This Volkswagen Is Out-Luxing Mercedes – And It’s Surprisingly Affordable

Volkswagen Arteon Luxury Sedan: Volkswagen Arteon display its elegant fastback form while parked on a picturesque route.

Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Porsche are likely the first car that spring to mind when you think of luxury German car. Here’s the twist, though Volkswagen discreetly created a sedan that turns heads, satisfies all luxury requirements and is reasonably priced.  Introducing the Volkswagen Arteon, a vehicle that subtly surpasses many of its more expensive competitors.

The Arteon’s Luxury Car Feelings

You might underestimate it at first.  After all, VW is more well-known for its fashionable SUVs, useful hatchbacks and occasionally cool vans. However, the Arteon’s cabin rivals Mercedes’ best, with slick digital screens, elegant yet simple interiors, ambient lighting and even optional massaging seats.

The outside?  Imagine strong lines, frameless doors, and fastback elegance. This car makes its presence known without the necessity for a three-pointed star on the hood; it doesn’t whisper.

Performance That Surprises

You would think that a Volkswagen sedan couldn’t compete with high-end vehicles, yet the Arteon defies expectations.

• 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 engine
• Power: 300 horsepower (2022–2023 versions)
• 0–60 mph: With AWD, as quickly as 4.6 seconds
• DSG dual-clutch transmission with seven speeds

Indeed the Arteon can reach 60 mph faster than vehicles like the Mercedes EQS 450+ Pinnacle, BMW i4 Gran Coupe and Audi A4 S-Line Quattro—all while sporting a VW logo and costing tens of thousands less.

The Arteon boasts a dynamic yet comfortable feel thanks to feature like adaptive chassis control (DCC), 4MOTION AWD and a rapid-fire DSG transmission. It’s a sleeper sedan, a vehicle that appears elegant and serene but has a lot of power when you need it.

Luxury Features That Don’t Feel Tacked On

The Arteon isn’t just fast; it’s thoughtful. Inside, passengers enjoy:

• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Massaging driver’s seat
• Panoramic sunroof
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Premium sound system
  

All trim come with Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims add a head-up display, wireless charging, and gesture controls all features you’d expect from cars twice the price.

Why You Should Consider a Used Arteon

Despite its luxury appeal, the Arteon never achieved mainstream popularity in the U.S. That’s actually great news for savvy buyers:

Model Year	Average Used Price
2019	$19,500–$21,000
2020	$20,000–$22,000
2021	$21,500–$23,500
2022	$25,000–$27,000
2023	$29,000–$32,000

This makes the Arteon one of the best-kept secrets in luxury sedans. For a car that drives, perform and looks like a Mercedes paying under $35K for a 2023 model is a bargain.

Final Thought

The Volkswagen Arteon demonstrates that you may feel opulent without a luxury tag. It’s fashionable, quick, cozy and surprisingly reasonably priced. The Arteon has everything you need whether you’re searching for a sleeper sedan, a grand tourer or just a car that turns heads.

The Arteon is still a hidden gem in the used vehicle market and a wise purchase for anyone looking for luxury without the price tag. Unfortunately it was discontinue in 2024 and replace by the electric Volkswagen ID.7.

FAQs 

Q1: Is the Volkswagen Arteon really better than a Mercedes?

A: While it may not have the prestige of a Mercedes in terms of performance, luxury feature and design the Arteon can hold its own and often costs much less.

Q2: Are used Arteons reliable?

A: Yes Owners report high satisfaction and maintenance cost are reasonable for a luxury sedan. Kelley Blue Book shows 95% of owners would recommend it.

Q3: Why isn’t the Arteon more popular?

A: Many buyers overlook it because it doesn’t carry a prestigious badge like Mercedes or BMW making it a “secret” luxury sedan for those in the know.

Also Read: 10 Crossovers That Perfectly Blend Comfort and Performance in 2025