Volkswagen Arteon R-Line TDI review

What is it?

IMAGINE a new, designer cool fastback saloon model from Volkswagen and you have the new Arteon, reviewed here as the upscale Volkswagen Arteon R-Line 2.0-litre TDI.

Based off the new Passat, Arteon is the latest in the growing breed of upscale coupe saloons, with that long, sweeping roofline one key feature of the arresting Arteon design.

Swish inside as well as out, Arteon is a four-door, five-seater that comes with VW’s latest complement of engines and technology and is sure to cut a dash across the corporate car park.

Choose between Elegance or sportier R-Line trim and a wide range of petrol/diesel engines (1.5-2.0-litre). Here we look at the tax friendly 2.0-litre TDI that could feature high on the SME/fleet sector target list.

Why would you want to drive an Arteon R-Line?

Arteon’s sophisticated cockpit

• Style. To our eyes, the Arteon has plenty of it. That low set silhouette, combined with that imposing full-width front grille sets the Arteon well apart from the crowd, especially if you opt for the vibrantly out-there Turmeric Yellow Metallic, as here…
• Many cool design touches including the way VW has given the Arteon frameless side windows, a now rarified feature that adds a further level of differentiation in the class.
• A huge model range. In the TSI petrol camp, you get 1.5 (150PS) and 2.0 (190PS) options, which could suit business buyers travelling relatively short annual miles. Plus there’s a powerhouse top-ender that gets the Golf GTI engine, packing 280PS.
• Go diesel and there are three versions of the ubiquitous 2.0-litre VW TDI (150PS, 190PS and 240PS) up for grabs. Best seller is expected to be this 150PS edition which offers a decent blend of pace, economy, emissions and company car tax, even if it won’t be the quickest around.
• Hit the highway and this Arteon 2.0-litre proves highly refined, smooth and easy to drive. It feels a quality item. The well-established 1968cc four-cylinder diesel is suitably hushed at speed but there’s also meaty mid-range torque on tap for quick pick-up.
• Agile handling on interesting back roads is a further plus, with four different driver settings to let you fine tune the mix. In terms of ride quality, time was when cars thumped and banged 19in wheels on average tarmac but the sophisticated Arteon is not of that breed. So it’s comfortable and compliant.
• Cabin space is vast and that goes for the huge boot revealed under that big hatch tail. Capacity hits 563 litres or even 1557 litres with the rear seats folded down. An ‘easy open’ electric tailgate (you waggle your foot under the bumper) is a lead option.
• Standard kit includes the latest Discover navigation infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen, eight-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, 12.3-inch Active Info digital display, 18-inch alloys, Nappa leather upholstery, Adaptive Cruise control…and more.
• This particular Arteon, with 7-speed DSG auto box, has CO2 emissions of 116g/km and combined 62.8mpg economy, giving it a 28% company car tax banding for the 2018/19 tax year. Company car tax starts from £164.42 for 2018/19.

What might put you off an Arteon?

• With Arteon, you pay for that curvaceous low roof design with relatively poor rear three-quarter vision, thanks to those heavily slanted C-pillars. Over 6ft? You might find headroom in the back a touch encroaching.
• If budget is an issue, there are other Arteon variants that which will be cheaper to tax and run. R-Line is the sporty version but doubtless Elegance will still be fine for many and the petrol option of course is another consideration in today’s world.
• Hardly a deal breaker but the console switch to alter the drive mode is clearly still set up for LHD markets, meaning it’s on the ‘wrong’ side of the console for us Brits…

Verdict on the Volkswagen Arteon R-Line

Yes, plenty to like about the VW Arteon that surely stacks up as a premium purchase in all but name. It’s an impressive combination of style, quality and refinement.

Dynamically, it’s also accomplished and cabin presentation is another stand out. It’s something rather specialised and exclusive, so priced accordingly, but from a business point of view, should be as painless to run as a Passat, on which it’s based of course.

Within the VW empire, in-house completion versus the Audi A5 fastback should be fun….

Fastback style – but limits rear passenger headroom