I purchased my Arteon SEL Premium R-Line back in 2019. Sticker was $48,300 and I got it for $39,500. Put an APR+ Tune package in it and increased the horsepower to 358 and torque to 348 lb/ft. My best gas mileage on an 820 mile road trip was 37.8 mpg. This car is a true unicorn and I feel fortunate to have purchased one when they were essentially giving them away.
That’s amazing man. I am looking to get an Arteon SEL Premium R-Line at the end of summer. It will be my first new-ish car. Getting a used one. How easy was it to get the APR+ tune and how much did it cost
Just so everyone knows the SEL Premium R Line comes with ventilated seats and massage drivers seat. This car just has the delete package ventilated/massage drivers seat
It’s a Covid car. 2022 and some very early 2023 Arteons SEL-Premium trim didn’t have the heated/cooled seats and therefore came with a $450 credit from VW.
The problem with this was pricing and size. It was way too expensive without more features than most mid size sedans. It isn't much nicer than higher trims of other cars while costing way more.
Gorgeous exterior but the interior looked no better than the Jetta and Passat. VW's corporate 2.0L I4 Turbo is powerful but not designed to last. Nevertheless, I was sure I'd buy one someday but my local VW dealer never had one that suited me.
I picked up a 2023 R premium and it did include the ventilated seats, as well as massage. An amazing road-trip car. I've since lowered it w/H&R sport springs, BBS CHR wheels and wider 255x35 20 summer tires and it has livened up the Arteon a great deal.I also have totally gotten used to the Hap-teckstearing wheel functions. [I have also never gotten so much attention in any other car I've owned.]
I bought a 2023 SEL-P R-Line some months ago. $53,300 sticker but paid less than that. It’s expensive but this is a beast of a vehicle. It checked all of our boxes. Storage, comfort, sportiness (it’s no M3 but it’s plenty fun to drive), and tech. The suite of safety features is easy to use and reliable. Agreed about the seats, they are fantastic. Build quality blows Acura away, coming close to what I loved about my Lexus ES350's cabin comfort and solid demeanor, albiet with much more connectedness to the driving experience. I did not cross-shop Audi, and while I would expect an upgrade in terms of performance and interior appointments, this gets pretty close while keeping the price somewhat reasonable. There’s no way around it being a (very) expensive sedan, but I feel like you get your money’s worth, and given that it can be had for under MSRP while a lot of the market is over-MSRP, we pulled the trigger and haven’t looked back. Two gripes after 10k miles: I’ve only had one flat tire ever in my life of driving, and I’ve had two flats on this car. The 20 inch wheels on 2023 look sweet but the sidewalls are like rubber bands. Even going over a moderate pothole you’re asking for problems and I will be looking to replace the wheels with 18 or even 17 inch tires when winter comes around. Secondly the steering wheel Haptic Touch system leave much to be desired. It’s functional, I haven’t had any problems with it, but I firmly believe that buttons would be superior in terms of usability. Great review all around. It’s unique for sure, but if you love sedans like I do, I believe this is where practicality meets premium in a package no other vehicle can offer.
@@japanwatchconnection I was bored mostly. Love that the ES is reliable and like a cocoon on the road but I was looking for something with tighter driving dynamics. Also got a better deal on the Arteon. I've always driven japanese makes but decided to yolo for this one and so far it's been pretty good.
I drive a 2021 R SEL Premium. The premium edition has the vented seats and a few other options you said was missing. According to CR the Arteon has the 4th biggest back seat in the mark with a fairly roomy front seat, for me and my family this was a big selling point. The other selling point was that the advertised MSRP is a lie. I purchased mine at $10,000 below MSRP. $10,000 below MSRP is about the right price because to be fair at $50,000 a lot of cars are better than the Arteon. At $40,000 on the other hand, the Arteon is a hair more price wise than a Sonata or Accord but considering the improvement in interior quality, ride and handling. Although the Sonata navigation is way better.
I love how well-designed the exterior is, especially the usability of the liftback. The issue is the the interior is just so-so, and it does lack features for the $$. Plus there is the matter of powertrain. The performance is acceptable for something of its size, but an Acura TLX 2.0 is nearly as fast, and the Type S isn't too much more. A Stinger(NOT dead yet as it goes through the 2024 year) GT1 can be had for this price and will blow the doors off of it this car, has RWD dynamics, and offers a few more niceties. Finally, the real issue is that the A5/A6 exist and most people will go there if shopping the VAG assortment.
I drive a 2021 SEL Premium and it’s been great. Now around 370hp with some goodies from APR, feels like a completely different car than when I bought it. I can count on one hand how many I’ve seen since I bought it and I love that. I got an amazing deal on mine too.
