Volkswagen’s flagship sedan, Arteon, sports a sleek gran turismo design, upscale interior, innovative technology, and available 4Motion® all-wheel drive. Balancing efficient yet powerful performance, the Arteon combines styling and technology in a manner rarely seen outside of high-end luxury sedans.
- New to Arteon, 2.0L TSI engine puts out 300hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, paired with 7-speed DSG® transmission and either FWD or 4Motion® all-wheel drive
- R-Line design content is now standard across all trims
- Tech-focused standard features include: Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro, Climatronic® Touch, MIB3 infotainment with wireless App-Connect, enhanced voice recognition, USB-C charging, navigation, Car-Net® with Wi-Fi capability, and SiriusXM® with 360L streaming and satellite content
- Available high-end features include: 19- and 20-inch wheels, massaging driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, leather seating surfaces, harman/kardon® premium audio, IQ.DRIVE® driver assistance technology
- MSRP starts at $39,995
New for 2022
For the 2022 model year, the Arteon is available in three trims—SE R-Line, SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line—with R-Line® content now standard inside and out. The Arteon also features a new 2.0-liter TSI® engine that produces 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, up from 268 hp and 258 lb-ft in previous models. A seven-speed DSG® transmission with Tiptronic® replaces the eight-speed automatic.
The SE R-Line features a new 18-inch wheel design, adds front and rear Park Distance Control, and includes wireless charging. For the SEL R-Line, 4Motion® all-wheel drive is now standard, and 20-inch dark graphite wheels are available. The SEL Premium R-Line retains the same level of premium content as carryover from the 2021 model year.
MSRP for the Arteon starts at $39,995 for the SE R-Line with front-wheel drive and $44,615 for the SEL R-Line with 4Motion all-wheel drive. Destination is $1,195.
Exterior
The 2022 Arteon retains its characteristic aggressive stance—low and wide—that immediately sets it apart from the sedan segment at large. Taking inspiration from classic sports cars, the contoured hood lines extend directly into the grille, while the long and wide hood stretches across the entire front profile into the wheelarches to form the shoulder section. The design is sophisticated and modern, but also effective, resulting in a drag coefficient of a mere 0.30 for front-wheel-drive models and 0.29 for 4Motion all-wheel-drive models.
The Arteon can be optioned with an unmistakable lighting signature. The Arteon SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line feature an illuminated light bar in the grille to complement the LED headlights that are standard across the line. The light bar connects with the daytime running lights (DRLs) and surround the Volkswagen logo, using light as the new chrome to set off the modern front end design.
Below the light bar, three striking chrome bars emphasize the width of the Arteon. All models feature R-Line front bumpers with one large air intake below the grille that is flanked by gloss black C-shaped sections positioned ahead of the front wheels. An R-Line logo graces the front of all cars.
A strong character line runs uninterrupted around the entire car, visually pressing the body volume downward, giving it a dynamic appearance. Starting at the front grille, the stroke runs smoothly across the silhouette up to the taillight clusters. At the rear it transforms into a sharp undercut that visually reduces the height of the Arteon and carries the solid shoulder section into the decklid, where the VW badge and Arteon lettering sit centrally under a gloss-black rear spoiler.
The ambitious design is made possible by the flexible MQB chassis architecture. The wheelbase of the Arteon is 111.9 inches and is paired with short overhangs for more dynamic proportions. The Arteon is 191.5 inches long, 73.7 inches wide and 56.8 inches tall.
All Arteon models feature standard LED headlights, Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), and taillights. SEL R-Line models and above add Volkswagen’s Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), which adjusts the headlight beams to help compensate for dynamic changes, like deceleration and cornering, as well as Light Assist (High Beam Control for headlights). SEL R-Line models and above feature power-folding side mirrors with position memory.
The 2022 Arteon is offered with four distinct aluminum-alloy wheel designs. The SE R-Line features a new 18-inch wheel design, while the SEL R-Line is equipped with standard 19-inch wheels, and offers an optional 20-inch dark graphite wheel package. SEL Premium R-Line trims have 20-inch wheels.
A panoramic power-tilt-and-slide sunroof is standard equipment on SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line models. Top-of-the-line SEL Premium R-Line models also feature a standard power trunk with Easy Open and Close function; drivers can simply walk up to the vehicle with their keys in a pocket or purse and kick a foot under the rear bumper to open the trunk lid, while closing the trunk only requires a touch of the button or a kick under the rear bumper. KESSY® keyless access on all four doors and the rear hatch is standard on all Arteon models.
