Used Volkswagen Arteon 2017-present review

The Volkswagen Arteon is the answer to the following question: what do you get if you take a VW Passat and add a splash of glamour, a smidgen of extra practicality and a smattering of extra toys? The Arteon replaced the VW Passat CC (latterly just CC) upon its launch in 2017 – in other words, it came along as a smoother, sharper-suited version of VW's somewhat sensible (but very good) executive car.

The Arteon broke with the CC in adding an extra door: one at the rear, turning it into a five-door hatchback, rather than a four-door saloon. You can also have the model as a sleek estate car dubbed the VW Arteon Shooting Brake.

Engines & Performance: You get a good, well-rounded choice of engines with the Arteon. There are a few petrols, consisting of a 148bhp 1.5-litre, as well as a 187bhp, 276bhp and 316bhp 2.0-litre – the latter found inside the hot VW Arteon R.

There are also some 2.0-litre diesels, rated at 148bhp, 187bhp and 237bhp. An automatic gearbox was optional from new on the two lower-powered diesels and the 1.5-litre petrol and standard on the other models. Four-wheel drive, meanwhile, came as standard on the most powerful petrol and diesel models and optional on the 187bhp diesel.

Later cars – 2020 onwards – also sport a 1.4 TSIe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option that's capable of around 35 miles on electric power alone.

Ride & Handling: As its sharper looks suggest, the Arteon is a keener handler than the Passat it's mechanically based on. However, there's still too much body roll and heft stunting its agility for the model to truly compete with the likes of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. Even the Arteon R, while very fast and full of four-wheel-drive grip, can feel this way upon being thrown at a tight bend.

The Arteon is by no means a concerning mess – it's capable and confidence inspiring enough when the road gets twisty – but it's just fairly relaxed by comparison. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the benefit of that is excellent comfort. The ride is smooth and well cushioned, with the Arteon gliding down the road with near-enough luxury car competence.

Models fitted with the optional-from-new adaptive suspension, known as Dynamic Chassis Control (or DCC), allow you to choose between the firmer Sport mode, occasionally floaty Comfort or just-right Normal for the suspension.

Interior & Practicality: The Arteon’s interior is a classy place. True, it’s mostly shared with the Passat, but that’s no bad thing, because it’s beautifully made. There’s a 8.0in infotainment touchscreen (as standard from new) – with a larger, 9.2in screen otherwise available – and you also get a digital driver's display. Having said that, the Audi A5 Sportback feels even more upmarket inside.

In both the front and rear seats, you’ll find the Arteon trumps many of its rivals for space. Granted, if you’re tall, your head will be close to the roof lining in the rear thanks to the sloping roofline, but there’s still more room than in many rivals. And there’s a huge boot, to which the hatchback opening adds some valued practicality.

Trims & Equipment: The equipment choice is pretty simple: pick between entry-level Elegance and sportier-looking R-Line. The former has LED headlights, leather seats, dual-zone climate control (as well as a separate control for the rear seats) and heated front seats all coming as standard. R-Line merely added more aggressive-looking bumpers, larger alloy wheels and a smattering of detail upgrades to the interior.

Interested in buying a used Volkswagen Arteon? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

You can buy a used VW Arteon for around £14,000 and, for the money, expect a 2017/'18 car – there's a good variety of engines and trims to choose from, even at this price point. If you fancy a 2021 model, have upwards of £17,000 to spend, rising to roughly £30,000 for nearly new 2024 examples.

For the PHEV, you'll need around £22,000. The Arteon R currently demands upwards of £30,000.

Check the value of a used Arteon with What Car? Valuations

Find used Volkswagen cars for sale

MPG: The most efficient Arteons (aside from the plug-in hybrid) – those equipped with the 148bhp diesel engine – have an official average fuel consumption figure of 65.7mpg according to the new, more realistic test regime. But all Arteons are pretty efficient; the 187bhp diesel recorded an average figure of 61.4mpg in tests, while even the 2.0-litre 187bhp petrol hit 47.1mpg. The plug-in hybrid model has an amazing 256.8mpg figure, though it'll need a constantly topped up battery to achieve anything like that.

Road tax: How much your Arteon will cost in road tax will depend on how much it cost when it was new. If it was less than £40,000, including options, it’ll be £190 per year (£180 per year for the plug-in hybrid). However, if it was over that threshold, you'll also pay £410 per year, from years two to six. That's all the more reason to go for a lower-spec example, which will have been cheaper when it was new.

Insurance and servicing: Servicing costs, meanwhile, shouldn’t be too extortionate; you’ll pay less to maintain your Arteon than you will an A5 Sportback or 4 Series Gran Coupé. Insurance groups range from 21 to 35.

Unless you really need the extra fuel economy of the diesel variants, we reckon the Arteon is best served in petrol form – specifically with the 187bhp 2.0-litre unit, which is smooth, punchy and quiet.

Team that with Elegance trim (it really has all the equipment you could ever need, and its smaller wheels improve the ride quality) and the Arteon is a fast and relaxing executive express.

Our favourite Volkswagen Arteon: 2.0 TSI 190 Elegance

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé isn’t as pricey as you might think. True, it isn’t quite as spacious in the back as the Arteon, but its infotainment is a little easier to use and it’s more fun to drive.

The Audi A5 Sportback is a little more expensive but more modern than the BMW, and it has an even smarter interior than the Arteon’s.

If you can live without the Arteon’s hatchback but fancy a car that looks terrific and feels fun to drive, try the Jaguar XE. It isn’t quite as well-finished inside, nor is it as spacious in the back seats, though.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here

Interested in buying a used Volkswagen Arteon? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.