@@chezzyperson3339yeah it does. The arteon looks way more sophisticated than the crown. And the trunk is bigger. Not to mention the performance matches the fastest crown hybrid max 0-60
@@naveenthemachine VW literally said this week that the Arteon is dead in the US. They sold less than 2,000 units total in the US last year. Hardly anyone wants one.
Surprised you didn't mention that the spare is fullsize. In an environment where more manufacturers are now making you pay extra for a "kit" (aka a can of fix a flat), that is a huge bonus.
Nice review. I just purchased an Arteon. And, the lack of ventilated seats was a temporary hold due to parts shortages and the sticker should have reflected a credit (it is included on the Premium trim you had now). These were held off for credit along with the massaging seat and rear heated (so, I'm not sure how that one you had had 2nd row heat?). I held out for these feature to return and it has. People say it is overpriced, but for the features it has, I couldn't find anything else within the price range of the Arteon. About the only thing it could be missing is heads-up display, which I didn't care about. I'm a little disappointed by some lack of integration that I've gotten for years in domestic vehicles, such as the memory is not tied to the key fob being used and doesn't adjust the radio, hvac, etc. And, when you start it, it doesn't automatically turn on the ventilated seats on hot days (and I don't think it turns on the heated seats either, but I'm not sure on that). One other very nit-picky thing is the wireless charger for the phone is pretty weak (but maybe that's normal?). Otherwise, it's a great looking car, feels very high quality inside, drives very nice, etc. I'm happy so far.
The most comparable car is not an A5, DEFINITELY not an A7. It’s an S3. $50k for a Premium is incredible value for all of the features compared to a $63k loaded S3 Prestige. The Premium trim also 100% comes with cooled/massage seats. Mine has them. Chip shortage, etc may affect that for some. That would be a dealbreaker and not worth buying if so.
I have a 2013 CC and it’s my most favorite car that ever owned … So now the Arteon has to be my next car for sure… I believe it’s the CC still, just a newer generation
A belated welcome to Detroit! Thanks for the tour. It appears you've adapted to driving Detroit style, blowing through the red light. You hit all the major ups and downs of the Arteon. The biggest down for the Arteon is the price. Otherwise, a great car.
@@82mattlopez Compared to what dude? Really compared to what? Show me an entry level BMW 4 series or Audi A5 Sportback similarly equipped as a top trim Arteon SEL Premium for the same sticker price vs ACTUAL transaction price.
I agree with your review from a new car price standpoint. On the used market I just got a 22 sel r-line non premium 4motion with 5 k on the clock for 36k before down payment at that price I think they hold really great value.
Although I like sedans (I currently drive one) - I am NEVER buying another VW. Had a CC back in the day and the grief it gave me! Ugh!!....Dealer maintained all through but it got me stranded twice and more than a few thousand $$'s out! Went on to a Lexus right after and my goodness, what a CHANGE! These VW's drive well and look good, but that's it.
@@Austin-nx1kl The reviewer hinted at the more difficult ownership experience after the first few honeymoon years. It is the main reason, I think, that the VW's have not held on to sales. Oh, I had the Phaeton experience, and the constant onslaught of repairs broke me. Fortunately, I bought it used, but kept it just 11 months before the maintenance requirements made me trade it in. I have had less maintenance done on my 13 year old Asian car than i had in one year of the Phaeton. But it was a delicious car to drive, that required you have a back up car. The Phaeton, and the Passat I owned for 6 years NEVER left me stranded, though.
This car is definitely very beautiful. It looks nice sitting in our showroom while service customers look at it and ask why this Volkswagen is over $50k
VW had the same issue with the Phaeton. The Phaeton would have been worth the money if it had been easier, and less expensive, to care for. And the Phaeton drove like a barge. And you could not find a place to align the tires so tire replacement was too frequent. There was no sportiness to it. But the Arteon had the chance to be an answer for sedan lovers that would have liked a 5 series-like experience with more practicality. But the lack of build quality, the frequent flats, and the relative cheap interior have doomed this vehicle. I came to this site hoping to find a quality, fun driver's vehicle, for my next sedan. The Kia Stinger did not meet my standards, as I also found it's build quality relatively bad, and it's driving character was worse than the Arteon....despite being rear wheel drive. Huge loss of an opportunity for VW.
i think the people who cross shop Arteon generally look at a gently used A5, Kia Stinger or possibly even the new Integra Type S. But mostly, VW loyalists buy this because of what it is.
