Style and luxury often butt heads with practicality in the automobile world, but Volkswagen seems to have blended those traits into the 2019 Arteon.
And itB次元官网网址檚 a real looker.
The new four-door hatchback becomes the automakerB次元官网网址檚 prestige vehicle, by virtue of both its content and corresponding upper-range price.
Although similar in length to the Passat sedan and constructed on the same MQB platform (as are many other VW and Audi models), the Arteon follows its own distinctive design path. It also tops the Passat with nearly five centimetres more width and distance between the front and rear wheels, which increases rear legroom.
The low-slung look is somewhat reminiscent of VWB次元官网网址檚 CC sedan that was retired after 2017. That model was significantly smaller than the Arteon and had a trunk instead of a liftgate, which limited stowage capacity.
Fortunately, the ArteonB次元官网网址檚 designers had a larger canvas to literally and figuratively draw upon and have generally succeeded in creating sufficient space B次元官网网址� especially headroom B次元官网网址� for four adults, or five in a pinch. Folding the 60:40 split rear seatback nearly flat can also expand the cargo area. Left in the upright position, a pass-through opening allows longer items to fit inside.
The sloping nose and hood add a degree of sportiness that the Passat lacks, while the fastback roofline compares to the Audi A5 Sportback and even the Kia Stinger.
In operational terms, the ArteonB次元官网网址檚 road holding qualities are assisted by active dampers (shocks) that react in milliseconds to varying road conditions and driver inputs.
The cabin is pretty much a replica of the current PassatB次元官网网址檚, especially the control panel and 20-centimetre touchscreen that are straightforward and easy to comprehend, which is the case with most VW models. The pushbuttons for the ventilation settings located below the touchscreen are on the small side, however.
Also seemingly small for the ArteonB次元官网网址檚 stature is the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, although it makes a respectable 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The fuel-economy rating is 12.0 l/100 km in the city and 8.6 on the highway. It might seem odd that VWB次元官网网址檚 3.6-litre V-6 isnB次元官网网址檛 on the menu, but itB次元官网网址檚 also no longer offered for the Passat.
An eight-speed automatic is your sole transmission choice and it directs torque to all four wheels since the Arteon is fitted with VWB次元官网网址檚 4Motion all-wheel-drive (which not available in the Passat).
Arteon pricing begins at $49,900, including destination fees, for Exceline trim (the only one offered). That price gets you trizone climate control, 12-way power front seats (with massage function for the driverB次元官网网址檚 chair) and heated, leather-covered front and rear seats and a 700-watt, 12-speaker premium audio system.
Also included is a panoramic sunroof, a navigation system and a 31-centimetre digital gauge and information display that can be configured according to driver preferences.
On the active-safety front, the Arteon comes with forward-collision warning, autonomous emergency braking and blind-spot warning.
Available is an R-Line package, consisting of metal interior pieces, a unique front end with gloss-black accents, a small rear spoiler and 20-inch wheels (18-inchers are standard).
You can also order a Driver Assistance Package, consisting of a surround-view camera plus parking assist and lane-keeping technology. The Arteon-exclusive Kurkuma Yellow Metallic paint (shown here) will set you back an extra $500.
As an upscale hatchback, the Arteon runs the risk of overlapping some Audi offerings (Audi is part of the Volkswagen group), such as the A5 Sportback. On the other hand, the hatchbackB次元官网网址檚 youthful and sporty demeanor should help convey VolkswagenB次元官网网址檚 mission of creating a stylish and fun-to-drive larger car thatB次元官网网址檚 as luxurious as it is practical.
What you should know: 2019 Volkswagen Arteon
Type: Four-door, all-wheel-drive midsize hatchback
Engine (h.p.): 2.0-litre DOHC I-4, turbocharged (268)
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Market position: The Arteon could be viewed as a new-and-improved version of the late Volkswagen CC, but in a larger, more practical format that can more comfortably accommodate adults seated in back.
Points: Good-looking design avoids the conservative sameness of the automakerB次元官网网址檚 other sedans. B次元官网网址� Non-trendy, straightforward interior with intuitive controls and instrumentation. B次元官网网址� Standard turbocharged four-cylinder posts decent output numbers, but some shoppers will still want a V-6. B次元官网网址� Top trim level butts up against B次元官网网址� or could even trip over B次元官网网址� some Audi models.
Active safety: Blind-spot warning with cross-traffic backup alert (std.); active cruise control (std.); emergency braking (std.); pedestrian detection (std.); lane-keeping assist (opt.)
L/100 km (city/hwy) 12.0/8.6; Base price (incl. destination) $49,900
BY COMPARISON
Kia Stinger AWD
Base price: $41,900
Plenty of poise and punch makes this one a winner. V-6 engine available.
Buick GS AWD
Base price: $45,900
Fully loaded Regal hatchback comes with a standard V-6.
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
Base price: $55,500
Luxury hatch is larger than the 3-series sedan. Turbo option makes 320 h.p.
If youB次元官网网址檙e interested in new or used vehicles, visit
-written by Malcom Gunn, Managing Partner at Wheelbase Media.
Like us on and follow us on
