I purchased a 2019 VW Arteon SEL Premium R-Line with 4-Motion AWD and all the bells and whistles for $40K. This car is a fantastic value at that price and got the last of the 6yr / 72K warranty which is transferable. It's one sweet ride!
@@MikeBlue77 The sticker (including delivery) was ~$48,500. ~$8500 off sticker then add in taxes and registration. They had a 0% finance incentive for 60 months but the price reduction of the car would have been less. Put 50% down, financed through my Credit Union @3.5% / 60 months but plan on paying loan off in 18-24 months.
drive 'it' longer? what is 'it' A car wont be driven longer or shorter due to availability of a single extra spare tire. My point is some people with older cars, after years and years driving their old cars have yet to discover their spare tire. All the meanwhile they are lugging that tire along.
Best reviews par none on U-tube. Encyclopedic presentation and editing, analysis and detailed presentations are simply unrivaled by any other media outlet.
You got my attention when you slipped and said the dash was like the Audi "5000" - I had one of those and absolutely loved it. Five speed turbo, quattro - the most fun to drive sedan, and looks that never grew old.
Everything you said was spot on. I was at the VW dealership getting a recall fixed on my Gti & that was the first time I've laid eyes on the Arteon. It was the R line model in Metallic Grey. The dust on yours doesn't do it justice lol, it's beautiful in it's fully loaded form. I was wowed until I saw the 42,900$ sticker then I jumped my butt out of the seat! I haven't seen one on the road & I'm sure the price is why! On the used market I would probably buy one over the other cars you listed but I'm VW biased . For that money they could have thrown their V6 motor in and it would be a no brainer..🙅
@@newsrebel I can tell my experience with one CC and now a Passat. The 2.0 tdi CC was a really nice car to have, good reliabilty and never had any issue with it. Just regular service with good oil and a decent mechanical empathy, had it in about 43500 miles and harsch winters in Sweden. It had a bit of rattle and my Audi a4 b8 before had a better interior quality but less fun to drive. My Passat tdi 4m 2017 is more luxurues, it is almost fully loaded and right now it´s been fine, only central locking system on the right side but it is covered by the warranty.
To each his own, but as a Stinger GT owner I can tell you it's satisfying to drive every single day. Great ride great power great value and tons of compliments from strangers.
I am considering the stinger vs arteon. I really like the more power that Stinger offers and feel it is a mature car as well as it can get down and dirty with you if you want while not screaming a "whore" in your face if you catch my drift? I mean I like the fact the exhaust is not too loud and obnoxious and it's very practical. My question to you if you don't mind is, how reliable has it been for you and what is the average MPG you are getting so far? I really want a sleeper car and feel like Kia offers that with the Stinger. I also really like the slick look of the Arteon but disappointed with the less power. Thanks in advance for your response.
It's cool facts about cars like "full sized spare with matching rim", that keeps me coming back to this channel. Full of great facts that are more elaborately conveyed as well as unique facts that many reviewers seem to omit. I am cross shopping this areteon with a few vehicles and that fact alone is a wow factor as im leaning towards the areteon and that made it even more appealing .
Great descriptive video!!! Enjoyed all the comparisons and detailed information! Just purchased a 2020 Arteon R Line AWD and was able to get it at a very deep discount! Close to $33k. What really sells this car is the look and the tech. There’s absolutely no marketing in the Los Angeles area at all for this vehicle. So people who actually own one are people who have researched and have considered their options. I do agree on the lack of power compared to other options like the KIA Stinger. But it does have good power considering the size and the fuel economy that it produces, in my perspective. And with the Los Angeles traffic, going from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds just to stop again within 100 feet, doesn’t really seem necessary to me. I am a previous CC owner and loved it. So to be able to get an upgraded version of that in the Arteon is great. I would definitely recommend this vehicle if you’re in the market for this type of car but don’t want to shell out the extra cash for a Stinger or go to a more expensive brand like AUDI or BMW. Aside from Toyota Tacomas which are by far the best value keeping vehicles, all other vehicles lose considerable value within 1-3 years.
Was just thinking about this car, I concerned about the power. The stinger is smaller , however has more power. you can purchase the Arteon for the low 40's (loaded), will be at least 6-8K lower then the stringer. I think for the price and 7 year 72K warranty can make this a great option . Thanks Neil for another detail review !
every utuber compares the arteon to a stinger because of the same amount of doors. they are two different traits from engine/trans/driveline and built for different purposes. stinger was built to take down something like a lexus gsf or bmw m5, not a calm/wel balanced 5 doors vw. also, comparing rwd platform to awd/fwd seems ridiculous. my 0.01$
Beautiful car, and I really love these sportback style sedans. For me, I think I'd lean toward the Buick Regal GS over this. The Kia Stinger is an incredible car, but I found the interior felt more cramped and you get more cargo room with the Regal.
VW would do really well in the US if they made reliable cars, and cars like this Arteon that are stylish and well built. Basically bring the quality and style they offer to the Europeans! 😅
@Matthew the Cashew That's been the problem with VWoA for decades now....they constantly mismanage the distributorship and damage the brands ability to succeed. Best best would be to disband this current organization and start fresh. VWoA also constantly modifies products for the US market that isn't required by DOT and degrade the quality and design of the original great design and engineering.
I’ve said the same thing but it’s all cost. You just can’t build them like this and sell them for the low $20k and make any money. 15 years ago VW offered the same cars as in Europe but something like a Passat was $26,000 to start in 2006 money! That’s just not competitive.
