Volkswagen Arteon Review

Gumtree Rating

4.5 rating

Even looking from a distance, it’s easy to tell the Arteon is Volkswagen’s flagship design. This five-door executive saloon that was first launched in 2017 has striking looks that promise luxury – and it delivers too, with a stunningly classy interior and all of the latest tech on board. There’s room to stretch out and it’s set up to allow for a relaxed driving style. That way you can reach your destination with minimum hassle, whether it’s a conference or a weekend getaway. Choose from capable petrol or diesel engines, as well as multiple trim options and an estate model.

Take a look at the Volkswagen Arteon model page to learn more.

What we think about the Volkswagen Arteon

This powerful executive saloon is a great option if you’re after a way to travel in style. It offers smooth journeys and a range of efficient engine options.

Pros

+

Range-topping safety kit

+

Loads of space

+

Eye-catching looks

Cons

Not a very engaging driving experience

Automatic ‘boxes aren’t very smooth

The VW Arteon is a super-stylish saloon with plenty of space for five. Petrol, diesel and hybrid options are available, with manual or automatic transmissions to choose from, and there are three trim levels in the latest line-up: Elegance, R-Line and the powerful R. There’s also an estate version, the Shooting Brake. A whole host of assistance tech and a gorgeous interior make driving and travelling a relaxing experience for all.

Driving performance of the Volkswagen Arteon

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

If you’re often headed out on longer trips, the Arteon is a good bet. Contrary to its sporty looks, it’s tuned to allow for a fairly relaxed driving style that’ll reduce seemingly endless motorway stretches by a surprising amount. Volkswagen has included all of the latest driver assistance tech to make trips in the Arteon as seamless as possible. As standard, you’ll get adaptive cruise control and kit to help you stay in lane. To make it even more versatile, opt for the adaptive suspension that lets you create your own driving modes.

Safety and reliability of the Volkswagen Arteon

Our Safety Rating9 / 10

With five out of five stars from Euro NCAP in 2017 and a whole host of the latest active safety kit, the Arteon is set up to protect you from just about anything. As well as autonomous emergency braking, you’ll get assistance with staying in lane, speed, traffic jams and checking blind spots. There’s also Emergency Assist 2.0, a system that can detect driver alertness levels. It’ll start with warning sounds and lights to keep you more alert, and can progress to using the lane assist features and cruise control to move the car into the nearside lane and get you safely off the road. Of course, it also comes with Volkswagen’s great reputation for build quality and reliability.

Under the bonnet of the Volkswagen Arteon

Our Engine Rating8 / 10

There are a few different options to pick from when it comes to Arteon engines. At the bottom end of the scale, there’s a 2.0-litre diesel capable of 148 bhp with a 0-60 time of 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 138 mph. The most powerful option is a 2.0-litre 187 bhp petrol model that can do 0-60 in just 5.6 seconds and is electronically limited to a top speed of 155 mph. In between these two are three other petrol and diesel options. All models are available with seven-speed DSG automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive, and all but the fastest petrol can be had with a six-speed manual gearbox too.

What you'll find in the Volkswagen Arteon

Our Design Rating8 / 10

At 4862mm long, the Arteon is big enough to have real presence, whether on the road or in a car park. It’s extravagantly styled, with a small rear spoiler and noticeable shoulders. All models come with a full set of LED headlights. 180-inch alloy wheels are standard too but can be swapped for 19-inch or 20-inch options. There are eight colours to choose from including reds and yellows as well as an optional metallic finish.

Comfort and interiors in the Volkswagen Arteon

Our Comfort Rating8 / 10

Just like on the outside, the Arteon’s interior is strikingly good-looking. Leather seats are standard and pillarless doors give it a modern, classy feel. There’s plenty of legroom front and back, and the rear seat is big enough to carry three adults comfortably, or give two plenty of space to stretch out. A large square opening and low-loading lip mean the boot is easy to access. At a huge 563 litres, there’s space in there for overnight bags, golf clubs or anything else you can think of, really.

red volkswagen arteon interior dashboard

What features you'll find in the Volkswagen Arteon

Our Features Rating8 / 10

Volkswagen has pulled out all the stops for their flagship model. Expect an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity and seamless use via the VW Media Control app. Eight-speaker surround sound is also standard, as well as a 12.3-inch digital instrument display that’s crisp and easy to read. New buyers can also add a bigger infotainment screen with gesture control and a sixteen-speaker system. For optimum comfort, go for a model with the massage front seats, heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof too.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Volkswagen Arteon

Our Fuel Consumption Rating7 / 10

The most efficient Arteon is the 148-bhp 2.0-litre diesel, promising 53 mpg and 112 g/km of carbon dioxide emissions with a manual gearbox or 118 g/km with automatic transmission. At the other end of the spectrum, the range-topping 2.0-litre petrol capable of 276 bhp claims a reasonable 38.7 mpg and 164 g/km of emissions. How much carbon dioxide your Arteon emits is only tied to engine power – switching up the trim level or wheel size won’t make a difference.

Running costs of the Volkswagen Arteon

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

Its range of powerful engines and status as a flagship executive saloon put the Arteon into insurance groups 22-32. Exactly which group a model lands in will depend on the trim level and engine spec. Although this isn’t cheap, insuring an Arteon is likely to be a lot more affordable than many other premium-brand executive cars. On top of that, Volkswagen servicing is competitively priced and usually easy to arrange.

Our verdict of the Volkswagen Arteon

4.5 rating

4.5 / 5 Gumtree rating

For a spacious and capable executive saloon, the Volkswagen Arteon is a good bet. It's brimming with style and is great for relaxed driving that still gets you there quickly.