paddles of the SEL Premium R-Line model we drove proved especially handy, particularly when downshifting for a turn and then powering out of said corner. In these deceleration situations, the throttle automatically blipped to smooth the downshifts, making it sound as if you were a driving pro. Then, during the many long corners that Highway 33 throws at you, the Arteon’s automatic torque vectoring would help keep VW’s new fastback sedan on its intended line, totally unbeknownst to the driver.

This helped reduce understeer, while Sport mode — which firms the suspension and steering while also speeding up the sweep of the Arteon’s active LED headlights into corners — kept body roll in check. While it was nice to be driving an SEL Premium with standard 4Motion all-wheel drive — which can send as much as 50 percent of the power to the rear wheels — its value would have been better appreciated on tighter roads, or ones that are slick or slushy.

Riding on a 5-inch-longer wheelbase than the old Volkswagen CC, the 2020 VW Arteon has plenty of space for 6-footers with ample rear-seat legroom. Despite a sharply raked roofline and rear window, the rear seat cushions sit low enough that tall passengers won’t be bumping their heads at the roof’s edge. The Arteon is also wider than either the CC or Passat, so three across the rear seat is doable, even if just for short trips.

The overall feeling inside the cabin is one of reserved luxury, with handsomely styled seats that are also marvelously supportive, although some may find them a bit snug. The Arteon’s dash is hardly revolutionary, however, with lots of standard VW styling and switchgear. We do like the analog clock mounted high on the dash that brings a bit more elegance to the cabin.

Cargo space is also quite generous, thanks in no small part to the Arteon’s rear hatch design. When raised, it reveals 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold the 60/40-split rear seats flat, and that figure increases to 55 cubic feet. For reference, that’s enough room for two adults to roll out two sleeping bags and spend the night.

Most people agree that the 2020 Volkswagen Arteon is a striking automobile, a sporty fastback sedan highlighted by prominent character lines that travel the length of the vehicle and terminate in a slatted grille with a large VW logo. It’s low and wide, the antithesis of a crossover SUV. We also like its sleek coupe-like roofline, its abundant chrome trim, its frameless side doors, and how the clamshell-style hood folds down on each side to meet the front fenders.

All told, this new VW looks refined, with the R-Line trim completing the look nicely with gloss-black bumper trim, badges on the grille and front fenders, a black trunk spoiler and 20-inch wheels.

DRIVING MODE SELECTION
As part of the 2020 VW Arteon’s standard fare, the Drive Mode Selection system allows the driver to select various performance modes via touchscreen inputs. The system works by modifying settings for suspension stiffness, throttle response and steering feel and operates in Comfort, Normal and Sport mode, which can be amplified by two additional settings: Comfort+ and Sport+.

VOLKSWAGEN DIGITAL COCKPIT
The Digital Cockpit is a sight to behold. Standard on SEL and higher trims, the device replaces traditional analog gauges with a 12.3-inch digital display featuring five separate profiles. The screen can mimic an analog speedo and tach, or fill the screen with the navigation map.

The entry-level Arteon, the SE, is well equipped with an 8-inch infotainment display, standard leatherette seats (heated in front), keyless access with a push-button starter, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, Car-Net, and Wi-Fi hotspot plus 3-zone climate control.

Also standard are LED headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, the XDS differential-lock enhancement system, heated side mirrors, and cruise control. Standard safety systems include forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring.

Order an Arteon SEL, and you’ll get the 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a panoramic sunroof, a Nappa leather interior, auto-dimming side mirrors, driver’s seat memory, adaptive headlights, and adaptive cruise control with stop & go feature.

Most options are bundled according to trim. More notable upgrades available on the 2020 Volkswagen Arteon include 4Motion all-wheel drive, 19- or 20-inch wheels, and paddle shifters.

The R-Line includes special R-Line badging on the grille and front fenders, plus gloss-black trim on the bumpers and a black rear spoiler, stainless-steel scuff plates, and pedal caps, 20-inch wheels along with a unique steering wheel that has paddle shifters. Inside, the R-Line’s black headliner is complemented by contrast stitching on the steering wheel and shift knob.

The SEL Premium R-Line includes the R-Line’s features plus 4Motion, Lane Assist, rear park assist, auto high beams, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a 360-degree overhead camera system, ventilated front seats with a massaging driver’s seat and the 700-watt Dynaudio sound system. A power hatchback also is standard on the SEL Premium R Line — just swing your foot below the rear bumper and the hatch automatically opens.

The 2020 Volkswagen Arteon has only one engine, but it’s a good blend of power and fuel economy. The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, a direct-injected gasoline powerplant, puts out 268 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at only 1,950 rpm, aided by variable intake and exhaust timing, together with variable-exhaust valve lift. Turbocharger boost arrives quickly to create a smooth swell of power. Premium fuel is recommended.

Similarly, one transmission is available in the Arteon, an 8-speed automatic. Made by Aisin, this gearbox shifts smoothly and unobtrusively, and it reacts quickly to the shift paddles. The XDS Cross Differential system acts like a limited-slip differential, using the ABS and traction control systems to apply light brake pressure to the inside wheel when traveling at highway speeds. This system helps compensate for understeer during aggressive cornering.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
268 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,950 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/29 mpg (FWD), 20/29 mpg (AWD)