Looking like a shiny piece of candy, the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon SEL R-Line is easy on the eyes and a blast to drive. Completely redesigned in 2019 this year’s Arteon gets some updates nonetheless. With a restyled front grille and headlights the look is sleeker. On the inside a redesigned dash, steering wheel and digital driver display makes the Arteon easier to use and more upscale. But style and gadgets only get you so far. Adding to the appeal is a zippy turbocharged engine and an interior that is as comfy as it is spacious.
The R-Line comes in all-wheel drive with Driving Mode Selection. 20” alloy wheels and an illuminated light bar in the front grille provide flash. Leather seating and a panoramic sunroof add luxury notes to the interior.
Additional features of the SEL R-Line are: adaptive headlights, remote engine start, wireless charging, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control.
The turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four cylinder engine produces the speed for the Arteon producing 268 horses and 258 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired to an 8-speed automatic trany and all-wheel drive. Expect to get 20/city, 27/highway, and 23/combined mpg.
A clean European-style interior makes it easy for the driver to locate and operate the various functions that are so necessary these days. An eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system is operated primarily through touch and there are also some redundant controls on the steering wheel for popular functions like the audio.
Volkswagen eked all the room they could into the interior giving both drivers and passengers ample room for long or short rides. Even six footers won’t feel cramped in the back. Cargo space is equally as spacious with a full 27 cubic feet of space with the backseats up and a whole lot more with the backseats stowed.
Driving the Arteon is enjoyable around town or on the road. For the driver’s pleasure there are three drive settings: Comfort, Normal or Sport. Of course my favorite was Sport. The steering is precise and responsive taking the Arteon through curves with the greatest of ease. Pickup is good but there is a bit of turbo-lag.
For a change of pace from the usual family Crossover or SUV, the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon offers style, space and ease of driving in quite an attractive package.