@Matthew the Cashew _ Any European brand would do well in the US because Americans have this unsubstantiated admiration for Europeans. If Americans would do the same thing with what VW tried to pull with the diesel scandal in Europe, you wouldn't have seen one American car on the road in Europe. I mean American car, not only the brand that involved in that scandal. However, Europeans see Americans as illiterate gullible idiots to be milked out of their money with unrealistic propaganda which is infused into the commercial ads. In the early 2000's, VW Jetta was the least reliable car in the US market even behind the Hyundai Accent. In fact, it is still less reliable than an Hyundai Accent but Hyundai increased the quality of its products. When the US media went through a make over after 2001, The European cars started to get better reviews from the media people WITHOUT increasing their quality and reliability. Europeans always kept the car market high in the US with expensive materials and fit and finish of their cars, but the mechanical aspect of European cars is and always been so bad that they deserve to be defined as out of factory lemon cars. Bottom line is Europeans are not ethically fit to do business anywhere and Americans will continue to be screwed by them as long as they see themselves as the extension of the ever exaggerated European non existent culture.
@Langolier Thing is that VW overall is a very reliable brand in Europe. The problem isn't with the product it is with VWoA, the incompetent management of the distributorship in the USA, and incompetent and dishonest dealership sales and service here. "Herndon Half-wits". The MK4 Jetta/Golf were very reliable and only had two weaknesses coil pack failures and power window regulators, that's it. That makes them some of the most reliable in that category, including Honda and Toyota.
Here is another Euro origin hint for you. The Buick Regal is a rebadged Opel Insignia. The Insignia is the closest and most consistent rival of the euro spec Passats for a long time. However the Arteon is a completely reshaped and redone Passat, so comparing it to a Insignia/Regal isn't all that fare. Also worth noting is that GM no longer owns Opel and this is likely the last time Buick will be able to use a Opel model in their line up.
I want to remind you that the US version Passat also sell in Middle East and South Korea, the Chinese market got both European Passat and American Passat at the same time
I drove the Arteon and the Stinger back to back, and prefer (and purchased) the Arteon. The Stinger does handle a bit better and more tightly, and even the 2.0T Stinger is slightly faster than the Arteon. The rear view mirror visibility is poor in both, but the Stinger's is just abysmal. Even the Kia sales guy had added a rear view mirror to his personal Stinger that included a video monitor of the scene behind the car. Then entire feel of the Arteon is just more premium, it is more quiet, the ride is better, it has a lot more room for people and cargo, the seats are better (although the Stingers are pretty good). The Arteon is missing a couple of things, such as power adjustment to the steering column (which is adjusted along with seat memory in the Kia) and HomeNet garage door opening. It is also difficult to find an SEL Premium Arteon that does not have the cosmetic-only R-line option, which IMO just raises the price for no justifiable reason. Discounts from MSRP are running upwards of $6k.
That liftgate goes ridiculously high! Honestly, if it's not a proper hatch, just give it a trunk/boot. Liftgates are BARELY more practical than similarly-sized sedans, but hatches are always the best choice for versatility..
16:36 - Alex, you can adjust the driving modes while in motion (in my car its between eco, comfort, normal, sport, and custom). However VW locks out the custom settings menu while driving. It IS a tad annoying because sometimes I want to tweak the custom settings on the fly but I can't. Pretty much all the settings menus are disabled once you start moving.
With the 190 HP TDi engine mated to the 6 sp manual transmission it would be more attractive as a comfortable but engaging cruiser, but we don't get that version in the US.
Why do automakers actually go through the trouble of coming up with a different sku to get red turning signals for the American market? Is there some survey out there that says Americans prefer red turn signals?
@Hyrena J I bet they survey people at the local supermarket and in the USA VWoA is staffed with morons, and the distributorship has NEVER been up to the job since the mid 1980s. They should fire the entire staff in Herdon, VA . I Call them the "Herndon Half-Wits".
You CAN get a brand new, fully loaded Stinger GT2 for $42k out the door if you are patient enough to find a dealer that will give a $5k discount and you don't mind doing a lease buyout. Kia offers insane lease incentives (it was $8200 cash back when I bought mine. It may be more now.) and you can get dealers to take $5k off the MSRP. The Kia lease contract allows for an instant lease buyout with no penalty, and only a small fee (between $300-$600, can't remember). Doing this, I was able to get a fully loaded 2019 GT2 AWD for $44k. If you don't live in a state that has unfavorable lease tax laws (such as Texas) you can get a Stinger GT2 for a steal. I recommend anyone interested in doing this search a KIA stinger forum and do a search for lease buyouts.
Hey Alex. When you did the 0-60, did you put the ESC into sport, and using M mode for the takeoff (then putting it to S), did you try using the launch control? I am sure you would have done 5.3-5.5 seconds! When you have the ESC Sport it shifts much more aggressively (you can feel how it shifts), and keeping the M mode for takeoff doesn't create any confusion or "lag" during the start.
This customizable screen is certainly less customizable than the jettas LCD cluster. That's crazy. And missing auto hold when the cc had it. Plus the power liftgate is only on the top trim. Im kinda disappointed in vw, they cheaped out
I went back and forth before getting a new car. I wanted an AWD sedan. looked at things like the stinger, taurus SHO, german cars, acura, lexus, buick regal GS, etc. ended up with a lexus GS350. I think it does 0-60 in around 5.7 seconds. honestly, I can't imagine having something faster like the stinger GT or the SHO. not only would I end up getting in a lot of trouble, but you just can't use that kind of speed 90% of the time. the lexus is plenty fast. I think people get entirely too hung up on 0-60 times and horsepower numbers.
Good video. The TLX 9 speed is over criticized, it was laggy at first in low RPM and in high revs, it shifts like a dual clutch. They upgraded my transmission software and it works pretty dang good. Not really a fan of dual clutch I like that feel between gears.
The Passat that VW should be selling here is the hybrid Passat Estate (station wagon). It is getting rave reviews by European testers. It is nice that VW is continuing to make sedans, but now that they have dropped the Golf Sportwagen in US, they should offer something unique like the hybrid wagon. Would be good competition to the Camry and Avalon hybrids. I would get a GLI Jetta with 6 speed manual rather than an Arteon....way more fun to drive and good interior and luggage capacity. The Arteon should have V6 option to distinguish it from their other sedans.
