Used 2022 Volkswagen Arteon

The Volkswagen Arteon is the halo car of the Volkswagen brand’s sedan lineup. Since so few mainstream car brands are still making big sedans, the Arteon is in a unique segment with few direct competitors. The Arteon is a more sporty and luxurious car with more daring styling compared to the more pragmatic VW Passat, which will be discontinued after the 2022 model year.

The Arteon has a sporty R-Line appearance package, a more lively 300-horsepower engine, and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (replacing the conventional 9-speed automatic) for 2022, but this VW remains more of a stylish and upscale 5-seater than a classic sport sedan. If you’re looking for a roomy liftback sedan with sportier driving dynamics, the Kia Stinger (and its available twin-turbo V6 engine) should be on your list.

While the Volkswagen Arteon has its share of virtues, if you’re willing to spend $40,000 or more on a premium Volkswagen, you may consider a visit to the Audi dealer.

KBB’s Andy Bornhop recently drove a 2022 VW Arteon 2.0T SEL Premium R-Line in the hills above Malibu in Southern California. Here’s what he learned.

In casual driving, the new 300-horsepower engine feels much like the 268-hp powerplant in the 2021 Arteon. But when you really put your foot in it, those extra 32 ponies plant you in your seat with more force than before. And with the all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction, you can feel no torque steer through the thick rim of the Arteon’s leather-wrapped steering wheel.

What’s more, the new DSG transmission works great, whether it is shifting on its own or by the driver using paddles on the steering wheel.

We experimented with the four available driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Normal, and Sport) and sensed noticeable differences among them. Thanks to the standard adaptive suspension, Comfort feels aptly named — soft but not the least bit floaty. Still, on the twisty roads above Malibu, we appreciated the Sport mode’s firmer suspension damping and snappier response. If we owned an Arteon, we suspect it would spend most of its time in Normal and Sport.

In our 60-mile drive, the Arteon exhibited composed handling and a smooth, comfortable ride. It felt smaller than it actually is on the twisty coastal roads, aided by the Sport mode. All told, the Arteon reminds us that it shines as both a sporty sedan and a quiet long-distance cruiser, thanks in large part to its excellent adaptive suspension damping.

Note: We did not sample the base Arteon, the front-wheel-drive (FWD) SE R-Line. Two of the three available trim levels (SE R-Line and SEL R-Line) come standard with AWD, improving all-weather traction and making the Arteon more sure-footed in spirited driving.

The Volkswagen Arteon has a premium interior that wouldn’t be out of place in an Audi. The newly standard R-Line package includes a sporty, leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, a black headliner, contrast stitching on the steering wheel and shift knob, and “Silver Rise” interior trim. Leatherette seats are standard, but you’re treated to Nappa leather seats in the upper trims with AWD. Your back-seat passengers will appreciate the standard 3-zone climate control.

An impressive list of standard interior tech features includes an 8-inch infotainment system with navigation, Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, and wireless charging.

The seating space in the front is quite generous, and most passengers will be comfortable in the back seats. The sloping roofline results in tight rear headroom for taller passengers, but it’s plenty roomy for kids. The liftback design yields a vast, almost wagon-like cargo hold.

The Volkswagen Arteon doesn’t quite step in line with the brand’s conservative corporate design language. It has a sleeker, sportier look than its more mainstream stablemates like the Passat. The standard R-Line appearance package adds to the sportiness with a gloss black spoiler, stylish wheels, and LED lighting.

The size of the Volkswagen Arteon is very similar to its chief rival, the Kia Stinger. It’s somewhere between compact and midsize. Within Volkswagen’s lineup, it’s bigger than the Jetta and a bit smaller than the Passat.

R-LINE APPEARANCE PACKAGE
For 2022, the R-Line exterior and interior appearance package is now standard across the whole model range. This gives the Arteon a sporty yet premium aesthetic you might expect from a more expensive car.

DIGITAL COCKPIT
The high-tech Volkswagen Digital Cockpit comes standard in every Arteon. This user-friendly digital gauge cluster shows the driver everything you want to see and nothing you don’t.

The Volkswagen Arteon is well-equipped with standard features. The standard powertrain under the hood of every Arteon is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. Other nice standard mechanical features include an XDS cross differential lock, Drive Mode Selection, and DCC adaptive damping suspension.

The base SE R-Line model comes standard with desirable features like the R-Line appearance package, LED headlights and taillights, 18-inch alloy wheels, leatherette seating, heated, power-adjustable front seats, 3-zone automatic climate control, the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, and a wireless charging pad.

The standard infotainment system that comes with every Arteon is an 8-inch screen loaded with navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and two USB-C ports. 8-speaker audio also comes standard.

On top of its impressive IIHS Top Safety Pick award, the Arteon comes with standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, automatic post-collision braking, and rain-sensing wipers.

The SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line trims of the Arteon are a cut above the base model. They both come with all-wheel drive, a panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather seating, 30-color ambient interior lighting, remote start, a memory driver’s seat, and the IQ.DRIVE driver assistance suite adds adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, road sign display, and more.

A few features reserved for the top SEL Premium R-Line trim include climate controls for the rear occupants, a heated steering wheel, a massaging driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a power liftgate, a rear USB-C port, Harman/Kardon 12-speaker premium audio, a 360-degree camera, and Park Assist.

It’s easy to shop for the German-built Arteon. You pick which of the three trims you’d like, and that’s about it. There are no additional option packages available, and the only individual options are upgraded paint and 20-inch wheels for the SEL R-Line trim.

The Volkswagen Arteon has a new engine for 2022. It’s still a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, but now it makes more power and torque than the outgoing engine. It’s linked to a 7-speed automatic transmission with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. Premium gas is recommended for peak performance but not required.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
300 horsepower @ 5,350 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24 mpg/34 mpg (FWD), 22 mpg/30 mpg (AWD)