On a positive note, since Arteons aren’t very sought after you can used ones for a pretty good price. And previous year SEL Premiums have ventilated seats!
They still do. A lot of options last year were deleted because of the chip shortage though. I was able to snag a 2020 lease at the end of December 2020 for 18k off the sticker the dealer was so desperate. I probably will never get a deal like that again 😅
Vented seats are standard on the SEL Premium. VW wasn’t updating the infotainment screen since they were axing this model. Unfortunate because it’s a cheaper option to the sister A5.
Just (yesterday) purchased a 2023 Artion R line SEL premium (2700 miles) , coming out of a Subaru Outback and so far, really love the car. Had been wanting one for years but did not like the older lower powered model. The solid feel can not be replicated and as it was used, skipped the depreciation that you would get with a new model.
Do you honestly think the typical US VW customer would pay $55K for an Arteon Shooting Brake over a fully loaded Atlas SUV for the same or a bit less money? That’s wishful thinking
I own a 2021 sel premium r line. When I was looking, the a5 was too small. So was Kia. My only complaint is interior. They should have updated it when exterior was done. 2 gentlemen in Ferrari pulled up to me, raving how gorgeous it was ( mine is Red). I will be buying a 2024 in December for the new engine and trans combo.
I own a 2023 SEL R-Line and, I love it. He is absolutely right about the brakes, they're terrible, and it takes forever to stop. The vehicle could also be a bit longer but, it is bigger than it looks.
@@android2364 100% and people make this continued mistake of comparing the Arteon against the A5 Sportback which is a smaller vehicle (More Jetta/GLI) sized. The Arteon should be compared size wise against fhe Audi A7, BMW 5 Series and MB E-Class. The Arteon being a liftback design has more cargo room than any of these and palatial sized rear legroom over 40 inches, larger than any of the above (I believe the Arteon and Lexus ES sedan have nearly same amount of rear legroom however).
In reality there's only a 2 or 3 cubic foot difference in cargo volume between the sedan and wagon version. I'm assuming you just like that body style better which is fair! It is a looker!
If you drive this car with the 2021 8-speed and then the 2022-23 7-speed DSG, it’s significantly improved. (I’ve leased both). Also I have run multiple 0-60s in the 4.7s so it’s just a matter of how you launch/drive mode selected.
I purchased a car in March. I loved the idea of the Arteon and I had it on my short list of cars to test, but could not find one within 50 miles of me to test drive.
I really wanted to love this car. Had it for 2 years but the quality and reliability was becoming unbearable. So many things from rattles, to electrical issues, to seat mechanisms breaking. I miss the the practicality and looks of it, but even my 3 series you can immediately tell it is just built better… it’s a shame as I hate crossovers.
That makes me thing differently about getting this car. Read quite a few of this complaint on 19-21’s on Vortex. I had a 06 GTI that drove awesome, but had more squeaks and rattles than I could stand.
@@Stclairm1 if you care about little things.. like b pillars rattling in your ear. Or plastics creaking and flexing the morning after a cooler night. Then skip it. Not even getting into the bigger problems lol.
@@michaelbramblett2193 apparently they stopped offering m packs on the 230i and I just read no one is buying them due to the horrible exterior design. They should have just improved on the previous awesome 2 series.
Brian, Every ounce of practicality and pragmatism gained by that clever lift back is NEGATED by the ludicrously sloping rear roof line that makes the back seat useless for genuinely full-size passengers. Wannabe coupe designers taking their sports car frustrations out on sedans are some of the biggest reasons for CUV popularity. Practical people are simply being forced out of the sedan market. 🤨 The last time I checked, VW was still building genuinely accommodating Passat and Golf Wagons for the European market. The highly practical and prosaic Pontiac Vibe seen at 12:04 puts this Arteon to shame. 😉🤩
@@gregkramer5588 That is fair enough but you must have long legs and a short torso. Numerous sedans offer generous rear leg room but headroom is in short supply in the world of the post CLS sedan.
I have a 2021 Premium R line, and man its the best. Besides the safety features, this car drivers smoothly and is really enjoyable to drive. I wish it had a bigger screen. This is a car i rarely see on the road, since it came out on 2018, i might have seen 2-3 in total. A lot of people ask me about it, and its sad that this car doesnt have a lot of popularity, probably because of the price.
I've always loved the arteon. It sucks it's going away but it was just too expensive. Add in the touch buttons on the interior and somewhat lacking in the power department and I couldn't justify it. Honestly if it came with a vr6 or if we got the shooting brake model I would have got one
I think everyone agrees the exterior is beautiful, but the interior is extremely meh. With many competitors giving you more/similar features and power for less money, it’s hard to justify the price tag. And if someone wants to spend $50K+ on a sedan, they probably want a luxury badge attached to it.
