Volkswagen Arteon 2021 Review

Volkswagen has doubled down on its flagship sedan, the Arteon, this year with a thorough styling refresh and the installation of a new infotainment system. It offers style and a driving experience not found in the Passat, as well as enough premium equipment to put it in close competition with some BMWs and Audis. And thanks to its sedan/hatchback body style, the Arteon has a cavernous cargo capacity.

With all the premium features available on the Arteon, it might seem only natural to cross-shop it against something like an Audi A5 Sportback. But it'd be better to check out the Honda Accord. It serves up similar refinement, power and interior room for thousands of dollars less. And Kia's Stinger, another sedan/hatchback combination, offers a more powerful engine option with improved driving dynamics as well as available all-wheel drive. Still, there's enough good here to warrant a second look. Read our Expert Rating on the updated Arteon to learn more.

Which Arteon does MatoCar recommend?

The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon is a coupe-like midsize sedan sold in three trims: SE, SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line. All are powered by a 268-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine that's paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on SE and SEL R-Line models. All-wheel drive is standard on the SEL Premium R-Line and available on the SEL R-Line. Feature highlights include:

SE The SE is nicely equipped with:

• 18-inch wheels
• Adaptive suspension dampers
• LED headlights
• Keyless entry and ignition
• Heated front seats
• Simulated leather upholstery
• Tri-zone climate control
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Digital instrument panel
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
• Eight-speaker audio system
• In-car Wi-Fi hotspot

The Arteon SE also comes with a handful of advanced safety features, including:

• Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front and can automatically apply the brakes if a collision is imminent)
• Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
• Rear cross-traffic alert (alerts you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)

SEL R-Line Adds sporty styling enhancements and extra features, including:

• 19-inch wheels
• Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
• Stylish body kit
• Shift paddles
• Panoramic sunroof
• Leather seating surfaces
• Adjustable ambient interior lighting
• Remote engine start
• Wireless charging
• Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
• Blind-spot monitoring with intervention (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot and will automatically steer the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the Arteon back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front and can also react to traffic signs and set speed)

SEL Premium R-Line This top-of-the-line trim is equipped with everything above, plus:

• 20-inch wheels
• Heated steering wheel
• Ventilated front seats
• Massaging driver's seat
• Heated rear seats
• Rear-seat climate control
• Rear-seat USB-C charge port
• 360-degree parking camera (gives you a top-down view of the VW and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Power cargo hatch with hands-free capability
• Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
• Harman Kardon premium sound system
• Full-size spare tire