Interior
The spacious interior of the Arteon received significant updates last year that further accentuate its upscale nature. The entire dash panel—consisting of surfaces, air outlets, and trims—center console, and the top sections of the door trims were redesigned. Decorative seams at the top of the dash trim flow into the top sections of the door trims, wrapping around front passengers like a cocoon. Aluminum trim adorns the dashboard and doors; SEL and SEL Premium R-Line models incorporate translucent elements with ambient lighting. Drivers can choose from 30 colors to both illuminate the door panels and dashboard trim décor, and apply the color to the Digital Cockpit Pro and MIB3 infotainment displays.
The center console hosts Volkswagen’s latest MIB3 infotainment and a touch-sensitive climate control system. The three-zone Climatronic® Touch automatic climate control is standard across the Arteon range. In all trims, the temperature can be set intuitively via touch slider, as can the blower function in the manual mode. Seat heating, windshield and window defrosting functions as well as other climate functions are also controlled using touch-sensitive surfaces in the center console. SEL Premium R-Line models feature a rear control panel for rear seat passengers to adjust temperature up and down.
The multifunction steering wheel also features haptic touch surfaces. This leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel with contrast stitching is standard across all models, and is heated in SEL Premium R-Line models.
Heated, 12-way power front seats are standard in the Arteon, as are leatherette seating surfaces. SEL R-Line models and above feature Nappa leather seating surfaces and driver’s seat memory settings, and SEL Premium R-Line models add ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, and a massaging function for the driver.
All three models now welcome drivers with the R-Line logo on the infotainment displays and feature a number of interior design enhancements including: contrast stitching on the steering wheel and shift knob, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, black headliner, stainless-steel sport pedal covers, and stainless-steel door sills.
The long wheelbase afforded by the MQB architecture gives the Arteon generous rear legroom, at 40.2 inches, with substantial headroom as well—37.7 inches in front, and 37.0 in the rear. The Arteon offers 27.2 cubic feet of trunk storage; with the standard 60:40 rear seats folded down, that number increases to 56.2 cubic feet.
MIB3 Infotainment. All 2022 Arteon models feature innovative Volkswagen MIB3 touchscreen infotainment. The displays utilize a capacitive-touch sensor (as in smartphone and tablet technology) rather than the more common resistive touchscreens that require pressure, enabling controls like swiping and even pinch-zooming. Wireless App-Connect smartphone integration is standard, and offers users the ability to run select smartphone apps directly on the vehicle’s display through services such as Apple CarPlay®, Android AutoTM and MirrorLink®, and multi-phone pairing that can switch between compatible devices. Wireless charging for compatible devices is also standard across all 2022 Arteon models.
All Arteon models feature the Discover Media system with navigation and a glass-covered 8.0-inch display. The unit features enhanced voice recognition, Bluetooth technology® for compatible devices, HD radio, SiriusXM® with 360L (three-month Premium Plan trial), and two USB-C ports (one in the center console, one in the center stack; SEL Premium R-Line models add a third charge-only port in the rear console). With MIB3, Discover Media features a redesigned navigation system with simplified and enhanced map designs, intuitive route options, quick access to frequently visited locations, and advanced route management. With a Car-Net Hotspot subscription and Plus Nav package, maps can be automatically updated with the most up-to-date traffic and construction information.
Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro. The advanced Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro system, standard on all Arteon models, presents drivers with a fully-digital instrument cluster. Using a 10- inch TFT display, the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit offers a configurable presentation of important vehicle information, with 21 viewing options, including car status, navigation, driving data, phone information, driver assistance features, and more. Users can select from multiple views, including a full screen navigation view.
