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2019 Volkswagen Arteon consumer reviews

$35,845 starting MSRP
side view of 2019 Arteon Volkswagen
(25 reviews)
92% of drivers recommend this car
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.7
  • Interior 4.5
  • Performance 4.2
  • Value 4.4
  • Exterior 4.8
  • Reliability 4.4
Explore the 2019 Volkswagen Arteon
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2019 Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 3 year review

I have owned many cars, but have NEVER received the compliments like I do on this vehicle. I have a 2019 VW Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4 Motion. It now has 82,000 and I bought it with under 30,000 3 years ago. I love this car. I perform all scheduled maintenance, but otherwise have not spent a dime in the repair shop. Prior to the end of the manufacturer warranty, I purchased the extended warranty to 150k miles or 10 years. The vehicle has the most spacious back seat of any car out there, with a 6-3 person able to fit without knees touching with front seat set normally. One thing I have not seen mentioned is, that with all of the other amazing features, the car will perfectly parallel park itself and will let you know if a spot is big enough. I just learned about this myself in last month. I played with it and it works perfectly. All you do is shift and give a little gas, but it does all steering. I have taken several trips of hundreds of miles each. In this car, they are very comfortable and easy. The seat massage is sufficient and the ventilated seats work great. Mileage, performance, ride quality, and comfort are amazing. Recently, I had a new BMW X5 as a rental. I couldn’t wait to get back to my Arteon. Any Arteon owner will agree how magnificently they steer and drive. I love everything about this best kept secret in the auto business. I plan to keep this car till the wheels fall off. A first for me. I highly recommend this car. Thank you VW for making such an amazing vehicle. Oh, by the way, the Arteon was made in Germany and is of impeccable build quality, as we all expect from the Germans.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Great car for variety of reasons!

I've owned 2019 SEL for 2 years and love it. It is comfortable, sporty, and has plenty of power. I get 32mpg on highway, at speeds averaging 80mph. I only have 14k miles on it so far, but I've never had an issue with anything in this car. I really love the sportback hatchback, since I put my road bike in without removing the tire.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
4 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Dont buy a vw they are junkl!!!!

biggest piece of xxxx VW ever made!!!!!! Stay away from any Vw ther are complete junk from the word go! The warranty sucks and VW sucks!!!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 1.0
  • Interior 1.0
  • Performance 1.0
  • Value 1.0
  • Exterior 1.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does not recommend this car
2 people out of 44 found this review helpful. Did you?
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The engineering is poor.

Why do I need 3 clocks and 2 outside air temperature indicators but cannot fit the owner's manual in the glove box. Assist warnings go off uncontrollably and it warns of the outside air temperature at 39 degrees with a bell. Why? It is still 20% warmer than freezing at 39 degrees! Consumable parts such as tires, brakes, etc are not on hand and take 1.5 to 2 days to get. The anti collision warning system goes to inoperative during rain/snow messy driving because the sensor is placed in a position where it attracts the most road dirt.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 2.0
  • Performance 2.0
  • Value 1.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does not recommend this car
10 people out of 40 found this review helpful. Did you?
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the sharpest VW since the CC

my wife extended her lease of her acura RLX for an extra year awaiting the new TLX... we finally saw one with two weeks left on her extended lease... let's see.. how do i describe the new TLX...how about blah... the VW dealer is about a mile away when we saw the arteon sitting in the used car area... a certified 2019 SEL R-line... with 2,600 miles on it... owned by one of the managers of the audi dealership next door we were told. living in SW florida, i never would have thought about buying a black car, with black interior, black windows and black wheels... it is nothing short of mean looking... gangsta looking... very impressive. gets tons of looks and questions. since it was certified, we got a 7 year, 84k mile warranty.. when i called the insurance agent.. i told her it was an arteon.. she said "a what"...i have not seen more than just a few on the road.. it is unique.. rides nicely.. goes fast.. good gas mileage.. love all the room under the back hatch.. my only issue is that it does not have an electronic closing button.. even my tiguan has one of those... overall... very happy.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
15 people out of 15 found this review helpful. Did you?
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1 year Review