Two problems that I have with the Arteon: 1) for an upscale vehicle, there are a lot of button blanks surrounding the shifter, and 2) I strongly dislike the red rear turn signals. Otherwise, it's a great looking car.
Scotty Kilmer should not be a source for anything other than how much Drano can you safely cut your Cuttyshark with. That said, the Aisin is a reliable (if a little slow) transmission.
This is approaching the price where "reliability focused buyers" are just buying a 4 cyl Camry or Corolla and puttiing the rest in CDs to pay for their next Camry or Corolla in 20 years.
I saw one of these on the road and thought it looked pretty cool, so I looked it up. I got a good laugh out of the prices for this. That powertrain paired with vehicle priced over $40k is crazy.
Kind of, but its actually the golf r engine and twin scroll turbo. With a base tune from APR for 699, it makes 349whp and 409tq on 93. When I bought mine, the MSRP was 48 and change. They sold it for 39. Super happy with it so far. It's also made in Germany as well
They should have a V6 option. I understand automakers are going with more efficient turbo-charged 4 cylinder engines. However, for $45k you can get a well optioned Audi A4 or A5 Sportback. Just my $0.02.
Just curious as to why you don't mention the Alfa Gulia when comparing other vehicles to the Arteon? It has a 2.0 turbo as well and can be optioned with AWD. Dimension wise it's a bit smaller. Is that the main reason?
They should have made this a hybrid. Oddly the biggest competitor for this thing isn't necessarily a Stinger; it's the A5 Sportback. I feel like that gets the same fuel economy while being way faster.
The Kia’s power is addictive, but the fuel economy is terrible. I got nearly 40mpg on my test of the Arteon however. That’s better than my old Golf R could manage.
Just curious, and if I missed it in your video, mea culpa...but I didn't hear you mention that the 2020 vehicle comes with VW's 4 year, 50K, warranty with additional 2-year free maintenance.
Very nice review. I like the VW. Premium features are wonderful. Quiet cabin is awesome. Wanted an Avalon before they shrunk it. I sat in a Camry today - couldn’t see a thing out the back.
VW has faced repeated challenges in selling their Euro-spec vehicles in North America. The European Passat was replaced in the US with the larger, cheaper American version. The Atlas replaced superb Touareg. The latest version of the Jetta including the GLI is not even offered in most European markets. The American Tiguan replaced the smaller, more expensive European version (still sold in Europe.) Even the iconic Golf is being dropped in the US and the GTI and Golf R are significantly "de-contented" in their American versions. The bottom line is that Americans want VW's that are larger and cheaper than their European counterparts. With that in mind the Arteon stands out as another effort to interest Americans in a Euro-spec VW. They don't expect to sell many but for Americans interested in a true European GT sedan at under $50K MSRP it's an appealing vehicle. In fact, the only significant difference between the US and European Arteon is an 8 speed conventional automatic versus VW's excellent DCT in Europe. (Too bad, imo.) If I were shopping in this category I'd be torn. I own both a KIA (Sorento) and a VW (GTI). So the Stinger vs the Arteon would be a natural comparison for me. If I were looking at the 4 cylinder Stinger vs the Arteon I'd definitely opt for the VW. On the other hand, the V6 Stinger would make the choice far more difficult, especially considering the AWD versions of each vehicle. As difficult as that choice would be, though, I think I'd still opt for the Arteon. And that surprises me a bit. I've driven both vehicles. The Stinger is an excellent "Americanized" European GT sedan. But the Arteon IS a European GT. Built expressly for cruising at 100+ mph well maintained European highways and following winding roads that have been in place for centuries. Perhaps if I lived in flyover country where roads curve only occasionally and mountains are non-existent I'd feel differently. But I live in the Pacific Northwest and my Sunday drives take me on a 100 mile loop in the Cascades. And I have to drive awhile to get to Montana's highways where top speed limits are suggestions. But when I do, I think I'd prefer the VW.
Hey Alex why didn't VW give us the Arteon that Europe has which has 280hp and 7 speed dual clutch automatic ? Vw should just carry the dual clutch automatic in there cars (Not SUV's tho)
@@sic22l Hey, thanks for the ignorance, but every person who has actually driven the Kia Stinger, including me, say it has a very good interior. It's not low quality at all, and has some great tech features other makes don't have. I'm not impressed by the VW's interior.
I really want you to review more "European" cars and compare them to "American" cars, something like a Skoda Superb or Peugeot 508. Im curious what your opinion would be of those
They are better but because of how they are made they will be more expensive than American mainstream brands so they'll end up adapting it for the US market making it cheaper and worse. That's because then the US will complain about the prices. Which I always wonder why because you guys pay so little for vehicles compared to the rest of the world anyway.
SEL Premium 4 motion comes with Heated Rear Sears, the kia stinger worth buying would be at 50k but thats another story. i don't think the Arteon will sell well here in america since the majority of all sales seem to be suv/crossover or more premium brands for sedans.
0:45 sorry, the Arteon isn’t more luxurious inside than a European Passat, it has actually the exact same interior. Actually, the European Passat has been refreshed this year and the interior is actually better than the Arteon
Buick, so called, is German too. It's an Opel Insignia rebadged to Buick. It was 100% developed by Opel in Germany and is 100% a German car. Buick puts their badge on it. That's it.
I already knew the pedigree of the Buick and that's why it interests me as a ''soCal American'' car. The Vw products don't have good reputation for reliability and the American ones , in general , no more . Buick obtained the 3rd highest reliability status from Jdpowell '18 .Top model for Midsize : Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota Camry, Buick Regal . But when I see Malibu , I wonder what their credibility is...
If we're throwing the $52,000 fully loaded Stinger into the conversation, then we should also be discussing the Genesis G70 as a direct competitor. Comes in either RWD or AWD, and with several engine options if you're trying to keep price more in line with Arteon.
