2023 Volkswagen Arteon

Price Range: $43,010 - $50,175 ^{Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.}

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The Volkswagen Arteon boasts a sleek exterior design and a spacious and modern interior. Couple that with comfortable seats, lots of cargo capacity and refined handling and you have a compelling — though not inexpensive — choice for a midsize sedan.

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2023 Volkswagen Arteon Review

byClint Simone^{Senior Reviews Editor
Clint Simone has worked in the automotive industry since 2015. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Before joining Edmunds as a senior reviews editor, Clint contributed to Motor1.com and InsideEVs, evaluating mostly electric cars. Clint loves hot hatchbacks more than any other type of vehicle but secretly enjoys driving big trucks when he gets the chance. He would never admit to that.}

Pros

Sleek, artful design
Sporty acceleration and handling
Impressive cargo space
Extensive available technology and luxury features

Cons

Poor outward visibility
Sometimes unresponsive touchscreen infotainment

What's new

Additional standard features on entry-level trim
Part of the first Arteon generation introduced for 2019

Overview

The Arteon has never caught traction in the U.S. market like Volkswagen wanted it to, but the sedan continues forward for the 2023 model year with some updates. VW added more standard equipment to the base SE R-Line trim, including adaptive LED headlights, a front grille-integrated lightbar and a power liftgate. These changes accompany those from last year's model, which brought some powertrain upgrades.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon SE R-Line 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$194/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Like last year, the 2023 Arteon is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder putting out 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels as standard or all four wheels if optioned. The new powertrain sourced from the Golf R makes the Arteon more lively to drive than before.

Beyond the fresh hardware under the hood, the Arteon is a practical, comfortable sedan with lots of space in the trunk thanks to its liftback design. This makes it a viable alternative to the Audi A5 hatchback and Kia Stinger, both of which offer similar luxuries and performance. Like the Stinger, the Arteon may soon have its curtain call, so if you're clamoring for one now might be the time. Check out our test team's Expert Rating below for more information on the Arteon's hits and misses.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.8

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.0/10

How does the Arteon drive? The latest VW Arteon is pretty quick thanks to its 300-horsepower engine. Our test car accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds, which is similar to sport-oriented sedans such as the Kia K5 GT. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission shifts quickly and unobtrusively.

The Arteon's steering is nicely weighted and communicative. In the Comfort or Normal driving mode, there's noticeable body roll when driving around turns. Switching to Sport really tightens up handling, and the Arteon's all-wheel-drive system does a good job of helping the car accelerate out of turns. The Arteon is more planted and stable when pushed than most midsize competitors.

Comfort

8.0/10

How comfortable is the Arteon? For the most part, the Arteon is a quiet, comfortable midsize sedan. The front seats are nicely shaped and have a decent amount of cushion and support. As for ride quality, the Arteon feels comfortable and in control. Driving over large bumps or broken pavement can be disruptive, however.

The standard three-zone climate control and rear air vents keep air circulated throughout the cabin and passengers happy, but the touch controls require more concentration to push than we prefer. Another concern is that the standard seats don't breathe much, so hot days create a swampy effect unless you opt for the top-of-the-line trim with ventilated seats.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Save as much as $4,310 with Edmunds ^{Click on the model you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal.}

2023 Volkswagen Arteon pricing

in Columbus, OH

Edmunds suggests you pay

Build & Price

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? Like most midsize sedans, the Volkswagen Arteon features a roomy cabin with plenty of legroom all around. However, headroom is limited for taller folks and the rear outboard seats feel a bit overbolstered. As you'd expect, the rakish roofline also reduces rear headroom. The Arteon's low-slung stance can also pose a challenge when getting in and out, and it limits rear visibility.

Most of the primary controls are easy to use, and VW's updated digital information screen is straightforward. The infotainment menus are a bit more cluttered and could be easier to navigate, but finding the primary controls you need isn't a problem.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? The Arteon's tech offerings include a digital gauge cluster (VW's Digital Cockpit) and an 8-inch infotainment screen that is stylish and easy to read. It has a few neat tricks up its sleeve such as hiding lesser-used controls when your finger moves away from the screen. You also have the option to integrate the navigation map into the digital instrument panel. The system's voice controls work well and can understand some natural speech requests. Integrating your smartphone to the touchscreen is easy by way of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

We like the smooth and nonintrusive operation of most of the Arteon's advanced driver aids. The only exception is the adaptive cruise control system, which can be slow to accelerate after the car ahead pulls away.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? The Arteon's hatchback design makes it easy to load in a lot of stuff. The sizable hatch frame opens to 27.2 cubic feet of space, dwarfing the cargo holds of just about every other competitor. Unfortunately, storage for small items is lacking. The cupholders are decently sized, but the center armrest bin is shallow, the phone cubby is small and hard to get to, and we couldn't fit the vehicle manual in the glovebox.

