2023 Volkswagen Arteon

Although many sedans have fallen victim to the success of SUVs in the USA, the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon's dashing styling and upscale interior are reminders that it should not be overlooked. The Arteon is not a sports car but rather a comfortable and practical commuter, much like the soon-to-be-discontinued Kia Stinger and premium-badged Audi A5 Sportback. The turbocharged four-pot under the hood packs a decent punch at 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and delivers sprightly acceleration. However, there is only a single engine option, so this does limit the Arteon's appeal relative to its rivals. We appreciate the spacious interior and smooth ride, but the Arteon isn't all that cheap. Still, it's a refreshing alternative in a crossover-obsessed market.

The starting price of a new 2023 Volkswagen Arteon is $43,010 for the base SE R-Line, while the SEL R-Line will cost you at least $47,180. The top-of-the-range model is the SEL Premium R-Line, which sells for $51,175. Only the base trim is FWD whereas the top two models have AWD.

These are the MSRP prices for the VW Arteon and do not include the $1,295 destination charge or any other administrative fees.

We wish we could review the Volkswagen Arteon's handling with more elation, but this is not the sporty car it appears to be from the outside. Even when you engage Sport mode and feel the steering tighten up and throttle responses hasten, it's clear the VW just wasn't meant to go fast around the bends. There is little feeling from the wheels, either, even though the steering is quite accurate. Luckily, any potential understeer is easily managed by the XDS cross-differential. What you will notice is that even in its more performance-focused driving modes, the Arteon is a very comfortable car, and this will be a more important characteristic for many. The suspension is far better tuned to soaking up bumps than it is to entertaining the driver around corners. This pristine ride quality is complemented by exceptional build quality, as nary a sound makes its way into the cabin. True, it's not Mercedes, but for what you're paying, you won't easily find better.

The VW Arteon offers decent levels of performance, top-notch build quality, and a refined interior awash with modern technology. It certainly doesn't hurt that it is handsomely designed, both inside and out, and even tall passengers will find little to complain about in the back. And thanks to its liftback design, the Arteon also boasts a staggering 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space, which is more than you'll find in some SUVs. It has been clocked hitting 60 mph in under five seconds, which is really rapid for what is not an overtly sporty sedan. If you were expecting handling akin to a sports car, this isn't it, but it's both relaxing and refined. Overall, it is a brilliantly put-together and high-value product that deserves a lot more attention than it gets.

The latest set of upgrades sees even the base model boast the most impressive LED lighting equipment, as well as enhanced driver assists, and even Volkswagen's semi-autonomous driving system - IQ.Drive. Unless you desperately need the panoramic sunroof or remote engine start, we don't really feel the need to spend more than the minimum. However, some buyers may find the $47,180 mid-range SEL R-Line trim essential as it comes with standard AWD which the base model misses out on. That's not exactly cheap, but the mid-range Arteon is also a lot of car.