2021 VW Arteon Shooting Brake Review

VW's most desirable car?

The VW Arteon Shooting Brake is a car without any real rivals. But does that make it the default choice, or an oddity that's impossible to justify? Rebecca Jackson takes a close up look at Volkswagen's handsome shooting brake to find the answer. In this CarGurus UK review Rebecca assesses the Arteon Shooting Brake's styling, practicality, technology, performance, ride and handling, running costs, and much more.

Read our full VW Arteon review:

Pros
Super-stylish alternative to a Passat
Roomy for passengers
Covers big distances with ease

Cons
Not as sporty as you might expect
You'll pay for that styling upgrade
A BMW 3 Series is far more enjoyable to drive

#cargurusuk #vwarteon #shootingbrake

[garymcmahon]

It wouldn't be a review without Rebecca's 5ft 4 and a half, its what I wait for in every vlog 😀😀

[stephenhendricks]

As an American I appreciate seeing the perspective from the UK about vehicles available on both sides of the Atlantic. I thought some European readers might find an American perspective on the Arteon to be of interest. So...

Unfortunately we don't get the Shooting Brake/Estate/Wagon as a result of our national obsession with SUVs. Nevertheless, the 5 door hatch/liftback is very appealing despite the fact that our version differs in some ways from the Euro-spec Arteon. For example, we don't get the DSG available in Europe. Instead, we get a conventional 8 speed automatic. Apparently because VW believes (probably correctly) that Americans remain skeptical about the behavior of dual clutch transmissions. Nor do we have the engine choices available in Europe. The only option is a version of VW's excellent EA888 petrol engine. Here it's tuned between the GTI and the Golf R with 268 hp/258 lb ft torque and lacks the dual injection of the European version. Only three trim levels are available in the US, a base SE version and two "R-Line" models that offer AWD but lack the performance tuning of the European "R" model with its considerably higher output engine.

VW invests virtually nothing in advertising the Arteon in America and sales are weak but the entire "midsize" sedan market is soft in the US. Fortunately, VW apparently remains committed to offering the Arteon here. How long that will last is a question mark. On the bright side, though, the US versions of the Arteon hatch are considerably more affordable than the European counterparts. For example, the mid-trim AWD SEL R-Line has an MSRP in the US of $45, 000. (about $31, 700 pounds based on direct currency conversion.) Even better news is that here in the Seattle, Washington area dealers are offering that model at discounts of $6000 to $7000 off MSRP. The top trim SEL Premium R-Line comes in at $48, 000, again with a discount of $6000 to $7000. Those prices put the mid-trim SEL R-Line Arteon transaction price at the same level as a fully loaded top trim Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, neither of which offers AWD. (In each case local excise tax, title and license charges add no more than 8% to the total price.) We Americans may have crumbling highways and bridges and lack the option of long distance affordable rail travel but we pay less than Europeans for our cars. Whether that's a fair exchange is another topic.

Finally, the most obvious rival of the Arteon sedan in the US is the KIA "liftback" Stinger with the new 2.5L turbo four cylinder base engine. (As far as I know that engine choice isn't available in the UK but I may be incorrect.) The Arteon and Stinger (GT-Line) are virtually the same length and nearly equal in price. The Stinger is an RWD or RWD-biased AWD design compared to the FWD and FWD-biased AWD of the Arteon. The performance specs on paper favor the GT-LIne Stinger but third party ECU tuning of the Arteon erases the differences in HP and torque. The Arteon's interior is considerably more upscale (though with less engaging eye candy) than the Stinger. And the Arteon outshines the (base trim) Stinger in terms of handling with its DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) and electronically controlled LSD. Finally, though the overall size of the two is nearly identical, the interior passenger and cargo space is considerably greater than the Stinger. For someone who appreciates both the VW and KIA brands (I own a KIA Sorento and a GTI), it's a tough choice but having driven each recently, I'd opt for the Arteon.

[christopherprose]

You and the crew at Car Gurus do a great job of exposition on the cars you review. Your videos are concise and comprehensive and all your hosts are both professional and pleasant. Keep up the good work!

[HCChen]

really like Rebecca reviews~ such a nice review and full of information!

[malph]

The rear 3/4 view has a look of a big, 4 door Scirocco. Good review!

[marvinsamuels]

Another great review Rebecca. I really like the look of the Shooting Brake version over the 5dr coupe/hatch version. I’d have to have it in GTE spec using the PHEV ability to further enhance the cars duality.

[martincolin]

Love it and bought one in March...looks fantastic and turns heads...much more than a 3 series estate...ride is ok but not sophisticated and with narrow rear vision they really are being mean in not including a rear view camera as standard on any of the models

[muffindell]

Nice to see Rebecca back again, honestly when you're only 5'3"the additional half inch is not going to make a difference, would rather you say that you're petite, or short, or vertically challenged, or even small! Anyway, it's the content that matters and you always do a fine job of describing cars good and bad points in an accurate but somewhat laid back unenthusiastic way

[spivvo]

The wheel spokes point backwards on one side and forward on the other side. That messes with my OCD, shame because otherwise I would buy one! Good reveiw though.

[tomraymond]

I'm probably a bit of a boring to say so but but I'm sure I'm not the only one who would take a Superb estate over this, mostly same mechanicals and more space/practicality for less money.
Spec a sportline model and it still looks decent too...

[becauseiwasinverted]

I think when she mentioned the boot only being 2 litres bigger than the hatch version that is pretty common. I believe its because the official measure is to the parcel shelf so no big change over hatch or saloon but the big gain is all the room above above shelf with the rear net in place and extra loading practicality of the estate opening boot

[scotstubbie]

Was loving everything about this car till I heard the price way out of my league but a beautiful car none the less. If I could afford it I would go for the shooting brake it is far more aesthetically pleasing to me.

[TG-pdft]

25 mpg in that turbo petrol tho - that's gonna hurt if you do mileage

[modmod]

Looks particularly wonderful from the rear.

[Firemarioflower]

What a color!!! If only most buyers would go for this kind of red!

[jonathansmith]

We are VW fans and love the shape of the Arteon but it’s never really made sense outside of its looks and drive esp as it’s a Passat equivalent (Just better looking one)

[edm]

I am sure the Volvo V90 and V90 Cross-country are also fair competitors

[andrewmarsden]

Keyless entry mentioned. Are any cars now without that? Audi badge over VW, not much in it for me. £47k for that one is high.

[Grandinfotainment]

❤ love this VW in red colour and stunning 😍review by Rebecca.

[jrs]

you don't see this type of car in north america anymore. almost everybody buys trucks and suvs now.