You say that it's like "audi level" where they do not use the best materials yet Audi is known to use one of the best in the segment with having standard real leather across the board... also ventilated seats is an option and is not equipped on this model. 0-60 has been tested up to 4.8 seconds too so your 0-60 isn't accurate whatsoever 💀
0 to 60 in 5.8 sec??? thats horrible, i am assuming your driving the AWD trim, if so, you should have gotten ALOT better then that ! more like 5.1 or less!
This car can do 4.7 seconds to 60MPH and quarter mile at 13.1 seconds @ 103MPH. Source: myself because I own this car 2023 Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion
If VW had stuffed the Golf R engine into this thing, I'd have bought this instead of a Stinger. Love my tail happy car, but the VW GTI I traded in had better fit and finish.
I purchased my Arteon SEL Premium R-Line back in 2019. Sticker was $48,300 and I got it for $39,500. Put an APR+ Tune package in it and increased the horsepower to 358 and torque to 348 lb/ft. My best gas mileage on an 820 mile road trip was 37.8 mpg. This car is a true unicorn and I feel fortunate to have purchased one when they were essentially giving them away.
How does it behave on curves? Is it still as wobbly as the American-made Passat?
37 mpg for that power , you hit a jackpot!!
That’s amazing man. I am looking to get an Arteon SEL Premium R-Line at the end of summer. It will be my first new-ish car. Getting a used one. How easy was it to get the APR+ tune and how much did it cost
Always impressed at how well this guy has done his homework, not only on whatever model he is reviewing but on the competition as well.
12:32 You just went through a red light..
Thug Life
right lmao
It's Detroit
I'm sure you don't ever speed or roll through a stop sign...
@@truckercowboyed2638 damn right. I also don't film myself when driving....
I've always thought the Arteon was gorgeous and had nice colour options. One of the best front end designs in years and years.
I actually think the front end looks the worst for this car. The side and rear look gorgeous IMO.
Just so everyone knows the SEL Premium R Line comes with ventilated seats and massage drivers seat. This car just has the delete package ventilated/massage drivers seat
It’s a Covid car. 2022 and some very early 2023 Arteons SEL-Premium trim didn’t have the heated/cooled seats and therefore came with a $450 credit from VW.
The problem with this was pricing and size. It was way too expensive without more features than most mid size sedans. It isn't much nicer than higher trims of other cars while costing way more.
Gorgeous exterior but the interior looked no better than the Jetta and Passat. VW's corporate 2.0L I4 Turbo is powerful but not designed to last. Nevertheless, I was sure I'd buy one someday but my local VW dealer never had one that suited me.
I agree. The interior doesn’t look any better than a $10,000 cheaper Passat.
No, the problem is that it's a piece of shit Volkswagen with a horrible interior designed by people that got fired from Lego
Totally agree. Mispriced.
100%
I picked up a 2023 R premium and it did include the ventilated seats, as well as massage. An amazing road-trip car. I've since lowered it w/H&R sport springs, BBS CHR wheels and wider 255x35 20 summer tires and it has livened up the Arteon a great deal.I also have totally gotten used to the Hap-teckstearing wheel functions. [I have also never gotten so much attention in any other car I've owned.]
I bought a 2023 SEL-P R-Line some months ago. $53,300 sticker but paid less than that. It’s expensive but this is a beast of a vehicle. It checked all of our boxes. Storage, comfort, sportiness (it’s no M3 but it’s plenty fun to drive), and tech. The suite of safety features is easy to use and reliable. Agreed about the seats, they are fantastic. Build quality blows Acura away, coming close to what I loved about my Lexus ES350's cabin comfort and solid demeanor, albiet with much more connectedness to the driving experience. I did not cross-shop Audi, and while I would expect an upgrade in terms of performance and interior appointments, this gets pretty close while keeping the price somewhat reasonable. There’s no way around it being a (very) expensive sedan, but I feel like you get your money’s worth, and given that it can be had for under MSRP while a lot of the market is over-MSRP, we pulled the trigger and haven’t looked back. Two gripes after 10k miles: I’ve only had one flat tire ever in my life of driving, and I’ve had two flats on this car. The 20 inch wheels on 2023 look sweet but the sidewalls are like rubber bands. Even going over a moderate pothole you’re asking for problems and I will be looking to replace the wheels with 18 or even 17 inch tires when winter comes around. Secondly the steering wheel Haptic Touch system leave much to be desired. It’s functional, I haven’t had any problems with it, but I firmly believe that buttons would be superior in terms of usability. Great review all around. It’s unique for sure, but if you love sedans like I do, I believe this is where practicality meets premium in a package no other vehicle can offer.
