2021 Volkswagen Arteon Review

Name: 2021 Volkswagen Arteon
Brand: Volkswagen

Price Range: $17,811 - $30,998

Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

Good

7.7

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2021 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. Its overall appeal dips because of its humdrum driving experience and so-so fuel economy, but the upgrades to its tech and interior fit and finish help justify the higher price.

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Average price: $24,110

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Appraise My Volkswagen Arteon

Volkswagen Arteon model years

Volkswagen Arteon for Sale

Pros

Sleek design
Ample cargo space thanks to hatchback body style
Extensive available technology and luxury features

Cons

Transmission can be slow to downshift
Not as engaging to drive as some rivals

What's new

Exterior styling refresh with new front grille and headlights
Updated interior with VW's newest MIB3 infotainment system
Redesigned dashboard, new steering wheel and new digital driver display
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard
Part of the first Arteon generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Written by automotive expert Kurt Niebuhr

2/19/2021

Volkswagen has doubled down on its flagship sedan, the Arteon, this year with a thorough styling refresh and the installation of a new infotainment system. It offers style and a driving experience not found in the Passat, as well as enough premium equipment to put it in close competition with some BMWs and Audis. And thanks to its sedan/hatchback body style, the Arteon has a cavernous cargo capacity.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

19 listings

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2021 Volkswagen Arteon
SE 4dr Hatchback
$17,811
good price
$635 below market
- 75,247 miles
- 22 City / 32 Hwy MPG
- 9 mi away
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Chantilly, VA
At Precise Automotive Group, We're making car buying easier and more convenient than ever! Enjoy FREE & FAST Shipping on all vehicles straight to your...
Vehicle History:
No accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (22 City/32 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
WVWAR7ANXME013117
Stock:
P3117_2
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
04-16-2026
2021 Volkswagen Arteon
SEL Premium R-Line 4dr Hatchback
$27,998
- 52,664 miles
- 20 City / 31 Hwy MPG
- 87 mi away
- Free delivery available*
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Mechanicsburg, PA
Wanna drive? CarMax puts you in the driver's seat-and that includes transparency and pricing without document or processing fees. Certain cars may hav...
Vehicle History:
No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
Features and Specs:
24 Combined MPG (20 City/31 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
WVWTR7AN5ME008562
Stock:
28366874
Certified Pre-Owned:
No

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With all the premium features available on the Arteon, it might seem only natural to cross-shop it against something like an Audi A5 Sportback. But it'd be better to check out the Honda Accord. It serves up similar refinement, power and interior room for thousands of dollars less. And Kia's Stinger, another sedan/hatchback combination, offers a more powerful engine option with improved driving dynamics as well as available all-wheel drive. Still, there's enough good here to warrant a second look. Read our Expert Rating on the updated Arteon to learn more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Good

7.7

out of 10

We drove the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Arteon drive? The Volkswagen Arteon's engine is powerful on the spec sheet (268 horsepower), but real-world performance falls short. In Edmunds' testing, it covered 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds, which is a little slower than rivals with upgraded engines. The transmission's shifting can also be slow, further diminishing the car's responsiveness.

On the plus side, 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. It's not exciting, but there's a lot of confidence and predictability.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the Arteon? For the most part, the Arteon is a comfortable midsize sedan. The seats are nicely shaped and have a decent amount of cushion and support. The ride is usually well controlled, especially on the highway, but even the adaptive dampers can't filter out large or sharp bumps.

The standard three-zone climate control and rear air vents keep passengers happy and air circulated throughout the cabin, 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.

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. The sunroof cuts into headroom for front occupants, and the rakish roofline reduces rear headroom. The Arteon's low-slung stance can also pose a challenge when getting in and out.

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

8/10

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 touchscreen 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. The available Harman Kardon audio system sounds quite good.

Android Auto/Apple CarPlay wireless integration is easy. The full-speed adaptive cruise control system can be slow to accelerate after the car ahead pulls away, but we do like that it's not overly sensitive when braking.

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, small-item storage 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 glove box.

