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Volkswagen Arteon

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Volkswagen Arteon

(2017 – present)

    Summary


    The Volkswagen Arteon is a large five-door liftback (and, from late 2020, also available as an estate) based on the Volkswagen Passat. It was launched in 2017 and received a mid-life update in mid-2020. The updated model is set to arrive in the UK before the end of the year.

    Along with updated versions of the Arteon range and the new estate model (Volkswagen appears to work from the same German-English dictionary as Mercedes-Benz as it insists on referring to the estate as a ‘Shooting Brake’, which it absolutely isn’t), there will also be a high-performance Arteon R model. Plug-in hybrid powertrains will also join the range, although they may not be available until later.

    As of November 2022, the Volkswagen Arteon has an Expert Rating of 65%, which is pretty reasonable in the overall new car market but falls well short of many of its rivals in a segment that oozes quality. It’s also five points behind the Volkswagen Passat on which it’s based.

    The Arteon has been praised for its comfort, equipment levels and practicality – especially its load space. However, the interior is considered a bit dreary and its pricing puts it right in the same ballpark as premium rivals from Audi and BMW, which better driving dynamics and more prestige.

    Key specifications


    Body style: Mid-sized liftback and estate
    Engines: petrol, diesel
    Price: From £38,255 on-road

    Launched: Summer 2017
    Last updated: Summer 2020
    Replacement due: TBA


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    Safety rating


    Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

    Overall score: 5 stars
    Date tested: July 2017
    Read the full Euro NCAP review

    Adult protection: 96%
    Child protection: 85%
    Vulnerable road users: 85%
    Safety assist: 82%

    Eco rating


    No eco rating

    As of November 2022, the Volkswagen Arteon has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

    If and when the Arteon is tested by Green NCAP, we’ll publish the results here.

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    As of November 2022, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volkswagen Arteon to generate a reliability rating.

    The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us from new car warranty and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as we have sufficient data on the Arteon, we’ll publish the score here.

    Awards


    Trophies, prizes and awards that the Volkswagen Arteon has received

    2021

    • What Car? Awards – Best Coupé for Practicality

    2019

    • Tow Car Awards – Overall winner + 1,550-16,99kg category winner

    Similar cars


    If you’re looking at the Volkswagen Arteon, you might also be interested in these alternatives

    Alfa Romeo Giulia | Audi A4 | Audi A5 Sportback | BMW 3 Series | BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé | Ford Mondeo | Jaguar XE | Kia Stinger | Mazda 6 | Mercedes-Benz CLA | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Peugeot 508 | Subaru Levorg | Vauxhall Insignia | Volkswagen Passat | Volvo S60 | Volvo V60

    The Arteon is conceptually similar to the Audi A5 Sportback, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLA – all of which are lower and sleeker versions of more mundane models (the A4, 3 Series and A-Class, respectively). But the fact that the Arteon is essentially a reworked Passat means that it also competes with a wide range of other models, including the Passat itself.

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    The Volkswagen Arteon has an Expert Rating that's pretty reasonable overall but falls well short of many of its similarly-priced rivals.Volkswagen Arteon