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# 2019 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion - Bottom Line Review
- URL: https://www.roadblazing.com/2019-volkswagen-arteon-sel-premium-r-line-4motion-bottom-line-review/
- Published: 2020-02-21T14:11:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-05-25T04:54:33.000Z
- Author: George Straton
- Tags: Hatchbacks

### THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR MORE CABIN CCs in a premium grand touring car.

### Extravagantly priced, cabin compromised, four door, four place grand touring coupes are excused if luxury Teutonic and wearing either a "Three Point Star" \[Mercedes CLS\],"Blue and White Propeller" \[BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe\] or Four Interlocking Rings" \[Audi A7\] on the bonnet.

### Apparently the "Four Door Coupe" heard less applause as a premium volume fastback bearing the name of a perfectly stodgy North American NMS Passat family sedan. It didn't help that Volkswagen's first venture into the "Comfort Coupe" executive sedan was smaller inside than a Mk. 7 Jetta! Roadblazing.com sibling **ChicagoNow "Drive...He Said"** had positive feelings about that **Mk. 1 Passat CC** even as the rear seat headroom screamed Ouch! Not even the inclusion of a strictly child seat propping rear middle position in 2013, followed by dropping "Passat" from the name, could protect against the incoming torpedo.

### *AFTER CONSIDERABLE DELAY* : over certification of newly implemented European safety standards comes to Yanks as an all new, late in the model year entry **2019 Volkswagen Arteon** 2nd go at flagship grand touring four door coupe, *though this time as a five-door sportback*.

### **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \***

*WHAT:* **2019 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line 4Motion** (VW Group B8 platform) executive fastback sedan. The new **VW Arteon** \= hatchback version of the Modular Transverse Matrix (**MQB**) platform based Mk. 8 Euro **VW Passat**. In China **Arteon** is named...no surprise... "**CC**".

NAMING: Arteon = "Artem" the Latin word for design

Standard Power: transverse 2.0 L turbocharged DOHC 16V DI gas I-4 = 268 hp/ 258 lb-ft @ 1950 rpm + 8-speed automatic torque converter planetary gear transaxle, XDS front axle limited slip;

Drive Modes: 3 \[throttle, shift, suspension\] Drive Modes = Eco, Normal, Sport (customizable).

Optional Drivetrain: PTU 4Motion all-wheel drive.

*WHAT (A) DIFFERENCE(S):*

While 4-door coupes were all the rage in 2010, Grafting an elongated fastback rump to a versatile hatchback better aligns with recent premium and luxury brand forays into aspirational grand touring sedans. E.G.: Audi A7, Porsche Panamera, Kia Stinger, Buick Regal.  

**Volkswagen Arteon** deviates from **Passat CC Mk.1**'s 4-door coupe profile to join the ranks of premium / luxury aspirational grand tourers by adopting their contemporary fastback with rear liftgate form.

![2019 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2020/02/RB-2019-Volkswagen-Arteon-SEL-Prem-RLine-4Motion-ext-fr-btm-P1550812-bc.jpg)

2019 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion

**√** Horizontal chrome bands bleed into overlapping headlamp tandem DRL's; Front bumper camouflaged by similar horizontal banding; **√** Exaggerated inboard arrows pinch lower front fascia corners; **√** Raised front wheel arches marry the clamshell hood sides; **√** Muscularly flared beltline creass span to trunk lid; **√** Wide lower body spats; **√** Door mount wing mirrors.

![2019 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2020/02/RB-2019-Volkswagen-Arteon-SEL-Prem-RLine-4Motion-ext-rr-tp-P1550912-bc.jpg)

2019 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion

**√** Slender C-pillar made possible by pronounced kink; **√** A long sloped liftgate ends in a creased decklid below the spoiler; **√** Thinner wrap-around horizontally segmented LED taillamps; **√** Upper bumper lip; **√** Chrome lower fascia band and dual trapezoidal exhaust outlets; **√** Rear lower fascia drawn to center forming registration tag pocket.