I love the look and feel of this car. But I just couldn't pay that much for it when that fully loaded Stinger or Regal Sportback are available for similar money.
The Kia and Buick is not the same quality as this. And this is why you Americans will always get lesser made VWs and cheaper ones. You can't expect this type of quality for the price of the other mainstream vehicles. So you end up with a US Passat, a US Golf, a US Tiguan and so forth.
As a chauffeur, this is definitely NOT the sedan I'm looking for - insufficient head room. It's a shame because it's a very nice looking car. They need to scale the whole car up a bit in every dimension, to retain the proportions, but increase space.
Headroom is rapidly disappearing form all sedans and even many CUVs. It is the most counterproductive trend in the industry. No wonder they are turning SUVs into limousines.
@sprague49 They are supposed to be black...however I have always found black wheels make the car look half finished and looks like some boy ricer gimmick. The style isn't bad but black color is crap...
Sadly, VW has found that US consumers simply don't find their wagons appealing. The AWD Golf wagon, the AllTrack in the US, has been discontinued due to minuscule demand.
I purchased a 2019 VW Arteon SEL Premium R-Line with 4-Motion AWD and all the bells and whistles for $40K. This car is a fantastic value at that price and got the last of the 6yr / 72K warranty which is transferable. It's one sweet ride!
Patrick Bolmeyer that’s great keep us posted! I purchased one Saturday evening here in Oklahoma City. I love having a unique vehicle
@@2004cyrus Join us on the 'Volkswagen Arteon Owners' Facebook page!
Where did you get it?
I'm curious. What was the MSRP of your car? Did you qualify for any incentives?
@@MikeBlue77 The sticker (including delivery) was ~$48,500. ~$8500 off sticker then add in taxes and registration. They had a 0% finance incentive for 60 months but the price reduction of the car would have been less. Put 50% down, financed through my Credit Union @3.5% / 60 months but plan on paying loan off in 18-24 months.
Holy crap a full size spare with matching wheel?!?! That’s crazy! I don’t know if I’ve seen that in years...
the last car that i remember had one was the Lexus LS460
why lug a full spare tire? whats the fascination with the extra useless weight in your vehicle?
@@madanielk6526you can drive it longer
drive 'it' longer? what is 'it' A car wont be driven longer or shorter due to availability of a single extra spare tire. My point is some people with older cars, after years and years driving their old cars have yet to discover their spare tire. All the meanwhile they are lugging that tire along.
@@madanielk6526 a space saver spare is temporary
Best reviews par none on U-tube. Encyclopedic presentation and editing, analysis and detailed presentations are simply unrivaled by any other media outlet.
You got my attention when you slipped and said the dash was like the Audi "5000" - I had one of those and absolutely loved it. Five speed turbo, quattro - the most fun to drive sedan, and looks that never grew old.
Everything you said was spot on. I was at the VW dealership getting a recall fixed on my Gti & that was the first time I've laid eyes on the Arteon. It was the R line model in Metallic Grey. The dust on yours doesn't do it justice lol, it's beautiful in it's fully loaded form. I was wowed until I saw the 42,900$ sticker then I jumped my butt out of the seat! I haven't seen one on the road & I'm sure the price is why! On the used market I would probably buy one over the other cars you listed but I'm VW biased . For that money they could have thrown their V6 motor in and it would be a no brainer..🙅
If the sticker was 42.9, it was not the fully loaded one.
Saw this at night in a parking lot recently - it looked really good & way more expensive than it is!
Daniel Mitra exactly at first I thought it was an Audi R8
Just bought an Arteon. I have been a VW fan for the past 10 years. Had two CCs and a passat. Great comparisons.
One of the most beautiful cars on the road today.
What was your experience with the Passat??🤔
@@newsrebel I can tell my experience with one CC and now a Passat. The 2.0 tdi CC was a really nice car to have, good reliabilty and never had any issue with it. Just regular service with good oil and a decent mechanical empathy, had it in about 43500 miles and harsch winters in Sweden. It had a bit of rattle and my Audi a4 b8 before had a better interior quality but less fun to drive. My Passat tdi 4m 2017 is more luxurues, it is almost fully loaded and right now it´s been fine, only central locking system on the right side but it is covered by the warranty.
tay very reliable. I had a 3.6 RLine.
No mention of Homelink. Guess does not have it.
This will be a really sweet buy in two years when it has depreciated 40%.
Lord Bass when I seen this in person at first I thought it was an Audi R8
Tonton Mc until u see the VW logo, what a let down lol
😂 typical Volkswagen
49%
Buying a car new off the lot ( unless bought cash in full) is stupid. I totally agree
To each his own, but as a Stinger GT owner I can tell you it's satisfying to drive every single day. Great ride great power great value and tons of compliments from strangers.
I am considering the stinger vs arteon. I really like the more power that Stinger offers and feel it is a mature car as well as it can get down and dirty with you if you want while not screaming a "whore" in your face if you catch my drift? I mean I like the fact the exhaust is not too loud and obnoxious and it's very practical. My question to you if you don't mind is, how reliable has it been for you and what is the average MPG you are getting so far? I really want a sleeper car and feel like Kia offers that with the Stinger. I also really like the slick look of the Arteon but disappointed with the less power. Thanks in advance for your response.
By far, the best Arteon review I've seen. I hope you will give your impressions of the 2022 Arteon with it's 7speed dual clutch DSG and 300 hp !
It's cool facts about cars like "full sized spare with matching rim", that keeps me coming back to this channel. Full of great facts that are more elaborately conveyed as well as unique facts that many reviewers seem to omit. I am cross shopping this areteon with a few vehicles and that fact alone is a wow factor as im leaning towards the areteon and that made it even more appealing .