SiriusXM with 360L. models offer the most advanced audio entertainment platform—SiriusXM with 360L. SiriusXM’s next-generation platform combines satellite and streaming content delivery into a single, cohesive in-vehicle entertainment experience and provides more options than before, including access to more than 10,000 hours of SiriusXM’s recorded On Demand content, and more live channels, available by subscription (three-month Platinum Plan trial package included). SiriusXM with 360L’s personalized “For You” recommendations help listeners to discover more of what they love based on listening habits and are served on screen in an easy-to-find, easy-to-use format. The enhanced sports play-by-play offering makes it easier to find the listener’s favorite team when it is game time, and individual listener profiles allow multiple drivers and passengers to customize their own favorite channels.
harman/kardon Audio. A high-end sound system made by audio specialists harman/kardon has been specifically geared toward the Arteon. Standard in SEL Premium R-Line trim, the system uses a 700-watt, 16-channel amplifier to power a total of twelve high-performance speakers, including a center speaker in the newly designed dash panel and a subwoofer in the trunk. The remaining treble, midrange, and bass loudspeakers are arranged in the doors. The infotainment system coordinates the individual sound control of the system, which also provides intuitive pre-configured settings, such as Pure, Chill, Live and Energy.
Volkswagen Car-Net®. Since its debut for the 2014 model year, Volkswagen Car-Net has allowed Volkswagen owners to get connected to their vehicles. For model year 2022, Car-Net Services will be offered in three areas: Remote Access, Safe & Secure, and Hotspot. For vehicles equipped with a MIB3 system and an active data plan, additional online features are available with a paid subscription that provides enhanced navigation and infotainment.
Car-Net Remote Access allows owners the ability to interact with their vehicle from miles away via the mobile app. It is offered at no additional charge for five years from the date of vehicle purchase. Features include remote start and stop (if equipped), remote door lock and unlock, remote honk and flash of lights, last parked location, and remote vehicle status display, which provides information on estimated fuel level and mileage and door and window status.
VW Car-Net skills for Amazon AlexaTM are now available for most new Volkswagen vehicles. To set up, owners should open the skills page associated with their car model in their Alexa app and link the skill to their VW Car-Net account. This will allow them to use their voice on an Alexa-enabled device to ask Alexa to send remote commands from the comfort of their own home—for instance: “Alexa, ask Car-Net to honk my horn.”
For vehicles equipped with factory-installed navigation systems, Car-Net can make customers lives easier by locating off-street parking information and sending destinations or points of interest directly to their car from the app. Powered by ParkopediaTM, the Parking Information feature can help make owners’ lives easier by locating off-street parking information. Through the Navigate tab on the app, users can click the “P” icon to show available parking locations, either in the immediate vicinity or near a Point of Interest. Clicking on a specific location will display the address, hours of operation and pricing. Users can also send the location to their car’s navigation system, if so equipped, by clicking the “Send to My VW” button.
Vehicle Health Reports can provide owners easy access to diagnostic information. Reports generate automatically each month after enrollment and are sent directly to the email address in the owner’s profile; owners can also request updated reports anytime through the mobile app. When it’s time for scheduled service, Car-Net can not only notify the customer, but also provides a simple way to schedule a dealer visit.
Family Guardian services and Roadside Call Assist can provide added peace-of-mind no matter who is driving. Speed Alert notifies the owner when the pre-determined maximum speed limit is exceeded. Boundary Alert lets the owner know when the vehicle has traveled outside of a pre-set virtual boundary. Curfew Alert notifies the owner if the vehicle is driven while curfew alert is on. Valet Alert warns if the vehicle is driven more than 0.2 miles from the valet drop-off location. The Car-Net app allows users to control who receives notifications by designating primary and secondary users, with varying levels of control and functionality for each. Notifications can come in the form of text messages, emails, or push notifications from the mobile app itself. If the vehicle is disabled, Roadside Call Assist is available at the touch of the wrench button.
By enrolling in the DriveView™ program, Car-Net users may be eligible for discounted rates from some of the top automotive insurance companies in the country. This program can also help Car-Net users monitor their driving by tracking activities like night driving, hard braking, idle time, and excess speed. These factors all contribute to an overall driving score, which is visible within the mobile app.
Car-Net Safe & Secure is a paid subscription service that includes Information Assistance, Emergency Assistance, Automatic Crash Notification, Anti-Theft Alert, and Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance. The current subscription price is $159 per year before taxes and fees, and automatically renews annually at the end of the subscription term, unless cancelled. Information Assistance—accessed through the i-call button within the vehicle—allows the driver to speak to a Car-Net agent for support needs, such as points of interest and account services. Emergency Assistance can be accessed through the SOS button in the vehicle, and, if a cellular connection can be established, puts the driver in contact with the Car-Net service center, who can direct emergency responders to the vehicle’s location and notify the user’s Emergency Contact. Provided a cellular connection can be established, Automatic Crash Notification can help automatically notify an operator who can quickly contact first responders in the event of a collision. Anti-Theft Alert sends a push notification to the user if the vehicle’s anti-theft alarm is triggered, and Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance uses Car-Net to assist law enforcement with locating the vehicle in the event that it is stolen.
