Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Volkswagen Arteon hatchback - Engines, drive & performance

The Volkswagen Arteon has plenty of power but it's competent rather than exhilarating on a twisty road

Carbuyer Rating

4.2 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.8 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Engines, drive & performance Rating

3.5 out of 5

To tempt customers away from the usual upmarket suspects, the Arteon needs to offer some appeal to driving enthusiasts, and Volkswagen has done a decent job of maintaining a balance between sharpness and comfort. The car still lags behind a BMW in terms of driver appeal due to rather numb steering, but the DSG automatic gearbox is smooth once underway, and a Sport mode is available with the optional adaptive dampers, minimising body roll without making the ride unacceptably firm. While the steering is rather lacking in feel and feedback, there’s no shortage of accuracy and this lends the Arteon an easy, agile feel.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Of the other modes, Normal is the default halfway-house between the Sport and occasionally floaty Comfort. Most of the time you'll want to have the car in Comfort, the mode in which the Arteon rides best, particularly on the motorway.

Generally, the Arteon is a terrifically smooth-riding car, even when huge 20-inch alloy wheels are fitted. Volkswagen has paid specific attention to the Arteon’s suspension settings and it certainly seems to have worked. The VW excels as a long-haul express cruiser, without completely lacking driver appeal when the road gets challenging.

In our experience, the Arteon’s brakes can feel a little grabby, meaning you’ll find it harder to control the brakes finely if you’re used to less aggressive systems. We also found that while the DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox makes for smooth and seamless changes on the move, the system can cut in aggressively when manoeuvring at low speed and sometimes hesitates when you try and pull away while already rolling.

Volkswagen Arteon diesel engines

The Arteon really excels as a cruiser, which means the 148bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel suits the car very well. Its 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds is slower than that of the entry-level petrol engine but it has more pulling power for overtaking and ticks over effortlessly at motorway speeds. With 197bhp the 0-62mph time drops to just under eight seconds, or half a second quicker with an automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive fitted.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

4MOTION lends a real sensation that the car is being pushed, as well as pulled, out of corners, and boosts driver confidence more than the slightly lifeless steering can manage on its own.

Petrol engines

The 148bhp 1.5-litre entry-level petrol engine may seem small for the Arteon but it does a good job of getting the car up to speed and isn’t out of its depth. With a 187bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, the Arteon is capable of 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 149mph. This will be more than enough power for most buyers, delivering plenty of acceleration and serene pace on the motorway.

If you want an Arteon with truly eye-opening power, you’ll need to check out the new Arteon R. It has a 316bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine, plus four-wheel drive, and will hit 0-62mph in around five seconds. Previously, a 268bhp version of the turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine was available, which was a range-topper but came without the R treatment.

Hybrid engine

The VW Group’s trusty plug-in hybrid powertrain has now made its way into the svelte Arteon. It combines a 1.4-litre petrol engine and an electric motor and matches the 187bhp petrol model’s acceleration time.

With the electric motor providing the power, the Arteon is very refined; the plug-in hybrid powertrain suits the car well. It’s a little less agile in corners than a normal petrol version (due to the extra weight of the battery) but it’s an excellent cruiser. Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive suspension is fitted as standard, which allows you to change the car’s setup to prioritise comfort or sportiness. The sporty modes don’t improve the ride, so you may find it best just leaving it in comfort.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Top 10 best motorway cars 2024
Top 10 best motorway cars 2023
Best cars
4 Jan 2024

Top 10 best motorway cars 2024

Most Popular

Volkswagen Black Editions: T-Cross and Tiguan get a stylish upgrade
Tiguan Black Edition
News
10 Dec 2024

Volkswagen Black Editions: T-Cross and Tiguan get a stylish upgrade

All-new Toyota Urban Cruiser revealed
Toyota Urban Cruiser
News
12 Dec 2024

All-new Toyota Urban Cruiser revealed

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
13 Dec 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024