Great descriptive video!!! Enjoyed all the comparisons and detailed information! Just purchased a 2020 Arteon R Line AWD and was able to get it at a very deep discount! Close to $33k. What really sells this car is the look and the tech. There’s absolutely no marketing in the Los Angeles area at all for this vehicle. So people who actually own one are people who have researched and have considered their options. I do agree on the lack of power compared to other options like the KIA Stinger. But it does have good power considering the size and the fuel economy that it produces, in my perspective. And with the Los Angeles traffic, going from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds just to stop again within 100 feet, doesn’t really seem necessary to me. I am a previous CC owner and loved it. So to be able to get an upgraded version of that in the Arteon is great. I would definitely recommend this vehicle if you’re in the market for this type of car but don’t want to shell out the extra cash for a Stinger or go to a more expensive brand like AUDI or BMW. Aside from Toyota Tacomas which are by far the best value keeping vehicles, all other vehicles lose considerable value within 1-3 years.
Great. You got new for essentially used car price. Success.
I think they really killed it with the design on the Arteon
Very stylish. Sleek and sexy. Better looking than an Audi? YES.
zep head only some Audi's
The reviewer is very competent and knowledgeable. A very well done, comprehensive review. Nice work!
Except the Arteon scores an A on interior noise at 70 DB, while the Lincoln MKZ scores a B on interior noise at 70 DB. ???
That spare is a HUGE selling point imo. Love it. VW is back on their game, thinking of the details like that.
I think this will age well, plus its the most euro-passat we got. Worth it as a get n keep.
I just wish there were more interior color options, like a dark brown or red.
A dark brown is available, or it was, it is called "Canyon Brown".
Most beautiful VW
Was just thinking about this car, I concerned about the power. The stinger is smaller , however has more power. you can purchase the Arteon for the low 40's (loaded), will be at least 6-8K lower then the stringer. I think for the price and 7 year 72K warranty can make this a great option . Thanks Neil for another detail review !
Precisely the reason I bought my 2019 SEL Premium R-Line. Got it for $40,000, add the 6 yr / 72K mile warranty,... Great value!
Test drove it today , it's a Beauty !
Very stylish .Especially when everyone else is riding around in huge boxes
This will be a great car to shop on the used market a year or two from now. Depreciation will probably be savage.
every utuber compares the arteon to a stinger because of the same amount of doors. they are two different traits from engine/trans/driveline and built for different purposes. stinger was built to take down something like a lexus gsf or bmw m5, not a calm/wel balanced 5 doors vw. also, comparing rwd platform to awd/fwd seems ridiculous. my 0.01$
Jeez! I almost passed out from trying to wrap my head around all the tech features!!!!
Beautiful car, and I really love these sportback style sedans. For me, I think I'd lean toward the Buick Regal GS over this. The Kia Stinger is an incredible car, but I found the interior felt more cramped and you get more cargo room with the Regal.
Buick? Ew
Have you been in the new Buick?
@@gladdy02 Yes at the Chicago auto show last year.
We are waiting for you to review the 2021 Arteon
Waiting for the 2023 review lol
on color alone that metallic yellow is nice looking
VW would do really well in the US if they made reliable cars, and cars like this Arteon that are stylish and well built. Basically bring the quality and style they offer to the Europeans! 😅
@Matthew the Cashew
That's been the problem with VWoA for decades now....they constantly mismanage the distributorship and damage the brands ability to succeed.
Best best would be to disband this current organization and start fresh.
VWoA also constantly modifies products for the US market that isn't required by DOT and degrade the quality and design of the original great design and engineering.
I’ve said the same thing but it’s all cost. You just can’t build them like this and sell them for the low $20k and make any money. 15 years ago VW offered the same cars as in Europe but something like a Passat was $26,000 to start in 2006 money! That’s just not competitive.
Jake Kennedy The Euro is no longer significantly more expensive than the USD, and they build in Mexico now. No excuses for VW!
@Matthew the Cashew _ Any European brand would do well in the US because Americans have this unsubstantiated admiration for Europeans. If Americans would do the same thing with what VW tried to pull with the diesel scandal in Europe, you wouldn't have seen one American car on the road in Europe. I mean American car, not only the brand that involved in that scandal.
However, Europeans see Americans as illiterate gullible idiots to be milked out of their money with unrealistic propaganda which is infused into the commercial ads. In the early 2000's, VW Jetta was the least reliable car in the US market even behind the Hyundai Accent. In fact, it is still less reliable than an Hyundai Accent but Hyundai increased the quality of its products.
When the US media went through a make over after 2001, The European cars started to get better reviews from the media people WITHOUT increasing their quality and reliability. Europeans always kept the car market high in the US with expensive materials and fit and finish of their cars, but the mechanical aspect of European cars is and always been so bad that they deserve to be defined as out of factory lemon cars.
Bottom line is Europeans are not ethically fit to do business anywhere and Americans will continue to be screwed by them as long as they see themselves as the extension of the ever exaggerated European non existent culture.
@Langolier
Thing is that VW overall is a very reliable brand in Europe.
The problem isn't with the product it is with VWoA, the incompetent management of the distributorship in the USA, and incompetent and dishonest dealership sales and service here. "Herndon Half-wits".
The MK4 Jetta/Golf were very reliable and only had two weaknesses coil pack failures and power window regulators, that's it. That makes them some of the most reliable in that category, including Honda and Toyota.
Here is another Euro origin hint for you. The Buick Regal is a rebadged Opel Insignia. The Insignia is the closest and most consistent rival of the euro spec Passats for a long time. However the Arteon is a completely reshaped and redone Passat, so comparing it to a Insignia/Regal isn't all that fare. Also worth noting is that GM no longer owns Opel and this is likely the last time Buick will be able to use a Opel model in their line up.
Veselin andreev Nobody pays any attention to, or buys, Buicks, except maybe the Chinese.
