2019 Volkswagen Arteon
Can this new “Four-Door Coupe” stand out when all sedans now have this style?
By Cherise Threewitt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | Feb 2018
Among the handful of new model unveilings at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, the Volkswagen Arteon was among the most anticipated. The Arteon is the key to both VW’s design evolution and value proposition at a critical juncture for the brand. We were on hand for the Arteon’s official reveal and got a close-up look at this new flagship. Here are the details on the all-new VW Arteon.
What is this vehicle?
The Arteon is Volkswagen’s newest entry to the entry luxury midsize segment, intended to be the brand’s “halo car” and a “spiritual successor” to the CC. Though the Arteon is billed as a replacement for the CC, it’s quite a bit larger. The body is longer and wider, anchored by a wheelbase that is more than 5 inches longer than the CC. Volkswagen says the Arteon is “a true fastback,” due to its sloping rear roofline, but this car is functionally a midsize sedan, and that’s where it will compete.
Who is this vehicle for?
If you are planning to buy a midsize car in the near future, the Arteon is worth a look. Since VW hasn’t yet provided pricing, it’s tough to compare the Arteon to specific competitors, but we know the Arteon is designed to provide European styling and high-end amenities at a sub-luxury price.
If you are a fan of the Volkswagen brand and hope the company can rebuild its damaged reputation, the Arteon (along with the new Atlas SUV) is the flagship vehicle that can help accomplish that goal in the higher priced segments. And, if you’re a buyer who just wants a good deal on a new midsize car, the Arteon is a stylish and well-rounded vehicle that will probably meet your needs.
Why is this vehicle important to you, the buyer?
The Arteon comes standard with a long list of features that are optional on many competing vehicles, such as stylish 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and an adaptive suspension system. We don’t yet know the price of the base Arteon, but this car is designed to look and feel upscale no matter the trim level.
Power is supplied by the brand’s 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI engine, making 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and most significantly the renowned VW 4Motion all-wheel drive system is available. We know many midsize sedan owners want to have the all-wheel drive option, and this is one of the few non-luxury brands to offer it on a midsize sedan.
Synthetic leather upholstery and heated front seats come standard, along with keyless entry, push-button start, 3-zone climate control, and the Volkswagen Car-Net infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen. MirrorLink, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration are included, along with a blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert.
Available advanced active safety features include an overhead view camera, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, park assist, park distance control, lane departure warning, and high beam control. Automatic post-collision braking, another advanced safety feature, is an exclusive in the class.
Interior options include heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, driver’s seat memory settings, massaging driver’s seat, Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, interior ambient lighting, and a hands-free trunk lid.
Interesting facts about this vehicle!
The Arteon is based on VW’s MQB platform, which stands for “Modular Transverse Matrix.”
The Arteon is built in Emden, Germany.
The name “Arteon” is a combination of the words “art” and “eon.” Some at Volkswagen have said it stands for “supreme deity.”
The use of “Arteon” as a name departs from the usual naming convention used by VW over the past decade or so, where names have been inspired by things like winds (Scirocco, Golf, Passat), goddesses (Eos), and even an ethic group from the Sahara Desert (Touareg).
What Impressed Us / Top Likes:
1 – VW claims the Arteon has the best warranty in its class, offering 6 years or 72,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage, which can be transferred to subsequent owners. This is a smart move to help rebuild consumers’ trust in the wake of the Dieselgate scandal.
2 – The use of a large “hatch” on the rear of this sedan is unique. While Buick also has a new model like this, it is unusual, but very interesting in the amount of storage (55 cu. ft. approximately with seats down) and access to the storage that it allows.
3 – The Volkswagen Digital Cockpit is one of the most upscale options available with the Arteon. This is a configurable display that lets the driver choose which data to prioritize. Not only is the Digital Cockpit functional and fun to use, it’s unlike anything else available in this segment, and instead feels like it belongs in a high-performance luxury car.
4 – The 4Motion all-wheel drive system is available on every trim level, including the base model. Though several competitors offer AWD, in most cases, it’s available only as an option on top-end trims.
Items to Make Better (Least Favorite Things):
1 – This is a minor quibble, but the “four-door coupe” descriptor is tired. The midsize car market isn’t doing very well and it’s understandable that automakers don’t want to burden new vehicles with the “sedan” name, but no one is fooled by this terminology anymore. This complaint has nothing to do with the Arteon’s actual design, just how VW chooses to describe it. There could be more advanced or creative ways to describe this unique packaging to resonate with consumers – and explain its benefits.
2 – The TSI is a good engine, but a choice of powertrains would be nice for the upscale buyers.
Segment and Competitors:
The leading entry-lux Midsize Cars with hatches facing the Arteon are:
- Buick Regal Sportback
- BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
- Audi A5 Sportback
We can’t overlook the Compact and Midsize SUV categories, either, due to similar price points and the same entry-luxury content. These vehicles are booming in popularity thanks to their family-friendly interiors, flexible space accommodations, and value-oriented price points.
Unique Specifications:
As of this writing, the Arteon has not yet appeared on Volkswagen’s official website. For other specifications and equipment go to: https://media.vw.com/releases/981
or www.Car-ED.com and see if the Arteon or other midsize vehicles best connect to you.
Pricing and Availability:
The Arteon is scheduled to arrive at dealerships in the third quarter of 2018. Volkswagen has not yet revealed pricing information, except to say it’ll be “about the price of a fully loaded midsize sedan,” which means near the low to mid $30,000s to start.