*WHY: People's premium car grows from constrictive 4-Door coupe into sprawling sportback.*

*WHEN:* On-Sale (in the U.S.) since late Spring 2019.

*WHERE:* Volkswagen new car dealers

*WHERE MADE*: Emden, Germany

*HOW STRONG:* Planting the larger inlet Golf R Mk 7's IHI turbocharger on EA888 Gen.3 Valvelift 2.0L TSI I-4 = **22 psi** boost, bumps horsepower to +61 over the old **Passat CC**'s straight-4\. That figure is just 12 hp shy of the formerly optional (now dropped) VR-6, with 8 more lb-ft twist than the single head bent 6, at -4600 rpm. VW forwent it's Borg Warner designed 7-speed DSG in favor of a less snappy gear changing Aisin automatic. All because DSGs impart that stalling feeling as the automated clutch disengages in first. As with many of the type the Haldex IV all-wheel drive system is more about slip mitigation and understeer minimizing than hard off the line launches.

**\-1** Soundaktor's faint audio impression of powerplant noise, is wholly inconsistent with the grand tourer mission. Fault a placid to a flaw cabin.

*HOW LIMBER:* Standard DCC continuously adaptive dampers mellow the front upper strut rear quad-link chassis. Arteon's Drive Modes surpass the Three Bears offerings with a media screen slider's choice of 12 degrees of suspension fine tuning. Still the ride differences are subtle, with the firmest being nuances of a comfortable grand tourer's body discipline.

Roadblazing.com editors hand's are enamored with a substantial D-shaped, contrast white stitched, heated leather helm. Highway weighting seemed to invite minor correction activity. Imposing as the low tire sidewall all-season rubber are on 19"-inch wheels, the road feel isn't.

A rarity in this segment which shows serious grand touring intentions are ventilated rear disc rotors. Indeed R-Line pedals come aluminum covered but that won't excise the dull pedal feedback.

*HOW FAR:* **23** **m**iles **p**er **g**allon combined fuel economy; Premium 91 octane gas = **400** highway miles range.

[2022 Volkswagen Arteon 4Motion - Re-Driven in Racie- RPOWER FINALLY CATCHES UP W/ PRESTIGE VDUB: In 2019, German automaker Volkswagen sent the stylish new Arteon executive sportback car in a renewed stab at an ultra competitive and snobbish American entry prestige vehicle venue. Appreciably more substantial, useful and flashes of Audi distinctive than its predecessor VW Passat CC![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/size/w256h256/2024/05/rb-wheel500.png)RoadBlazingGeorge Straton![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/size/w1200/2024/05/RB-2022-Volkswagen-Arteon-R-Line-4Motion-ext-fr-P2410523-abc.jpg)](http://roadblazing.com/2022-volkswagen-arteon-4motion-re-driven-in-racie-r?ref=roadblazing.com)

*HOW BIG/ LITTLE:* vs. outgoing **VW Passat CC** \= +1 *Occupant Obliging*

- Wheelbase 111.7" inches = +5.0"; Overall length 191.4" inches = +2.5"
- Rear seat legroom 40.2" inches = +1.9"; Rear seat headroom 37.0" inches = +0.4"

*HOW* USEFUL: **√** A huge hatchback expands to an immense 27 cubic feet under liftgate luggage space; **√** 60/40% split folding rear seat backs expand cargo capacity to mid size crossover competitive 55 cubic feet. **√** Overhead retracting sunglasses bin; **√** Deep lower center stack storage shelf w/ USB x 1; **√** 8 bottle & large cupholders; **\-1** Front door pocket length; **\-1** Lack of rear seat back hatch area remote release; **\-1** Glovebox = too small for owner's manual.

