2022 Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake review

The Volkswagen Arteon caused quite the stir when it first appeared on Aussie roads in 2017. Sales were modest but the sleek sedan’s eye-catching mix of sharp design and punchy performance caught our collective imagination in a way few large cars can.

But then, after just two years on sale, it was quietly dropped from VW’s range. Changes to emissions testing regulations disrupted Australia’s supply chain and the svelte Arteon disappeared from local showrooms. Until now.

With supply reinstated (as best it can be in these uncertain times), the Arteon hasn’t just returned as a liftback sedan but is now also available as a wagon.

This time around it also effectively replaces the Passat sedan in VW’s Aussie line-up, with the Passat continuing only as a wagon or Alltrack.

Pricing and Features

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The Arteon is now slightly more expensive than before (prices have jumped $1750 compared to 2019) and it’s available in two trim levels across its two body styles. The range kicks off at $61,740 for the 140TSI Elegance lift-back sedan, while the sportier 206TSI R-Line sedan, which adds a more powerful engine and the surety of all-wheel drive, is priced from $68,740. Going for the wagon commands a $2000 premium over the sedan, with the model tested here being the most expensive in the range – the $70,740 206TSI R-Line Shooting Brake. All prices before on-road costs.

Like the body styles, you have the choice of two engines: a 140kW/320Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol in the 140TSI that drives the front axle, or a higher output version of the same engine in the all-wheel drive 206TSI producing 206kW/400Nm. Both tunes are paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto that, while slick and quick on the move, still displays a few foibles. But more on that later…

Your mileage may vary on how appealing the Arteon is to look at but there’s no escaping the fact that this is one striking car

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Your mileage may vary on how appealing the Arteon is to look at but there’s no escaping the fact that this is one striking car. And in a conspicuous bunch, it’s this range-topping wagon that delivers the most street presence. R-Line versions gain a host of visual upgrades over the 140TSI, including larger 20-inch ‘Nashville’ alloy wheels, a sportier body kit with more aggressive bumpers front and rear, body-coloured mirror caps and twin (fake) exhaust outlets finished in chrome.

LED lights feature at both ends and play a key role in the Arteon’s visual identity, with a distinctive light strip extending below the headlights like a moustache to meet below the central VW badge. The headlights also include Matrix technology and are able to self-level and mask out oncoming traffic without having to drop to low-beam.

Comfort and Space

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Unusually for a wagon, opting for the shooting brake body style is primarily an aesthetic choice rather than a practical one. Despite its longer and higher roof, the Arteon Shooting Brake’s large 565-litre boot offers only two extra litres of volume compared with the lift-back sedan. That gap increases with the rear seats folded (1632L plays 1557L) but in this instance, the wagon certainly doesn’t provide the typical boost in boot space.

Happily both body styles of the Arteon major on practicality. This is a big, long car. Measuring 4866mm from bumper to bumper, the VW is around 80mm longer than key rivals like the Peugeot 508 GT and BMW 4 Series gran coupe, and almost 200mm longer than the Audi A5 Sportback and Genesis G70 Shooting Brake. This translates to a greater sense of interior space, with the VW feeling roomy up front and verging on palatial in the rear.

The boot is thoughtfully executed, too. With a low floor and deep loading bay, it’s ideal if you need to stow longer items. The boot floor and side walls are also carpeted, which is a nice touch that helps prevent scratches and objects sliding about. A retractable parcel shelf is also standard across the range, and the boot also boasts two lights, twin bag hooks and an electric tailgate. The back seats fold 60:40 and the centre seat has a ski port should you need to transport really long items. Even better news is that lurking under the boot floor is a full-size spare. Top marks, VW.

Materials quality and fit-and-finish are clear strengths. All of the key touchpoints are trimmed with soft-touch materials

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Open the pillarless door to slip inside the Arteon and the first thing you notice is the heavily bolstered R-Line sports seats. They’re 14-way adjustable and offer excellent comfort and support, with the driver also gaining a massage function and three memory settings to store your driving position. One thing to note for Aussie summers, however, is that while the front pews do have a heater function, R-Line models miss out on the seat ventilation offered as standard in the Arteon 140TSI.

Materials quality and fit-and-finish are clear strengths. All of the key touchpoints are trimmed with soft-touch materials, the door pockets are flocked and high-quality plastics are used throughout, even featuring below the beltline where most manufacturers resort to harder, scratchier finishes. An odd material misstep is the shift paddles behind the steering wheel, which are made of thin-feeling plastic.