Car-Net Hotspot allows passengers to access the internet with up to four connected devices simultaneously, including compatible tablets, smartphones, laptops, gaming devices, and more— at 4G LTE-enabled speed. Volkswagen recently introduced Carrier of Choice, giving our customers the option to select a data plan from either VerizonTM or T-Mobile ®. With just a few clicks in the VW Car-Net mobile app or at vw.com/carnet, owners can add their new Volkswagen vehicle to their existing mobile data plan or purchase a new one. Verizon Wireless or T-Mobile customers with an existing mobile data plan can simply add their Volkswagen vehicle as a new line item to their existing monthly bill; non-Verizon or T-Mobile customers can set up an unlimited plan for $20/month, taxes and fees may apply.
Car-Net Hotspot also offers additional annual paid subscription packages to enhance the navigation and infotainment experience for MY22 VW owners with a factory-installed MIB3 infotainment system. With an active data plan, the Plus Nav package ($49/year) allows drivers to access online map updates, traffic reports, fuel prices, and parking information. The Plus Speech package ($9/year) offers advance voice controls using natural language to enhance map destination entry for addresses and points of interest. The Plus Online Radio Package ($8/year) offers online internet radio with 30,000+ radio stations and podcasts. Media streaming apps can also be accessed at no additional charge, including iHeartRadioTM and TIDALTM (both require existing accounts).
Powertrain
The Arteon is now powered by the EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® engine from the Golf R. The fourth generation EA888 engine family is now built in Volkswagen’s state-of-the-art factory in Wolfsburg, Germany
The EA888 engine line is a masterpiece of modern engine design that balances performance, efficiency, and drivability in a lightweight and compact package. The powerful four-cylinder engine uses an aluminum-alloy crossflow cylinder head that houses dual overhead camshafts. Volkswagen’s latest variable cam phasing system, which controls both intake and exhaust valves, as well as a variable lift system for the exhaust valves themselves, help allow the traditionally opposing goals of performance and efficiency to be met simultaneously.
In Arteon specification, the EA888 evo4 engine displaces 1984cc, producing 300 horsepower (achieved using premium fuel) at 5,350 rpm, and 295 lb-ft of torque at just 2,000 rpm. The evo4 engine is paired with a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission with Tiptronic and auto hold – the most advanced such unit Volkswagen offers.
EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings are not yet available for the 2022 Arteon.
4Motion All-wheel-drive System. Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive is standard on Arteon SEL and SEL Premium R-Line models. The latest-generation 4Motion system is designed to activate before wheelspin occurs, helping eliminate traction losses. The system achieves this by using an advanced control function based on specific driving conditions. When operating under a relatively low load or when coasting, the front wheels are driven and the rear wheels are decoupled, a feature designed to help save fuel. However, the rear wheels can be engaged in fractions of a second whenever necessary via the center differential, which is activated by an electro-hydraulic oil pump.
A control unit continually calculates the ideal drive torque for the rear wheels and controls how much the multi-plate clutch should be closed by activating the oil pump. The oil pressure increases the contact pressure at the clutch plates in proportion to the torque desired at the rear axle. So, the amount of pressure applied to the clutch plates can be used to continuously vary the amount of torque going between the front and rear wheels, up to a maximum of 50 percent at the rear axle.
In addition, the Arteon is equipped with the XDS® cross-differential lock at the front and rear. The latest XDS+ version applies this functionality to a larger range of dynamic performance, helping make the vehicle more agile. When the car is being driven at highway speeds, brake pressure is applied to the inside wheel to help restore optimal traction as soon as the electronics detect excessively light loads. The XDS+ system operates like a limited-slip differential and can help compensate for understeer during cornering. In low traction situations, the system can briefly brake a wheel that is slipping, enabling uninterrupted and stable transfer of drive power to the wheel on the opposite side.
