Volkswagen Arteon review - Practicality, comfort and boot space

There’s no doubt that the Arteon provides a great deal of comfort for its occupants. It rides smoothly even on the largest diameter (20-inch) wheels, at least until you hit major imperfections on the road surface which can upset the serenity with a jolt. There’s also an additional comfort setting in the driving modes, but we think it adds too much ‘wallow’ and not enough extra smoothness. The engine noise is very well-damped, and the car quietly slips through the air.

There are loads of seat adjustments to ensure you’ll find a comfortable position. Once ensconced, the standard leather upholstery, three-zone climate control, great infotainment and lavish feel of the fit and finish should ensure the journey is relaxing. 

Size

The Arteon is a large car at 4,862mm long and 1,871mm wide, but it’s only 1,450mm from the tarmac to the roof. This makes it slightly larger than the Audi A5 Sportback, which comes in at 4,757mm x 1,843mm x 1,386mm.

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Leg room, head room & passenger space

The Arteon has a relatively long wheelbase, which means there’s plenty of legroom in the back. However, that sloping rear three-quarter profile impacts headroom, and taller passengers will feel hard done by. The R-Line gets a dark ‘sporty’ headlining too, which can emphasise the lack of space in the rear by adding a slightly claustrophobic feel.

Boot

There’s a decent-sized 563 litre boot lurking beneath the Arteon’s hatchback tail. The tailgate opens wide for good access, too, and if you want to maximise the luggage capacity, you can fold down the back seats to reveal a relatively cavernous 1,557-litre load area.