In a time when most auto manufacturers are abandoning anything sedan-eqsue in droves for more-profitable C/X/SUVs, Volkswagen has mostly resisted by not only continuing to offer cars, but by developing a new one to reside in a niche segment occupied by much more expensive models. That new car? The Volkswagen Arteon.
Seen as a replacement for the handsome and long-discontinued Passat CC, the Arteon continues the coupe-like styling while offering four doors. Regardless of the anorak’s thoughts on a four-door being called a coupe, the Areton pulls off the look effortlessly. The Arteon comes standard with full LED lighting regardless of trim level, a welcomed change and hopefully a decision more automakers adopt. The LED lighting on the front end of the Areton is especially trick, and its integration with the grille is a striking design that makes the Areton feel as though it’s punching above its weight as a near-luxury car. It's also a hatch, which gives loads of space for whatever you may want to haul.
Like most of Volkswagen’s current lineup, the Arteon is based on the MQB platform. In short, this means that the wheelbase of the Arteon is five inches longer than the CC, with an overall length of about 191 inches. Passengers have plenty of room.
All Arteons come equipped with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder, which makes 268 horsepower. Sending that power to either the front wheels or all four is an eight-speed automatic standard across the entire range.
Our tester was an SEL Premium, which comes standard with Volkswagen’s 4MOTION. The SEL Premium starts at $44,945, with ours coming in at $45,940 courtesy of the destination charge.
Having had a first generation CC, pre-facelift, the body lines on this car are too busy. It's gone from subtly classy to over-the-top sporty. It still catches my eye when I see one in the wild, but it's too much hard edged styling for me. My 13 year old son was instantly drawn to it when we were in the VW dealerships earlier this year though.
VW has sold about 1,500 of these in the US market so far. Not sure what the business case was for this vehicle.
It's nice to see somebody has realized that current fastback bodies should be full sized hatchbacks instead of going for micro-trunk openings.
Arteon. Sounds like some posh British actress' name.
Good looking car. The CC was also a great looking car. 
TR7
Reader
10/21/19 9:43 a.m.
MadScientistMatt said:
It's nice to see somebody has realized that current fastback bodies should be full sized hatchbacks instead of going for micro-trunk openings.
Agreed. I have been mildly annoyed that things like the new mustang arent a liftback.
Vigo
MegaDork
10/21/19 2:51 p.m.
I'm glad the CC has a name now but I also think it has lost some of its overt specialness. I think VW's main struggle with this car will be getting people next to, inside, or driving it in the first place. It's probably fairly good but outside of a 'blind taste test' type of scenario I don't know how you get someone who isn't actively seeking it out to even give it a shot.
Dave M
Reader
10/21/19 8:14 p.m.
nderwater said:
VW has sold about 1,500 of these in the US market so far. Not sure what the business case was for this vehicle.
Two words:
Europe
China
It's just gravy if they sell any here. The US market is Tiguan, Atlas and GTI (and Audi and Porsche).
FWIW, it doesn’t look like this car is sold in China 
This could be a hell of a bargain in 5 years.
A shame it's automatic-only. I'm the demographic for a car like this (and yes, I've actually bought my last two cars brand new), and I'd certainly consider it with a manual. It's really a nice-looking car with some great features (like the true liftback). Since I imagine the FWD version is basically the same drivetrain as the GTI, it wouldn't be a stretch to make some available with the GTI's lovely 6MT. But such is life. I'll stick with my GTI.
Jordan Rimpela said:
This could be a hell of a bargain in 5 years.
Well, not yet. Also, I rarely--if ever--see these.
Sold in China as the CC.
Apparently closer to 5k sold here since launch but in a good month they sell almost that many in China...
