The 2019 Volkswagen Arteon: A Comprehensive Review of 

Introduction: Volkswagen's Premium Aspirations

After what seemed like an interminable wait for American auto enthusiasts, the 2019 Volkswagen Arteon finally made its stateside debut following its successful European introduction. This stylish four-door fastback represents Volkswagen's ambitious attempt to bridge the gap between mainstream sedans and luxury offerings, positioning itself as a compelling alternative to premium brands without the associated price premium.

The Arteon made its first appearance at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, showcasing U.S.-spec vehicles that featured subtle but important differences from their European counterparts in terms of materials, features, and compliance with American regulations. As the spiritual successor to the Volkswagen CC, the Arteon builds upon its predecessor's design philosophy while addressing its practical shortcomings, creating a vehicle that balances head-turning aesthetics with everyday usability.

Exterior Design: Standing Out From the Crowd

While Volkswagen already offered the Passat in its lineup, the Arteon exists in an entirely different design universe. Where the Passat embraces conservative anonymity, the Arteon exudes confidence and style with its low-slung fastback profile, pronounced character lines, and sophisticated presence. The design maintains the CC's elegant fastback silhouette but refines it with contemporary elements that give the Arteon a distinctive identity.

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The front fascia features a wide, chrome-accented grille that seamlessly integrates with standard LED headlights, creating a visually wide and planted stance. This design element proves both striking and potentially problematic—for residents of states requiring front license plates, the placement may disrupt the grille's aesthetic harmony. The Arteon's profile is characterized by a long hood, flowing roofline, and taut surfaces, while the rear showcases elegant LED taillights and subtle badging that emphasize its premium aspirations.

Design Comparisons to Luxury Competitors

The Arteon's design language invites inevitable comparisons to more expensive luxury vehicles, particularly the Audi A5 Sportback and A7. This association is intentional and reflects Volkswagen's strategy to position the Arteon as a more accessible alternative to these premium models. The shared design philosophy isn't coincidental—Volkswagen Group's design language often trickles down from Audi to Volkswagen, allowing the Arteon to benefit from styling cues typically reserved for more expensive vehicles.

Practical Improvements Over the CC

Volkswagen clearly learned from the CC's practical limitations, particularly regarding cargo access. Where the CC featured a traditional trunk with a small opening that complicated loading larger items, the Arteon adopts a top-hinged liftgate (power-operated on higher trims) that dramatically improves usability. This design provides a large, convenient opening that makes the Arteon surprisingly practical for a vehicle with such dramatic styling.

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Interior Appointments and Comfort

The Arteon's interior represents a significant step up from mainstream Volkswagen offerings, with materials and finishes that approach near-luxury standards. In top-tier SEL Premium trim, the cabin features Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with an impressive massage function for the driver, and thoughtful details that elevate the overall experience.

Despite the Arteon's sleek exterior dimensions being only marginally larger than the CC it replaces, the 5-inch wheelbase extension pays significant dividends for passenger comfort, particularly in the rear seating area. Clever design solutions, including strategic indentations in the roof lining, ensure that rear passengers enjoy surprising headroom despite the dramatically sloping roofline. Legroom is equally generous, allowing the Arteon to comfortably accommodate adults in all seating positions—a rarity in vehicles with such pronounced fastback styling.

Material Quality and Attention to Detail

Unlike many vehicles that prioritize front-seat materials while cutting corners in rear accommodations, the Arteon maintains consistent quality throughout the cabin. Soft-touch materials, thoughtful padding, and precision fit-and-finish create an environment that feels special regardless of where passengers sit. The dashboard design follows Volkswagen's typically clean, driver-focused layout with intuitive controls and high-quality switchgear that operates with satisfying precision.

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Technology and Infotainment Systems

The Arteon features Volkswagen's latest infotainment technology, centered around an standard 8-inch touchscreen display that strikes an ideal balance between digital sophistication and user-friendly operation. The system retains physical knobs for volume and tuning—a welcome feature that many manufacturers have unfortunately abandoned in favor of all-touch interfaces that prove distracting while driving.

Volkswagen's latest generation of infotainment systems rank among the best in the mainstream segment, with bright, crisp displays, logical menu structures, and responsive touch sensitivity. The interface minimizes distraction while providing comprehensive functionality, including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration that allows seamless smartphone connectivity.

Charging and Connectivity Limitations

If the Arteon's technology package has an notable shortcoming, it's the somewhat limited charging options for rear-seat passengers. While front occupants benefit from two USB ports, those in the rear must make do with a single 12-volt power point located behind the center storage bin—an inconvenience in an era when multiple devices often require simultaneous charging.

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Visibility and Driving Position

Despite its low roofline and coupe-like styling, the Arteon offers surprisingly good visibility for a vehicle in this segment. The rear glass is substantial, and the carefully positioned side mirrors and window lines provide decent sightlines over both shoulders. The driving position is typically Volkswagen—excellent adjustability allows most drivers to find their ideal position, with supportive seats that maintain comfort on longer journeys.

One notable visibility challenge involves judging the front corners of the vehicle, as the hood slopes away dramatically from the cabin, making its extremities difficult to place. This becomes particularly relevant when parking nose-in to spaces, where the lack of reference points might make drivers nervous about contacting obstacles. Unfortunately, front parking sensors are only available as part of the Park Assist system, which is exclusive to the top SEL Premium trim—a curious omission for a vehicle with premium aspirations.

Safety Innovations: The Reactive Hood System

The 2019 Arteon marked an important safety milestone as Volkswagen's first U.S. vehicle equipped with an active pedestrian protection system featuring a reactive hood. This innovative safety technology utilizes sensors in the front bumper to distinguish between impacts with vehicles and pedestrians. When a pedestrian collision is detected at speeds between 15-35 mph (typical urban driving speeds), small pyrotechnic charges at the hood hinges deploy, lifting the rear of the hood approximately 2 inches.

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This seemingly minimal elevation creates crucial deformation space between the hood surface and hard engine components underneath, significantly reducing the severity of pedestrian head injuries in the event of a collision. The system represents Volkswagen's commitment to incorporating advanced safety technology that protects not just vehicle occupants, but all road users.

Additional Safety Features

Beyond the innovative pedestrian protection system, the Arteon offers a comprehensive suite of standard and available safety technologies, including forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. These features position the Arteon competitively in its segment and demonstrate Volkswagen's increased focus on safety across its model range.

Performance and Driving Dynamics

Under the hood, the Arteon features a familiar Volkswagen Group powerplant: the turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI four-cylinder engine, producing 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This proven powerplant delivers strong acceleration and responsive performance across a wide rev range, making the Arteon surprisingly quick for a vehicle of its size and positioning.

Specification	Details
Engine	2.0L Turbocharged TSI 4-cylinder
Horsepower	268 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft @ 1,950 rpm
Transmission	8-speed automatic
0-60 mph	6.2 seconds (estimated)

Power reaches the front wheels (with 4Motion all-wheel drive available on higher trims) through an 8-speed automatic transmission that provides smooth, timely shifts. The Arteon features a standard adaptive damping system that allows drivers to adjust suspension firmness based on driving conditions and preferences, offering a range from compliant comfort to firm sportiness.

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Real-World Driving Impressions

On the road, the Arteon delivers a refined, comfortable driving experience that emphasizes isolation from road imperfections without completely eliminating driver engagement. The steering provides appropriate weight and reasonable feedback, while body control remains composed through corners. The powertrain delivers strong real-world performance, with responsive acceleration that makes passing and merging effortless. Road and wind noise are well-suppressed, contributing to the Arteon's premium ambiance.

Market Positioning and Competitor Analysis

The Arteon occupies a unique position in the automotive landscape, positioned above mainstream midsize sedans but below luxury offerings. This positioning creates an interesting value proposition for buyers seeking premium attributes without the associated luxury brand premium.

The Arteon's most direct competitors include the Audi A5 Sportback, Kia Stinger, and to a lesser extent, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. Each of these vehicles offers a similar blend of style and practicality, though with different emphasis on luxury, performance, or value. The Arteon distinguishes itself with its particularly generous passenger space, distinctive styling, and Volkswagen's reputation for solid build quality.

Ownership Experience and Value Proposition

The Arteon presents a compelling value equation for discerning buyers who prioritize design, space, and features over brand prestige. Standard equipment levels are generous, with even base models including advanced infotainment, dual-zone climate control, and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features.

Volkswagen's warranty coverage includes:

• 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty
• 3-year/36,000-mile scheduled maintenance
• 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty
• 12-year unlimited-mileage corrosion perforation warranty

Predicted reliability scores for the Arteon align with other Volkswagen models, which have shown improvement in recent years but still trail segment leaders from Japanese manufacturers. Long-term ownership costs should be reasonable for the segment, though potentially higher than mainstream sedans due to more complex features and technology.

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Criticisms and Areas for Improvement

While the Arteon impressively executes its mission as a style-forward, practical sedan, several areas could benefit from refinement in future iterations:

Powertrain Options

The single available engine, while competent, leaves the Arteon without a true performance variant to compete with sportier offerings in the segment. The absence of a V6 or high-output four-cylinder option limits the Arteon's appeal to driving enthusiasts who might otherwise be attracted to its styling.

Charging Infrastructure

As previously noted, the limited charging options for rear-seat passengers seems an oversight in an increasingly connected world where multiple devices often require power simultaneously.

Standard Features Distribution

Some desirable features, including front parking sensors and the premium audio system, are restricted to the top trim level, forcing buyers to choose between budget constraints and desired equipment.

The Future of the Arteon and Volkswagen's Direction

The Arteon represents an important model in Volkswagen's ongoing brand elevation strategy, demonstrating the company's ability to produce vehicles that challenge luxury marques while maintaining Volkswagen's value positioning. As the automotive industry continues evolving toward crossovers and electrification, the Arteon's role as a flagship sedan becomes increasingly important for maintaining brand identity and showcasing Volkswagen's design and engineering capabilities.

Future iterations of the Arteon will likely incorporate electrified powertrains, possibly including hybrid or fully electric variants that align with Volkswagen's substantial investments in electric vehicle technology. These developments may address the current model's limited powertrain options while further enhancing performance and efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Volkswagen Arteon differ from the Passat?

The Arteon and Passat share the same platform but differ significantly in design, positioning, and features. The Arteon features a dramatic fastback design, more powerful standard engine, higher-quality materials, and more advanced standard technology compared to the more conservative, value-focused Passat.

Is the Volkswagen Arteon available with all-wheel drive?

Yes, the Arteon offers 4Motion all-wheel drive as an available feature on higher trim levels. The system provides enhanced traction in adverse weather conditions while maintaining the Arteon's refined driving character.

How practical is the Arteon compared to traditional sedans?

Despite its coupe-like styling, the Arteon offers exceptional practicality with generous rear seat space and a useful liftgate design that provides easier access to the cargo area than many traditional trunk designs.

What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Volkswagen Arteon?

The front-wheel drive Arteon achieves an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, while the 4Motion all-wheel drive model returns 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.

How does the Arteon's pricing compare to similar vehicles?

With a starting price around $36,840, the Arteon positions itself between mainstream sedans and luxury offerings, providing premium features and design at a more accessible price point than competitors like the Audi A5 Sportback.

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