“The exterior is like no other. The interior materials are premium and has most of the updated tech. This is more of a grand tourer and not a performance vehicle, even though it gives the impression of performance/speed in the styling.”
2021 Volkswagen Arteon: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon’s biggest change is a substantial mid-cycle refresh, led by updated exterior styling, a redesigned dashboard, and upgraded standard cabin technology. The engine and underlying platform carry over, but the trim lineup is smaller.
About the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon
1st generation (2019-2023 U.S. market), mid-cycle refresh year
Volkswagen positions the Arteon as its flagship car: a sleek fastback sedan with a hatchback-style cargo opening, premium design, and a more upscale cabin feel than a typical midsize sedan. Its core appeal is style plus usefulness—dramatic looks, roomy seating, a large cargo area, and a comfortable adaptive suspension—rather than hard-edged sport-sedan behavior. It is the choice for shoppers who want near-luxury presence and hatchback practicality without stepping up to a luxury badge.
The 2021 Arteon is a roomy, premium-feeling fastback with a large rear hatch and adaptive suspension on every trim. The SE pairs heated power front seats with the full technology upgrade, while SEL R-Line models add sportier styling, an illuminated grille bar, leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and more driver assistance. The top SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion adds all-wheel drive, ventilated and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, a surround-view camera, automated parking, and Harman Kardon audio.
What changed, by category
Styling
Volkswagen revised the front and rear styling, updated the badging, introduced new wheel designs, and gave R-Line trims an illuminated grille bar.
Tech
A digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch MIB3 navigation touchscreen became standard across the lineup, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Volkswagen also redesigned the dashboard, climate controls, and steering-wheel controls, and expanded keyless access to all four doors and the rear hatch.
Safety
R-Line trims gained the IQ.DRIVE assistance bundle with Travel Assist, lane assistance, Emergency Assist, and road-sign recognition.
2021 Volkswagen Arteon specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 20 mpg | 20 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 32 mpg | 32 mpg | 31 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Horsepower | 268 hp | 268 hp | 268 hp | 268 hp |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 27.2 cu-ft | 27.2 cu-ft | 27.2 cu-ft | 27.2 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 40.2 in | 40.2 in | 40.2 in | 40.2 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||
| Adaptive Headlights | ||||
| Alarm System | ||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||
| Cruise Control | ||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Park Assist | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| 360 Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Fog Lights | ||||
| LED Headlights | ||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||
| Remote Control Liftgate/Trunk Release | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Premium Audio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Subwoofer | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Massage Front Seat | ||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
| Remote Start | ||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon?
The biggest change is a mid-cycle refresh that updates the exterior, redesigns the dashboard, and makes the digital instrument cluster and new MIB3 touchscreen system standard.
Does every 2021 Volkswagen Arteon have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes. Every 2021 Arteon has an 8-inch MIB3 navigation touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a standard digital instrument cluster.
Did the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon get a new engine?
No. The 2021 Arteon keeps the 268-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission from the prior year.
Which Volkswagen Arteon trims were dropped for 2021?
Volkswagen dropped the SE 4Motion, SEL, and SEL 4Motion trims for 2021. The remaining range consists of the SE, SEL R-Line, SEL R-Line 4Motion, and SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion.
Which 2021 Volkswagen Arteon trims have all-wheel drive?
The 2021 SEL R-Line 4Motion and SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion have all-wheel drive. The SE 4Motion and SEL 4Motion offered for 2020 were dropped.
2021 Volkswagen Arteon Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon.
4.4
2021 Volkswagen Arteon
(99 reviews)
“It's a excellent vehicle. Smooth classy and sporty. Luxury too. Buy one. I recommend.”
“Solid vehicle, lots of technology. Technology can be a bit quirky. Good overall vehicle.”