Capacitive-touch annoyances aside, the Volkswagen Golf R is a brilliant one-car solution. It’s fast, refined, unassuming, practical, and features a neutral image that blends in both at car meets and in the office parking lot. However, there are a few situations where it might not work so well, such as if your children are very large. However, if the fast Golf doesn’t offer enough rear seat space for you, a 2022 to 2023 Volkswagen Arteon will get you a lot of Golf R hardware with the bonus of big sedan space.
The Arteon never posted huge sales numbers in America, but mid-way through its model cycle, Volkswagen threw a Hail Mary by giving its flagship sedan a boost of power and a wicked dual-clutch transmission. The result is a proper sleeper that you can pick up for the price of a similarly aged well-equipped Camry. Now that’s an interesting combination, don’t you think?
Welcome back to Beige Cars You’re Sleeping On, a weekly series in which we raise the profile of some quiet greats. We’re talking vehicles that are secretly awesome, but go unsung because of either a boring image or the lack of an image altogether.
When the Arteon first rolled into American showrooms for the 2020 model year, replacing the swoopy-roofed CC, it was essentially the thinking consumer’s Audi A5 Sportback. Sure, it featured a transverse engine layout as opposed to a longitudinal one, but it was still a beautifully appointed, practical liftback with a solid 268 horsepower and a perfectly competent chassis. Soothing like a warm bath at the end of a long winter’s day, earlier Arteon models were perfect for VW loyalists unenthused by the American-market NMS Passat.
Not only did the Arteon look great with a teardrop silhouette and razor-sharp character lines, the interior stayed true to Piëch-era Volkswagen tradition, a clean mix of precise panel lines and rich materials that felt a cut above many cheaper midsize sedans. However, that wasn’t quite enough to fight off impressive competition from the likes of the Kia Stinger GT. So, what was Volkswagen to do?
Well, add more power, obviously. For 2022, horsepower from the two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rose from 268 to 300, and torque saw a massive increase from 258 lb.-ft. to 295 lb.-ft. That’s a substantial boost in output, but it also makes a ton of sense. See, the same four-cylinder engine already made 315 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque in the Golf R, so why not give the flagship similar figures? Oh, and that boost in power is only half the story, because with it came an entirely different transaxle.
See, 2019, 2020, and 2021 Arteon models featured a smooth eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission, but for 2022, that got swapped out for the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission out of the Golf R super hatch. While this gearbox does feature one fewer gear ratio than the old eight-speed, seriously rapid shifts and aggressive launch control combined with optional all-wheel-drive for profound results. Just look at what Car And Driver had to report:
The Arteon we tested last year accelerated to 60 mph in a respectable 6.4 seconds. Based on the specs, an increase of 32 horsepower and 37 pound-feet of torque shouldn’t drastically improve performance for a near-4000-pound sedan. We thought an improvement of a few tenths was in order. With the assistance of a 4000-rpm launch-control sequence, what we got instead was a 60-mph time of only 4.6 seconds, which is as impressive as it was improbable considering this car’s mild street manners. In the quarter-mile, this Arteon crossed the line in 13.3 seconds at 103 mph, compared to its predecessor’s 14.7-second run at 96 mph.
I don’t know about you, but I’d certainly classify zero-to-60 mph in 4.6 seconds as quick. That’s on-par with a Lexus LC 500, quicker than a Honda Civic Type R, and even though it’s an older benchmark, quicker than an Aston Martin DB9. On an unprepped drag strip, it can easily wipe the smile off of a Dodge Charger R/T driver’s face, then cruise home with reasonable efficiency thanks to EPA figures of 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined for the all-wheel-drive model.
Mind you, the U.S.-spec Arteon never received the torque vectoring rear differential of the Mk8 Golf R, but that’s no hardship, for even the earlier Arteons handled well. Sure, there wasn’t much in the way of steering feedback, but the massively adjustable dampers let you dial in compliance for your favorite bit of tarmac, and the Haldex all-wheel-drive system is still plenty effective at powering out of slippery bends. Back when I tested the 2021 model, I felt like it could’ve easily handled extra thrust, and Car And Driver‘s findings seem to confirm my suspicions.
On the ribbons of asphalt snaking through the Santa Monica Mountains, the Arteon proves that it’s also fun in the curves. All-wheel drive is your friend here, particularly in first-gear hairpins and quick left-right-left transitions. It’s no sports car, but the Arteon handles better than nearly any non-luxury-branded sedan, so long as you have all-wheel drive.
