The Premium Passat? | 2021 VW Arteon First Look

Sad that the US Passat isn't the same as the Euro Passat? There's an Arteon for that, (sort of) and for 2021 VW's stateside-flagship is getting many of the updates we saw in the recent European Passat including the MIB3 infotainment system and some updates we haven't seen before like a new climate control interface. Toss in sharper styling, more premium materials, sexy ambient lighting and you might just forget that the engine isn't more powerful than before...

#VWArteon #2021Arteon #Volkswagen #Arteon

[stephenhendricks]

I'm impressed by the Arteon both in its looks and in its driving dynamics. When VW brought it to the US in 2019 Herbert Diess, VW's CEO said in an interview that he didn't expect to sell many in the US but wanted to show American consumers what VW stood for in Europe. In fact, now that VW has announced it will not sell the base Golf in the US for at least the next two years, the only VW's that closely resemble their Europspec counterparts are the GTI, the Golf R and the Arteon. (The Arteon sedan lacks several engine choices and the DSG available in Europe but it's otherwise virtually identical to the European version.)

I agree with Alex that the tuning of the engine in the R version would be a delight, especially in the AWD version. But since it's the same EA888 motor as the GTI, Golf R, as well as in the American version of the Tiguan and the Passat in various states of engine and turbo tuning, a Stage I ECU will provide substantially more HP and torque than the stock Arteon with HP over 300 and torque at a similar level. And contrary to claims to the contrary a third party tune does not invalidate the VW warranty unless a problem can be shown to result directly from the tuning mod. For a Stage 1 tune that's very, very rare. In any event, the stock Arteon is no slouch. If you've never driven one you're likely to be surprised by its performance.

In terms of evaluating the Arteon it's important to keep in mind the difference between Americans' and Europeans' conception of "performance." Americans invented drag racing; Europeans invented rallies. In America a "road race" is likely to be NASCAR with cars going round and round an oval where turning left is a primary task. European road racing is more likely to be on actual public roads or circuits designed to emulate them. For Americans "performance" metrics begin and usually end with 0-60 acceleration and straight line quarter mile times. Europeans often think of "performance" in terms of cruising at more than 100 mph (the "tonne") in comfort for hours on superbly maintained highways. For that mission the Arteon is an appealing candidate.

Finally, as far as price is concerned, here in the Seattle area dealers are offering current top trim AWD Arteons at around $38K to $40K, a price that makes it an appealing alternative to a top trim Accord or Camry. If I were in the market for such a vehicle, the Arteon would be at the top of my list.

[darioism]

I don't know why most reviews don't call out something obvious - this is a cheaper Audi A5 Sportback, which is an excellent car. The body is almost exactly the same except for the VW styling, same engine, and tons of the exterior and interior parts are from the Audi parts bin. Alex touched on it a bit here, but only a bit.

[swjazzg]

Just purchased my arteon an love everything about it. It has all the power I need to pass or merge into traffic. I like that I have something thats different from everyone else an hope vw continues to make sedans. I left chvy for thats reason. I can't wait to see how the 4 motion douse in the winter. This car has style an what I need living in the NY snow belt.

[entropy]

I work at a VW dealer and we have had our 2019 Arteons for a full year now and they won't move because no one knows about them! They're beautiful but VW has done nothing to advertise them.. so frustrating!

[mikepayne]

I enjoy how you always give us all the needed info we’re looking for....AND more. The more keeps me coming back all the time. Thanks Alex

[macmanmpls]

I would definitely buy an Arteon wagon if it was sold here.

[TrevorWilliams]

GM and VW: puts wagons in US market hoping it will sell.

Also GM and VW: Does not spend money on ads.

US doesn't buy it.

GM and VW: Pikachu face

[Jaymac]

Ford has an interesting solution to keeping exhausts clean on the new Explorer. The exhaust pipes are routed downward before the end of the visual pipes so that exhaust still comes out of them as a whole but soot doesn’t get them dirty. It’s kinda hard to describe. Just google it

[JohnSmith-kmze]

I really hope Volkswagen changes its mind and sends us the shooting brake, that would be my dream car.

