Volkswagen Arteon review

We ran a 237bhp diesel Arteon in the Top Gear Garage not too long ago, and you can read about our experiences here. “This is one of those cars you have to live with for a while to get” said its keeper, Jason Barlow. “It’s a true GT disguised as a coupe that’s as roomy as a limo with an unexpectedly large vat of boot space, while delivering greater overall fuel economy than many smaller, more apparently eco-friendly cars.

“Dynamically, it’s not particularly special. It’s too heavy, and even with its active damping it can feel paradoxically over-firm yet floaty once you’re off the motorway and onto the sort of roads we rhapsodise about but don’t use enough.

“The Arteon is as comfy an all-rounder as you’ll find. It gets close to an S-Class as a nullifier of long journeys. Its seats are superb, and while the cabin ambience is a bit stark, VW has nailed the touchscreen and main instrument digital read-out for intuitive ease of use. The systems in the latest BMWs and Mercs have more layers and more scope for personalisation; in the real world, in bad weather or stuck on the motorway, the Arteon is a magnificently able and user-friendly companion.”

So there you go. Don’t expect the Arteon to drop your jaw, give it a bit of time to meld its way surreptitiously into your life, and you’ll probably end up rather attached.

If you want some sensible numbers, then CO2 emissions in non-R versions range between 128 and 180g/km, with claimed mpg just a whisker under 60mpg if you go for the entry-level diesel, either as a manual or auto. We suspect the most generous tax rates (and most hypothetically calculated mpg figures) will apply to the upcoming eHybrid version, while the largest running costs – but highest excitement levels – will come strapped to the R. As mentioned, the Shooting Brake is just £800 more. So long as you can stomach its slight dent on fuel efficiency, it’s probably the way to go.