2023 Volkswagen Arteon Performance

There has still been no answer to our prayers that VW would bring the Arteon R to the US, so all Stateside versions of the Arteon get the same engine. It's a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot that produces 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It is connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual shifting. Volkswagen doesn't provide any performance figures, but that's because going fast isn't the point here. Nevertheless, independent tests put the 0 to 60 time of the car at a very impressive 4.6 seconds.The top speed is capped at around 130 mph, which seems a strange decision for a reasonably athletic German car. Again, VW gives no official figure. FWD is standard on the base trim while the top two models have AWD. The figures are very good for what is not really a performance vehicle. It's no slouch, and the rapid shifts from the seven-speed dual-clutch auto mean that the Arteon feels lively. Where the Arteon's laid-back nature is most present is when cornering, where it lacks the composure and tenacity of the competition, particularly the Kia Stinger GT.

One engine is standard across the lineup, but it's a good one. Volkswagen's ubiquitous EA888 2.0-liter turbo-four does duty here, sending 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels as standard. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic helps manage the power and is partnered with a 4Motion AWD system on upper trims, making it ideal for those living in snowy climes. Setting off from a standing start is smooth and effortless, with every gear seeming to offer the same subtle whoosh of acceleration. When you want to overtake, you simply mash your right foot to the floor and the 'box changes down with urgency, albeit without feeling frantic, allowing you to get past traffic with ease. Using the manual function is met with similarly excellent responses up or down the cogs. The tone of the engine isn't particularly exciting, but it isn't offensive either. We'd still love a bigger VR6 engine to compete with the Stinger GT, but that would push costs up and see VW competing with luxury German marques. Overall, this current package is ideal for what VW is trying to achieve: a stylish, capable, and comfortable executive four-door coupe that doesn't break the bank.

Though it won't be competing with the hybrids anytime soon, or even with more budget-friendly mainstream commuters, the Arteon returns pleasing gas mileage figures, even in its available AWD guise. The EPA tests show that it can achieve 25/33/28 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles with FWD, or up to 22/31/25 mpg with AWD. With a 17.4-gallon fuel tank capacity, it's impossible to travel up to 487 miles on a single tank. This puts the VW ahead of the likes of the rear-driven Kia Stinger 2.5-liter turbo which achieves 25 mpg combined.