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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 22 / 32 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,250 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 347 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $35,485–$41,631 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.6/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.2/10, while Reliability at 6.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.7/10 for reliability, this sedan trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.2/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.9/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. On technology it rates 8.2/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $35,485–$41,631, 26 MPG, seating 5, the Volkswagen Arteon sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. At 7.2/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on reliability if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good sedan should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon ranks #494 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 62% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $35,485 starting price is about 28% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Arteon model years we've scored, the 2021 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8.3/10 | $44,195 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.7/10 | $37,825 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.7/10 | $36,655 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $35,485 | |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $34,315 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $33,145 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Critical fasteners 08/09/2021 · 21V695000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Arteon vehicles. The pressure input rod connection on the brake booster may be loose and could detach. |
|---|---|
| Tires / Pressure monitoring and regulating systems 21/04/2021 · 21V274000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Arteon vehicles. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors were incorrectly calibrated and may not detect the position of a wheel sensor after tire rotation. As such, these… |
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 18/11/2020 · 20V716000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen… |
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 20/07/2022 · 22V514000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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