Volkswagen Arteon

Volkswagen Arteon: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Volkswagen Arteon is a Liftback offered in one generation with an original 2017–2020 range and a restyled range beginning in 2020.

The Volkswagen Arteon is a Liftback offered in one generation with an original 2017–2020 range and a restyled range beginning in 2020. Choosing among its versions comes down to four priorities: the 1.5 MT and 1.5 DSG provide the lightest Gasoline configurations; the 150 hp Diesel versions return the lowest measured conventional fuel consumption; the 240 hp Diesel AWD models combine 500 Nm with strong acceleration; and the quickest listed choice is the restyled 280 hp 2.0 DSG, reaching 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. Buyers considering price, reliability, engine oil, engine problems, or cars for sale will need separate evidence because none of those subjects is measured in the supplied specifications.

Volkswagen Arteon generations: what changed?

The original 1 generation ran from 2017 to 2020 as a Liftback and contains 11 versions. Its range is unusually broad: 1498 cc and 1984 cc Gasoline engines sit alongside 1968 cc Diesel engines, while transmissions include both 6-speed Manual and 7-speed Robotic units. FWD is available across the lower- and middle-output choices, with AWD fitted to selected 190 hp, 240 hp, 272 hp, and 280 hp versions.

The 1 generation, restyling begins in 2020 and remains a Liftback. The data identifies 16 versions in total, of which 12 are shown. The listed selection removes the Manual gearbox, adds a 218 hp 1.4 DSG Plug-in version, raises one Diesel output from 190 hp and 400 Nm to 200 hp and 410 Nm, and includes 280 hp Gasoline choices. The 150 hp restyled Diesel also increases torque from 340 Nm to 360 Nm. Wheel sizes, 138 mm ground clearance, independent spring suspension at both ends, and ventilated front discs remain consistent across the versions for which those details are supplied.

Volkswagen Arteon engine specs and version comparison

Repeated names must be read together with power, fuel, drive, and generation. For example, “2.0 DSG” describes many distinct configurations rather than one engine.

Power per litre helps separate engines that share similar output figures. The original 150 hp 1.5 MT and 1.5 DSG produce about 100.1 hp per litre, compared with about 76.2 hp per litre for the original 150 hp Diesel versions. The original 280 hp 2.0 DSG reaches about 141.1 hp per litre. The restyled 218 hp 1.4 DSG produces about 156.3 hp per litre, the highest calculated figure among the listed engines, while the restyled 280 hp 2.0 DSG versions produce about 141.1 hp per litre.

Volkswagen Arteon performance, 0–100 and fuel consumption

The original Gasoline range spans 9.0 seconds to 100 km/h for the 1.5 MT, 8.9 seconds for the 1.5 DSG, and 7.7 seconds for the 190 hp 2.0 DSG. Both the 272 hp and 280 hp AWD 2.0 DSG versions take 5.6 seconds and reach 250 km/h. Measured combined consumption is not measured for the 1.5 MT or 190 hp Gasoline 2.0 DSG. It is 6.0 l/100 km for the 1.5 DSG, 7.0 l/100 km for the 272 hp AWD version, and 7.3 l/100 km for the 280 hp AWD version.

Among the original Diesel models, the 150 hp 2.0 MT records 9.4 seconds, 222 km/h, and 4.0 l/100 km combined. The 150 hp 2.0 DSG records 9.1 seconds, 220 km/h, and 4.1 l/100 km. That means the Robotic version gains 0.3 seconds in acceleration but uses 0.1 l/100 km more on the combined figure. The 190 hp FWD 2.0 DSG takes 8.0 seconds and uses 4.6 l/100 km; the AWD equivalent takes 7.8 seconds and uses 5.0 l/100 km. AWD therefore brings a 0.2-second improvement here with a 0.4 l/100 km combined-consumption increase.

Both original 240 hp 2.0 DSG Diesel AWD entries reach 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and 245 km/h. Combined consumption is not measured for the 1828 kg entry, while the 1805 kg entry records 5.9 l/100 km.

In the restyled range, the 150 hp Diesel 2.0 DSG versions take 9.5 seconds. Their top speeds are 220 km/h and 216 km/h, while both list 4.1 l/100 km combined. The 200 hp FWD Diesel takes 7.9 seconds, reaches 237 km/h, and uses 4.6 l/100 km; the 200 hp AWD Diesel takes 7.4 seconds, reaches 234 km/h, and uses 4.9 l/100 km. Here AWD improves acceleration by 0.5 seconds but adds 0.3 l/100 km to combined consumption.

