2019 Volkswagen Arteon Test Drive: A Flagship Sedan With Flair | Edmunds

VW's flagship sedan and successor to the Volkswagen CC, the 2019 Volkswagen Arteon, finally arrives on U.S. shores. Will Kaufman traveled to picturesque Central California for a test drive to find out what this 268-horsepower liftback sedan has to offer. Is this smart luxury on a budget or a mainstream car that's too big for its britches?

About the 2019 Volkswagen Arteon:

The Arteon is an all-new Volkswagen sedan-style hatchback. This large-ish fastback is emblazoned with the familiar VW badge that typically represents accessibility for mass-market shoppers. The problem is that the Arteon's price starts in entry-level luxury territory and extends even further in its top trim levels. It's meant to be a more affordable alternative to larger luxury-brand sedans and an aspirational flagship for the VW brand, but does it offer enough style and substance to succeed?

The original CC brought coupe-like styling to the mainstream, so it didn't have much direct competition. The Arteon debuts in what is now a very specialized subclass of vehicles that is positioned somewhere between sedan, hatchback and wagon. The Arteon's price tag may seem steep compared to standard midsize sedans, but compared to rivals such as the Kia Stinger and the Buick Regal Sportback, the Arteon's base price isn't nearly as jarring.

The 2019 Arteon does have some potential merit for its rather small audience. It possesses hatchback-based utility, available all-wheel drive, and a sleek and modern design. Overall, it's worth a look if you want something nicer than the typical family sedan but can't afford a luxury-branded model.

The 2019 Volkswagen Arteon is a four-door hatchback that is available in three trim levels: SE, SEL and SEL Premium. All versions are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (268 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) that is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All but the base front-wheel-drive SE trim come standard with VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

Buyers can also opt to add the R-Line package, which includes practical upgrades along with sporty aesthetics. An Arteon R-Line gets 19- or 20-inch wheels, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and a Sport Plus mode to sharpen up response even more.

Read more about the 2019 Volkswagen Arteon: https://www.edmunds.com/volkswagen/arteon/2019/

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