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

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? The all-wheel-drive Arteon posts an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined. The front-wheel-drive model is at 25 mpg combined. That's OK considering the car's power, but this isn't one of the more economical sedans. In our time with the Arteon, we achieved an average of 25.5 mpg over a few hundred miles of mixed city and highway driving.

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 well-equipped premium sedan without paying extra for the luxury badge. The interior design is a marked improvement over the last model year. The materials and trim look more upscale due to better contrasting elements and improved 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

8/10

The Arteon offers a distinctive combination of luxury and practicality for the price. But it's definitely a niche car that competes with a limited group. It doesn't prioritize performance, but the Arteon can be rewarding when driven down a curvy road.

The Arteon looks and feels quite chic, from the color-changing interior door panels that match the ambient lighting to the cool digital cluster and upscale interior. You buy the Arteon because you want a stylish, premium midsize sedan and because you don't want to pay extra for a luxury badge.

2021 Volkswagen Arteon trim level differences

The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon is a coupe-like midsize sedan sold in three trims: SE, SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line. All are powered by a 268-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine that's paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on SE and SEL R-Line models. All-wheel drive is standard on the SEL Premium R-Line and available on the SEL R-Line. Feature highlights include: Compare the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon trim levels in-depth.

Which Arteon trim does Edmunds recommend?

We think the Arteon SEL R-Line strikes a good balance between standard features and cost. It gives you the option to have either front- or all-wheel drive and includes a panoramic sunroof, adaptive headlights, 19-inch wheels, leather seats, and extra driver assists such as full-speed adaptive cruise control and front and rear parking sensors.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$229/mo

$210/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Reliability

The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 4 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Recalls

4 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 22V514000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 91DV
Number of vehicles affected:: 43091
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Defect Consequence:: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.

Recall Number:: 21V695000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 47R3
Number of vehicles affected:: 99
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Arteon vehicles. The pressure input rod connection on the brake booster may be loose and could detach.
Defect Consequence:: A detached pressure input rod will cause the brake pedal to fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will tighten the pressure input rod connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 28, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47R3.

Recall Number:: 21V274000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 44R2
Number of vehicles affected:: 149
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Arteon vehicles. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors were incorrectly calibrated and may not detect the position of a wheel sensor after tire rotation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Defect Consequence:: The TPMS may misidentify a tire with low air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wheel electronics and tire valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44R2.

Recall Number:: 20V716000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 91BB / 91B
Number of vehicles affected:: 32148
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Defect Consequence:: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 7 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 2 years / 20,000 miles

Volkswagen Arteon Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.3

38 reviews

5(74%)

4(5%)

3(7%)

2(5%)

1(9%)

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Premium At a good price

Angad Singh, 06/18/2019

2019 Volkswagen Arteon SE 4MOTION 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

The Arteon is a beautiful car for enthusiasts looking for a spacious sedan. Based on it’s size it is right up there with the Audi A5 Sportback. The power is sufficient enough to coast through a highway at good speeds. The 260 Pound feet torque at low rpm makes it easy to take over. The car is huge on space. I am 6 feet tall and never had an issue with the space. The back seat is …

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.

A refined sport sedan that can bring the muscle!

Anthony, 07/07/2019

2019 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION 4dr Hatchback AWD w/19" Wheels (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

I purchased one of the first available fully loaded SEL Premium R-Line Arteon in New England. I was drawn by the shape, design, and performance of the Arteon. Car and Driver magazine selected the Arteon as one of the 15 most beautiful cars for 2019. If you don’t want the looks and stares from people or for them to come up and ask you about this car, I would say buy something else! When …

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 …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon, so we've included reviews for other years of the Arteon since its last redesign.

2021 Arteon Features & Specs

Trim:

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$36,995
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$229/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	27.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Arteon models:

Parking Steering Assistant: Measures the size of available curbside parking and helps the driver steer into the spot.
Front Assist: Warns if it detects an imminent front collision and automatically applies the brakes if the driver doesn't respond in time.
Lane Keeping System: Warns you if the Arteon begins to wander outside of marked lanes and can automatically apply corrective steering.