While many carmakers are kicking standard 4-door passenger automobiles to the curb like yesterday’s garbage in favor of SUVs, see some manufacturers are staying the sedan course. Count Volkswagen among them; as the company notes, standard cars still comprise 25 percent of the U.S. 4.25 million sedans sold in 2018. Intent on capturing that sedan-loving subset of the public’s attention, VW dug deep for its new flagship, the Arteon. The car is technically a replacement for the CC, which never fairly rose to the problem of being a real vary-topper because of middling performance and marginally attention-grabbing seems to be. The good: In the beginning, the Arteon’s fastback design is prime-notch; it earns a spot amongst the best-wanting 4-door coupes available on the market, perhaps even bettering its company sibling, the extremely-regarded Audi A7. It additionally has nimble handling, and an engine powerful sufficient to maneuver it off the line briskly. And the complement of standard and optional expertise options, along with an intuitive infotainment system, give the automobile mainstream attraction.
Who It’s For: The Arteon is a trendy ride, accessible in a bold vary of colors—most notably, a putting yellow hue. It’s not a fuddy-duddy Passat or an nameless Jetta; reasonably, the Arteon is a grown-up automotive for drivers who care about what they’re seen in, and what appeals to them both aesthetically and virtually. Watch out For: Rather disappointing—by which I mean, generally nonexistent—engine sounds. There’s a trace of strain underneath onerous acceleration, but actually nothing near a growl. Other instances, you may barely tell there’s anything happening underneath the hood. After all, it’s not that surprising, as 2019 is the era of extremely-quiet EVs and financial institution vault-silent luxurious vehicles; nonetheless, it’s good to have some auditory affirmation that your automotive is excited by the curves. Alternatives: The Kia Stinger GT is introduced up typically as a direct competitor to the Arteon, and it has the benefit of a second, more powerful engine choice and pricing that undercuts the VW. The Acura TLX additionally has related specs, as well as a second engine choice. The Infiniti Q50 and the Nissan Maxima are additionally in the combination.
None, although, have quite the visible panache of the Arteon, particularly in its chic R-Line trim. Review: The most effective flagship fashions possess two largely undefinable qualities: presence and aura. The former emerges from the vehicle’s stature and dimensions: tall vehicles don’t normally have a strong presence; low, broad ones generally do. Aura, that je ne sais quoi that renders some automobiles above the rest, is more durable to pin down. A automotive with a great aura has to look a bit distinct from its underlings. The extremely-premium Volkswagen Phaeton of yore—sold right here from just 2004 to 2006—had both qualities. The CC didn't. The new VW has a confident posture and excellent proportions, including customary 18-inch wheels (upgradable to 19- or 20-inchers) and a number of deftly-lower character lines and creases along the flanks and hood. Coupled with the sleek LED lighting and considerable chrome, it presents a robust look from the skin.
The R-Line trim throws in a host of black detailing that appears significantly good when paired with the bold Kurkuma Yellow Metallic paint. The inside feels cohesive and snug, with both front and rear passengers enjoying plenty of room and assist. The Arteon’s wheelbase stretches five inches longer the CC’s, with most of that room given to the rear-seat passengers. The dashboard has a narrow, horizontal aesthetic, and all of the controls are readily accessible and smartly situated. The infotainment system can also be nicely-organized and appealingly designed; it may well detect your fingers’ proximity and reveal strips of touchscreen controls, thus holding the display uncluttered when not being actively used. On a drive around Santa Barbara, California, the Arteon proved its flagship qualities are greater than pores and skin deep. The engine lets the driver energy cleanly out of turns, whereas the car’s version of the VW Group’s MQB chassis keeps the experience poised and balanced. The automotive isn’t actually a sport sedan; it’s not meant to be caned by way of canyon roads, however even so, it handles them with admirable composure.
The adaptive suspension’s 15 settings assist keep things underneath control, while the all-wheel-drive ably applies power as needed to enhance cornering and maintain traction. It'll soak up most of what you can throw it, but it reaches its limits properly forward of the likes of a BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class—as one would reasonably anticipate, given the value difference. The available know-how also places the Arteon in solid standing amongst equally-priced four-doorways. The 700-watt Dynaudio sound system has 12 speakers and sufficient juice to comfortably and clearly play above wind and road noise. The infotainment system features a customizable digital cockpit; that mentioned, it provides limited distinctions between drive modes and show choices, which may change into irritating. The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interfaces, though, are easy to engage and work seamlessly. Verdict: The Arteon is a sporty journey that doesn’t quite qualify as a sport sedan—but its different qualities greater than make up for that. Volkswagen offered this product for assessment. Note: Purchasing products via our hyperlinks may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission.
