Review and specifications

2021 Volkswagen Arteon

The Volkswagen Arteon replaced the sporty CC. It is a practical, sporty, and well-appointed hatchback with a coupe-like exterior profile. Our testers praised its prompt acceleration, confidence in corners, and pleasant--but firm--ride, even on rough roads. Front-wheel drive comes standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. While the car is quiet otherwise, engine noise is noticeable at low speeds and under acceleration. Inside, the Arteon gets comfortable front seats and well-finished, user-friendly controls. A responsive touch screen sits at the center of the dash, and climate and audio systems are controlled with physical buttons and knobs. A low roofline makes the car a bit of a challenge to get in and out of. But underneath the heavy hatchback, there’s a huge cargo area with lots of space and a low loading floor. For 2021, the Arteon gets a mild freshening and improvements to the infotainment system. For 2022, the 2.0-liter turbo engine gets a horsepower bump (now making 300 hp), and the eight-speed conventional automatic transmission is swapped with a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. 2023 is the final year for the Arteon.

Market value

$19,600

Fuel

Conventional

Transmission

Automatic

Seats

5