Audi A5 Sportback SE or Volkswagen Arteon R-Line

t305nqe

Hi there,

I am looking for some other opinions. Changing my A4 in January and I have narrowed down my choice to an A5 Sportback SE or a VW Arteon R-Line....

Just looking for opinions on what to go for.

Cheers

colm_mcm

It'll come down to which one does it for you at the end of it. It's all cookie cutter VW sportiness at the end of it. I would have always preferred a well specced CC to a relatively basic Audi but you can't go wrong either way.

goochy

Buy current issue of autoexpress. They are tested against each other . Won't spoil surprise of result..didn't buy mag myself

JoeA3

You’ll probably get a fair bit more for your money with the VW. Audi standard specs tend to be miserly. Even the 2 models you are comparing tells a lot - SE (mid level so-so spec, non “sporty”) versus R-Line (top spec with all the frills, “sporty”).

S-Line in the Audi would be a closer match but I bet it’s a lot more money.

Are you looking at the same engine in both?

The VW is an all new model, it looks quite distinctive, I don’t think you’ll see that many others of them on the road so for that reason plus the better specs I’d go VW.

t305nqe

JoeA3 wrote: »

You’ll probably get a fair bit more for your money with the VW. Audi standard specs tend to be miserly. Even the 2 models you are comparing tells a lot - SE (mid level so-so spec, non “sporty”) versus R-Line (top spec with all the frills, “sporty”).

S-Line in the Audi would be a closer match but I bet it’s a lot more money.

Are you looking at the same engine in both?

The VW is an all new model, it looks quite distinctive, I don’t think you’ll see that many others of them on the road so for that reason plus the better specs I’d go VW.

Yes, same engine for both cars. The spec list on the VW is far more superior than the Audi, but it's always the same....the dreaded choice and the aftermath of making the wrong decision.

carsfan2

Have you driven both cars and is the money similar for both?

I've seen a few arteons now and they are a big distinctive car. The Audi in se spec is less noticeable. I would have a guess though you would get more money back for the Audi in a few years but this may be small enough difference.

t305nqe

carsfan2 wrote: »

Have you driven both cars and is the money similar for both?

I've seen a few arteons now and they are a big distinctive car. The Audi in se spec is less noticeable. I would have a guess though you would get more money back for the Audi in a few years but this may be small enough difference.

Have driven both and when I add up the extras there is very little difference in cost. The VW comes out on top for spec, it's different and a new model. The A5 is a nice car to drive and looks well but after having two A4's over the last 8 years, is it time to change?

Resale value doesn't interest me as its a company car

carsfan2

If you don't care about residual and fancy a change then go for the arteon.
If car park kudos are important most (non car)people would presume an Audi is the more expensive car. This wouldn't bother me but lots of people like a bmw/Audi/Mercedes just for the badge.

JoeA3

I'd say definitely the Arteon then. Most of the Audi range looks so samey imo. They all have the same face. The Arteon at least has some distinctive looks. It seems very well kitted out too from a quick glance at the product guide. Stuff that you definitely would pay through the nose for on the Audi (predictive cruise, dynamic LED's) are standard in the VW.

TitianGerm

I saw a 172 Areton in my local VW yesterday in a lovely dark grey/silver colour. Every option ticked including the R Line interior and exterior packs. Seriously impressive looking.

I think they were asking around €49k for it. Not sure how that stacks up against a brand new one though.

JoeA3

emmetkenny wrote: »

I saw a 172 Areton in my local VW yesterday in a lovely dark grey/silver colour. Every option ticked including the R Line interior and exterior packs. Seriously impressive looking.

I think they were asking around €49k for it. Not sure how that stacks up against a brand new one though.

