2020 Volkswagen Arteon Review: Easy Business (2023)

2020 Volkswagen Arteon Review: Easy Business

by Michael Butler

The executive sedan, a species that's facing imminent extinction, might have found an unlikely ally: the humble hatchback. The answer to saving the executive lies in combining the elegance of the sedan body style, with the practical liftgate featured on the hatchback. Manufacturers have started calling them sportbacks, and we think this amalgam might just be the thing that saves this class. The Volkswagen Arteon is a fine example of the modern sportback - it looks good from every angle, but offers tons of trunk space thanks to the flappy bit on the back. With 268 horsepower under the hood and a relaxed suspension setup, the Arteon is far from being a sports car, but it doesn't have to be; it does relaxed driving so good that you'll forget about hitting the inside line on that next corner. The Arteon goes up against the likes of Korea's Kia Stinger in the USA.

Pros and Cons

What's the Price of the 2020 Volkswagen Arteon?

With four trim levels to choose from, the 2020 VW Arteon has something for most tastes and budgets. The SE starts off with a base price of $35,995. Going for the 4Motion AWD version will set you back an additional $1,900. The SEL has an MSRP of $39,995, or $41,895 for the 4Motion AWD version, and the R-Line version will cost you $41,745, or $43,645 for the AWD car. The top of the range SEL Premium R-Line goes for $47,695. Since there are no real options on offer, you won't pay much more than what you see here. The Volkswagen Arteon's prices are exclusive of the $1,020 destination fee.

Best Deals on 2020 Volkswagen Arteon

2020 Volkswagen Arteon Trims

See trim levels and configurations:

Handling and Driving Impressions

As with the powertrain, the chassis and suspension setup is tuned for comfort rather than for a full-blown sporty experience, and it works well with the relaxed attitude of the rest of the car. VW has combined the MQB platform with a set of adaptive dampers that can automatically adjust to your driving style. We found that this system would stiffen up slightly under hard cornering, but never to the extent that we'd like, so it would be best to manually adjust this system to your choice by selecting comfort, normal or sport mode. Whatever the setting, the driving experience is predictable and feels surefooted overall, especially in AWD configuration. In a way, it reminds us of the Golf GTI, but with a touch less directness. Steering is on the lighter side, and there's minimal feedback through the steering wheel, but the Arteon can be placed with reasonable accuracy through a set of corners.

Verdict: Is the New VW Arteon A Good Sedan?

Car lovers and car drivers alike are getting used to the thought of luxury compact crossover SUVs and cars that can drive themselves on the highway, but are they ready for luxury hatchback sedans? Audi and Kia have proven that it works exceptionally well, so VW has put its own horse in the race. The 2020 Arteon is a slick-looking executive sportback with a handsome face and a practical behind. We think VW has done an excellent job of shaping the hatch with the rest of the car, and with the R-Line exterior package fitted, it looks downright sporty. The same can't be said for the way it drives: forget about GTI levels of performance here. The Arteon is more of a comfortable cruiser with just enough power to get by. The interior is on the reserved side, but there's tons of space everywhere, and the build quality is up there with the best. Accept it for what it is, and the Arteon will make an excellent driving partner.

What 2020 Volkswagen Arteon Model Should I Buy?

With four trims on offer, it shouldn't take new buyers too long to find the perfect match, but we've got one specific model in mind that offers a good balance between price and how much it offers in terms of features and looks. If we were the ones buying, we'd go with the SEL R-Line, the middle child of the 2020 Arteon lineup. The SEL R-Line shares its 268 hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine with the rest of the Arteon range and puts its power down on all four wheels. Features carried over from the SEL includes remote start, Nappa leather seats, as well as a driver's seat memory function. The SEL R-Line adds that cool-looking R-Line steering wheel with paddle shifters, the R-Line interior kit with blacked-out headliner and stainless steel door sills, as well as the exterior body kit that adds glossy black front and rear fascias and R-Line badging.

2020 Volkswagen Arteon vs Kia Stinger

The Kia Stinger is one of the first executives to introduce the sportback body design, which at the time seemed like a bit of a weird combination, but ask Stinger owners what they think of that rear liftgate, and you won't be able to shut them up. Not only is the Stinger a pretty and practical thing, but it's also quite entertaining to drive, and comes with an impressive range of engine options. For this comparison, we'll only mention the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four motor producing 255 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, which might be less than you get in the Arteon, but feels happier to be pushed. Fuel economy figures are also similar. On the road, the Stinger is a pleasure to drive, and while it might not be as comfortable at cruising speed, it sure is more engaging to pilot. The interior is more emotive, but can't match the Arteon's build quality. Trunk and cargo space is also slightly less. We think it offers great value for money; we just wish more people realized how good it is. Give us the Stinger.

2020 Volkswagen Arteon vs Audi A5 Sportback

Audi is one of the bigger ambassadors for the sportback body style in the US, and the A5 Sportback is a perfect example of why this body style just works. Sure, most people won't be able to tell the difference between the A5 and its A4 and A6 siblings, but this sedan/coupe looking thing has its own personality, pros, and cons. Under the hood of the 45 TFSI quattro lies a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that manages a total of 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The A5 lays down the power more aggressively, and feels like a more sporty car, even when driving at a relaxed pace. The interior of the Audi shares its demure styling with the Arteon, but it comes across as a more premium space. We think the A5 has one of the best infotainment systems in its class. It's a beautiful thing to drive and looks great from any angle. Give us the A5.

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