So, what we have here is a comfortable, refined, spacious, sufficiently agile five-door liftback with a real pair of wings. Sounds like a winner, right? Oh, but it gets better. Since the Arteon is so unknown to the general car buying public, these surprisingly quick 2022 to 2023 models are downright reasonably priced. If you’re willing to shop around and travel, you can get into a gently used 2022 to 2023 Arteon for less money than a gently used, nicely-specced Camry. Here’s a 2023 SEL with all-wheel-drive up for sale at a BMW dealership in Minnesota for $29,500. Clean Carfax, 25,976 miles on the clock, job done.
However, what if you want a properly bold color? No problem, here’s a 2023 SEL 4Motion model in a gorgeous shade of red, up for sale at a Ford dealer in Maryland for $29,400 with 24,989 miles on the clock. It’s hard to deny that this is one serious amount of car for the money, with super hatch pace and understated good looks.
So, if you’re shopping for a gently used family car and need more passenger space than a second-hand Golf R has to spare, why not look at a 2022 to 2023 Volkswagen Arteon instead? It’s a stealthy bit of spice, primed and ready to accommodate all the bolt-ons and flash tunes VW fans love, all while flying under the radar. How’s that for a sleeper?
(Photo credits: Volkswagen, Autotrader sellers)
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The Arteon was the only VW that ever made me exclaim whoa, that’s pretty.
Fast sedan sounds like I’d want one, but it’s a VW, so nah.
Also:
If anything, I’d be asking why are people buying these new, keeping them for exactly 1 year and around 25k miles, and deciding nah, this isn’t it? Granted, they sound like they should probably be leasing instead of taking a huge depreciation hit for the first year, but still…do people not commit to more than a year with a car they bought new, then onto the next shiny thing?
If model year 2023 went on sale September 2022 these cars could be 22 months old. This is long enough to have 2 new kids and now need a third row.
I thought this was Beige Cars You’re Sleeping In…I must be on the wrong site ha ha…oh, I just need to switch to the DT Aztek articles
(Shout out to whoever made the initial comment- pure genius)
Oh, it’s a genuine hatchback! That’s very nice; they should have advertised that more (if they did at all). I thought it was fake like that of the Honda Accord.
The engine is a detuned Golf R engine (Arteon R in Europe), with the same turbo as the R.
It s an awesome car to drive.
I glossed over the upgrades cause while I love a sporty sedan with a lift back I knew I’d never be willing to risk the reliability of a VAG product. But it’s cool they gave it the DCT, excellent transmission.
this looks like a great candidate for leasing. There are still 2024 models out there
I always thought these were cool looking; didn’t know they got that much Golf R kit.
You can still buy a new one without looking too hard. I see some advertised with $10k off, so down to about $40k for the top trim. If I was in the market, maybe I’d see if I could get the dealer to throw in an extended warranty at cost. VW needs to bring that 2019 warranty back.
Yeah, holy shit I wasn’t expecting to find new ones especially in that wonderful blue. New and $10k off is a no brainer for these.
When I took my wife’s Tiguan in for service earlier this year the dealership still had 2 new ones in the showroom at about $13k off.
I’m seriously considering a used one in a couple of years to replace my modified AWD Sportwagen. The EA888.4 can make big power numbers pretty readily, the DQ381 is a solid transmission, and in a lot of ways, it’s basically my GSW but better.
I really liked these a lot and likely would’ve bought one… Then VW reliability concerns sunk in and killed that idea.
It’s not one I’d care to own much past warranty.
If I could afford a newish car, I’d get one of these. The fact that it didn’t do well here is an indictment of how dumb we are at buying cars in the US.
A $50k Volkswagen sedan was a hard pill to swallow, see also the Kia Stinger
Which sucks, because the Stinger was a good car and a cool idea. The market just wasn’t ready for it. Interestingly enough I don’t think anyone balks at the idea of paying 50 grand for a Hyundai or Kia today, but back in 2017? It was a hard, hard sell.
I also think the Genesis G70 kind of ruined the Stinger because it’s basically the same car with much nicer appointments…and while the Genesis badge isn’t as prestigious as an established luxury brand, it’s certainly more appealing than a Kia badge.
The biggest issue was it being a $50k sedan. $50k for a 3 row crossover or truck is perfectly acceptable to American buyers, but a sedan without a luxury badge? Unthinkable.
It’s a win for the rest of us though, because luxury sedans depreciate like nothing else. You can find very nice V6 powered A6s or 540is in the 30s these days, and if you can stretch your budgets a little further 40-50k will get you a 3 year old 8 series sedan or A7. I think my next move might be a certified 540i in a few years when the first round of leases are coming back in…
I saw an 840i Gran coupe the other day and immediately went to see what they are used. Yeah, how could anyone buy an Arteon when you could get an 840i with only 20k miles for less than $50k?