I have now owned by Arteon for one full year. I opted for the SEL Premium R line with 4-motion. I love this car! This car brings back what has been missing from VW sedans for the last few decades as they have become Americanized. I am Constantly asked “what kind of car is that?” and this is the same question that I used to get with my 1996 Passat. My only complaint... the bit of turbo lag. This is normal and totally expected and even though it’s smooth, it’s not as smooth as the V6 is my last Passat. The Arteon brings elements that you will not find anywhere else. The interior is very VW. I hope the Arteon will be around for a while. I was holding out for a new generation of the ill fated Phaeton but think the Arteon is probably that replacement sedan. So be it. Drive in Sport mode and you will be happy. I am quite surprised by the negative expert reviews-really surprised. Most are selling for well below MSRP which makes a great value! I went to look at the 2021 model and it looks spectacular. Go test drive one. You’ll love the storage and back seat spaces.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
12 people out of 14 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Beautiful Ride

I traded the Atlas for this car after seeing it on the lot while in for service. I was not looking for a new ride, but this car is the epitome of German styling. I have received many compliments from strangers about the Arteon. The interior feels very luxurious and all of the controls are simplistic to use. The power was good for around town and on the interstate. The only complaints I have is tire noise (which isn't terrible). I believe with the SUV craze in the US, this car will not be a top seller and will fade away like the CC. This will be a shame.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 3.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 4.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Great car and value. But could be better.

In the first 48 hours of owning the 2019 Arteon, I've received more positive compliments than I ever have in owning any vehicle. It's flat out a good looking car. The fact that it's such a low volume seller only adds to the attention it gets. The downside is mechanical. Most buyers will yearn for 25-30 more horsepower and a snappier transmission. But if you don't push the chassis and expect to drag race from light to light, you will be rewarded with a plush and comfortable ride. Interior is typical VW with good quality. Despite the popular consumer buying guides, the best value is the SEL Premium trim. This is largely due to the electronic aids and comforts that only that trim level has such as 360 camera view, front and rear park sensors, heated steering wheel, rear seating climate control, ventilated front seats among others.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 3.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 3.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
7 people out of 7 found this review helpful. Did you?
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5,500 mi w/complete satisfaction

My 2019 Arteon SE w/ four motion is a joy to drive. It has power. It is spacious. The front seats can be adjusted for any shape and size. I like to sit high to maximize visual field over the front hood. The visual field through the rear window is more than adequate. Yes, the trunk space is expansive. Sparing on console knobs and dials, pleasingly so. Its exterior design is very stylish, to the point of people complimenting it. My mileage is closer to 32 hwy and 23 city.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Unique vehicle

I still have yet to see another one on the road. I have only owned this vehicle for 4 months but I thought I would have seen at least one on the road by now. I’ve gotten many compliments on its look. The seats are comfortable. Trunk space is plentiful. Plenty of room in the back seat. Fit a 6’3” man in the back with the front seats at a normal position and his knees didn’t touch. Currently have a child seat in the rear that is forward facing and I still have room. The different drive modes are a nice added feature. I generally drive it in comfort mode. It does hit bumps fairly hard in comfort mode and obviously hits them harder in sport mode. Economy mode is a no-no for me as I don’t like to drive slower. I’m averaging around 19mpg city and about 23 highway. It handles well. The Apple car play is glitchy every once in awhile where the screen will stay blank but will still have audio. I always have to unplug the USB and plug it back in to get it to work again. It’s only happened about 3 times so far so I haven’t brought it in to service until it becomes a little more consistent. I have had the driver’s side mirror replaced already because it whistles while driving at highway speeds and on windy days. The replacement mirror did not fix the noise as I did not expect it to since it is the same design. It needs a redesign to make it go away. The driver’s side door panel trim pieces are making noise also but the dealer hasn’t been able to pinpoint the source yet to fix it. I had a loud buzzing noise while at RPM changes from the passenger front door which turned out to be the fuel lines vibrating against the body of the vehicle. That was insulated and resolved. If you get the SE model without the power hatch (trunk), be prepared to get a workout. The hatch is HEAVY and is manual operation. You may want to splurge on the power hatch for the convenience. The rear windows roll down 3/4 of the way, which is a minor complaint but it’s not possible for them to roll down 100% due to the body lines. It just irritates my 3 year old that they don’t roll down. The blind spot monitors sometimes indicate things are there when they’re not. There’s also a crash sensor that keeps randomly going off here and there in congested intersections. I enjoy this car though and do not regret my purchase. It’s a new model year so there are always kinks to be worked out on them which I am aware of.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 3.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
6 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
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