As with most midsize sedans, it's easy to fit a car seat in the back. Ample room means front passengers don't have to scoot up, and car seat anchors are easily accessible behind covers. But the sloping roof might make it tough to attach a car seat to the upper tether points.

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The all-wheel-drive Arteon posts an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined. The front-wheel-drive model is at 28 mpg combined. That's decent considering the car's power, but in our time with the all-wheel-drive Arteon, we achieved 29.1 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation loop. That's an impressive overachievement.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Arteon a good value? The Arteon is a pricey car, but the cost is justified if you're looking for a powerful, well-equipped premium sedan without paying extra for the luxury badge. The interior materials and trim look and feel upscale with contrasting elements and impressive integration of the tech features. It's also one of the few midsize sedans to offer all-wheel drive as an option.

Volkswagen offers basic and powertrain warranties for four years/50,000 miles. That's better coverage than most other automakers provide, but the powertrain coverage is a bit shorter. VW also includes the first two years of scheduled maintenance for free.

Wildcard

8.5/10

The Arteon has always had a bit more style than power, lacking the thrust and enjoyment that come with a powerful engine. The new 300-horsepower powerplant changes the Arteon's personality significantly, making it feel and drive much more like a baby Audi. Inside, the modern and upscale interior keeps pace with the Arteon's slightly elevated price tag, giving the VW a more premium feel than some of its competitors.

Which Arteon does Edmunds recommend?

While the recent updates have made every Arteon trim a more appealing proposition, our favorite is the SEL R-Line. It comes with bigger 20-inch wheels that look more premium, along with a nicer interior including real leather seating surfaces and a panoramic sunroof.

Volkswagen Arteon models

Sized to easily accommodate a family of four, the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon is available in SE R-Line, SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line trim levels. Each one has a 300-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The SE R-Line has front-wheel drive, while the SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line have standard all-wheel drive. Highlights from the standard equipment lists include:

SE R-Line
The SE R-Line includes many features, such as:

18-inch alloy wheels
Adaptive suspension dampers
Illuminated front grille light bar
Power liftgate
Adaptive LED headlights
Keyless entry and ignition
Three-zone climate control
Heated steering wheel
Digital instrument cluster
Synthetic leather upholstery
Power-adjustable front seats
Heated front seats
8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
Satellite radio
In-car Wi-Fi hotspot
Wireless charging pad

The Arteon SE R-Line also comes with several driver assist features, including:

Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)

SEL R-Line
Besides standard all-wheel drive, the SEL R-Line has:

20-inch alloy wheels
Automatic high-beam headlights
Panoramic sunroof
Leather upholstery
30-color ambient lighting
Remote engine start

Starting with SEL R-Line trim, the Arteon includes the full collection of IQ.Drive safety features. This package includes:

Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)
Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Volkswagen and the car in front and can also react to traffic signs and set speed)

SEL Premium R-Line
The top-of-the-line version of the Arteon includes everything above, plus:

Heated steering wheel
Ventilated front seats
Massaging driver's seat
Rear-seat climate controls
Heated rear seats
Rear USB-C charge port
Harman Kardon premium sound system
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Arteon and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)

Volkswagen Arteon Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.1

27 reviews

5(59%)

4(14%)

3(16%)

2(4%)

1(7%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Wow. This is a sleeper GEM

J Brown, 08/09/2021

2021 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Was looking for a decent sedan in an ever decreasing sedan market. So glad I noticed the Volkswagen Arteon. Its about the only sedan in the current market climate that is still heavily incentivized, still offering 72 months 0 % interest financing. It is a hatchback, but you would never know from the outside. 265 horsepower and loaded with tech ( True Drive assist) , full digital dash, …

Just what we were looking for

Will Gessner, 07/30/2021

2021 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

I read a million reviews on the Arteon before purchasing it this week. The main complaint that came through those reviews is that the car doesn’t handle sharp enough or accelerate enough with blistering speed. Ok maybe so when compared to a V6 Audi or the like but enough is plenty enough. I put 1,000 miles on it this first week. It’s a great highway cruiser and handles nicely on back …

A German Touring Sedan As The New RoadMaster?

