Used 2021 Volkswagen Arteon

With its premium amenities and beautifully sculpted exterior, the Volkswagen Arteon impressed us when it made its debut last year. But the 5-seat liftback VW, an affordable alternative to the Audi A5 Sportback and Audi A7, hasn’t been selling well.

What to do? For 2021, VW has significantly upgraded the Arteon interior, while modifying the exterior a bit and trimming the lineup to just three models: SE, SEL R-Line, and SEL Premium R-Line.

As before, the Arteon engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 268-horsepower. As such, VW’s flagship sedan is far from slow, but it doesn’t really deliver quite the level of performance we’d expect of such a great-looking automobile. We also think adaptive cruise control should be standard on all Arteons, not just the top two models.

Arteon competitors include the Kia Stinger, the Infiniti Q50, the Nissan Maxima, the Acura TLX, and possibly even the Buick Regal Sportback.

With its head-turning style, dramatically improved interior, and surprisingly good utility, the 2021 VW Arteon has the look and feel of a much more expensive Audi.

You sit low in the Arteon, in an environment that’s both handsome and modern. The interior is highlighted by a digital instrument panel and a large touchscreen, plus a new steering wheel with multiple touch-type thumb controls. We found these controls to be a bit over-sensitive and therefore tough to use while driving, and the same can be said of the touch-type slides used for the temperature and fan speeds of the Arteon’s 3-zone climate control.

On twisty roads, though, you tend to forget about such things. That’s where the VW Arteon shines, negotiating corners with a pleasant composure that’s thankfully not at the expense of excellent ride comfort. Despite the large opening for the rear hatch, this VW’s unibody chassis, based on that of the European Passat, feels tight.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which produces 268 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at only 1,950 rpm, makes for an Arteon that’s reasonably quick and not overwhelmed by the Arteon’s approximately 3,500-pound curb weight.

On the contrary, the engine delivers power in a smooth and linear fashion, while the 8-speed automatic transmission shifts decisively in metronomic fashion. We particularly like the gearbox’s traditional P-R-N-D-L shift gate; there’s nothing confusing about it.

Moreover, the shift paddles of the SEL Premium R-Line model are handy, especially when downshifting for a turn and then powering out of the corner. During deceleration in enthusiastic driving, the Arteon’s throttle will blip automatically to smoothen the downshifts, and standard torque vectoring helps keep the Arteon on its intended line.

In Sport mode, the 2021 VW Arteon gets firmer suspension and heavier steering, plus its active LED headlights sweep a little more quickly into corners.

Big changes have been made inside the Arteon for 2021. In addition to a redesigned synthetic-leather dashboard cover with embossed stitching, the 2021 Arteon has significantly improved materials and a new touch-sensitive steering wheel. What’s more, the new Arteon now has intricate new air vents, Harman Kardon audio systems, and 30 colors of driver-selectable ambient interior lighting.

Because the Arteon has a 5-inch-longer wheelbase than the old Volkswagen CC, it has a roomy back seat with enough space for tall passengers. 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.

With the upgraded materials and attractive wood door trim, the Arteon has an enhanced look of reserved luxury. Some people might even be fooled into thinking they are in an Audi (if it weren’t for the new thin-font VW label on the steering wheel). Of note, Arteons for the European market have a touchscreen radio with a slider to control the volume. We’re delighted to report that U.S. versions gets that same screen, but with two big differences: U.S. Arteons will get an actual tuning knob and a volume knob. Hallelujah!

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the 2021 VW Arteon, along with wireless smartphone charging. We suspect audiophiles will enjoy the 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system that’s standard on the Arteon SEL-Premium R-Line.

Exterior refinements to the Arteon for 2021 are fairly subtle, and we think VW’s flagship sedan remains a great-looking car.

In front, the Arteon now has three chrome bars in its grille, as opposed to four last year. The SE model features a low chrome strip spanning the width of the car, and new front bumpers with separate air intakes. In back, VW’s new logo appears prominently on the trunk, and the Arteon badge appears in blocky capital letters to remind you what it is.

The two R-Line models, the SEL and SEL-Premium, have a neat new styling element: an LED light strip spanning the width of the grille, just below the headlights. The front bumper of the R-Line models also is new. It features one continuous air intake from side to side.

Of note, the base Arteon SE wears 18-inch alloy wheels, the SEL R-Line has 19s, and the SEL-Premium comes equipped with 20s that don’t look too big for the design.

We think the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon remains a handsome ride, and we’re still smitten by its coupe-like roofline, its abundant chrome trim, its frameless side doors, and how its attractive clamshell-style hood folds down to meet the front fenders.

LARGE REAR STORAGE AREA
While it may not look like the Arteon has that much cargo room, there’s actually 27 cubic feet of volume behind the rear seat. And when you fold that seat forward, there are 55 cubic feet available. Also noteworthy: The Arteon’s cargo hold is very long, measuring 82.4 inches from front to back. On the way home from golfing, you can hit Costco and purchase that 55-inch TV you’ve been eyeing!

VOLKSWAGEN DIGITAL COCKPIT
The Digital Cockpit is a treat. Now standard on all 2020 VW Arteons, the digital cockpit replaces traditional analog gauges with a 12.3-inch digital display featuring five separate profiles. The screen can mimic an analog speedometer and tachometer, or be a large navigational map.

The entry-level Arteon, the front-wheel-drive SE, is well equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, active suspension damping, 12.3-inch digital gauges, an 8-inch infotainment display, leatherette seats, keyless access, and a push-button starter. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto also is standard, along with 3-zone climate control and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Other standard fare on the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon includes LED headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, an XDS differential-lock, heated side mirrors, and cruise control. For added safety, this sleek VW sedan also has automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring.

In addition to revised styling with special badging, the Arteon SEL R-Line gets 19-inch alloy wheels, a Nappa leather interior and a panoramic sunroof along with adaptive LED headlights and adaptive cruise control.

The Arteon SEL Premium R-Line is distinguished by 4Motion AWD, 20-inch alloy wheels, a massaging driver’s seat, heated outboard rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, a full-size spare tire and an aerial view camera. A power hatchback also come standard on the SEL Premium R Line; just swing your foot below the rear bumper and the hatch automatically opens.

With the 2021 VW Arteon, the three basic models — the SE, SEL R-Line, and SEL Premium R-Line — are equipped as they will be sold by the manufacturer, so there aren’t any options. Multiple paint hues are available on the Arteon, but for no additional charge. Also, 4Motion all-wheel drive is available for $1,800 on the SEL R-Line model while being standard on the SEL Premium R-Line.

The 2021 VW Arteon’s engine is 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 cornering aggressively.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
268 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,950 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/32 mpg (FWD), 20/31 mpg (AWD)