@@japanwatchconnection I was bored mostly. Love that the ES is reliable and like a cocoon on the road but I was looking for something with tighter driving dynamics. Also got a better deal on the Arteon. I've always driven japanese makes but decided to yolo for this one and so far it's been pretty good.
How much did you pay for it, if you don’t mind me asking?
I drive a 2021 R SEL Premium. The premium edition has the vented seats and a few other options you said was missing. According to CR the Arteon has the 4th biggest back seat in the mark with a fairly roomy front seat, for me and my family this was a big selling point. The other selling point was that the advertised MSRP is a lie. I purchased mine at $10,000 below MSRP. $10,000 below MSRP is about the right price because to be fair at $50,000 a lot of cars are better than the Arteon. At $40,000 on the other hand, the Arteon is a hair more price wise than a Sonata or Accord but considering the improvement in interior quality, ride and handling. Although the Sonata navigation is way better.
I love how well-designed the exterior is, especially the usability of the liftback. The issue is the the interior is just so-so, and it does lack features for the $$. Plus there is the matter of powertrain. The performance is acceptable for something of its size, but an Acura TLX 2.0 is nearly as fast, and the Type S isn't too much more. A Stinger(NOT dead yet as it goes through the 2024 year) GT1 can be had for this price and will blow the doors off of it this car, has RWD dynamics, and offers a few more niceties. Finally, the real issue is that the A5/A6 exist and most people will go there if shopping the VAG assortment.
I drive a 2021 SEL Premium and it’s been great. Now around 370hp with some goodies from APR, feels like a completely different car than when I bought it. I can count on one hand how many I’ve seen since I bought it and I love that. I got an amazing deal on mine too.
Right when the Arteon is officially dead
I predict the Crown won’t last that long
@@chezzyperson3339the arteon has a better chance to survive than the clown crown sedan
@@naveenthemachine no
@@chezzyperson3339yeah it does. The arteon looks way more sophisticated than the crown. And the trunk is bigger. Not to mention the performance matches the fastest crown hybrid max 0-60
@@naveenthemachine VW literally said this week that the Arteon is dead in the US. They sold less than 2,000 units total in the US last year. Hardly anyone wants one.
Surprised you didn't mention that the spare is fullsize. In an environment where more manufacturers are now making you pay extra for a "kit" (aka a can of fix a flat), that is a huge bonus.
It's full size and it's also a matching wheel and tire!! Double bonus! 😊
@@jitengori9268 Yes 1000% correct
12:33 did you just run a red light 😳
In addition to Golf R, this is the only other vehicle in VW lineup that is still built in Germany. If that fact matters to anyone.
Nice review. I just purchased an Arteon. And, the lack of ventilated seats was a temporary hold due to parts shortages and the sticker should have reflected a credit (it is included on the Premium trim you had now). These were held off for credit along with the massaging seat and rear heated (so, I'm not sure how that one you had had 2nd row heat?). I held out for these feature to return and it has. People say it is overpriced, but for the features it has, I couldn't find anything else within the price range of the Arteon. About the only thing it could be missing is heads-up display, which I didn't care about. I'm a little disappointed by some lack of integration that I've gotten for years in domestic vehicles, such as the memory is not tied to the key fob being used and doesn't adjust the radio, hvac, etc. And, when you start it, it doesn't automatically turn on the ventilated seats on hot days (and I don't think it turns on the heated seats either, but I'm not sure on that). One other very nit-picky thing is the wireless charger for the phone is pretty weak (but maybe that's normal?). Otherwise, it's a great looking car, feels very high quality inside, drives very nice, etc. I'm happy so far.
These look great but I hardly ever see these here in NY. People are still driving their CC's.
Brian you’re wrong about the seats. My 2023 SEL Premium R Line has ventilated seats. Seems your tester has them deleted.
The most comparable car is not an A5, DEFINITELY not an A7. It’s an S3. $50k for a Premium is incredible value for all of the features compared to a $63k loaded S3 Prestige.
The Premium trim also 100% comes with cooled/massage seats. Mine has them. Chip shortage, etc may affect that for some. That would be a dealbreaker and not worth buying if so.
keep an eye on those red lights! 12:31
I have a 2013 CC and it’s my most favorite car that ever owned … So now the Arteon has to be my next car for sure… I believe it’s the CC still, just a newer generation
A belated welcome to Detroit! Thanks for the tour. It appears you've adapted to driving Detroit style, blowing through the red light. You hit all the major ups and downs of the Arteon. The biggest down for the Arteon is the price. Otherwise, a great car.