I want to remind you that the US version Passat also sell in Middle East and South Korea, the Chinese market got both European Passat and American Passat at the same time
I drove the Arteon and the Stinger back to back, and prefer (and purchased) the Arteon. The Stinger does handle a bit better and more tightly, and even the 2.0T Stinger is slightly faster than the Arteon. The rear view mirror visibility is poor in both, but the Stinger's is just abysmal. Even the Kia sales guy had added a rear view mirror to his personal Stinger that included a video monitor of the scene behind the car. Then entire feel of the Arteon is just more premium, it is more quiet, the ride is better, it has a lot more room for people and cargo, the seats are better (although the Stingers are pretty good). The Arteon is missing a couple of things, such as power adjustment to the steering column (which is adjusted along with seat memory in the Kia) and HomeNet garage door opening. It is also difficult to find an SEL Premium Arteon that does not have the cosmetic-only R-line option, which IMO just raises the price for no justifiable reason. Discounts from MSRP are running upwards of $6k.
That liftgate goes ridiculously high! Honestly, if it's not a proper hatch, just give it a trunk/boot. Liftgates are BARELY more practical than similarly-sized sedans, but hatches are always the best choice for versatility..
16:36 - Alex, you can adjust the driving modes while in motion (in my car its between eco, comfort, normal, sport, and custom). However VW locks out the custom settings menu while driving. It IS a tad annoying because sometimes I want to tweak the custom settings on the fly but I can't. Pretty much all the settings menus are disabled once you start moving.
That’s what I was referring to, most other cars allow you to adjust the custom mode while in motion
Great comparative review, You are amazing !
With the 190 HP TDi engine mated to the 6 sp manual transmission it would be more attractive as a comfortable but engaging cruiser, but we don't get that version in the US.
Who would buy that in America, seriously.
Why do automakers actually go through the trouble of coming up with a different sku to get red turning signals for the American market?
Is there some survey out there that says Americans prefer red turn signals?
@Hyrena J
I bet they survey people at the local supermarket and in the USA VWoA is staffed with morons, and the distributorship has NEVER been up to the job since the mid 1980s. They should fire the entire staff in Herdon, VA . I Call them the "Herndon Half-Wits".
Blame the DOT and their outdated headlight and taillight regulations.
I think it's just a matter of different coding nowadays, with LEDs, i.e. toggling a "switch."
And they are not dynamic turn signals like the European Arteons have. Audi A4 has them why not on the Arteon.
You CAN get a brand new, fully loaded Stinger GT2 for $42k out the door if you are patient enough to find a dealer that will give a $5k discount and you don't mind doing a lease buyout. Kia offers insane lease incentives (it was $8200 cash back when I bought mine. It may be more now.) and you can get dealers to take $5k off the MSRP. The Kia lease contract allows for an instant lease buyout with no penalty, and only a small fee (between $300-$600, can't remember). Doing this, I was able to get a fully loaded 2019 GT2 AWD for $44k. If you don't live in a state that has unfavorable lease tax laws (such as Texas) you can get a Stinger GT2 for a steal. I recommend anyone interested in doing this search a KIA stinger forum and do a search for lease buyouts.
The only downside with Kias is resale value. However, you are right about the numbers and deals out there on the Stinger.
Was your front seat all the way back when you were describing the leg room as you sat in the back seat???
Very beautiful car 🚗 👌 😍
Nice one Alex my vote the VW.
Hey Alex. When you did the 0-60, did you put the ESC into sport, and using M mode for the takeoff (then putting it to S), did you try using the launch control? I am sure you would have done 5.3-5.5 seconds! When you have the ESC Sport it shifts much more aggressively (you can feel how it shifts), and keeping the M mode for takeoff doesn't create any confusion or "lag" during the start.
I always forget about Buick. I’m scared about VW reliability so I will go with the Stinger.
Yes.
Kia reliability over German fussiness every day.
The 2.0 tsi engine is a very reliable engine, so no issues there! But I would buy the stinger too, because more power for the same price!
2.0t = cel( check engine light)
This customizable screen is certainly less customizable than the jettas LCD cluster. That's crazy. And missing auto hold when the cc had it. Plus the power liftgate is only on the top trim. Im kinda disappointed in vw, they cheaped out
I went back and forth before getting a new car. I wanted an AWD sedan. looked at things like the stinger, taurus SHO, german cars, acura, lexus, buick regal GS, etc. ended up with a lexus GS350. I think it does 0-60 in around 5.7 seconds. honestly, I can't imagine having something faster like the stinger GT or the SHO. not only would I end up getting in a lot of trouble, but you just can't use that kind of speed 90% of the time. the lexus is plenty fast. I think people get entirely too hung up on 0-60 times and horsepower numbers.
You made the right choice.
I'm surprised you didn't compare it to the Subaru Legacy XT touring. About same money, AWD, & Turbo as well. ?????
The steering wheel doesn't blend well with the interior
Definitely the VW..ota nicer looking..lools like I spent a lot of money..good job Alex
Why? The European R-Line steering wheel looks really ugly and cheap
@@Sartheris isn't it the same one that's in the Golf GTI / R?
Good video.
The TLX 9 speed is over criticized, it was laggy at first in low RPM and in high revs, it shifts like a dual clutch. They upgraded my transmission software and it works pretty dang good. Not really a fan of dual clutch I like that feel between gears.
The Passat that VW should be selling here is the hybrid Passat Estate (station wagon). It is getting rave reviews by European testers. It is nice that VW is continuing to make sedans, but now that they have dropped the Golf Sportwagen in US, they should offer something unique like the hybrid wagon. Would be good competition to the Camry and Avalon hybrids. I would get a GLI Jetta with 6 speed manual rather than an Arteon....way more fun to drive and good interior and luggage capacity. The Arteon should have V6 option to distinguish it from their other sedans.
Great detailed video!
We should have gotten the wagon (shooting brake), and they should make R-line mean something besides extra bits of plastic on the car.
