The Best-Looking Volkswagen
You spot it coming down the road, turn your head, and then turn it back again quickly. It looks like a Volkswagen but is it? Maybe an Audi or Mercedes-Benz? The sedan fastback styling will fool many, but be confident it is Volkswagen through-and-through. The breath of fresh air styling provided by the 2021 Arteon in the Volkswagen line-up is backed-up by a full-featured sedan that offers performance and a premium level of comfort.
First released in Europe in 2017 and then America in 2019, the 2021 Arteon received a refreshed exterior and interior, upgrading both with a sharper design and the improved technology of the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit now standard. Clean Fleet Report drove the Arteon 2.0T SEL Premium R-Line with 4Motion for a week and came away impressed with its ride, handling and comfort.
Turbocharged with AWD Optional
The 2.0-liter turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder engine produces 268 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and a maximum 258 pound-feet of torque, which is reached at a very useable 1,950 rpm. You can sit back and let the eight-speed automatic transmission do its thing, or optionally go through the gears manually with the Tiptronic or the paddle shifters. You can also select drive modes of Comfort, Normal or Sport to adjust the suspension, engine and transmission responses. All this provides ample acceleration with respectable 0-60 times of 6.2 seconds.
We noticed a hesitation when launching from a stop, most likely brought on a by the transmission hunting for the right gear, which sent us into fifth gear at 30 mph with the goal of maximizing fuel economy. This caused the engine to lag and even drone. For the most part we could override this issue by selecting the Sport drive mode, which held the transmission in each gear longer, plus using the paddle shifters also prevented the transmission from trying to find a lower fuel-saving gear prematurely. However, after a quick blip off the line, the acceleration was smooth and ready to get it on as needed.
Fuel economy estimates by the EPA for the Arteon 4Motion are 20 mpg city/31 highway/24 combined. In 275 miles of driving throughout Southern California we averaged 27.5 mpg. But in a 155-mile highway run with the adaptive cruise control set at 65 mph and in Normal drive mode, we averaged 32.6 mpg. The front-wheel drive Arteon is rated at 22 city/32 highway/25 combined.
Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience using the dash gauge computer. Your numbers may differ.
Driving Experience: On the Road
The 3,955-pound 2021 Arteon R-Line 4Motion delivers a surefooted driving experience with assistance from the DCC adaptive chassis control. The 4Motion system activates the XDS electronic torque-vectoring before wheel spin occurs to compensate for understeer during cornering. The system automatically applies the brake to a wheel that is slipping and applies drive power to the opposite wheel. All this happens so fast, that cornering confidence was never doubted.
Clean Fleet Report’s Arteon R-Line 4Motion, with 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and 245/35 Continental ProContact all-season tires, delivered poised handling and short stops. The electric power assist steering was neutral, but could be altered by using the DCC. The strut-type front suspension with coil springs, and the torsion beam, coil springs and anti-roll bar on the rear gave a smooth and stable ride. There was good lateral stability in the chassis, making for solid and confident highway cruising and no wind buffeting from passing trucks.
Stops were straight and true with the Arteon’s standard four-wheel anti-lock braking system, power-assisted front vented and rear discs, electronic brake pressure distribution and electronic stability control. There was no learning curve and the brakes did not fade after repeated, hard stops.
The Areton R-Line 4Motion handles a notch below a sport sedan, but it is very close. Volkswagen doesn’t market the R-Line as a sports sedan. It’s designed to satisfy on long road trips, commuting, or occasionally finding some twisties to attack with its tight handling.
Redesigned Interior
The SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion is the top trim level for the 2021 Arteon, which comes with comfortable and supportive Nappa leather seats. The driver and passenger get heated and ventilated seats with 12-way power adjustments including four-way lumbar. The driver gets seat memory and even massage. The shifter for the eight-speed automatic was situated perfectly in the center console for using the manual Tiptronic feature, just above the Drive Mode wheel and the Auto Hold button. The stainless steel pedal caps and the bright metal sill scuff plates were a nice touch.
The two-tone interior was in a classy Mistral and Raven, with soft touch materials on the door panels, dash and center console arm rest, with top stitching throughout the cabin adding to the upscale tone. Make sure to check-out the 30-color ambient lighting scheme that wraps the cabin with a translucent strip on the front and rear doors, and ending at the instrument cluster. There is plenty of head and legroom up front, even for 6’+ drivers and passengers. Rear space easily accommodated two adults, three for short trips, with the outboard seats heated. Because of the fastback styling, make sure to dip your head when getting in and out as it can get a bit tight, but once there, sitting in the rear seat reveals the Arteon’s ample head and legroom. Trunk space is large with 27.2 cubic feet with the rear seat upright, and a more-than-large 56.2 cubic feet when the 60/40 rear seat is folded flat.
