Two years after we tested a Volkswagen Arteon at the Elegance equipment level and with a 2.0 TDI of 150 hp we found ourselves again with an Arteon with the same characteristics.
However, between that test and this new test, Arteon was the (recent) target of a restyling and update, that is, in addition to a revised look, it presents itself with more technology and also the latest evolution of the engine. 2.0 TDI that we saw being debuted by the new Golf.
Has this update reinforced Volkswagen's arguments that it intends to “put its foot down” to the premium proposals? In the next lines we give you the answer.
like yourself
The area where Arteon's renovation was perhaps most discreet was aesthetics. It is true that Arteon received new wheels, bumpers and it became possible to extend the luminous signature across the entire width of the grille, but these are changes that only the most attentive will notice, as everything else remains the same.
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And, truth be told, thank goodness. Personally I consider that, especially at the front, Arteon has a strong personality, being pleasantly different from the Passat (and also more visually aggressive) while maintaining the sobriety typical of the brand.
In addition, its lines evoke some sportiness that ensures that Arteon does not owe anything to the segment's premium proposals when it comes to the ability to capture attention.
Usual quality, ergonomics… not really
Inside the Volkswagen Arteon one thing quickly springs to mind: space is not lacking. The benefits of the MQB platform continue to make themselves felt and whether in the front or rear seats, there is hardly any space on board the German model.
Speaking of space, with 563 liters of capacity, the luggage compartment is enough (and more) to transport the suitcases of four adults, and the fifth door (rear window is also part of the luggage compartment door) offers Arteon a pleasant versatility without if you have to give up style.
If these characteristics remained unchanged with restyling, the same cannot be said for the rest of the interior, which was also subject to some changes, more visible than those we see on the outside and also with greater impact on the interaction with the model.
To start with, the redesigned center console gave the Arteon's interior a slightly more distinctive style than that found aboard the Passat, contributing to a greater distinction between the two models.
Other innovations, such as the adoption of the MIB3 system and the fact that the digital instrument panel is now standard, are also, in themselves, improvements over the Arteon that we knew until now.
If in these factors the Arteon renovation brought real improvements, on the other hand the adoption of digital climate controls and the new multifunction steering wheel, raise doubts about its real benefits. If it is undeniable that in the aesthetic chapter both bring added value to Arteon (and the steering wheel even has a very good grip), the same cannot be said in the usability and ergonomics chapter.
Touch-sensitive climate controls force you to look away more often and longer than you want (compared to before) and the controls on the new multifunction steering wheel take some time to get used to using them without mistakes. And yet sometimes they “play tricks on us”, causing us to go to a digital dashboard menu that was not what we wanted.
Aesthetically appealing, digital climate controls require some getting used to.
Finally, the quality of assembly and materials seem to have remained unchanged (and thankfully). The first ensures that even on the most degraded floors we don't hear complaints about plastics and the second ensures that a large part of the cabin is lined with plastics that are pleasant to the touch and to the eye.
an old acquaintance
Coincidentally, recently there are several cars equipped with the 2.0 TDI of 150 hp that I've been testing (in addition to Arteon I drove the Skoda Superb and the SEAT Tarraco) and the truth is that the more kilometers I do behind the wheel of cars with this one engine, the more I appreciate it.
Powerful q.b., this makes it possible to combine consumption and performance in a very interesting way, ensuring, in the case of the Volkswagen Arteon, long kilometers at high speeds without having to worry too much about consumption or visiting gas stations.
Here, combined with a seven-ratio DSG gearbox (fast and smooth as is the norm for these Volkswagen Group transmissions), this engine “marries” quite well with the Arteon's road-going character.
To give you an idea, on a motorway at a stabilized speed of around 120 km/h, I even saw the on-board computer indicate averages between 4.5 and 4.8 l/100 km and announce a range of more than 1000 km .
On a mixed route, involving the city, highway and national roads, the average traveled between 5 and 5.5 l/100 km, surpassing six liters only when I decided to explore the Arteon's dynamic capabilities more intensely.
Speaking of which, although the Volkswagen Arteon is not as interactive and fun as the BMW 420d Gran Coupé or the Alfa Romeo Giulia (both rear-wheel drive), this is nothing to owe, for example, to the well-behaved Peugeot 508 and it's more exciting behind the wheel than the Toyota Camry.
In this way, its behavior is guided, above all, by predictability, safety and stability, making it an authentic “cruiser” destined for long runs on the highway, a place where its driving comfort stands out.
Is the car right for me?
Well-built and with a pleasantly more distinct and dynamic look than the more familiar Passat, the Volkswagen Arteon is aimed at those who want more style, but also don't do without levels of practicality and versatility in a more familiar use.
What's more, it's still comfortable and, when paired with this 150 hp 2.0 TDI, very economical.
More than reinforcing its arguments (which it already lacked), this renovation brought Arteon an always welcome update, especially in the increasingly important technological chapter.