Is the 2022 Volkswagen Arteon a good car?

The 2022 Volkswagen Arteon earns an 8/10 expert rating, and it’s built for you if you want a distinctive family car that blends style with practicality. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel, Form and function, and Safety.

It stands out with eye-catching design, surprising interior room, and plenty of cargo space, and it may make more sense than a typical midsize SUV if you want something less common. It’s also described as fun to drive and comfortable, which broadens its appeal beyond appearance alone.

The main trade-offs are a quirky transmission and mediocre voice recognition. Even so, the Arteon’s mix of expressive design and useful space makes it a compelling choice if you value personality and everyday usability.

32.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there’s still some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2022 Volkswagen Arteon reliable?

The 2022 Volkswagen Arteon is presented as a well-rounded car with strong comfort, useful space, and a driving character that feels more engaging than many rivals. Its performance notes point to a capable turbocharged setup, quick acceleration, and a quiet, isolating highway manner that should suit everyday use.

The transmission is the main dependability-related caveat in the expert data, since its behavior can feel delayed or uneven to some drivers. On the ownership side, the included maintenance coverage for the first two years or 20,000 miles helps early running costs.

For used buyers, the long-term risk is less about outright weakness and more about whether you’re comfortable living with the transmission’s quirks over time.

What should I look for when buying a used 2022 Volkswagen Arteon?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the report carefully, since a clean listing percentage doesn’t replace a proper history review. Prioritize a thorough inspection of the transmission behavior, infotainment operation, and overall cabin condition, especially if you’re comparing cars across trims. Focus on whether the equipment you want is actually present, because some of the most useful safety and convenience features are trim dependent.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SE R-Line comes only with front-wheel drive, while the SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line add standard 4Motion AWD. The higher trims also bring adaptive LED headlights with Light Assist automatic high-beam operation, which is tied to the strongest safety designation.
• Powertrain: A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The setup is quick and engaging, but the transmission can feel delayed or uneven.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic post-collision braking. SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line add Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist.
• Infotainment: You get Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro with a 10-inch display, plus an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Car-Net connected services, SiriusXM 360L, and navigation. Natural voice recognition requires extra services, and the SEL Premium R-Line adds the optional Harman Kardon audio system and Parking Steering Assistant.
• Fuel efficiency: Official EPA fuel economy ratings suggest 25 mpg in combined driving for a 4Motion model, and the test vehicle averaged 24.5 mpg on the testing loop.

Which 2022 Volkswagen Arteon trim should I buy?

The 2022 Volkswagen Arteon is offered in 3 trim levels: SE R-Line, SEL R-Line, and SEL Premium R-Line.

Here’s the short version:

• SE R-Line: This is the entry point, and it gives you the Arteon’s core style, space, and driving character at the lowest price. It’s the trim to consider if you want the distinctive design and strong practicality without stretching for extra equipment.
• SEL R-Line: This is the best-value trim if you want the strongest balance of equipment and capability. It adds standard 4Motion AWD and the key safety upgrades tied to the Top Safety Pick designation, making it the smart middle ground.
• SEL Premium R-Line: Choose this if you want the most fully equipped Arteon. It adds the premium audio option and Parking Steering Assistant, so it suits you best if convenience and upscale features matter most.

The safety-package note to keep in mind is that the Top Safety Pick designation applies only to the SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2022 Volkswagen Arteon?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile options.

• Deal availability: 32.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 141 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 80.9% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2022 Volkswagen Arteon safe?

The 2022 Arteon is a Top Safety Pick from IIHS, and that designation applies only to the SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line. It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety features include forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic post-collision braking. The SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line add Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist, with Travel Assist combining adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assist.

The main caveat is that the strongest IIHS result depends on trim, so you should confirm that the car you’re considering has the right headlights and safety equipment.

Should I buy a 2022 Volkswagen Arteon or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2022 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2022 if:

• 32.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• It adds a stronger turbo engine and a more engaging dual-clutch transmission.

Consider the 2021 if:

• It emphasizes upgraded styling, interior finishes, connectivity, and driver assistance.

Consider the 2023 if:

• It leans harder into crossover-like practicality with roomy seating and a large cargo area.

The bottom line: The 2022 is the best pick if you want the Arteon at its most engaging, distinctive, and well-rounded. If you’re shopping mainly on price, the 2021 can still make sense; if you want a newer-feeling alternative with similar utility, the 2023 is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.