View Photos of the 2022 Volkswagen Arteon SEL R-Line

Marc UrbanoCar and Driver

The 2022 VW Arteon looks great, is fun to drive, and has a near-luxury interior. On the downside, it can also cost more than $50K and isn’t an SUV.

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For 2022, the Volkswagen Arteon gets upgraded to the Golf R’s powertrain with 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

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The entire 2022 Arteon lineup gets the sporty R-Line aesthetic treatment, and all but the base model come with standard all-wheel drive.

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The Arteon’s sleek silhouette and sharp styling choices stand out among typical sedans.

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The Arteon’s massive grille succeeds where others have failed, though not everyone is sold on the two middle accent light strips.

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The sensibly modern cockpit of the VW Arteon skips the usual tablet stuck to the dash found in other vehicles.

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The Arteon’s front seats are shaped for long-distance comfort, and the top trim includes a basic massage function to further eliminate fatigue.

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The Arteon’s tapering roofline means a bit less rear headroom. The average five-foot-nine adult should be fine, but anyone taller would be happier up front.

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The infotainment system is one of the Arteon’s minor drawbacks. It’s not all that intuitive and takes its sweet time getting things done.

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Capacitive-touch buttons are usually frustrating, but the Arteon managed to get them right. Deliberate taps and swipes are required, eliminating unintended commands.

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Need cargo space? The Arteon’s 27-cubic-foot capacity equals that of a compact SUV.

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