Used VW Arteon cars for sale

Volkswagen Arteon buying guide

What Volkswagen Arteon trim levels are there?

SE opens the range, with LED headlights, three-zone climate control and an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The more popular Elegance trim is next, with heated front seats, keyless entry, a powered tailgate and VW’s Travel Assist driver aid that takes the strain out of long journeys.

R-Line adds a sharper body kit, privacy glass and bigger wheels, plus 30-colour ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof to make the interior feel very airy. At the top of the range is the fast Arteon R, marked out by blue brake calipers, silver mirror caps and a heated steering wheel.

Volkswagen Arteon interior and technology

If you can get over the fact that the inside isn’t as lavishly designed as the outside, you’ll have few complaints about life in the Arteon. The touch-sensitive ‘buttons’ on the steering wheel could be easier to use, but other controls are instantly findable and feel solid. There is a quality feel in the Arteon, and you wouldn’t feel short changed if you chose the VW over an Audi A5 or BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.

The Arteon glides over most road imperfections and is stuffed with technology designed to make long journeys a piece of cake. One particularly snazzy touch is the configurable digital instrument cluster with a number of different info boards.

What’s the best engine for the Volkswagen Arteon?

Under the striking bodywork are some very familiar engines used extensively across the VW Group. There are petrol and diesel engines with 150hp or more, plus a zero-emission-capable hybrid and the Arteon R’s fast petrol engine. The diesels will be best for long-distance drivers, otherwise even the entry-level 1.5-litre petrol is a good pick. That engine is available with a manual gearbox, but most Arteons have a ‘DSG’ automatic gearbox.

Volkswagen Arteon engine range explained

(Most popular) Volkswagen Arteon 2.0 TDI diesel

For a car designed to dispatch long journeys with no fuss, the diesel engines are a great choice. The 150hp version can manage 55mpg, while even the more powerful 200hp version tops 50mpg without much effort. On the latter, you can also get 4Motion four-wheel drive that may provide a little extra grip in wintry weather.

Volkswagen Arteon 1.5 TSI petrol

VW’s 1.5 TSI is a very successful installation in the Golf and it works well in the Arteon, too. The claimed 42mpg means it won’t be expensive to run for lower-mileage drivers, while offering plenty of power even a car the size of the Arteon.

Volkswagen Arteon 2.0 TSI petrol

For slightly quicker progress without drastically increasing your fuel bills over the 1.5, the 2.0-litre TSI engine with 190hp is hard to overlook. It’s a rarer engine than the 1.5, though, as it’s only available on R-Line trim.

Volkswagen Arteon 1.4 TSI eHybrid

Short of the full-beans Arteon R, the plug-in hybrid is the most powerful Arteon. Its petrol engine and electric motor combine to produce 218hp, for similarly quick acceleration as the 2.0 TSI. Drive carefully and be sure to use the on-board battery pack for the majority of your driving, and you could see over 200mpg and drastically cut your petrol bills.

Volkswagen Arteon R 2.0 TSI petrol

Whether you’re after a rapid executive express or a fast family car, the Arteon R will be of interest. Using the same mechanicals as the VW Golf R, the Arteon R pumps out 320hp and scorches from 0-62mph in under five seconds. It’s fair to say that performance takes precedence over fuel economy but, given the power on offer, the 31mpg figure isn’t too bad.