It is one of the most spectacular cars on the road and is one even more beautiful, due to a facelift recently introduced in the US. The Volkswagen Arteon is refreshed and significantly upgraded for 2021.
The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon is available in three trims: SE, SEL R-Line, and SEL Premium R-Line. The refreshed Arteon features a refined front end with sharpened design elements, and a redesigned cockpit with upgraded décor and technology.
The Arteon can now be optioned with an unmistakable lighting signature. For the first time, 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 new Volkswagen logo, using light as the new chrome to set off the modern front end design.
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 High Beam Control (Light Assist). SEL R-Line models and above feature power-folding side mirrors with position memory.
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.
Volkswagen Digital Cockpit is now standard, as is the all-new MIB3 infotainment system with updated navigation and wireless App-Connect.
Heated, 12-way power front seats are standard in the Arteon, as are leatherette seating surfaces. R-Line models 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.
Updates to R-Line models include an illuminated light bar in the front grille, and translucent décor with 30-color ambient lighting inside, as well as wireless charging, and enhanced driver assistance technology. Three new colors are added for model year 2021—Kings Red Metallic, Oryx White Pearl, and Lapiz Blue Metallic, with the latter two being exclusive to R-Line models.
A newly developed, 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 Arteon is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI engine, making 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The power is taken to the front wheels via a standard eight-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic shifting. Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive is available SEL R-Line models and standard on SEL Premium R-Line models.
Price for the 2021 Arteon starts at $36,995 for the Arteon SE with front-wheel drive. Prices for Arteon 4Motion all-wheel drive models starts at $43,395 for the SEL R-Line 4Motion.