Acceleration for the four restyled 190 hp Diesel entries is not measured. Their top speeds range from 233 to 237 km/h, and combined consumption ranges from 4.4 to 4.9 l/100 km. The restyled 190 hp Gasoline 2.0 DSG reaches 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, tops out at 237 km/h, and records 5.7 l/100 km combined.

The restyled 280 hp Gasoline AWD 2.0 DSG and 280 hp Gasoline FWD 2.0 DSG both take 5.5 seconds and reach 250 km/h. Combined consumption is 7.1 l/100 km for the AWD entry and 7.2 l/100 km for the FWD entry. The 218 hp 1.4 DSG Plug-in takes 7.8 seconds, reaches 222 km/h, and has a measured combined figure of 1.3 l/100 km; separate city and highway figures are not measured.

Volkswagen Arteon dimensions, weight and wheels

Exterior dimensions, boot dimensions, and trunk dimensions are not measured in the supplied data. Kerb weight is measured and varies substantially.

The original 1.5 MT is the lightest listed Arteon at 1504 kg, equal to about 10.0 kg per horsepower. The original 1.5 DSG weighs 1556 kg, or about 10.4 kg per horsepower. At the performance end, the original 280 hp AWD 2.0 DSG weighs 1716 kg, or about 6.1 kg per horsepower, while the 272 hp version weighs 1725 kg, or about 6.3 kg per horsepower.

The restyled 190 hp Diesel FWD entry at 1592 kg works out to about 8.4 kg per horsepower. The restyled 200 hp Diesel models are 1650 kg with FWD and 1724 kg with AWD, so AWD adds 74 kg and changes the ratio from about 8.3 to 8.6 kg per horsepower. The restyled 280 hp Gasoline AWD entry weighs 1728 kg, about 6.2 kg per horsepower; the 280 hp FWD entry weighs 1751 kg, about 6.3 kg per horsepower. The 218 hp Plug-in weighs 1800 kg, about 8.3 kg per horsepower.

Gross weight ranges from 2080 kg for the original 1.5 DSG to 2360 kg for both original 240 hp Diesel entries. Every listed version has 138 mm of ground clearance. The fuel tank is 66 litres throughout the Gasoline and Diesel selection, while the restyled 1.4 DSG Plug-in has a 50-litre tank.

Where wheel data is measured, the listed sizes are 225/55 R17, 245/45 R18, 245/40 R19, and 245/35 R20. Wheel sizes are not measured for the original 272 hp, 280 hp, and both 240 hp 2.0 DSG versions.

Which Volkswagen Arteon version should you buy?

For minimum measured conventional fuel consumption, choose the original 150 hp 2.0 MT Diesel. Its 4.0 l/100 km combined figure is 0.1 l/100 km lower than either original or restyled 150 hp Diesel 2.0 DSG entries with measured data. It is also the only Diesel Manual listed, although its 9.4-second acceleration trails the original 150 hp Diesel 2.0 DSG by 0.3 seconds.

For a balanced FWD Diesel, the restyled 200 hp 2.0 DSG is the strongest numerical compromise. Compared with the restyled 150 hp version at the same 1650 kg kerb weight, it adds 50 hp and 50 Nm, cuts acceleration from 9.5 to 7.9 seconds, and raises combined consumption from 4.1 to 4.6 l/100 km. Its weight per horsepower improves from 11.0 to about 8.3 kg.

Choose the restyled 200 hp 2.0 DSG AWD when acceleration and AWD matter more than the lowest consumption. Against the 200 hp FWD version, it is 0.5 seconds quicker to 100 km/h but 74 kg heavier, 3 km/h slower at maximum speed, and 0.3 l/100 km higher on combined consumption.

For maximum Diesel torque, either original 240 hp 2.0 DSG is the clear choice at 500 Nm. That is 100 Nm more than the original 190 hp Diesel and 90 Nm more than the restyled 200 hp Diesel. Both 240 hp entries record 6.5-second acceleration and a 245 km/h top speed.

For the quickest listed performance, choose a restyled 280 hp 2.0 DSG. Both listed 280 hp restyled configurations achieve 5.5 seconds and 250 km/h, improving on the original 280 hp AWD version by 0.1 seconds. The AWD restyled entry combines 400 Nm with 7.1 l/100 km, whereas the FWD entry lists 350 Nm and 7.2 l/100 km.

The 218 hp 1.4 DSG Plug-in is the distinct alternative rather than a direct substitute for the conventional engines. It provides 400 Nm, a 7.8-second acceleration time, and the lowest listed combined figure at 1.3 l/100 km, but city consumption, highway consumption, and Euro class are not measured. Price, charging information, reliability, engine-oil requirements, engine problems, and maintenance costs are also not measured, so the specifications alone cannot establish its total ownership advantage.