2023 Volkswagen Arteon
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S7) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 25 / 33 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 28 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,650 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 318 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $37,825–$46,485 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon at 7.7/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.6/10, while Reliability at 7.0/10 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. We score reliability at 7.0/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The 8.6/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance scores 7.8/10 — competent for everyday use. Acceleration and handling are adequate for commuting and highway driving, though enthusiasts will want to look at higher-rated alternatives. The cabin tech earns 8.2/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $37,825–$46,485, 28 MPG, seating 5, the Volkswagen Arteon sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. The 7.4/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 3 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.
Our take: The 2023 Volkswagen Arteon is a solid, well-rounded sedan that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
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 2023 Volkswagen Arteon ranks #428 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 67% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $37,825 starting price is about 37% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $50k →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$9,375 ($1,875/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Recall repairs | $0 — 1 campaign on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers |
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Smart-money pick: the 2020 Volkswagen Arteon scores 7.6/10 — within striking distance of the 2023's 7.7 — and starts roughly $3,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8.3/10 | $44,195 | Read review → |
| 2023 (this review) | 7.7/10 | $37,825 | |
| 2022 | 7.7/10 | $36,655 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.6/10 | $35,485 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $34,315 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $33,145 | Read review → |
The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
| Back over prevention / Software 12/02/2025 · 25V082000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Tiguan, 2023 Arteon, and 2024-2025 Audi Q3 vehicles. An error may occur in the camera control unit at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as… |
|---|
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2023 Volkswagen Arteon that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
We rate the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon's reliability 7.0/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.7/10 overall, ranking #428 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 67% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2023 Volkswagen Arteon starts at $37,825 and ranges up to $46,485 across trims (MSRP when new). At 28 MPG, expect roughly $1,875/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Arteon years we've rated are 2019 (7.5/10), 2021 (7.6/10), 2020 (7.6/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (8.3/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
The documented issues for the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Back over prevention (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
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