Volkswagen may simply hand over on the Arteon in the USA. Solely 3,602 bought in 2020. That’s higher than the short-lived Phaeton’s finest 12 months (1,939 items in 2004) however simply edging out the Phaeton is extra of a diss than a hit story. Numerous examples are sitting on vendor heaps all throughout the nation with upwards of $10,000 in reductions. The state of affairs will not be fairly, which is gloomy, contemplating how fairly the Arteon is.
Undeterred, VW is again for 2021 with a brand new and refreshed argument for its four-door liftback flagship. The details keep the identical, however there’s an additional degree of polish that was lacking from the 2019 and 2020 Arteons. We’re not getting the good-looking Arteon Taking pictures Brake or faster Arteon R variants headed to Europe (no enterprise case, VW inform us), however we’re getting a extra luxurious model of the Arteon.
Exterior, VW made the entrance finish flashier. The chrome horizontal grille bars are thicker, and there are fewer of them. Each SEL R Line fashions achieve a skinny LED illuminated bar that arcs throughout the grille within the form and type of one of many chrome bars. It’s a styling aspect Volkswagen has been rolling out on new fashions (the upcoming Taos, the T-Roc bought in Europe), and serves as yet one more instance of producers pushing the boundaries of lighting expertise. Lastly, VW made the entrance bumper aspect intakes extra distinguished, added a pair new wheel designs (the brand new 20-inch wheels are pictured within the gallery above) and adjusted the typography of “Arteon” on the rear hatch. The flamboyant entrance lighting is probably the most impactful change, however Volkswagen didn’t must do a lot to enhance on the system. This automotive’s svelte strains and slick sportback form make it a stunner. Volkswagen says it’s a flagship automotive, and it appears to be like the a part of a correct flagship.
VW should’ve heard the complaints that the Arteon’s present Passat-grade inside didn’t lower it for the worth, as a result of the adjustments inside are way more complete. The entire sprint is redesigned to be much less Passat and extra Audi A7. All these boring, flat black company buttons and controls are changed with contact haptic shiny surfaces and contact sliders. It’s paying homage to Audi’s newest MMI with its full touch-control interface for local weather and audio buttons, simply minus the second display. Volkswagen additionally took an opportunity on a brand new steering wheel with contact management surfaces, and in contrast to Mercedes’ touch-sensitive steering wheel, VW pulled it off. The contact controls may be adjusted by way of swipes of your thumb, however all of the surfaces press like regular buttons, too, for those who desire to do it the old school means. Every thing is clearly labeled, positioned ergonomically and works with no hitch. It’s splendidly executed and really a better of each worlds answer.
All of the surfaces, supplies, trims and even air vents are revamped or restyled this 12 months in an effort to carry the Arteon additional upscale. The sprint has extra layers with textured surfaces this time round, however nonetheless has that austere look we’re accustomed to in Volkswagen merchandise. Similar to the outside, lighting performs a giant new function inside, too. The ambient lighting is embedded and constructed into the trim on the sprint and doorways in a dashing sample on SEL trims (the bottom trim get aluminum). There’s an enormous variety of colours to select from.
VW additionally built-in its newest infotainment software program (MIB3) permitting assist for each wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the 8-inch touchscreen. The Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster is made commonplace, and the improve audio system is now branded Harman Kardon, not Fender — VW says the swap was made as a result of Harman is seen as a extra premium audio system in the USA.
This array of upgrades is simply what the Arteon wanted inside. It performs a lot better as a price range Audi various if what you care about is inside ambiance. The near-$50,000 value is rather more palatable now.
That’s a lot of the good, however now it’s time to handle the herd of elephants within the room. Volkswagen has achieved nothing to the powertrain or chassis with this mid-cycle replace. It continues with the two.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as the one obtainable engine. This sends 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque by means of an eight-speed transmission (a standard transmission, not VW’s DSG) and on to the entrance wheels. All-wheel drive is accessible, and it’s the one model of the automotive that we drove.
In a vacuum, this powertrain is suitable. There’s sufficient torque to shove the automotive to 60 mph within the 6-second vary, and the all-wheel-drive system sends the correct amount of torque rearward to place you sideways and smiling within the snow. Nevertheless, it is much less acceptable when in comparison with a Kia Stinger GT, the one liftback of comparable dimension and value it will possibly compete towards (RIP Buick Regal Sportback). We’ll take the rear-drive (or AWD) Kia with 365 horsepower and sports activities sedan degree dealing with, thanks very a lot.
And that’s the opposite disappointment with the Arteon. Regardless of wanting like a sport sedan, it doesn’t deal with like one. The usual adaptive dampers transfer the suspension between what appears like gentle and ultra-soft modes. A numb, elastic really feel on turn-in plagues the steering. It lacks the sharpness and physique management of a Stinger, opting as an alternative to coddle its occupants in a pillowy journey. If what you need is a comfortable boulevard cruiser to crash by means of poor roads in your commute, the Arteon can deal with it. If you would like this plus a smile-inducing, fast weekend automotive, the Stinger is the one to get.
The Arteon’s drive could also be forgettable, however there are some issues it does higher than the competitors. Each the cavernous again seat and expansive cargo space are large pluses and key explanation why you would possibly contemplate an Arteon as an alternative of a smaller, equally priced luxury-badged sedan (Mercedes A-Class, and so forth.). Six-footers may comfortably sit back-to-back, and people within the rear will get to benefit from the ambient lighting, too. Sadly, there’s only a single USB-C outlet for the entire again seat. One good thing about its front-drive structure is a large and low cargo flooring — it’s large again there at 27.2 cubic-feet, which is only a few cubes below what you get in an Audi A6 Allroad.
Volkswagen will argue that the Arteon is a greater worth this 12 months. The bottom SE trim is $38,190, which is $1,175 greater than the 2020 mannequin. All the additional commonplace gear and upgrades actually really feel price the additional change, however the very last thing Volkswagen wanted to do was improve the worth. At the least the 2 improve trims — SEL R Line and SEL Premium R-Line — are a bit cheaper than their 2020 equivalents. Regardless, there’s a superb likelihood the huge reductions on the up to date mannequin find yourself mirroring these of the outgoing automotive quickly after its freshness wears off.
A lot of the gradual gross sales blame probably lies with crossover starvation and massive sedan apathy. Nonetheless, luxury-priced vehicles with out luxurious badges just like the Arteon have lengthy struggled. Simply ask the Nissan Maxima. Or the Phaeton. On the identical time, such a system is healthier executed by the exemplary Kia Stinger. It’s bought at an identical value, its GT model has far more energy, it has comparable inside refinement and is a method winner itself. In the event you can dwell with a contact much less house within the rear seat and trunk, a sparsely-optioned Audi A5 Sportback can compete on value versus the top-trim Arteons, too. Granted, the VW will web you a number of additional options/niceties at its value versus the Audi, however you’ll miss out on the superior driving expertise and an precise luxurious badge.
The Arteon finally ends up touchdown as an extra-niche selection for many who discover area of interest selections just like the Stinger or A5 Sportback just a little too widespread. It’s adequate-to-very good at a lot of issues, however even with the added tech and extra premium inside, it fails to face out from the competing autos in any memorable or attractive means.
Associated video:
