2020 Volkswagen Arteon The VW Sedan You're Looking For
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Date: 2019-11-10
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Comments and reviews: 9
Stephen Hendricks
VW has faced repeated challenges in selling their Euro-spec vehicles in North America. The European Passat was replaced in the US with the larger, cheaper American version. The Atlas replaced superb Touareg. The latest version of the Jetta including the GLI is not even offered in most European markets. The American Tiguan replaced the smaller, more expensive European version (still sold in Europe) Even the iconic Golf is being dropped in the US and the GTI and Golf R are significantly de-contented in their American versions. The bottom line is that Americans want VW's that are larger and cheaper than their European counterparts. With that in mind the Arteon stands out as another effort to interest Americans in a Euro-spec VW. They don't expect to sell many but for Americans interested in a true European GT sedan at under 50K MSRP it's an appealing vehicle. In fact, the only significant difference between the US and European Arteon is an 8 speed conventional automatic versus VW's excellent DCT in Europe. (Too bad, imo) If I were shopping in this category I'd be torn. I own both a KIA (Sorento) and a VW (GTI. So the Stinger vs the Arteon would be a natural comparison for me. If I were looking at the 4 cylinder Stinger vs the Arteon I'd definitely opt for the VW. On the other hand, the V6 Stinger would make the choice far more difficult, especially considering the AWD versions of each vehicle. As difficult as that choice would be, though, I think I'd still opt for the Arteon. And that surprises me a bit. I've driven both vehicles. The Stinger is an excellent Americanized European GT sedan. But the Arteon IS a European GT. Built expressly for cruising at 100+ mph well maintained European highways and following winding roads that have been in place for centuries. Perhaps if I lived in flyover country where roads curve only occasionally and mountains are non-existent I'd feel differently. But I live in the Pacific Northwest and my Sunday drives take me on a 100 mile loop in the Cascades. And I have to drive awhile to get to Montana's highways where top speed limits are suggestions. But when I do, I think I'd prefer the VW.
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VW has faced repeated challenges in selling their Euro-spec vehicles in North America. The European Passat was replaced in the US with the larger, cheaper American version. The Atlas replaced superb Touareg. The latest version of the Jetta including the GLI is not even offered in most European markets. The American Tiguan replaced the smaller, more expensive European version (still sold in Europe) Even the iconic Golf is being dropped in the US and the GTI and Golf R are significantly de-contented in their American versions. The bottom line is that Americans want VW's that are larger and cheaper than their European counterparts. With that in mind the Arteon stands out as another effort to interest Americans in a Euro-spec VW. They don't expect to sell many but for Americans interested in a true European GT sedan at under 50K MSRP it's an appealing vehicle. In fact, the only significant difference between the US and European Arteon is an 8 speed conventional automatic versus VW's excellent DCT in Europe. (Too bad, imo) If I were shopping in this category I'd be torn. I own both a KIA (Sorento) and a VW (GTI. So the Stinger vs the Arteon would be a natural comparison for me. If I were looking at the 4 cylinder Stinger vs the Arteon I'd definitely opt for the VW. On the other hand, the V6 Stinger would make the choice far more difficult, especially considering the AWD versions of each vehicle. As difficult as that choice would be, though, I think I'd still opt for the Arteon. And that surprises me a bit. I've driven both vehicles. The Stinger is an excellent Americanized European GT sedan. But the Arteon IS a European GT. Built expressly for cruising at 100+ mph well maintained European highways and following winding roads that have been in place for centuries. Perhaps if I lived in flyover country where roads curve only occasionally and mountains are non-existent I'd feel differently. But I live in the Pacific Northwest and my Sunday drives take me on a 100 mile loop in the Cascades. And I have to drive awhile to get to Montana's highways where top speed limits are suggestions. But when I do, I think I'd prefer the VW.
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leecm
You CAN get a brand new, fully loaded Stinger GT2 for 42k out the door if you are patient enough to find a dealer that will give a 5k discount and you don't mind doing a lease buyout. Kia offers insane lease incentives (it was 8200 cash back when I bought mine. It may be more now) and you can get dealers to take 5k off the MSRP. The Kia lease contract allows for an instant lease buyout with no penalty, and only a small fee (between 300-600, can't remember. Doing this, I was able to get a fully loaded 2019 GT2 AWD for 44k. If you don't live in a state that has unfavorable lease tax laws (such as Texas) you can get a Stinger GT2 for a steal. I recommend anyone interested in doing this search a KIA stinger forum and do a search for lease buyouts.
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You CAN get a brand new, fully loaded Stinger GT2 for 42k out the door if you are patient enough to find a dealer that will give a 5k discount and you don't mind doing a lease buyout. Kia offers insane lease incentives (it was 8200 cash back when I bought mine. It may be more now) and you can get dealers to take 5k off the MSRP. The Kia lease contract allows for an instant lease buyout with no penalty, and only a small fee (between 300-600, can't remember. Doing this, I was able to get a fully loaded 2019 GT2 AWD for 44k. If you don't live in a state that has unfavorable lease tax laws (such as Texas) you can get a Stinger GT2 for a steal. I recommend anyone interested in doing this search a KIA stinger forum and do a search for lease buyouts.
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Nicholas Fu
Why are volkswagen interiors so cheap and plasticky? They could have at least added in some leather stitched and padded armrests on the doors, but no, you only get a plastic armrest. Even much cheaper cars, like the toyota corolla, give you a padded armrest. This doesn't only apply to VW, but audi has a problem with this as well The 2019 Q7 starts at 60k and comes standard with a plastic armrest, and you have to upgrade to the Prestige trim in order to get leather padded armrests VW/Audi makes good interiors in terms of function and build quality, but they need to step it up in their materials game.
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Why are volkswagen interiors so cheap and plasticky? They could have at least added in some leather stitched and padded armrests on the doors, but no, you only get a plastic armrest. Even much cheaper cars, like the toyota corolla, give you a padded armrest. This doesn't only apply to VW, but audi has a problem with this as well The 2019 Q7 starts at 60k and comes standard with a plastic armrest, and you have to upgrade to the Prestige trim in order to get leather padded armrests VW/Audi makes good interiors in terms of function and build quality, but they need to step it up in their materials game.
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Jonathan Marquise
I went back and forth before getting a new car. I wanted an AWD sedan. looked at things like the stinger, taurus SHO, german cars, acura, lexus, buick regal GS, etc. ended up with a lexus GS350. I think it does 0-60 in around 5. 7 seconds. honestly, I can't imagine having something faster like the stinger GT or the SHO. not only would I end up getting in a lot of trouble, but you just can't use that kind of speed 90% of the time. the lexus is plenty fast. I think people get entirely too hung up on 0-60 times and horsepower numbers.
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I went back and forth before getting a new car. I wanted an AWD sedan. looked at things like the stinger, taurus SHO, german cars, acura, lexus, buick regal GS, etc. ended up with a lexus GS350. I think it does 0-60 in around 5. 7 seconds. honestly, I can't imagine having something faster like the stinger GT or the SHO. not only would I end up getting in a lot of trouble, but you just can't use that kind of speed 90% of the time. the lexus is plenty fast. I think people get entirely too hung up on 0-60 times and horsepower numbers.
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Ohad Paran
Alex, you should note that it is effectively not possible to buy a Buick Regal anymore. Local dealers in the Bay Area no longer stock them, nor are there any more Regals in the pipeline. Further, Kia is taking 10k off the msrp, for the gt2, but it still carries residual of 54, so its a bad lease deal, separately from the Kia dealer experience, which is garbage. It comes down to the Arteon, which is brutally unreliable, or the Acura TLX, which is older, it also more than 10k off msrp, but with Honda reliability.
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Alex, you should note that it is effectively not possible to buy a Buick Regal anymore. Local dealers in the Bay Area no longer stock them, nor are there any more Regals in the pipeline. Further, Kia is taking 10k off the msrp, for the gt2, but it still carries residual of 54, so its a bad lease deal, separately from the Kia dealer experience, which is garbage. It comes down to the Arteon, which is brutally unreliable, or the Acura TLX, which is older, it also more than 10k off msrp, but with Honda reliability.
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Veselin andreev
Here is another Euro origin hint for you. The Buick Regal is a rebadged Opel Insignia. The Insignia is the closest and most consistent rival of the euro spec Passats for a long time. However the Arteon is a completely reshaped and redone Passat, so comparing it to a Insignia/Regal isn't all that fare. Also worth noting is that GM no longer owns Opel and this is likely the last time Buick will be able to use a Opel model in their line up.
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Here is another Euro origin hint for you. The Buick Regal is a rebadged Opel Insignia. The Insignia is the closest and most consistent rival of the euro spec Passats for a long time. However the Arteon is a completely reshaped and redone Passat, so comparing it to a Insignia/Regal isn't all that fare. Also worth noting is that GM no longer owns Opel and this is likely the last time Buick will be able to use a Opel model in their line up.
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Mario Torres
I love hatchbacks. I had a 93 Integra and still own an RSX Type S. I wanna stay away from SUVs so my plan is to buy a 1 to two year old Stinger GT2 for me and find a Regal GS used as well( 'cause they depreciate like crazy) for my wife. I really like the S5 but I keep cars for a long time and the mantainance on Audis are too much.
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I love hatchbacks. I had a 93 Integra and still own an RSX Type S. I wanna stay away from SUVs so my plan is to buy a 1 to two year old Stinger GT2 for me and find a Regal GS used as well( 'cause they depreciate like crazy) for my wife. I really like the S5 but I keep cars for a long time and the mantainance on Audis are too much.
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bird718
SEL Premium 4 motion comes with Heated Rear Sears, the kia stinger worth buying would be at 50k but thats another story. i don't think the Arteon will sell well here in america since the majority of all sales seem to be suv/crossover or more premium brands for sedans.
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SEL Premium 4 motion comes with Heated Rear Sears, the kia stinger worth buying would be at 50k but thats another story. i don't think the Arteon will sell well here in america since the majority of all sales seem to be suv/crossover or more premium brands for sedans.
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sheridanbucket
It's a Not, for me. Especially the side profile, rear third window bottom line lifted upwards. It's just a bad line. and it should be V6 4Motion. I'd rather have a Phaeton, even the second generation which never made it to America. CC had better styling.
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It's a Not, for me. Especially the side profile, rear third window bottom line lifted upwards. It's just a bad line. and it should be V6 4Motion. I'd rather have a Phaeton, even the second generation which never made it to America. CC had better styling.
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