0 -60 mph is around 4.7 to 5.0 when rev to 4000 rpm
I wish VW could advertise this car better. It’s gorgeous, practical, fuel efficient. At least they will offer big discounts on the leftover stock now
It's just priced too high
@@82mattlopez Compared to what dude? Really compared to what? Show me an entry level BMW 4 series or Audi A5 Sportback similarly equipped as a top trim Arteon SEL Premium for the same sticker price vs ACTUAL transaction price.
@@Pamlicojdjdj1487So why do you think they discontinued it? It's a VW not Audi or BMW.
@@82mattlopez you didn’t answer my question
I agree with your review from a new car price standpoint. On the used market I just got a 22 sel r-line non premium 4motion with 5 k on the clock for 36k before down payment at that price I think they hold really great value.
Although I like sedans (I currently drive one) - I am NEVER buying another VW. Had a CC back in the day and the grief it gave me! Ugh!!....Dealer maintained all through but it got me stranded twice and more than a few thousand $$'s out! Went on to a Lexus right after and my goodness, what a CHANGE! These VW's drive well and look good, but that's it.
Had similar experiences with my newer vw models. Sad
@@Austin-nx1kl The reviewer hinted at the more difficult ownership experience after the first few honeymoon years. It is the main reason, I think, that the VW's have not held on to sales. Oh, I had the Phaeton experience, and the constant onslaught of repairs broke me. Fortunately, I bought it used, but kept it just 11 months before the maintenance requirements made me trade it in. I have had less maintenance done on my 13 year old Asian car than i had in one year of the Phaeton. But it was a delicious car to drive, that required you have a back up car. The Phaeton, and the Passat I owned for 6 years NEVER left me stranded, though.
(24:19) cabin noise @ 50 mph = 53 db ???!! That must be an ERROR. That is 15 db quieter than a 7-series or Lexus LS500.
The capacitive clinate controls and capacitive steering wheel "buttons" do not help the Arteon at all.
12:30 red light?!?
I’m confused. Is this available with ventilated seats 💺 or not?
Haha yeah I caught that too.
This car is definitely very beautiful. It looks nice sitting in our showroom while service customers look at it and ask why this Volkswagen is over $50k
VW had the same issue with the Phaeton. The Phaeton would have been worth the money if it had been easier, and less expensive, to care for. And the Phaeton drove like a barge. And you could not find a place to align the tires so tire replacement was too frequent. There was no sportiness to it. But the Arteon had the chance to be an answer for sedan lovers that would have liked a 5 series-like experience with more practicality. But the lack of build quality, the frequent flats, and the relative cheap interior have doomed this vehicle. I came to this site hoping to find a quality, fun driver's vehicle, for my next sedan. The Kia Stinger did not meet my standards, as I also found it's build quality relatively bad, and it's driving character was worse than the Arteon....despite being rear wheel drive. Huge loss of an opportunity for VW.
i think the people who cross shop Arteon generally look at a gently used A5, Kia Stinger or possibly even the new Integra Type S. But mostly, VW loyalists buy this because of what it is.
Great review, thanks for actually going through the interior thoroughly!!
On a positive note, since Arteons aren’t very sought after you can used ones for a pretty good price.
And previous year SEL Premiums have ventilated seats!
They still do. A lot of options last year were deleted because of the chip shortage though. I was able to snag a 2020 lease at the end of December 2020 for 18k off the sticker the dealer was so desperate. I probably will never get a deal like that again 😅
Vented seats are standard on the SEL Premium. VW wasn’t updating the infotainment screen since they were axing this model. Unfortunate because it’s a cheaper option to the sister A5.
You ran a red light at 12:32.
Ok
A good option with some nice stuff included, but always been too expensive for what it is.
@@godofdun false
For last year they might as well give us the Areteon R like they have in EU
Just (yesterday) purchased a 2023 Artion R line SEL premium (2700 miles) , coming out of a Subaru Outback and so far, really love the car. Had been wanting one for years but did not like the older lower powered model. The solid feel can not be replicated and as it was used, skipped the depreciation that you would get with a new model.
Saw one on these in a parking lot. Looked really good.
The VW Arteon is a great car from VW, but they should've brought the Arteon Shooting brake to the U.S. market!
