Should You Buy a 2019 Volkswagen Arteon?

It took a bit of time for Volkswagen to come up with the Arteon sedan but now that it’s here, should you consider buying one?

Two full years after its unveiling at the Geneva Auto Show in 2017, the 2019 Volkswagen Arteon is finally released into the auto world, rowing against the SUV trend with an aggressive looking, “premium” sedan that virtually serves the same purpose as the now-defunct CC. This four-door coupe doesn’t look like anything else, and Volkswagen named it its flagship model.

In Canada, the Volkswagen Arteon comes in one trim and one trim only, the Execline. It’s a well-equipped one and may be outfitted with one or both of the optional packages which are the R-Line package and the Driver Assistance package. The first one adds 20-inch wheels, an exterior design package that includes R-Line badges, aluminium door sills and the R-Line leather heated multi-function steering wheel with paddle shifters. The second package adds lane assist, park assist and area view.

The 2019 Volkswagen Arteon is already available in Canada at a price of $47,995.

We are genuinely thrilled with the arrival of a brand new sedan in a world infested with SUVs that all look alike. However, at the price bracket where it stands, it not only has to compete with roomy, well-equipped SUVs – but also luxury sedans that are top of their categories like the Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series.

Why You Should Buy a 2019 Volkswagen Arteon

1) The 2019 Volkswagen Arteon is definitely bold in terms of design. It doesn’t look like your typical sedan, let alone the fact that it’s very different from all the trucks car plants are pumping out in high numbers these days. The grille that seems to be literally machined in the front, the giant clamshell hood and the slanted roofline are only a few of the distinguished attributes of the Arteon.

That being said, it will definitely stand out of the pack, being a “chic” sedan that comes without the snobby luxury manufacturer brand, which gives it somewhat of a particular, unique status.

2) The Volkswagen Arteon is comfortable thanks to well-bolstered seating, and it rides exceptionally well because it is sitting on a well-calibrated chassis that will make long drives on the highway enjoyable. Occupants benefit from massive amounts of space in the front and back, while the cargo space is pretty hefty too, with 563 liters and 1557 liters if you fold the seat backs.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy a 2019 Volkswagen Arteon

1)The 2019 Volkswagen Arteon is not sporty. It is powered by a 268 horsepower four-cylinder engine (2.0 L) that boasts 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine is similar to the one that the Golf R has, but since the Arteon is heavier and “softer”, it doesn’t have the performance level you’d expect when you first look at it. For bolder accelerations, a V6 option would have been perfect – in the same way the Kia Stinger is available with two power levels.

Although it features a drive mode selector with three presets (Normal, Economy and Sport) along with 12 individual settings you can play with to tailor your driving experience, the Arteon is not a sport sedan. Its character is more about comfort and style.

2) Whipping out upwards of 48 000$ will get you a lot in today’s automotive offering. A classier Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series, a sportier Kia Stinger or a fully loaded SUV, the choices are ample. And God himself can only speculate on the depreciation of this vehicle – in fact, it can go either way.

Conclusion

Introducing new sedans in the current automotive context is a bold move. And Volkswagen has three of them launching this year: Jetta GLI, Passat and Arteon. The Arteon is now VW’s flagship model, not because it makes a whole lot of sense, but because it’s different… and very cool!