Chassis
The chassis and running gear of the Arteon have been specifically enhanced compared to other Volkswagen MQB models, accentuating the Gran Turismo spirit of the car. A strut-type independent front suspension is mated with a four-link independent rear suspension with gas-filled dampers, and both axles are equipped with anti-roll bars. While this suspension layout is responsible for a comfortable and composed ride in many Volkswagen models, it is particularly effective in the long wheelbase of the Arteon.
From a structural standpoint, the MQB platform provides extremely high body rigidity, resulting from a combination of ultra-high-strength and ultra-high-strength hot-formed steels. Despite the large rear hatch of the Arteon, body rigidity has been increased by 10 percent as measured against a comparable notchback model. This allows for very precise steering, high vehicle responsiveness and optimal ride comfort. Ultra-high-strength steel is used in areas of the vehicle such as the side sills, as well as the side members and cross members of the body. Ultra-high-strength hot-formed steel is used for the B-pillars, center tunnel, lower bulkhead, rear side members, and roof side members.
The braking system is comprised of 13.4-inch vented front discs and 12.2-inch vented rear discs with standard three-channel ABS with electronic brake pressure distribution. The rack-and-pinion steering features electric power assist and speed-sensitive variable steering assist. This system offers a 13.6:1 steering ratio that allows for a sporty 2.76 steering wheel turns from lock to lock and a vehicle turning circle of 39.0 feet.
DCC®. The standard DCC adaptive damping system contributes to the balance between excellent handling and premium ride comfort by managing the suspension’s rebound and compression rates individually, helping to improve vehicle dynamics. DCC takes input signals from wheel displacement sensors and accelerometers as well as vehicle information from the Chassis-CAN bus to adaptively adjust the optimal damping force. Moreover, damping forces are selectively applied to the four wheels individually. With the new generation of DCC, it is possible to independently vary rebound and compression damping while cornering.
Driving Mode Selection. In addition to the familiar Driving Mode Selection featured programs (Comfort, Normal, Sport), the dampers on the Arteon can be adjusted across an expanded range through the individual settings submenu (Comfort+ to Sport+). Beyond the familiar Comfort setting, the driver can increase ride comfort of the Arteon even further by moving the control slider to the left into Comfort+, while a setting that is sportier than the familiar Sport setting can be set by moving the slider to the right, into Sport+. The driver can make adjustments between the Comfort, Normal and Sport profile, creating truly personalized settings.
Safety and Driver Assistance
To help protect occupants, the Arteon provides a combination of both passive and active safety systems. It features eight airbags as standard (front and side airbags for front passengers and side curtain airbags for outboard seating positions), along with a number of electronic safety systems, such as an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). All Arteon models feature a standard rearview camera.
A standard feature on the Arteon is Volkswagen’s Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. This builds on the premise that a collision is rarely a single, instantaneous action, but rather a series of events that follow the initial impact—the most significant of which can cause additional collisions. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System helps address this, in certain crash scenarios, by applying the brakes when a primary collision is detected by the airbag sensors, thus potentially reducing residual kinetic energy and, in turn, the chance of additional damage.
The Arteon also includes Volkswagen’s Intelligent Crash Response System that shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on the hazard lights if the car is involved in certain types of collisions.
Volkswagen’s IQ.DRIVE® advanced driver assistance technology features hands-on semi-autonomous capability. On the highway, IQ.DRIVE features lane centering and a capacitive steering wheel to make driving easier. Around town, IQ.DRIVE alerts you to surprise obstacles in front of you, and keeps an eye around you to help make driving safer.
The IQ.DRIVE system is standard on SEL trims. The system utilizes front and rear radar, a front camera and several ultrasound sensors to collect data from the surrounding area, enabling Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance); Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring); Active Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor); Rear Traffic Alert; Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Go; Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System); and Emergency Assist (semi-automated vehicle assistance in a medical emergency).
Warranty & Maintenance
Every 2022 Arteon comes with a bumper-to-bumper New Vehicle Limited Warranty and Carefree Maintenance Program. The warranty provides coverage for four years or 50,000-miles (whichever occurs first), and can be transferred to a subsequent owner throughout the remainder of its duration. The Carefree Maintenance Program provides scheduled maintenance services for two years or 20,000 miles (whichever occurs first) at no additional charge, and can be transferred to a subsequent owner throughout the remainder of its duration.
