Used 2022 Volkswagen Arteon for SaleNationwide

Is the 2022 Volkswagen Arteon a good car?

The 2022 Volkswagen Arteon earns an 8/10 expert rating, and it stands out as a rare, distinctive choice that blends expressive design with useful space. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel, Form and function, and Safety.

It’s especially appealing if you want something that feels more engaging than a typical family car: the Arteon is described as fun to drive and comfortable, with surprising interior room and plenty of cargo space. The trade-offs are a quirky transmission and a mediocre voice recognition system.

For shoppers who want style without giving up practicality, that mix makes the Arteon easy to understand. 38.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2022 Volkswagen Arteon reliable?

The 2022 Volkswagen Arteon is presented as a well-rounded, comfortable car with useful space and a more engaging driving character than many rivals. Its performance setup is described as capable, with quick acceleration, trustworthy handling, and a quiet highway demeanor.

The ownership picture is helped by Carefree Coverage, which pays for scheduled maintenance for the first two years or 20,000 miles and includes three years of roadside assistance. That said, the quirky transmission means you should pay close attention to how the car drives in everyday traffic.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a car with this much complexity can be less forgiving if it hasn’t been maintained carefully.

What should I look for when buying a used 2022 Volkswagen Arteon?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper records review. Prioritize a thorough inspection of the transmission behavior, infotainment operation, and overall interior and exterior condition. If possible, test the car in stop-and-go traffic and on a highway loop so you can judge how it behaves in both settings.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SE R-Line comes only with front-wheel drive, while the SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line add standard 4Motion AWD. The SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line also get adaptive LED headlights with Light Assist automatic high-beam operation, which is tied to the Top Safety Pick designation.
• Powertrain: The 2022 model uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The setup is quick and engaging, but the transmission can feel delayed or uneven at times.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic post-collision braking. SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line add Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist.
• Infotainment: The car includes Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro with a 10-inch display, plus an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Car-Net connected services, SiriusXM 360L, and navigation. The SEL Premium R-Line adds the optional Harman Kardon audio system and Parking Steering Assistant.
• Fuel efficiency: Official EPA fuel economy ratings suggest 25 mpg in combined driving for a 4Motion model, and the test vehicle averaged 24.5 mpg on the testing loop.

Which 2022 Volkswagen Arteon trim should I buy?

The 2022 Volkswagen Arteon is offered in 3 trim levels: SE R-Line, SEL R-Line, and SEL Premium R-Line.

Here's the short version:

• SE R-Line: This is the entry point, and it gives you the Arteon’s distinctive design and core appeal at the lowest price. It comes only with front-wheel drive, so it makes the most sense if you want the style and space without paying for the higher trims’ added hardware.
• SEL R-Line: This is the best-value trim if you want the strongest all-around package. It adds standard 4Motion AWD and the key safety upgrades, including Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist, while keeping the Arteon’s core strengths intact.
• SEL Premium R-Line: Choose this if you want the most equipment. It adds the premium audio system and Parking Steering Assistant, along with the higher-trim safety and lighting setup.

The SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line are the trims that qualify for the Top Safety Pick designation because of their adaptive LED headlights with Light Assist.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2022 Volkswagen Arteon?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find reasonable options.

• Deal availability: 38.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 141 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 81.6% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2022 Volkswagen Arteon safe?

The 2022 Arteon is a Top Safety Pick from IIHS.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety features include forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic post-collision braking. Upgrading to the SEL R-Line or SEL Premium R-Line adds Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist.

The safety caveat is that the Top Safety Pick designation applies only to the SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line because of their adaptive LED headlights with Light Assist automatic high-beam operation.

Should I buy a 2022 Volkswagen Arteon or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2022 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2022 if:

• 38.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• It adds a stronger turbocharged engine and more engaging driving character.

Consider the 2021 if:

• It emphasizes upgraded styling, interior finishes, connectivity, and driver assistance.

Consider the 2023 if:

• It leans into crossover-like practicality with roomy seating, available AWD, and an upscale look.

The bottom line: The 2022 is the best pick if you want the Arteon at its most engaging, with stronger performance and the same distinctive packaging that makes the car stand out. If you’re more price-sensitive, the 2021 is worth a look for its upscale feel, while the 2023 is the better path if you want the latest take on the formula and can stretch for it.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.