It’s not often that an executive fastback grabs your attention within an instant of setting eyes upon it. True, many of them boast sharp designs and neat interiors, but they rarely offer a level of premium that can really wow drivers.
But the Volkswagen Arteon bucks the trend. It’s an all-new model that merges the practicality and space of a five-door saloon with all the stealthy elegance of a luxury coupe.
From the outside, the Arteon stands out as a premium fastback. The body-wide front grille that merges seamlessly into the LED headlights is bespoke to the Arteon, while the single crease that runs along each side of the car’s body emphasises its aerodynamic form.
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And at the back, the roof slopes gracefully downwards before joining the edge of the boot lid, which is ever so slightly raised to improve airflow over the vehicle. The design oozes luxury, helping the Arteon stand head and shoulders above other cars in the segment.
But the Arteon’s sleek, coupe-like design doesn’t come at the cost of interior space.
There’s plenty of leg and headroom for those in the front, while three adults can comfortably fit in the rear. The stylish cabin is also suitably wide, so passengers won’t find themselves rubbing shoulders with other occupants.
The interior aesthetics, heightened by vents that seamless run along the width of the dashboard, is also brimming with hi-tech gadgetry. The centre console incorporates an 8in touchscreen infotainment system. It’s a breeze to use thanks to large, clearly labelled buttons that are easily activated on the move.
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Optional equipment includes the Discover Pro system, upping the display to 9.2in and adding intuitive gesture controls, while the 12.3in Active Info display swaps the conventional analogue dash with a digital version. This is especially handy when using the navigation settings, as the sat nav screen can be configured to appear between speedometer and rev gauge.
The boot, meanwhile, boasts a “sizeable” 563-litre capacity, which is “rather more generous” than other five-door coupe’s, says CarBuyer. Folding the rear seats flat opens up even more boot space - 1,557 litres to be precise.
On the road, the Arteon is as engaging to drive as its aerodynamic styling suggests.
Evo praises the stealthy coupe’s “light and accurate” steering, while the car’s “comfortable and refined” ride quality will “sooth away” the harshness of “bumps and broken tarmac”. The sporty five-door covers ground “efficiently and with remarkable composure”, the magazine says, epitomising Volkswagen’s “slick” driving experience.
It’s clever too: bundled into the Arteon experience is Emergency Assist 2.0, a semi-autonomous feature that takes control of the car “when drivers are unwell”, says Alphr. If, for example, the driver has lost consciousness, the system will switch on hazard lights and keep the car in lane as it brings it to a stop.
More routing automation includes Park Assist, which helps steer the coupe into parking spaces, while Lane Assist applies automatic corrections when drivers get too close to white lines on roads and motorways.
As a complete package, the Volkswagen Arteon is one of the most luxurious and tech-filled five-door fastbacks on the scene, especially when buyers take into consideration its £32,000 price tag. It’s interior is “beautifully built and covered in premium materials”, while the car’s “rakish styling” will no doubt “make it a winning choice”, says Auto Express.
From its razor-sharp exterior design, spacious cabin and hi-tech driver options — the Volkswagen Arteon is a remarkable car for the executive buyer.
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