They start at around 46k but by the time you spec the 190bhp engine, DSG, R Line, you’re into near the mid 50’s.

carsfan2

It's a pity that vw didn't make more effort to differentiate the interior from regular Passat.
They are bring in a 240ps 4wd for mid fifties which should be a lovely machine.

bazz26

The Arteon is definitely the more distinctive imo. It's only negative point is as mentioned, they just grafted the regular Passat dashboard into it, similar to what they did with the Passat CC previously. If you like your toys then the Arteon makes more sense and in the right colour with the right wheels it looks very impressive. Definitely needs the R-Line kit though as the standard Elegance suspension seems to sit very high to me, the gap between the wheel arches and top of the tyres seems too high to me.

Casati

I'd go for the Audi, the new A5 is a v nice looking motor plus you've the flexibility of the lift back versus saloon boot

bazz26

The Arteon is a liftback.

Casati

bazz26 wrote: »

The Arteon is a liftback.

I didn't know that sorry, defo I'd go for the Arteon in that case

bazz26

Yeah the old CC had a saloon boot opening alright.

JoeA3

I sat into a new R Line Arteon in the showroom today. It’s a very impressive car I must say. Yes the dash is similar-ish to the standard Passat but in R Line trim it felt very very nice indeed. Seats were lovely. The frameless windows are a nice touch and this one had a pano roof which looked great. All in all, a lovely car. Would be my choice for sure.

bazz26

They seem to have the panoramic roof as standard or at least the ones the dealers have here seem to all have it including the lower Elegance model. DSG is standard too.

blingrhino

I Love the aerton but No petrol version sold in this country at the present time.

i want the 280 bhp 4x4 version !!

DaveyDave

I'd say go for the Arteon, won't be many of them on the roads so it would be nice to have something different. Shame there's nothing really new on the dash, I think the digital display isn't the new V2 that the new Polo has either?

carsfan2

Saw my first arteon driving against me yesterday.
Very distinctive drl's and wide stance. Actually more than a hint of Audi A7 than A5. A lot more imposing.
Definitely would go for it over an se A5.
Looked at the vw website and that are throwing in the panoramic roof and few more bits of kit as part of a cheap launch pack which explains why they all have them.

carsfan2

carsfan2 wrote: »

If you don't care about residual and fancy a change then go for the arteon.
If car park kudos are important most (non car)people would presume an Audi is the more expensive car. This wouldn't bother me but lots of people like a bmw/Audi/Mercedes just for the badge.

The Arteon's residuals will be just as strong as the A5, if not stronger.

Casati

Kailey Faithful Leotard wrote: »

The Arteon's residuals will be just as strong as the A5, if not stronger.

Since I found out it's a lift back I been looking at them on line, they are a large car with exterior dimensions actually slightly longer and wider than a Superb. The A5 is nice but it's a good bit smaller, defo on looks, space and spec the VW is a better bet

R.O.R

I reckon the A5 will still have a better resale value than the Areton as there's plenty of people who will pay the 4 ring tax.

carsfan2

R.O.R wrote: »

I reckon the A5 will still have a better resale value than the Areton as there's plenty of people who will pay the 4 ring tax.

I agree but if it's a company car than op doesn't care.A5 in se spec still looks like a posh mondeo to me.
The 150hp arteon gets a poor enough review in the Sunday times today and also on complete car.ie they are less than impressed

colm_mcm

I thought completecar thought all cars are great?
Link to review?

carsfan2

https://www.completecar.ie/car-reviews/article/Volkswagen/Arteon/Arteon_2.0_TDI_150/1221/7563/2017-Volkswagen-Arteon-2.0-TDI-150-review.html

RedorDead

From speaking to a few people that have driven recently it the Arteon is quite cheap on the inside (just lifted from passat) and is quite unrefined vs the A5. Hasnt been the sales success vw were expecting due to high pricing - far from it and retail sales are poor so if you are buying hold off for imminent deals. If you'd consider S Line vs R Line it would be the A5 for me but with SE vs R Line - depends if you like your badge or your toys.

JoeA3

RedorDead wrote: »

From speaking to a few people that have driven recently it the Arteon is quite cheap on the inside (just lifted from passat) and is quite unrefined vs the A5. Hasnt been the sales success vw were expecting due to high pricing - far from it and retail sales are poor so if you are buying hold off for imminent deals. If you'd consider S Line vs R Line it would be the A5 for me but with SE vs R Line - depends if you like your badge or your toys.