Taking center stage of the dash is the 10.0-inch fully digital instrument cluster with easy-to-read gauges in a black background and white lettering. Just to the right and above the shifter, is an 8.0-inch capacitive-touch sensor color touchscreen that handles the rear view camera, navigation and the 12-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system with 16 channels and 700 watts of booming power. The audio system delivers deep, full crisp tones for the AM/FM/HD radio and SiriusXM (90-day trial period) and two USB-C ports. Also part of the MIB3 infotainment system is Bluetooth for telephone and streaming music.
Volkswagen does a nice job of making it easy to operate the radio with both a channel and volume knob, while the three-zone automatic climate system had rear seat controls and vents. Convenience features include wireless phone charging, a tilt and telescoping steering column, leather-covered multi-function steering wheel, keyless access, push button start/stop, power adjustable and manual folding heated side mirrors, power tilt and sliding sunroof, and a multi-function car analytics and trip computer display.
All Areton models are equipped with Volkswagen’s CarNet connected car technology that provides a seamless link between the car and an iPhone, Android smartphone or computer, or as Volkswagen says it “keeps you connected with your car even when you’re apart.”
Sexy Exterior
The Artreon is not the first car to be a fastback sedan, but with the 2021 updating, Volkswagen has created a sexy, clean, eye-catching design.
The clean interior design continues to the exterior, where Volkswagen has not gone the route of adding unnecessary scoops and vents. Also, a big pat on the back for staying away from the big mouth bass front grille that is all the rage these days. Clean Fleet Report’s test Arteon, painted in a very attractive Onyx White Pearl, was striking, especially in the sunlight.
The 2021 Arteon is low and wide, refreshing in its clean design, with gently rounded and soft lines. With an eye to fuel economy and aerodynamics, the 0.29 coefficient of drag (Cd) helps it slice through the wind.
The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line has an R-Line specific grille and badging and an illuminated light bar running across the grille that connects the LED head and daytime running lights. Chrome accents along the side windows continue the clean design theme, leading to the horizontal LED tail lamps, an integrated spoiler on the trunk, another tasteful chrome strip at the bottom of the rear fascia and chrome-tipped exhaust ports.
The Arteon Station Wagon, or Shooting Brake, is sold in Europe, but due to a lack of consumer interest in wagons, America will not get this great-looking car.
Driver Assistance and Safety
The steering wheel also has capacitive-touch technology that senses when you are holding onto the wheel. This is important as Volkswagen incorporates its Travel Assist technology, which enables partially-automated driving when engaging a button on the steering wheel, into more of its line-up.
The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon comes with eight airbags, electronic stability control, blind spot monitor, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a full suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The Intelligent Crash Response System turns off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on the hazard lights in case of an accident. Also, the brakes are automatically applied by the automatic post-collision braking system so the car does not continue moving and cause a secondary accident. This technology shows its value so an incapacitated driver is not injured further by their car striking another object.
Pricing and Warranties
The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon comes in three trim levels, with the option of either front-wheel drive or the 4Motion all-wheel drive system. Base prices, without options, but including the $1,195 destination fee, are of $38,190 to $48,190. Clean Fleet Report’s Arteon 2.0T SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion, with $395 in options and the $1,195 destination fee, came in at $48,595.
The Arteon comes with these warranties:
- New Vehicle – Four years/50,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance – Three years/36,000 miles
- Corrosion Perforation – Seven years/100,000 miles
- Free Service – Two years/20,000 miles
Observations: 2021 Volkswagen Arteon 2.0T SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion
The updated 2021 Volkswagen Arteon is a serious contender if considering a crossover, especially when interior passenger space, cargo capacity, and fuel economy are taken into account. If shopping the 2020 Arteon versus the 2021 model, you will notice the design and feature upgrades, but also the trim levels have been consolidated and package pricing has reduced what you will pay for a comparable car.
The beauty of the Arteon is how it is set-up, especially if looking for a fastback sedan. The horizontal bars on the grille with the light bar has a distinctive look, as does the wide and low stance. The Arteon R-Line 4Motion is fun to drive with peppy acceleration, well-tuned steering and an adjustable ride, while easily hauling most of your stuff with the rear seat folded flat. The well-earned German fit-and-finish delivered a tight overall feeling, whether road trip cruising or cornering on challenging roads.
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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Volkswagen.
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Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
