2021 Volkswagen Arteon

The Arteon is available in three trims: SE, SEL R-Line, and SEL Premium R-Line. Pricing starts at around $37,000 for the SE, putting it at the higher end of its price category. Still, it comes well-equipped with popular features. Driver safety aids include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. The SE has some rare standard amenities for its class, like a driver-adjustable suspension, rain-sensing wipers, tri-zone climate control, and a navigation system. Leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, automatic LED headlights, keyless ignition, a leather steering wheel, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are also standard. The midrange SEL R-Line adds more style, safety tech, and comfort features for $42,000, or $43,500 with 4MOTION all-wheel drive. It gets a leather interior, driver's seat memory, remote engine start, adaptive cruise control, wireless smartphone charging, a panoramic sunroof, fog lights, parking sensors, curve-adaptive headlights, and lane-keep assist. The top-of-the-line SEL Premium R-Line retails for roughly $47,000. It comes with high-end items like a surround-view camera, a motion-activated trunk, automatic parking, ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system.

The Arteon offers one engine choice -- a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. On all accounts, it's the smallest engine in the full-size sedan class, and it doesn't have the burly power and acceleration of V6-powered rivals. The Arteon's engine also requires premium fuel. On the upside, it operates smoothly and efficiently, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain provides good throttle response and quick shifts, and the driver feels in control. The Arteon fits the bill as a large highway cruiser. The EPA estimates above-average gas mileage of 25 mpg in mixed driving. Still, the lack of a more powerful engine holds the Arteon back from exploring its sporty potential.

Like the Arteon's exterior, its cabin is sleek and modern. There is plenty of space in both rows for passengers to stretch out and enjoy the ride. The interior has easy-to-use features like a bright touchscreen with physical volume controls and a traditional gear shift lever outfitted in leather and metal trim. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard; users can connect their phones wirelessly, opening up tons of multimedia choices on long road trips. The seats are comfortable and well-bolstered, and heated front seats come standard. The materials Volkswagen uses around the cabin are high-quality, befitting the Arteon's near-luxury market position. A helpful overhead console provides reading lights and a sunglasses cubby, and each outboard seat has a door bin. Back-seat passengers get climate controls and dedicated air vents. One of the best and most helpful features is the hatchback trunk, providing nearly twice the cargo space of other sedans in its segment.