The 2022 Volkswagen Arteon is a good choice for those seeking a roomy, European sedan with Audi-like quality and comfort levels. Priced slightly higher than the entry-level Nissan Maxima and Kia Stinger, the Arteon nevertheless is a good value prospect for luxury buyers trying to keep spending in check.
For 2022, the R-Line treatment is now standard across the model range, as is a new 300-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine teamed with a new 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). As such, the new Arteon has received more of the power it deserves, helping to give this stylish German-built liftback sedan a sportier overall feel without losing any of its excellent overall composure.
The front-drive Arteon is rated by the EPA at 24 mpg city/34 mpg highway. With AWD, the Arteon has EPA ratings of 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway.
2022 Volkswagen Arteon SE R-Line (starting at $40,750)
The 2022 Volkswagen Arteon SE R-Line starts at $40,750.
The 2022 Volkswagen Arteon SE R-Line is the only trim with front-wheel drive, but its level of standard equipment is impressive enough to warrant a good long look. If you don’t need the traction-enhancing ability of VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive, the SE is a great way to save a little money.
The Arteon may look like a sedan, but it’s actually a 5-door hatchback. Standard features include LED headlights and taillights, power-adjustable heated side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
An adaptive damping suspension helps keep the Arteon composed over rough surfaces. At the same time, the Drive Mode Select allows the driver to change the vehicle’s performance and steering feedback with settings for Comfort, Normal, and Sport. There are also two settings for the adaptive dampers: Comfort+ and Sport+.
VW equips the Arteon with numerous safety features, including a full complement of airbags, direct tire pressure monitoring, and a rear backup camera. Standard driver assists encompass forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian detection, a blind-spot monitor, front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. VW does offer more extensive driver assist systems, but you’ll have to move up to the SEL to get them.
When it comes to cabin comfort, the SE offers 12-way power front seats with 4-way power lumbar support, heated front seats, leatherette upholstery, and a tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped R-Line steering wheel with paddle shifters. The steering wheel includes haptic touch control buttons for the cruise control, audio, information screens, and Bluetooth.
The SE comes standard with keyless access, push-button start, tri-zone automatic climate control, and stainless steel pedal caps. VW’s advanced Digital Cockpit Pro replaces traditional analog gauges with a large configurable 10-inch digital display customizable to suit the driver’s desired look. The screen offers up to 21 different viewing options, including speedometer and tachometer, navigation display, driver assistance status, phone information, and more.
On the infotainment front, VW’s MIB3 Discover Media is standard. It includes an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, and SiriusXM 360L. The advanced SiriusXM 360 L offers more than 10,000 hours of SiriusXM On-Demand content, settings for individual listener profiles, and expanded access to new channels and features. Regardless of your listening preference, it flows through eight premium speakers.
Also included with the MIB3 are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a wireless charging pad, two Type C USB charging ports, and HD radio. VW’s Car-Net connected services app provides access to a Wi-Fi hotspot and enhanced navigation maps with up-to-date traffic and construction data. The Car-Net mobile app allows owners to interact with their vehicle via a smartphone, offering services such as remote start, door lock/unlock, vehicle location, and vehicle status updates. The parking app can help find off-street parking information while displaying location, directions, hours of operation, and prices.
With the $1,195 destination fee, the 2022 Volkswagen Arteon SE R-Line costs $41,190. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and no money down, the Arteon SE’s monthly payment comes to about $754. See 2022 Volkswagen Arteon SE R-Line models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Arteon SE R-Line includes:
- 12-way power front seats – Include 12-way power adjustment for both the driver and passenger, along with 4-way power lumbar support.
- Tri-zone automatic climate controls – Allow for individual climate settings for the driver, front passenger, and rear-seat occupants.
- Rain-sensing wipers – Automatically activate when sensing rain, mist, snow, or sleet hitting the windshield.
- Navigation – Standard GPS navigation will get you safely to your destination and offers real-time traffic updates and construction info.
2022 Volkswagen Arteon SEL R-Line (starting at $45,550)
The 2022 Volkswagen Arteon SEL R-Line starts at $45,550.
For the money, the SEL trim makes the most sense. It comes standard with 4Motion all-wheel drive plus an expanded list of driver safety, and creature comforts luxury buyers have come to expect.
Building off the SE’s standard content, the SEL adds steering-responsive headlights with automatic high-beam control, power-folding side mirrors with auto-dimming and memory function, fog lights with cornering light function, and 19-inch alloy wheels. The SEL includes a nifty light bar that runs across the lower grille and a panoramic sunroof.
SEL buyers enjoy remote start, 30-color ambient interior lighting, driver’s seat memory, and Nappa leather seat upholstery.
In the areas of driver-assist technology and safety, the SEL brings VW’s IQ Drive. IQ Drive offers semi-autonomous driving so long as the driver keeps their hands on the wheel. The system touts lane-centering and watches for obstacles and objects around the Arteon while driving at low speeds through town or on side streets. IQ Drive features Active Blind Spot Assists (can nudge the vehicle back into its lane if attempting an unsafe lane change), adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Road sign recognition is also standard, as is Emergency Assist that can steer and bring the vehicle to a stop if detecting the driver has suffered a medical emergency.
20-inch dark graphite alloy wheels are the only option.
With the $1,195 destination fee, the 2022 Volkswagen Arteon SEL R-Line costs $45,810. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the SEL R-Line’s monthly payment comes to about $840. See 2022 Volkswagen Arteon SEL R-Line models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Arteon SEL R-Line includes:
- Steering responsive headlights – Turn in the direction of the steering wheel, helping illuminate dark curves.
- Nappa leather upholstery – Looks and feels luxurious, a nice upgrade over the faux-leather seats in the SE.
- Panoramic sunroof – Allows light into the cabin with the sunshade retracted and fresh air in with the large glass panel retracted.
- IQ Drive – Allows for semi-autonomous driving, helping relieve driver fatigue on highways with visible lane markers.
2022 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line (starting at $49,550)
The 2022 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line starts at $49,550.
The SEL Premium is about as close as you can get to Audi-level luxury in a full-size sedan without going much over $50,000.
It rounds out the luxury features available with the Arteon, adding to the SEL’s standard roster with 20-inch wheels, rear-seat climate controls, a heated steering wheel, and a power hatchback with a foot-activated open/close feature.
The SEL Premium gains ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, and a massaging driver’s seat. There’s an additional Type C USB port in the rear console and a 12-speaker 700-watt Harman Kardon audio system.
The SEL Premium includes all the SEL’s driver assists plus an automatic parallel and perpendicular parking assistant and an overhead 360-degree camera.
With the $1,195 destination fee, the 2022 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line costs $50,745. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to about $912. See 2022 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line includes:
- Massaging driver’s seat – Helps reduce back and leg fatigue on long trips with a gentle massaging feature built into the seat cushions.
- Heated rear seats – Allow rear seat occupants to quickly warm up without needing to crank up the climate control.
- Ventilated front seats – Help keep driver and passenger cool and dry when the temperature outside gets toasty.
- Harman Kardon audio – With 700 watts driving 12 speakers, this custom-designed sound system is a must-have for music lovers.
