Used 2023 Volkswagen Arteon

In an automotive market that’s crazy about SUVs, the Volkswagen Arteon is an interesting alternative. This semi-premium sedan employs a stylish liftback design yielding a roomy interior, and it’s loaded with features on par with some luxury cars. The Arteon is so unique that it’s hard to pin down any direct rivals. In the non-luxury world, the closest would be the sporty Kia Stinger, which has a similar liftback design and an upscale interior. In the luxury car world, the Arteon could be compared to the Audi A5 Sportback and Acura TLX, for example.

In our most recent time behind the wheel of the latest Volkswagen Arteon — in the hills overlooking Malibu, California — we were impressed by a comfortable ride and composed handling. The 300-horsepower turbocharged engine delivered quick acceleration and ample power throughout our drive, and the 4Motion all-wheel-drive (AWD) car we drove felt balanced and easy to drive at any speed. The sporty yet comfortable balance of the Arteon’s driving experience reminds us of a more expensive luxury car.

The cabin of the Volkswagen Arteon is more luxurious than you might expect from a Volkswagen. This sedan is priced like a luxury car and that’s what it feels like inside. The interior design is both sporty and upscale with stylish contrast stitching and premium materials in the upper trims like soft Nappa leather seats. The Arteon is generous with standard interior features such as the VW Digital Cockpit Pro digital gauge cluster, navigation, 3-zone climate control, and a wireless phone charging pad.

There’s lots of rear legroom, but the headroom in the back is a bit compromised by the sloping roofline. However, that liftback shape creates a very generous cargo hold that adds to the practicality of the Arteon.

The Volkswagen Arteon doesn’t look quite like anything else on the road. It’s a liftback sedan with a coupe-like shape and the sporty R-Line appearance package comes standard. It’s a head-turning design that strikes a nice balance of sporty and luxurious.

R-Line aesthetic
The R-Line appearance package is included with every trim of the Arteon. This gives this sedan a sporty look with a gloss black spoiler, interior contrast stitching, a black headliner, and stylish wheels.

Turbo engine
The standard turbocharged engine in the Arteon pumps out 300 horsepower, which is more than enough to make the drive exciting. It also returns great fuel economy for a sedan this size.

4Motion AWD
The available 4Motion all-wheel-drive system enhances the handling of the Arteon. It also makes this sedan more suitable for snowy climates.

IQ.DRIVE
The standard IQ.DRIVE safety tech suite comes with a long list of driver assistance features. It bundles automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and more.

Digital Cockpit Pro
This standard feature is a big part of what makes the Arteon feel like a high-tech luxury car. The VW Digital Cockpit Pro is a customizable 10-inch digital gauge cluster with 21 viewing options. It can show phone information, music, a full-screen navigation map, and more.

MIB3 infotainment system
The infotainment system in the Arteon is user-friendly and feature-rich, even if the screen is on the smaller side. The Wireless App-Connect feature lets you use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay without needing to plug your phone into the car. On top of that, navigation, SiriusXM, and HD Radio all come standard.

The Arteon uses a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. This 300-horsepower engine returns good fuel economy for a car this size with this much power.

The base trim has standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). On the two upper trims, AWD comes standard.

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
300 horsepower @ 5,350 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/33 mpg (FWD), 22/31 mpg (AWD)

More Arteon fuel economy information is available on the EPA’s website.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The Arteon is backed by a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which is better than the 3-year/36,000-mile coverage common amongst mainstream brands. On the flip side, the Arteon’s 4-year/50,000-mile powertrain coverage comes up a bit short in that regard.