Scott in PA, 08/09/2022

2021 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

This is one fine piece of machinery. From the nicely-weighted door-closing thunk to the integration of high tech features, the driving experience ticks all the right boxes. It is not a sports sedan, but it is not sedate. It's not a canyon carver, but you'll exit your apex with confidence as you search for the next one. And all this with a cavernous hatchback area that swallows up cargo … on par with SUV's and station wagons. I have the line-topping SEL-P R-Line AWD. The Good Interior Seats: on the same par as my Audi A8. Comfortable, supportive, infinitely adjustable and ventilated. Nice Nappa leather. Excellent contour. HVAC is exceptional. Recent 2500 mile trip to FL and hardly ever had to adjust the temperature. Fan does not blow excessively high on start-up, and the cabin maintains its temperature. Windows: there is no wind thump when you roll one down at speed. Nice! Dash: Not as gimmicky as the A5, much friendlier than the Volvo, and visually a delight to look at. The high degree of customization will ensure you find the right combination of what you want to see. Easily adapted for long-tripping, ripping around town, or visiting Grandma. Learning curve a bit steeper than you'd like. Engine/Transmission I have not wanted for power, although who wouldn't want more? The Edmunds ding on slow downshifts is NOT justified. If you are in Eco mode, of course you have to stabby stabby the accelerator, otherwise it responds just fine. The paddle shifters are nicely placed and just the right size. Steering/Braking/Suspension The adjustable dampers, along with your adjustments to throttle and suspension, make this a near-Audi in every sense. And you can save your favorite combo for future use. I find turn-in a breeze, the tires hold the line well, and stomping on it at exit does not loose the back end. Of course, another 30-40 ponies might change that. Tech We have a winner! Adaptive Cruise is just as Edmunds described: not too hard on the brakes, and a little slow to regain speed. Otherwise it works very well in all conditions. Lane Keeping also performs admirably. Drive Assist is a low-level autonomous system that kind of helps you along vs taking over. I like that. Touch screens are the future, and the future is now. Again, there is a learning curve. Once you've found how to do what you want to do, it is rather intuitive. Road Characteristics There is virtually no wind noise below 80 mph. The occasional tire thump comes through, but with 245/35-20's you have to expect that with tiny sidewalls. Gas mileage is as advertised.. I got 32.9 on the FL trip. --March 2023 Update-- almost 20k miles in 9 months. This is one great highway cruiser. Replaced front rotors at 21k, a known VW concern. Local indy much less expensive than dealer. Replaced OEM Conti's with Michelin Pilot Sport 4AS, changing size from OEM 245/35/20 to a 235/40/20 configuration. Wanted a little more sidewall to help with potholes. Two side effects: the Speedo now runs 2-3mph below actual at highway speeds, so I have to remember that when setting the ACC. Secondly, my MPG trip computer is now accurate to within 1-2 tenths. Recent FL trip produced trip computer MPG numbers that exactly matched manual calculations on 3 of 4 tanks, and the 4th was .02 off. No squeaks or rattles as I've zoomed past 25k. Thank you VW for providing a full-size matching spare.... I rashed up a wheel and it is now my spare tire! --- end update. **Special Commendation** to the headlights. They are nothing short of miraculous. The adaptable beam pattern illuminates everything ahead of you, regardless of corners or hills. Cornering lamps and fog lights wrap up the package. What a safety boost! The Not-As Good Steering wheel angle is only column-adjusted, so the wheel itself does not pivot independently. I'd like another 1" of drop, but that is purely subjective. Cubby for the phone is awkwardly located above the shifter and you need to learn to contort your fingers to remove it. Charge is very slow. Also, the only USB ports are USB-C, I had to upgrade my cables. Lastly, the glove box is so small the Owners Manual will not fit in it. Oh, and whoever designed the OM should be fired... it is very poorly laid out, making your learning curve a bit harder than it needs to be.