Two problems that I have with the Arteon: 1) for an upscale vehicle, there are a lot of button blanks surrounding the shifter, and 2) I strongly dislike the red rear turn signals. Otherwise, it's a great looking car.
the arteon has the scotty kilmer approved 8 speed Aisin transmission ...at least for the US market. This thing should be pretty reliable.
Scotty Kilmer should not be a source for anything other than how much Drano can you safely cut your Cuttyshark with. That said, the Aisin is a reliable (if a little slow) transmission.
@@georgesnyder5337 - and who here doesn't like reliability!
This is approaching the price where "reliability focused buyers" are just buying a 4 cyl Camry or Corolla and puttiing the rest in CDs to pay for their next Camry or Corolla in 20 years.
8:20 His taste in music is always amusing
Hi Alex, I think you meant to say the Audi A5 and A7 right
I saw one of these on the road and thought it looked pretty cool, so I looked it up. I got a good laugh out of the prices for this. That powertrain paired with vehicle priced over $40k is crazy.
Kind of, but its actually the golf r engine and twin scroll turbo. With a base tune from APR for 699, it makes 349whp and 409tq on 93. When I bought mine, the MSRP was 48 and change. They sold it for 39. Super happy with it so far. It's also made in Germany as well
They should have a V6 option. I understand automakers are going with more efficient turbo-charged 4 cylinder engines. However, for $45k you can get a well optioned Audi A4 or A5 Sportback. Just my $0.02.
Just curious as to why you don't mention the Alfa Gulia when comparing other vehicles to the Arteon? It has a 2.0 turbo as well and can be optioned with AWD. Dimension wise it's a bit smaller. Is that the main reason?
Great review Alex, I do like the black on black, but I’ll have to lean towards the Kia Stinger GT 2 or the A5
I also hate turn signals in RED not in AMBER.
Doesn't the european version offer the amber lights that work with a motion effect?
Mark Chow yup
They should have made this a hybrid. Oddly the biggest competitor for this thing isn't necessarily a Stinger; it's the A5 Sportback. I feel like that gets the same fuel economy while being way faster.
The Kia’s power is addictive, but the fuel economy is terrible. I got nearly 40mpg on my test of the Arteon however. That’s better than my old Golf R could manage.
Just curious, and if I missed it in your video, mea culpa...but I didn't hear you mention that the 2020 vehicle comes with VW's 4 year, 50K,
warranty with additional 2-year free maintenance.
Bizarre that they didn't include auto brake hold on a vehicle like this. Heck - even the mid trims of the Accord and Camry have that now.
George Snyder I have this car in South Africa and it does have auto brake hold feature - switch right below the electronic handbrake
Eitan R sure. That doesn’t help anyone in the USA.
Did you use the words excellent fuel economy?
Isn't that amazing, since he is obviously a V8 gas guzzler type. Durango V8, 300 V8, Charger V8.
Very nice review. I like the VW. Premium features are wonderful. Quiet cabin is awesome. Wanted an Avalon before they shrunk it. I sat in a Camry today - couldn’t see a thing out the back.
what fuel does it require ?
Both passat and arteon are available in europe... this has a different product positioning and targets a different audience...
Nice review.
It's a nice looking car, but I don't get the sense that the Arteon is selling so well in North America. I have yet to see one on the road.
VW has faced repeated challenges in selling their Euro-spec vehicles in North America. The European Passat was replaced in the US with the larger, cheaper American version. The Atlas replaced superb Touareg. The latest version of the Jetta including the GLI is not even offered in most European markets. The American Tiguan replaced the smaller, more expensive European version (still sold in Europe.) Even the iconic Golf is being dropped in the US and the GTI and Golf R are significantly "de-contented" in their American versions. The bottom line is that Americans want VW's that are larger and cheaper than their European counterparts.
With that in mind the Arteon stands out as another effort to interest Americans in a Euro-spec VW. They don't expect to sell many but for Americans interested in a true European GT sedan at under $50K MSRP it's an appealing vehicle. In fact, the only significant difference between the US and European Arteon is an 8 speed conventional automatic versus VW's excellent DCT in Europe. (Too bad, imo.)
If I were shopping in this category I'd be torn. I own both a KIA (Sorento) and a VW (GTI). So the Stinger vs the Arteon would be a natural comparison for me. If I were looking at the 4 cylinder Stinger vs the Arteon I'd definitely opt for the VW. On the other hand, the V6 Stinger would make the choice far more difficult, especially considering the AWD versions of each vehicle. As difficult as that choice would be, though, I think I'd still opt for the Arteon. And that surprises me a bit.
I've driven both vehicles. The Stinger is an excellent "Americanized" European GT sedan. But the Arteon IS a European GT. Built expressly for cruising at 100+ mph well maintained European highways and following winding roads that have been in place for centuries. Perhaps if I lived in flyover country where roads curve only occasionally and mountains are non-existent I'd feel differently. But I live in the Pacific Northwest and my Sunday drives take me on a 100 mile loop in the Cascades. And I have to drive awhile to get to Montana's highways where top speed limits are suggestions. But when I do, I think I'd prefer the VW.
Hey Alex why didn't VW give us the Arteon that Europe has which has 280hp and 7 speed dual clutch automatic ? Vw should just carry the dual clutch automatic in there cars (Not SUV's tho)
1. Who is looking for a VW sedan?
2. If the Kia Stinger offers way too much power, this may be right for you
Stinger has lower quality interior, it's louder and harsher to drive. Arteon is a comfy highway cruiser.
@@sic22l Hey, thanks for the ignorance, but every person who has actually driven the Kia Stinger, including me, say it has a very good interior. It's not low quality at all, and has some great tech features other makes don't have. I'm not impressed by the VW's interior.
I never said Kia has bad quality interior. It's just Arteon has even better.