[nischintr]

I would buy a Wagon over a Sedan or a Crossover. I wish more people in America make the shift to Wagons!

[jwrarmstrong]

Anyone who has watched the Tour de France on TV will see oodles of wagons parked at the side of the road and being used a support vehicles. Europeans just love wagons but unfortunately the U.S. and up here in Canada not so much. The 3 series wagon will no longer be sold in Canada but on the upside we get the C class Mercedes wagon including the awesome AMG C43 wagon. And Volvo will sell you a V90 without the lift kit and silly spats around the wheel arches (Cross Country). But there is a rumour (yes, that's how it's spelled) that Americans can get a non Cross Country V90 if you ask your local dealer nicely and pay full sticker of course as it's a custom order. On the other hand you may be the only one in your state who has one. Rarer than a Bugatti!

[IReahpZz]

Already comes with the R engine Alex!!! A warrantied reflash with apr yeilds 400+ hp

[asamyers]

Ah yes. Touch buttons for the volume. Something that worked out great for Honda.

[christopherdeming]

Did they announce a release day? The 2019 Arteon was delayed heavily. I bought my 2019 Arteon with significant discounts because it had been sitting on a dealer lot nearby. Coming from a 2017 A4, I love it. Seeing the updates the 2021, there's a lot of merit in it, but I can't help but feel a little dissuaded by the touch controls for audio, steering wheel, and climate controls. I think they'll work fine and give it a clean look. I do like the updated badging and would enjoy having lane centering. Also, if the 2021 model comes with their more robust mobile app experience, that would be an awesome addition.

[Mathicuss]

I’ve seen this thing in person, it has a really nice road presence but needs more power for me to consider one.

[bassandtrebleclef]

Arteon is an excellent car. Really enjoyed the extended test drive I had, but it's a little too pokey, needs the VR6 or at least another 25% more power to be competitive and of course the price nearing $50k doesn't make a lot of sense either. It's a shame as it was a very enjoyable car but not competitive at it's price.

[SDav]

It doesn't need higher power. I think the power issue is a symptom of the US market only getting higher powered versions of other cars because cars are generally much cheaper. A Mercedes C180 (1.6 litre 4 cylinder turbo), BMW 318i (1.5 litre 3 cylinder turbo) and Audi A4 1.4 tfsi (1.4 litre 4 cylinder turbo) all make around 156hp and cost the same as the equivalent C300 or 330i in the US sadly. Those brands demand a higher premium and therefore it makes the VW Passat and Arteon an attractive option since it has more power for less money than those. In some parts of the world they don't even sell the avalon and if they do, there's no V6 but a wheezy naturally aspirated 4 cylinder. The Honda Accord has also been removed from some markets but even if it was there, it would've probably only had Honda's 1.5 turbo all because the higher powered versions would be stupidly priced. So this car is tailored alot to non US like markets like Europe. It doesn't seem to make sense in the US. If they offer you a higher powered version, you're getting a premium car with alot of power and then the US market will complain about the price. Some people below already are. The Arteon is a euro spec VW and won't be cheap but the US will expect it to be because it's a VW. VW straddles many segments. They compete in some segments with the premium carmakers but at the same time can also do very basic cars like the VW UP which competes with the Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10 and Toyota Aygo. But then the VW will still be more expensive because it is engineered to a much higher level than those other small cheap cars. VW is different to the other mainstream carmakers. It's like premium mainstream. Don't know how else to put it. In my country they have 5 of their vehicles in the top 10 best selling cars per month. And premium doesn't always mean higher power.

Besides, there is going to be an Arteon R, see Autogefuhl:

[migy]

The wagon style really stands out!

Nice interior, too.

Why is VW allergic to horsepower?

[RealAutoNerd]

Great Vehicle, very old engine. The wagon looks beautiful

[magellanmax]

I never got the SUV nor the crossover bug, I'm still a sedan driver.