2022 Volkswagen Arteon 140TSI Elegance review

A new arrival from Europe brings good looks and plenty of standard equipment at a reasonable price.

Photo of the Volkswagen Arteon Elegance 140 TSI

Volkswagen’s new Arteon shows you don’t need to spend big to drive a sharp looking Euro sedan.

Here are five things you need to know about the new Volkswagen Arteon 140TSI Elegance.

The Volkswagen’s new flagship sedan brings style and flair at a reasonably affordable price.

THERE’S MORE CHOICE

The Volkswagen Arteon has returned after a short hiatus with an expanded model line-up and multiple body styles.

There are two variants the 140TSI Elegance (tested here) and the 206TSI R-Line priced at about $68,000 drive-away and $76,000 respectively. The extra spend gets you a bigger, punchier engine and plenty of sporty styling tweaks.

They can be had as a sedan/liftback or as a wagon, with the wagon costing about $2000 more.

All models are exceptionally well equipped, including a range of metallic and pearlescent paint finishes. A panoramic sunroof costing $2000 and a Oryx White pearlescent paint priced at $800 are the only optional extras.

The 140TSI has plenty of go, but the 206TSI goes to another level.

PLENTY OF KIT INCLUDED

Arteon shoppers won’t be disappointed with the amount of standard equipment in the 140TSI. There is the Volkswagen Group’s excellent 10.25-inch digital instrument display with multiple readouts including a hi-res map option.

This is combined with a 9.2-inch central touchscreen that is compatible with wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. No wireless device charging point is disappointing.

Audiophiles will enjoy a booming Harman Kardon stereo.

Three zone climate control keeps everyone comfortable. Nappa leather appointed front seats are electronically adjustable and are both heated and ventilated. The two rear window seats are heated.

The build quality is excellent with no noticeable creaks or vibrations and a heavy thud when you close the doors. But the door can be a bit heavy making it harder for older passengers to open.

There are lots of luxury and hi-tech features included.

PROVES YOU DON’T NEED AN SUV

If you’re after interior space, then the Arteon is the car for you.

The cabin is cavernous, back seats passengers have ample leg, shoulder and head room. Tall and short drivers alike will appreciate the flexibility of the Arteon with plenty of reach adjustment for the steering wheel and seats enabling an excellent view for all shapes and sizes.

SUVs sell on their perceived practicality but the Arteon packs a 563-litre cargo space, which is bigger than a Mazda CX-5 and just smaller than a Toyota RAV4.

The liftback body shape adds to the convenience, giving a wider opening similar to a hatchback rather than a conventional sedan.

The VW Arteon has interior space to rival an SUV.

IT’S SAFE AS HOUSES

VW has gone all in on safety.

The brand’s IQ.Drive features will automatically apply the brakes if it detects a potential collision with a car or pedestrian.

It’ll conspire to keep you in your lane by sounding a warning and then gently tugging the steering wheel to direct you back into place if it detects you wandering. It monitors for traffic crossing behind the vehicle when reversing and sound an alarm if it detects a vehicle approaching and then will hit the brakes if the driver continues on their course.

IT’S A HOOT TO DRIVE

Power comes from 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 140kW and 320Nm, this is matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto driving the front wheels.

It isn’t express but the 140TSI is nippy and agile in traffic. It feels sharp through corners, hugging the bends with poise.

The Arteon is even more impressive on the open road, its well sorted suspension soaks up bumps of all sizes and solid insulation makes for a quiet commute.

On the motorways it is a comfortable cruiser, eating up the kays with ease. The ample torque delivered early in the rev range makes overtaking a cinch. Step up to the 206TSI and the turbo 2.0-litre engine erupts with 206kW and 400Nm, providing hot hatch thrills in a more mature surrounds.

Originally published as 2022 Volkswagen Arteon 140TSI Elegance review