Skip advert
Advertisement

Volkswagen Arteon 1.5 petrol 2018 review

How does the stylish Volkswagen Arteon coupe suit the Golf's 1.5-litre TSI petrol unit? We find out...

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Volkswagen Arteon
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

As each sector slowly switches from diesel to petrol power, cars like this Arteon TSI will win favour by default. But that’s not to say it isn’t worthy of your consideration – this sleek four-door coupe makes for a perfectly plausible company car. The TDIs are stronger still, but if you cover relatively few miles, it’s well worth a look.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Bar the big SUV segment, it’s the high-mileage executive car buyers that will surely be among the last to switch from diesel to petrol power. For many, the superior fuel economy of a diesel car still pays dividends when it comes to keeping a lid on day-to-day running costs. 

But, if you’re desperate to avoid the four per cent Benefit in Kind (BiK) diesel tax hike, or simply want to future-proof your new car purchase, there’s a range of tempting petrol options in the mid-size saloon sector. As such, VW has just launched its slickly-styled Arteon coupe with the Golf’s 1.5 TSI turbo engine. 

Volkswagen Arteon in-depth review

In fact, on list price alone, this is the cheapest Arteon on sale. It undercuts the more powerful 2.0-litre TSI 190 by just over £1,000, and is £2,160 less than a like-for-like (with reagrds to power) diesel. The 1.5 sits one band lower than both the 2.0 TSI and 2.0 TDI for company car tax, too.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s also an appealing proposition for private car buyers. On one of VW’s fixed PCP deals, the 1.5 TSI DSG is around £43 per month cheaper than a similarly specified 148bhp 2.0 TDI. Go for the less expensive manual and the difference is bigger still.

Advertisement - Article continues below

At tickover, the Arteon emits barely a sound, and little changes as you pull away. Only when you really rag the small capacity petrol engine do you notice it’s there; on the motorway it settles to a subdued cruise with little in the way of wind or road noise. 

Performance is adequate rather than ferocious. The 0-62mph sprint takes 8.9 seconds, and in reality that feels about right; it’ll accelerate up to the national speed limit as fast as you need it to, but without any drama or fuss.

The TDI is punchier in-gear, with the ubiquitous torque reserves particularly useful when overtaking. If you spend a lot of time on the motorway, you might miss the flexibility of a modern-day diesel engine. The petrol car will use more fuel, too, with economy at a claimed 48.7mpg versus 62.8mpg in the diesel.

With a little less weight over the nose, this TSI version handles sweetly, though the steering is still a little light and there isn’t much feel. Body control is good, however, and it rides well even on passive dampers. 

While we’ve not tried this engine with the six-speed manual box, our experience with VW’s DSG is that the standard (and cheaper) set-up works best. The auto can be a little hesitant when you suddenly ask for full throttle – and pulling away from a rolling start isn’t always as slick as it should be. Once you’re up and running, however, the DSG box slurs its changes with delicious efficiency. 

Of course, the rest of the Arteon package is unchanged. That means you still get a choice of well-equipped Elegance or sportier R-Line trims, with all cars boasting an eight-inch colour touchscreen, three-zone climate control and self-levelling LED headlights. Also included is VW’s interpretation of the Audi Virtual Cockpit system – a 12.3-inch customisable screen replacing the traditional analogue dials. They look great and only add to the Arteon’s up-market appeal.

The Arteon’s long wheelbase means there’s plenty of legroom, but the sloping roofline does affect head space. The wide-opening hatchback tailgate offers easy access to the 563-litre boot.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Deputy editor

Richard has been part of the team for over a decade. During this time he has covered a huge amount of news and reviews for Auto Express, as well as being the face of Carbuyer and DrivingElectric on Youtube. In his current role as deputy editor, he is now responsible for keeping our content flowing and managing our team of talented writers.

Our latest car deals

Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,710Avg. savings £2,345 off RRP*Compare Offers
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £31,535Avg. savings £3,985 off RRP*Compare Offers
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,235Avg. savings £1,836 off RRP*Compare Offers
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £18,395Avg. savings £2,673 off RRP*Compare Offers
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Cheap electric car finance could be on the cards as government aims to boost sales
Omoda E5 - front tracking

Cheap electric car finance could be on the cards as government aims to boost sales

A newspaper column and whispers suggest that government-backed cheap EV loans could be coming to stimulate market
News
2 Dec 2024
Nissan Qashqai alternatives: cars you could buy instead of Nissan’s big-selling SUV
Nissan Qashqai alternatives - header image

Nissan Qashqai alternatives: cars you could buy instead of Nissan’s big-selling SUV

Nissan’s Qashqai has been a hit since the first generation launched in 2006, but if it’s not quite your cup of tea, we’ve rounded up the best of the r…
Features
1 Dec 2024
I wonder if there are enough buyers for £100k+ luxury Jaguar EVs
Opinion - Jaguar logo

I wonder if there are enough buyers for £100k+ luxury Jaguar EVs

Mike Rutherford gives his view on Jaguar's controversial rebrand
Opinion
1 Dec 2024