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2021 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:

SE
The SE is nicely equipped with:

  • 18-inch wheels
  • Adaptive suspension dampers
  • LED headlights
  • Keyless entry and ignition
  • Heated front seats
  • Simulated leather upholstery
  • Tri-zone climate control
  • 8-inch touchscreen
  • Digital instrument panel
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
  • Eight-speaker audio system
  • In-car Wi-Fi hotspot

The Arteon SE also comes with a handful of advanced safety features, including:

  • Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front and can automatically apply the brakes if a collision is imminent)
  • Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
  • Rear cross-traffic alert (alerts you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)

SEL R-Line
Adds sporty styling enhancements and extra features, including:

  • 19-inch wheels
  • Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
  • Stylish body kit
  • Shift paddles
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • Leather seating surfaces
  • Adjustable ambient interior lighting
  • Remote engine start
  • Wireless charging
  • Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
  • Blind-spot monitoring with intervention (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot and will automatically steer the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)
  • Lane keeping assist (steers the Arteon back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
  • Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front and can also react to traffic signs and set speed)

SEL Premium R-Line
This top-of-the-line trim is equipped with everything above, plus:

  • 20-inch wheels
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Ventilated front seats
  • Massaging driver's seat
  • Heated rear seats
  • Rear-seat climate control
  • Rear-seat USB-C charge port
  • 360-degree parking camera (gives you a top-down view of the VW and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
  • Power cargo hatch with hands-free capability
  • Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
  • Harman Kardon premium sound system
  • Full-size spare tire

Which 2021 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.

Compare 2021 Arteon trims side-by-side

Comparing average pricing near
Cost, TX
Vehicle
Arteon SE
Arteon SEL R-Line
Arteon SEL Premium R-Line
Vehicle
SE
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A
See all Arteon SE for sale
SEL Premium R-Line
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A
See all Arteon SEL Premium R-Line for sale
Hide similarities
Section Title

Features

Features

Features

Bluetooth
standard
standard
standard
Navigation
standard
standard
standard
Satellite radio
standard
standard
standard
Keyless Ignition
standard
standard
standard
Cruise control
standard
standard
standard
Adaptive cruise control
Not Available
standard
standard
Parking assistance
Not Available
standard
standard
Upholstery
leatherette
premium leather
premium leather
Heated seats
standard
standard
standard
Cooled/Ventilated seats
Not Available
Not Available
standard
Folding rear seats
standard
standard
standard
Sunroof
Not Available
standard
standard
Section Title

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Country of final assembly
N/A
N/A
N/A
Drivetrain
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
all wheel drive
Engine power
268 hp @ 5,500 rpm
268 hp @ 5,500 rpm
268 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Engine torque
258 lb-ft @ 1,950 rpm
258 lb-ft @ 1,950 rpm
258 lb-ft @ 1,950 rpm
Engine displacement
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
Engine configuration
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
Transmission
8-speed shiftable automatic
8-speed shiftable automatic
8-speed shiftable automatic
Tire size
245/45R18
245/40R19
245/35R20
Wheel size
Wheel type
alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
Run flat tires
Not available
Not available
Not available
Section Title

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

City/Hwy/Combined MPG
22 / 32 / 25 MPG
22 / 32 / 25 MPG
20 / 31 / 24 MPG
City/Hwy/Combined MPGe
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Fuel Capacity
18.2 gal.
18.2 gal.
18.3 gal.
Driving Range (city/hwy)
400 / 582 miles
400 / 582 miles
366 / 567 miles
Fuel Type
premium unleaded (required)
premium unleaded (required)
premium unleaded (required)
Section Title

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Turning circle
39.0 ft.
39.0 ft.
39.0 ft.
Curb weight
3,686 lb.
3,686 lb.
3,955 lb.
Ground Clearance
Overall Width with Mirrors
Overall Width without Mirrors
73.7 in.
73.7 in.
73.7 in.
Height
56.9 in.
56.9 in.
56.9 in.
Length
191.6 in.
191.6 in.
191.6 in.
Wheelbase
111.9 in.
111.9 in.
111.9 in.
Seating Capacity
Cargo Space
27.2 cu. ft.
27.2 cu. ft.
27.2 cu. ft.
Cargo Space, Rear Seat Down or Removed
56.2 cu. ft.
56.2 cu. ft.
56.2 cu. ft.
Front Head Room
37.7 in.
37.9 in.
37.9 in.
Front Leg Room
41.2 in.
41.2 in.
41.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room
56.5 in.
56.5 in.
56.5 in.
Rear Head Room
37.0 in.
37.1 in.
37.1 in.
Rear Leg Room
40.2 in.
40.2 in.
40.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room
54.7 in.
54.7 in.
54.7 in.
Section Title

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

True Cost to Own®
$45,592
$47,973
$52,670
Average Cost Per Mile
$0.61
$0.64
$0.7
Depreciation
$11,070
$12,950
$14,837
Financing
$3,580
$3,955
$4,528
Taxes & Fees
$1,533
$1,659
$1,851
Fuel
$11,340
$11,340
$11,813
Insurance
$7,933
$7,933
$8,924
Maintenance
$6,857
$6,857
$7,112
Repairs
$3,279
$3,279
$3,605
Section Title

Colors

Colors

Colors

Interior
Moonrock Gray/Black, leatherette
Titan Black, leatherette
Florence Brown, premium leather
Mistral Gray/Raven, premium leather
Titan Black, premium leather
Mistral Gray/Raven, premium leather
Titan Black, premium leather
Exterior
Pyrite Silver Metallic
Deep Black Pearl
King's Red Metallic
Pure White
Urano Gray
Lapiz Blue Metallic
Oryx White Pearl
Pyrite Silver Metallic
Deep Black Pearl
King's Red Metallic
Urano Gray
Lapiz Blue Metallic
Oryx White Pearl
Pyrite Silver Metallic
Deep Black Pearl
King's Red Metallic
Urano Gray