Do you honestly think the typical US VW customer would pay $55K for an Arteon Shooting Brake over a fully loaded Atlas SUV for the same or a bit less money? That’s wishful thinking
I own a 2021 sel premium r line. When I was looking, the a5 was too small. So was Kia. My only complaint is interior. They should have updated it when exterior was done. 2 gentlemen in Ferrari pulled up to me, raving how gorgeous it was ( mine is Red). I will be buying a 2024 in December for the new engine and trans combo.
I own a 2023 SEL R-Line and, I love it. He is absolutely right about the brakes, they're terrible, and it takes forever to stop. The vehicle could also be a bit longer but, it is bigger than it looks.
At this price point just go for the Audi a5
Less space, amenities, and down almost 100 HP if you spec an A5 to the same price as a fully loaded Arteon.
A5 trunk is small in comparison to Arteon. You can fit 7’4” surfboard in Arteon with folded seats
It’s almost 60k for an outdated A5 now that is much smaller. You can get a leftover Arteon premium for 44 and it is much bigger.
No
@@android2364 100% and people make this continued mistake of comparing the Arteon against the A5 Sportback which is a smaller vehicle (More Jetta/GLI) sized. The Arteon should be compared size wise against fhe Audi A7, BMW 5 Series and MB E-Class. The Arteon being a liftback design has more cargo room than any of these and palatial sized rear legroom over 40 inches, larger than any of the above (I believe the Arteon and Lexus ES sedan have nearly same amount of rear legroom however).
You can get huge discounts . Got the new sel for 8k off msrp
If the sport wagon version was available in North America I would seriously consider one.
In reality there's only a 2 or 3 cubic foot difference in cargo volume between the sedan and wagon version. I'm assuming you just like that body style better which is fair! It is a looker!
The DCT trans although more fuel efficient is unfortunately a step back; The A5 is a better choice ow they they have the same trans.
Not challenging you, but wondering why you believe the DCT is a step back?
If you drive this car with the 2021 8-speed and then the 2022-23 7-speed DSG, it’s significantly improved. (I’ve leased both). Also I have run multiple 0-60s in the 4.7s so it’s just a matter of how you launch/drive mode selected.
Well said, as usual!
Happy to see you guys covering amber vs red turn signals at 2:20 !
There needs to be more awareness around this!
I purchased a car in March. I loved the idea of the Arteon and I had it on my short list of cars to test, but could not find one within 50 miles of me to test drive.
I really wanted to love this car. Had it for 2 years but the quality and reliability was becoming unbearable. So many things from rattles, to electrical issues, to seat mechanisms breaking. I miss the the practicality and looks of it, but even my 3 series you can immediately tell it is just built better… it’s a shame as I hate crossovers.
That makes me thing differently about getting this car. Read quite a few of this complaint on 19-21’s on Vortex. I had a 06 GTI that drove awesome, but had more squeaks and rattles than I could stand.
@@Stclairm1 if you care about little things.. like b pillars rattling in your ear. Or plastics creaking and flexing the morning after a cooler night. Then skip it. Not even getting into the bigger problems lol.
@@michaelbramblett2193 I’m kind of used to some of that with my Camaro, but only due to 3 plus years and 45k miles. Minimal though. Radio helps.
@@Stclairm1 stronger man than me!
@@michaelbramblett2193 apparently they stopped offering m packs on the 230i and I just read no one is buying them due to the horrible exterior design. They should have just improved on the previous awesome 2 series.
Looking to buy one of these right now. Wish me luck from Towson.
Honest review as always
Love the comparison to other competitors in the class in terms of metrics
Excellent presentation, important nuances articulated to reveal value, I may try to hook one if the price is right. Beautiful car
Brian, Every ounce of practicality and pragmatism gained by that clever lift back is NEGATED by the ludicrously sloping rear roof line that makes the back seat useless for genuinely
full-size passengers. Wannabe coupe designers taking their sports car frustrations out on sedans are some of the biggest reasons for CUV popularity. Practical people are simply
being forced out of the sedan market. 🤨 The last time I checked, VW was still building genuinely accommodating Passat and Golf Wagons for the European market. The highly practical
and prosaic Pontiac Vibe seen at 12:04 puts this Arteon to shame. 😉🤩
I sat in the back seat and didn't have an issue, i'm six foot
@@gregkramer5588 That is fair enough but you must have long legs and a short torso. Numerous sedans offer generous rear leg room but headroom is in short supply in the world of
the post CLS sedan.
VERY POOR choice of words, try again,
Did you get those MPG figures using Premium gasoline or regular?
Premium, because it requires minimum 91.
I own this car and you nailed it.
They never bothered to advertise this thing in the US. The ONLY reason I knew about it was from The Straight Pipes. I mean, zero support stateside.