2nd go Around

JaxGMO, 09/06/2021

2021 Volkswagen Arteon SEL R-Line 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

I bought a Sel in 2019 and loved it before it was totaled by a hit and run driver! Bought a SUV (Lincoln Corsair) nice interior, but it was no where near as comfortable, or drove as well as the Arteon. After 3 months traded it for the 2021 Lapiz Blue(Kudos on the color VW) Sel-R Arteon, a lot of great upgrades with the tech and materials from the 19 model I had! I can't understand why …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon, so we've included reviews for other years of the Arteon since its last redesign.

See all 27 reviews of the Volkswagen Arteon

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2023 Volkswagen Arteon Features Specs

Trim:

SE R-Line

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$43,010
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$194/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	27.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Compare the Volkswagen Arteon

Compare selected vehiclesSee full list of Midsize sedans rankings

Volkswagen Arteon vs. Audi A5

The Volkswagen Arteon and its cousin the Audi A5 hatchback (aka Sportback) are similar in price and size. The Arteon packs more horsepower than the base-spec A5 and comes with a longer list of equipment. Spending a bit more to get the Audi will get you a luxury-branded car, but we think the Arteon is the better value.

Compare Volkswagen Arteon & Audi A5 features

Volkswagen Arteon vs. Kia Stinger

The Kia Stinger is now in its final year of production, giving this comparison an expiration date. The Stinger is a well-rounded choice for driving enthusiasts with its good looks and impressive performance, especially when you equip with its available turbocharged V6 engine. Go with the Arteon if you want a more comfortable daily driver.

Compare Volkswagen Arteon & Kia Stinger features

Volkswagen Arteon vs. Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 is not a liftback sedan like the Arteon, but its performance-minded driving character and upscale interior make it an interesting matchup. Like all AMGs, the CLA can run away in price if you add too many options, but at its base, it's a very compelling alternative to the Arteon.

Compare Volkswagen Arteon & Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class features

Safety

Our experts’ favorite Arteon safety features:

Travel Assist: Combines adaptive cruise and lane keeping assistance to keep the car centered in the lane and moving on the highway.
Automatic Emergency Braking: After several warnings given to the driver, the physical brakes are automatically activated to prevent a collision.
Lane Assist: Warns the driver of any vehicle in the blind spot and can add countersteering to prevent an unsafe lane change.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test	Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated	Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original	Good
Side Impact Test – Updated	Not Tested
Roof Strength Test	Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Good

FAQ

Is the Volkswagen Arteon a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 Arteon both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.8 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 Arteon gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 27 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Arteon has 27.2 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Volkswagen Arteon. Learn more

What's new in the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon:

Additional standard features on entry-level trim
Part of the first Arteon generation introduced for 2019

Learn more

Is the Volkswagen Arteon reliable?

To determine whether the Volkswagen Arteon is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Arteon. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Arteon's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 Arteon and gave it a 7.8 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 Arteon gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 27 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 Arteon is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2023 Volkswagen Arteon?

The least-expensive 2023 Volkswagen Arteon is the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon SE R-Line 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $43,010.

Other versions include:

SE R-Line 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $43,010
SEL R-Line 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $47,180
SEL Premium R-Line 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $50,175

Learn more

What are the different models of Volkswagen Arteon?

If you're interested in the Volkswagen Arteon, the next question is, which Arteon model is right for you? Arteon variants include SE R-Line 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM), SEL R-Line 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM), and SEL Premium R-Line 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM). For a full list of Arteon models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

2023 Volkswagen Arteon

Pricing

2023 Volkswagen Arteon Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon SE R-Line 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

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2023 Volkswagen Arteon pricing

Edmunds suggests you pay

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Arteon does Edmunds recommend?

Volkswagen Arteon models

Volkswagen Arteon Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Wow. This is a sleeper GEM

Just what we were looking for

A German Touring Sedan As The New RoadMaster?

2nd go Around

Helpful shopping links

2023 Volkswagen Arteon Features Specs

Compare the Volkswagen Arteon

Volkswagen Arteon vs. Audi A5

Volkswagen Arteon vs. Kia Stinger

Volkswagen Arteon vs. Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Safety

Our experts’ favorite Arteon safety features:

IIHS Rating

FAQ

Is the Volkswagen Arteon a good car?

What's new in the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon?

Is the Volkswagen Arteon reliable?

Is the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2023 Volkswagen Arteon?

What are the different models of Volkswagen Arteon?

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon SE R-Line 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Save as much as $4,310 with Edmunds ^{Click on the model you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal.}