@@InvestBetter. I'm a vw fan, but I agree with you. The Stingers interior looks & feels more premium than the Arteon. VWs newer interiors are sad.
I really want you to review more "European" cars and compare them to "American" cars, something like a Skoda Superb or Peugeot 508. Im curious what your opinion would be of those
They are better but because of how they are made they will be more expensive than American mainstream brands so they'll end up adapting it for the US market making it cheaper and worse. That's because then the US will complain about the prices. Which I always wonder why because you guys pay so little for vehicles compared to the rest of the world anyway.
SEL Premium 4 motion comes with Heated Rear Sears, the kia stinger worth buying would be at 50k but thats another story. i don't think the Arteon will sell well here in america since the majority of all sales seem to be suv/crossover or more premium brands for sedans.
0:45 sorry, the Arteon isn’t more luxurious inside than a European Passat, it has actually the exact same interior. Actually, the European Passat has been refreshed this year and the interior is actually better than the Arteon
Thanks
Arteon replaces CC in Chinese market, and also there are 2 midsize sedan, Magotan and Passat
They should have made an R-teon
😂
Maybe if they decide to make it electric.E-tron Audi, R-teon VW.
Speaking of which, I haven't heard of the Passat since 2019. Has it been discontinued?
Discontinued in 2022
31,370th view, 272nd comment, 741st like with 24 dislikes!
I’m glad more people are making these videos!
The turbo engine is the deal breaker for me. Else, I'd buy.
Good looking car. Wheels are a direct copy from the Saab 95 from 2010.
Great review, Arteon looks better Kia tried too hard to look cool parts of many vehicles, it has the power of a 100hp more which is interesting!
I have a good question for you Alex: what is the most reliable this Arteon or Buick Regal Sportback?
Buick, so called, is German too. It's an Opel Insignia rebadged to Buick. It was 100% developed by Opel in Germany and is 100% a German car. Buick puts their badge on it. That's it.
I already knew the pedigree of the Buick and that's why it interests me as a ''soCal American'' car. The Vw products don't have good reputation for reliability and the American ones , in general , no more . Buick obtained the 3rd highest reliability status from Jdpowell '18 .Top model for Midsize : Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota Camry, Buick Regal . But when I see Malibu , I wonder what their credibility is...
@@martinmartin5904 the 2.0 tsi in this arteon is a very reliable engine! One of the best 4 cylinder engines that you can get!
Buick Regal Sportback is so much better value, much bigger discounts too.
And much higher depreciation.
V6 is a must for this car. No excuse
I think I would get the VW of the ARP plus stage 1 if it could get me around 70+ horses
You can, easily.
@@DMCarReviews or more...100 hp.
If we're throwing the $52,000 fully loaded Stinger into the conversation, then we should also be discussing the Genesis G70 as a direct competitor. Comes in either RWD or AWD, and with several engine options if you're trying to keep price more in line with Arteon.
I would like this car, but its a little too pricey. I may simply get a Passat. Car is beautiful. I love my Jetta.
Why would you clear the fuel economy gauge? Just be honest. It is what it is.
great
I love the look and feel of this car. But I just couldn't pay that much for it when that fully loaded Stinger or Regal Sportback are available for similar money.
The Kia and Buick is not the same quality as this. And this is why you Americans will always get lesser made VWs and cheaper ones. You can't expect this type of quality for the price of the other mainstream vehicles. So you end up with a US Passat, a US Golf, a US Tiguan and so forth.
@@SDav21 I can't speak about the Buick interior, but the Kia is nicer than the VW. You should see for yourself.
@@canadabear72 Then you haven't seen the VW. The Kia still feels cheap.
@@SDav21 I have. You haven't seen the Stinger.
@@canadabear72 I have. Build quality nowhere near as good as the VW.
It sucks that the American version has red turning signals and the Euro version has dynamic amber turning signals. That’s a dealbreaker
Paid for it in cash and now its being delivered.
how much did it cost and which model and year ? and how is the experience so far ?
I've only driven one new Volkswagen for myself, a 2011 Jetta. Never had a problem with it other than an intermittent rattle from the sunroof.
Cool.
As a chauffeur, this is definitely NOT the sedan I'm looking for - insufficient head room. It's a shame because it's a very nice looking car. They need to scale the whole car up a bit in every dimension, to retain the proportions, but increase space.
Headroom is rapidly disappearing form all sedans and even many CUVs. It is the most counterproductive trend in the industry. No wonder they are turning SUVs into limousines.
3:05 Well, are the wheels black or just filthy?
@sprague49
They are supposed to be black...however I have always found black wheels make the car look half finished and looks like some boy ricer gimmick.
The style isn't bad but black color is crap...
Interesting that this car is priced like a base Audi A5. Hmmm? I'm guessing most people would rather have that Audi.
You'd guess wrong
Everyone would!
@@stillatin I think so! But ya never know!
a5 is smaller and doesnt have the tech as standard
@@timeyinsholaye9169 True, but most people are badge snobs and would rather have the "luxury" brand.
I think you (US) would love 🇪🇺 Passat Alltrack, even though you aren't very keen on wagons. 🤔 Well Subbie OB as an exception...
I will praise VW if they offer me an Arteon (or Passat) wagon. Not a big fan of SUV and crossover.
I know you don't love this trend but they just need to call the Passat Alltrack a 'crossover' and it'll sell decently to gullible people.
Sadly, VW has found that US consumers simply don't find their wagons appealing. The AWD Golf wagon, the AllTrack in the US, has been discontinued due to minuscule demand.
This vehicle depreciated $5,000 by the time the video finished.
Chau Nguyen Because the overpriced arteon is an ordinary Passat underneath.
@@eyeeyeoh - You better take a closer look. This is NOT your fathers Passat!
@@patrickbolmeyer9515 it kind of is.
Can't afford it, don't get it😂
@@eyeeyeoh Its not related to the American passat