You can get certified V8 ones in the high 50s/low 60s too, and they have a legitimate M engine that’s just been detuned a bit. You’re a software update away from essentially having a more daily drivable M8.
Damn that’s tempting too. I always just stuck with the idea of an I6 because I’d only really use it as a comfortable GT to go from Ohio to Colorado and back a few times a year to see family and the I6 sips fuel on the highway
Oh I’m gunning for a B58 next round. When combined with the mild hybrid system in the new 540i it gets 26 city, 33 highway…which is absolute lunacy for a 6 cylinder in a two ton luxobarge.
Why would you buy an out of warranty Audi, though? They depreciate aggressively for a reason.
I think the interior quality of the stinger didn’t match it’s price tag, not to mention dealer markups
Oh I agree, their interiors are pretty bad.
All very good but in Europe there’s a proper Arteon R on offer.
Welp, adding one of these to the list.
I like 5-doors and I’d consider one, but their too-large-for-me size basically rules it out.
These are great on paper, and despite being a card carrying VW Hater I think they’re absolutely gorgeous and very unique looking. But IMHO they start to fall apart pretty badly when you get into the fine details. By the time they gave these the Golf R treatment the interiors had already been ruined by the haptic nonsense…and speaking of interiors, the Arteon ones aren’t all that great.
I sat in one at a dealership once and just wasn’t that impressed. They’re very monochromatic and utilitarian in an Ikea sort of way. For $40,000 that’s fine and is probably someone’s cup of tea. But for $50,000+ it isn’t. These got into Audi territory very quickly and naturally VW kept the Arteon nerfed compared to an A4 or A5.
And if you can get a loaded Arteon or lower spec A4/A5, what are you going with? For all of current Audi’s warts, they still absolutely know how to put an interior together and deliver a refined driving experience. Unfortunately I think consumers felt the exact same way, which led to these dying on the vine.
Something else to note is that even though Arteons got the Golf R powertrain that doesn’t mean it behaves like the Golf R powertrain. VW has done a lot of work to nerf the DSG in an effort to make it behave more like a torque converter. Outside of the R and GTI it’s not programmed to bang off shifts and kick you down into the powerband instantly…it more or less behaves like a torque converter, which completely defeats the purpose of a DCT.
Plus the EA888 is a ticking time bomb and you’re going to deal with German maintenance and ownership costs. For the price of a Jetta GLI I could see a lightly used Arteon being appealing buy for someone who loves Volkswagens…but I wouldn’t choose one over a V6 Stinger or G70, which are around the same price.
You can also get a decent enough 330i for 30 grand and a really nice certified or PHEV one for 35…which will get you a luxury badge, a true RWD platform, a way better engine, a ZF8 over a nerfed DSG, etc. At the end of the day there’s a reason no one wanted an Arteon…
The average transaction price of a car for the last few years has been hovering around $50k. That’s no longer Audi territory, that’s just generic car territory, and I think this car was much better than generic. I think that it didn’t sell wasn’t about price, because the average customer then went and spent that much on whatever they bought instead.
How is the EA888 a ticking time bomb? The main issues are the timing chain (I’ll admit it is an expensive job for something that needs to be done every 100k as a preventative measure) and the water pump but considering they put it in literally everything they’ve made parts are easy to find and somewhat cheap. Other than that it’s just normal DI things like carbon build up.
I am the guy you described here. I like the Arteon on paper and I think it looks decent. I also like the idea of having a car that is a bit of a hidden gem. But then I test drove a gently used A5 and there was no question which car I wanted to be sitting in on my daily commute.
I agree. I was the target market and went S60 Recharge.
I talked my best friend into getting one of these. She LOVES it. It’s run flawlessly and looks awesome. She’s an aggressive driver and finds it worthy of such. Best part, we got a huge discount since nearly everyone turned their collective noses towards the sky.
I had no idea that they did this. It’s like learning the 2009 Jetta wagons could be had with that era’s GTI engine.
The Arteon looks cool and they came in a more interesting range of colors than most other VWs, but I’m sure these went so unloved because paying luxury car prices for a VW still seems silly, but at least for me, even at those used prices, it’ll be a hard sell with those capacitive HVAC controls.
The Phaeton: “you call this ‘luxury’?”
Also the Phaeton: you call THOSE German repair bills?!?!