This Volkswagen Feels More Luxurious Than a Mercedes—And You Can Still Buy It Cheap

Volkswagen Arteon Outclassed Mercedes in ways most U.S. buyers never realized. While Mercedes-Benz is often the first name in German luxury sedans, Volkswagen quietly launched the Arteon—a sleek, powerful, and refined four-door that offered Mercedes-level comfort and BMW-like performance at a fraction of the price.

Meet the Volkswagen Arteon—the ignored luxurious sedan that checked all the right boxes but never caught on in the U.S.

A luxury Sedan Hiding in undeniable Sight

Sold in the U.S. From 2019 to 2023, the Arteon was VW’s flagship sedan—smooth, fashionable, and relatively refined. Unlike the practical Passat, the Arteon leaned difficult into premium territory:

• Frameless doors and a coupe-like fastback profile
• Wide digital cockpit and upscale finishes interior
• Spacious rear seats with over 40 inches of legroom
• As much as 56 cubic ft of shipment space with the seats down

It wasn’t simply quite either—it drove like a right european luxurious vehicle, entire with adaptive suspension, to be had all-wheel force, and even a driver’s seat with a integrated massage function.

Basically, it changed into a Mercedes rival with a VW badge.

Performance that could surprise a BMW proprietor

The Arteon didn’t just look the component—it moved. Early fashions packed a 268-hp turbo-four true for 0–60 mph in approximately 6.4 seconds. Respectable.

• However with the aid of 2022, VW gave the Arteon a severe glow-up:
• 300 horsepower and 295 lb-toes of torque
• Four.6-2nd 0–60 time with AWD (golfing R DNA at paintings)

Faster than the Mercedes EQS 450+ and BMW i4 eDrive40

On par with a manual Porsche 718 Boxster

That’s right—a Volkswagen sedan keeping tempo with 6-figure German luxury motors.

• The great element? It Didn’t break the bank
• Here’s wherein the Arteon in reality made feel for U.S. Consumers—if only extra had noticed.
• 2019 beginning fee: around $37,000
• 2023 starting charge: just north of $44,000

Evaluate that to a BMW four series Gran Coupe (beginning above $50K) or a Mercedes CLA ($70K+ with alternatives), and the Arteon looks like a good deal sleeper.

Even better, today you could snag one used for $18,000–$32,000, relying at the 12 months and trim. For a luxury sedan with three hundred hp and massage seats, that’s a steal.

Why Didn’t individuals buy It?

So if the Arteon regarded, drove, and felt like a Mercedes for less money, why didn’t it sell?

The answer is branding. U.S. Shoppers really didn’t see Volkswagen as a luxurious badge. Whilst purchasing for a top class sedan, human beings flocked to BMW and Mercedes showrooms as an alternative. The Arteon have become the car every body not noted—no longer as it wasn’t right, however because it wasn’t sporting the proper brand.

Should You buy One Now?

If you’re trying to find an underrated luxury sedan that balances overall performance, refinement, and practicality, the Arteon is a hidden gem. It offers:

• Mercedes-level comfort
• BMW-like performance
• Audi-fashion tech and design
• A used charge tag that makes experience

Certain, protection and gasoline expenses are higher than a Camry or Accord. But if you want european luxury without losing $60K+, the Arteon is one of the smartest used buys in the U.S. Proper now.

Final Thoughts

The Volkswagen Arteon won’t have had the badge prestige of its German rivals, but it proved VW could play within the luxury recreation—and in some approaches, outshine the heavy hitters. For American drivers searching out a rare mix of luxury, velocity, and value, the Arteon is the one that got away.

Also read: 2026 Volvo XC60 First Drive: Why America’s Favorite Volvo Just Got Better