Volkswagen has retired the lagging CC nameplate, but it still wants a slice of the fastback sedan market that remains popular for sister-brand Audi. The 2019 Volkswagen Arteon aims to fill both gaps. A swoopy fastback (and technically a hatchback), the Arteon does its best to convince buyers that VW can do luxury, too.
The Arteon is a new model for 2019, though Volkswagen calls it the spiritual successor to the CC.
Like most of VW’s cars, the Arteon is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This one produces 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, all sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard ("4MOTION" in Volkswagen parlance) on all but the base trim, where it’s available for an extra $1,800.
The lone front-wheel-drive model does get the best fuel economy at an EPA-estimated 22 miles per gallon city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 combined. AWD models trail slightly behind at 20/27/23 mpg (city/highway/combined).
The Arteon may look like a sedan, but the fastback rear pops open as a hatchback. This means nearly 23 cubic feet of capacity behind the rear seats, and 55 with the second row folded. The slanting roofline doesn’t cut into head room too badly, either.
Every Arteon comes with VW’s impressive warranty. Coverage extends for six years or 72,000 miles, which is among the best in the industry.
Also standard is a solid suite of safety technologies, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a rearview camera, and a post-collision braking system.
The remaining features are divided across three trims:
The base Arteon SE is the cheapest of the lineup at a starting price of $36,840 (all prices include a $995 destination fee). The SE does get a healthy number of standard features. The exterior gets LED lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive dampers, heated side mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and keyless entry.
On the inside is faux-leather upholstery, three-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and push-button start. Infotainment runs through an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.
For $42,790, the Arteon SEL adds in true luxury features. It gets standard Nappa leather upholstery, a power moonroof, adaptive LED headlights, navigation, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, adaptive cruise control, and remote start. All-wheel drive is standard as well.
For $1,765, buyers can add the R-Line package to the Arteon SEL. The bundle is an aesthetic upgrade, adding muscular fascia, a black rear spoiler, air inlets, exclusive interior trim and stitching, and R-Line badging.
At the top of the range is the Arteon SEL Premium, which starts from $47,205. Both the R-Line package and all-wheel drive are standard. New standard equipment includes heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, paddle shifters, a massage-capable driver's seat, 19-inch wheels, a hands-free liftgate, puddle lights on the side mirrors, a 12-speaker audio system, lane keeping assist, park assist, automatic high beams, and a surround-view camera system. The lone standalone option are 20-inch black wheels for $500.
Take the Goldilocks approach with the 2019 Volkswagen Arteon – the mid-range SEL trim is the best value. It makes a reasonable argument for budget luxury, although this is a competitive class.