![2019 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion: Liftback's ginormous expandable cargo bay is clear advantage over traditional notchback GT](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2020/02/RB-2019-VW-Arteon-SEL-Prem-RLine-4Motion-cargo-fold-flat-P1560247-bc.jpg)

2019 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion: Liftback's ginormous expandable cargo bay is clear advantage over traditional notchback GT

*HOW SAFE*: rated "Good" in all categories by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (**IIHS)**: **√** 6 airbags, **√** Generous hot formed weight saving steel used in structure; **\-1** Easy to overrun LED headlamp light broadcast

Driver assist technology: **√** Rear camera w/ park gridlines, **√** Blind spot + rear cross traffic warning, **√** Forward collision warning & avoidance; **√** Pedestrian avoidance braking; **√** Automatic high beam LED headlamps. **AVAILABLE:** **√** Adaptive cruise control; **√** Lane keep assist; **√** Side traffic avoidance; **+1** the exceptionally parallel space capable Park Pilot Assist.

![2019 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion: Park Pilot active parallel parking](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2020/02/RB-2019-VW-Arteon-SEL-Prem-RLine-4Motion-park-pilot-004c.jpg)

2019 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion: Park Pilot active parallel parking

*HOW FRIENDLY:* **√** Wide girth substantial hip support & cushioned front bucket seats; **√** Heated & cooled front seats w/ fore-aft sliding headrests, 8-way power driver's w/ 2 position memory, passenger's; **√** "**R-Line**" D-shaped, heated leather tilting, telescoping steering wheel; **√** Front passenger's height adjustable seat; **√** 2-Zone automatic climate control; ***SPECIAL MENTION: √ Driver's seat massage; √ Personalized multiple drivers preferences.***  

*Cool Gizmo(s)*: **√** 10.25" selectable, selectable map zooming color LCD Virtual Digital Cockpit instrument cluster; **√** Wide overhead console LED night light.

*Details Done Right:* **√** Tight grained soft material upper dashboard; **√** Hammered aluminum dash appliques; **√** Distinctive rocker action integrated steering wheel horizontal spoke driver assist & redundant media switches; **√** Stainless steel covered large pedals and dead pedal; **√** 10-color variable LED cabin ambient lighting; **√** Felt lined oversized door pockets; **√** Durable ballistic cloth at high wear seating points.

*Nearly Non-Descript*: **\-1** Coarse dark gray finish to cabin panels, housings pillars looks a little too Golf; **\-1** Center console missing switch blank caps**.**  

*HOW "APP" -LICABLE:* **√** In-dash 8.0"-inch capacitive touch/ gesture LCD infotainment display; HDD GPS Navigation w/ guidance; **√** Voice learning hands-free communications; **√** SMS text messaging; **√** Android Auto/ Apple Car Play / Mirror link wireless device overlays; **√** CarNet Apps; **√** 12-speaker, 700 Watt Dynaudio streaming & HD radio audiophile audio.

**√** Subscription based: Sirius XM & Sirius XM TravelLink (90 days included trial); (3 years included), CarNet Info telematics valet

**√** USB x 3, 12V x 1; **+1** Deep lower center stack mobile device pocket, Qi inductive charging pad; Simple switching between smart device overlay and native navigation;

**+/-** SMS connectivity requests permission at each start; Native navigation map cannot be simultaneously displayed on Virtual Digital Cockpit and Media Screen; Digital CD Player inside glovebox;

**\-1** Media display = fingerprints never seemed so greasy; Busy infotainment screen icons and drop-down sub-menus; TravelLink app locks out Digital Cockpit map mode.

*HOW MUCH: *$47,205* \=* **2019 Volkswagen Arteon SEL R-Line 4Motion** list price

*WHAT'S MISSING:* Road to helm transmittal; Authoritative transmission shifts; Worthier engine song; Cargo bay remote rear seat back releases.

*ANY COMPETITION:* **Buick Regal**: **+1** Redline song, seat bolstering, price; [**Kia Stinger**](https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-kia-stinger-gt-2-awd-bottom-line-review/) **2.0T (2020 MY)** : **+1** Simpler infotainment, value

*FINAL WORDS:* A detuned transverse engine mounted Audi A7 by any other name.

(Contributing Editor: Tomasz Paluch)