I like the way it looks, looks practical too.
Is Camry still available with smooth, silky 300 hp V-6 starting at $33k?
yes!
I have a 2021 Premium R line, and man its the best. Besides the safety features, this car drivers smoothly and is really enjoyable to drive. I wish it had a bigger screen. This is a car i rarely see on the road, since it came out on 2018, i might have seen 2-3 in total. A lot of people ask me about it, and its sad that this car doesnt have a lot of popularity, probably because of the price.
People are
Dumb and buy mediocre FWD Asian sedans or worse yet crossovers or SUVs.
I wish all sedans were liftbacks. So convenient. I wouldn't even want to switch away from this Clarity if the cargo entry area was better.
Love the Arteon. If VW produced a hybrid version I would definitely buy. Beautiful car... Sad to see it go.
In EU they got a hybrid
Sending love from Windsor!
I love this guy...great journalist
I know I like the way a car looks when I like it even when it's painted in life-sapping gray.
I agree with you about the dull “military” look color choices.
Guess that’s what the USA us all about in the eyes of car manufacturers.
I was in the Navy. An appropriate license plate would be “hazegry”
@@robertyoung1777 Europe too.
Buddy you just drove through a red light!! Focus! Eyes on the road
I'm not sure, but did Alex get a haircut? Switch to contacts? Lose a few pounds? Beautiful car. Nice review.
I've always loved the arteon. It sucks it's going away but it was just too expensive. Add in the touch buttons on the interior and somewhat lacking in the power department and I couldn't justify it. Honestly if it came with a vr6 or if we got the shooting brake model I would have got one
They're still 2022 model sitting on the lot you can find those 46 $8,000 off of the MSRP
Good looking car. Its a pity it did not sell well enough to be retained.
12:35 🔴
Are these reliable?
Why still show the Mazda 6 in the size comparisons? It’s been canceled for almost 2 years now.
I was really close to buying one but i am tall and headroom is less than VW used to do and the low profile tires are a terrible thing.
I think everyone agrees the exterior is beautiful, but the interior is extremely meh. With many competitors giving you more/similar features and power for less money, it’s hard to justify the price tag. And if someone wants to spend $50K+ on a sedan, they probably want a luxury badge attached to it.
Let me know who offers something that actually compares for less money? I’ve been out looking and haven’t found it.
Great review and excellent sedan
These are beautiful boat anchors and the dealerships know it. You can find discounts on these upto 4k to 6k.
Did he just run a red light at 12:33
53db? Could you elaborate on how you measure this? Thanks.
You say that it's like "audi level" where they do not use the best materials yet Audi is known to use one of the best in the segment with having standard real leather across the board... also ventilated seats is an option and is not equipped on this model. 0-60 has been tested up to 4.8 seconds too so your 0-60 isn't accurate whatsoever 💀
Like the first commenter said: at its price Why buy an Arteon VW if with a couple thousands more you can get an Audi?
you fully ran a red light at 12:33
🤫
I think potentially discontinued Bentley Flying Spur W12 is nicer car to buy instead
Front engine front-wheel drive!
Dude chose to film right next to a lawn mower
The problem with the Arteon is that Alex didn’t review it. 😢
Bad info - according to VW of America the Arteon is NOT being discontinued.
Dang! Those road surfaces look terrible! 51k?! No thanks Loaded at 45k, ok. P.s. a crown at 55k! Are they insane...no way!
literally waste of time after the 30s mark...
GJ making it to 30s....
Walk into a VW dealer and offer 10% off MSRP. Then leave your number and walk out. They will call you back.
Looker in exterior shape...seems so much longer than my 20 stinger GTline. thx
0 to 60 in 5.8 sec??? thats horrible, i am assuming your driving the AWD trim, if so, you should have gotten ALOT better then that ! more like 5.1 or less!
That's perfectly fine for merging it's a family sedan not a race car
This car can do 4.7 seconds to 60MPH and quarter mile at 13.1 seconds @ 103MPH. Source: myself because I own this car 2023 Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion
If VW had stuffed the Golf R engine into this thing, I'd have bought this instead of a Stinger. Love my tail happy car, but the VW GTI I traded in had better fit and finish.
Fit and finish never are said of a Vw
It is the golf r engine… just a few less horsepower. With a tune when it comes out will put this car 0-60 in under 4.5 seconds easily.
This car needs foglights to complete the premium look.
Nah
Dude you passed a redlight
Running red lights and stopping on bike lanes, tsk tsk!
Good looking car.
Great review, concise, touches exactly the right points for comparisons.