2022 Volkswagen Arteon

Most Volkswagens are well-built, agile, fun-to-drive cars that feel slightly more premium than their competitors. Its lineup is focused on SUVs, most of which have spacious, comfortable interiors and unexpectedly responsive driving dynamics. Its Golf hatchback, especially in performance trims, is a rare balance of practicality and driving thrills. Most models, including its EVs, have excellent fit and finish. Brand-wide downsides include unintuitive controls and infotainment systems, and below-average reliability for new cars. Reliability for used VWs is average.

The Volkswagen Arteon replaced the sporty CC. It is a practical, sporty, and well-appointed hatchback with a coupe-like exterior profile. Our testers praised its prompt acceleration, confidence in corners, and pleasant--but firm--ride, even on rough roads. Front-wheel drive comes standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. While the car is quiet otherwise, engine noise is noticeable at low speeds and under acceleration. Inside, the Arteon gets comfortable front seats and well-finished, user-friendly controls. A responsive touch screen sits at the center of the dash, and climate and audio systems are controlled with physical buttons and knobs. A low roofline makes the car a bit of a challenge to get in and out of. But underneath the heavy hatchback, there’s a huge cargo area with lots of space and a low loading floor. For 2021, the Arteon gets a mild freshening and improvements to the infotainment system. For 2022, the 2.0-liter turbo engine gets a horsepower bump (now making 300 hp), and the eight-speed conventional automatic transmission is swapped with a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. 2023 is the final year for the Arteon.