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Digital displays abound, with the VW Group’s 10.25-inch ‘Digital cockpit Pro’ featuring in place of conventional dials. It’s paired with a large 9.2-inch central touchscreen and, as we’ve found in other VW/Audi products, both screens offer excellent functionality with clear graphics and useful customisation.

We’re less convinced by the touch-sensitive pads used on the steering wheel spokes to control key functions like the adaptive cruise control and configuration of the digital dials – conventional buttons do a better job and are easier to use – but at least the air-con controls retain their own place on the centre console rather than being buried inside the touchscreen, as we’ve encountered in other VW models.

You might think rear headroom is a concern but in every dimension, the back seat over-delivers. Knee room is generous, six-footers have ample headroom

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Standard equipment levels are high: wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 700W Harman Kardon sound system, tri-zone climate control, 30-colour ambient lighting and a head-up display all feature. As does VW’s IQ.Drive safety suite which includes auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert and parking sensors at both ends. One minor gripe, though, is that the quality of the 360-degree camera isn’t as crisp as most modern systems.

But it’s the back seat that offers the biggest surprise. Clock the Arteon’s swooping roofline and you might think rear headroom is a concern but in every dimension, the back seat over-delivers. Knee room is generous, six-footers have ample headroom and the seat itself is comfortable with a deep bottom cushion.

The plastics on the door cards do take a slight step down in quality but there’s plenty in the way of amenity with large map pockets, smaller pockets in the back of the front seats for phones and other items, a coat hook on the B-pillar, rear air vents, a single USB-C port (to complement the two in the front) and a centre armrest with twin cupholders.

On the Road

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Fire the VW Group’s venerable EA888 2.0-litre into life and you quickly realise there’s plenty of substance to back up the Arteon’s focus on style. Decent ride compliance (despite the enormous 20-inch wheels and low profile 245/35 tyres), strong body control and refined road manners make this an excellent and comfortable grand tourer. The only real drawback is noticeable tyre roar on coarse-chip bitumen but this remains a superb car for covering big distances.

It’s also fairly athletic through the twisty stuff. Cycle the drive mode into Sport and the steering takes on some welcome heft (it’s accurate but overly light and aloof in its default setting) and the engine reveals a more aggressive side, too, courtesy of a sound symposer. Typically we aren’t fans of piping engine noise into the cabin but in the Arteon’s case, it adds a welcome dose of personality as the EA888 is too quiet in Normal mode.

This is a grippy and planted car to hustle quickly. The steering is accurate, the brakes feel strong and confidence inspiring

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As ever the 2.0-litre turbo petrol revs cleanly to its 6500rpm redline and it delivers punchy performance, although it doesn’t feel quite as rapid as VW’s 0-100km/h claim of 5.6 seconds suggests.

This is a grippy and planted car to hustle quickly. The steering is accurate, the brakes feel strong and confidence-inspiring and even with the dampers set to their most aggressive setting (you can cycle through 14 stages of stiffness should you desire), the ride is never jarring or unpleasant. But while the Arteon is a capable handler with high limits, keen drivers will likely prefer the greater involvement and adjustability of a Golf R wagon.

And remember those DSG foibles we mentioned earlier? Well while the usual dual-clutch hesitation and jerkiness are apparent in low-speed situations, our biggest concern is shift mapping that feels overly focused on fuel saving. Even in Sport mode the Arteon is reluctant to shift down and prefers to hold a higher gear even after big throttle inputs. This can make it feel doughy and unresponsive; better to flick the gearstick into manual mode and use the shift paddles on windy roads or in cut-and-thrust traffic.

Ownership

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The Arteon range comes with Volkswagen’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is now industry standard in Australia. Servicing intervals are 15,000km or 12 months and cost between $462-$1280. Buyers do have the choice of two service packs: a three-year pack that costs $1600 but saves you $226 or a five-year plan for $2700, which shaves $871 from the overall cost.

VERDICT

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We’re glad the Arteon is back. It’s an excellent and desirable all-rounder that continues to ensnare our attention and, to our eyes at least, the wagon is the pick from a good-looking bunch.

But whichever Arteon you choose, it offers a lot of car, equipment and style for the money and manages to strike a neat balance between sporty capability and comfort. It’s also a model that deserves to find more homes than it probably will in SUV-mad Australia.

Here’s hoping it hangs around a little longer this time…

2022 Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake specifications