My local dealers sent me out a flyer last week inviting me to take their demo Arteon for an overnight test drive. I assumed it was something that they'd sent to every customer but I was talking to them at the weekend and they said it was only sent to their "special" customers lol. Anyway, just as you say, he admitted they sent it out in order to try drumming up some interest in the car. Also admitted there's a feeling that it's a bit overpriced.
Now as I mentioned earlier, they had one in the showroom and I thought it looked brilliant. R-Line and inside and out I thought it looked very well finished. But it was just 150bhp and priced at about 53k...

t305nqe

JoeA3 wrote: »

My local dealers sent me out a flyer last week inviting me to take their demo Arteon for an overnight test drive. I assumed it was something that they'd sent to every customer but I was talking to them at the weekend and they said it was only sent to their "special" customers lol. Anyway, just as you say, he admitted they sent it out in order to try drumming up some interest in the car. Also admitted there's a feeling that it's a bit overpriced.
Now as I mentioned earlier, they had one in the showroom and I thought it looked brilliant. R-Line and inside and out I thought it looked very well finished. But it was just 150bhp and priced at about 53k...

Quite alot of mixed comments about the Arteon and you're right, €50k for a VW with 150bhp is alot of money. I wonder if there will be a re-evaluation of the price in advance of 2018.

Any idea when the 181 offers will start to appear?

I'll do a bit more thinking and I will let you know my final decision

blingrhino

Maybe they will do something similar like they did with the Golf R at the end of 2014. was about 60k and then cut the bejeasus out of it and they flew out !

JoeA3

The dealers are meeting with VW later this week / into next week to finalise 181 prices / offers.

Yeah in 2014 VW realised if they were ever going to sell a Golf R (they’d only sold 2-3 that year!) they’d have to knock a big lump off the RRP. Which they did. But the sly feckers have gradually bumped it up again, an R is not that far off 2014 money again today.

bazz26

I'd feel sick if I bought one this year only for them to cut the price for 181.

JoeA3

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd feel sick if I bought one this year only for them to cut the price for 181.

I know that one (of the 2-3 fellas?) who bought an R in 2014 went legal with VW. Don't know how far it went though or the eventual outcome.

carsfan2

I can't see them reducing arteon prices so soon.
More likely spec upgrades at low cost and zero per cent finance?

colm_mcm

What's the like for like price comparison with an A4?

bazz26

They really need to bring in a few petrol options too, Skoda offer the Superb here in 2.0 TSi form though I think that's a special order.

VictorRomeo

I test drove an Elegance 150hp DSG about a month ago. I had a 151 CC (up until last week) and was curious about the new car. Now anyone who drove a B7 Passat and then the CC will have immediately experienced quite a leap in comfort and refinement. The Arteon was to me quite a leap again in refinement over the CC. With that said, I had the 177bhp CC and the 150 in the Arteon was just not good enough.

If I was buying an Arteon, I think I'd buy the 240hp. Dynamic Chassis Control control is standard on that car and it made a difference to my CC. You can also put those awesome 20" rims with no additional cost - DCC is required to have the 20" rims. The stock R-Line is well specced but leather if you want it is extra. The €1499 pack with the roof and fancy hifi and whatnot is a must have also, imo. In other words that's a €60k car at that spec. If it's your money, I'd think twice as the residual on that would be insane. But as a compnay car over say a 520d SE, compelling.

So, You might be interested to learn that I got rid of my CC for a BMW 330e PHEV - rather high spec too (for a beemer).

Casati

VictorRomeo wrote: »

I test drove an Elegance 150hp DSG about a month ago. I had a 151 CC (up until last week) and was curious about the new car. Now anyone who drove a B7 Passat and then the CC will have immediately experienced quite a leap in comfort and refinement. The Arteon was to me quite a leap again in refinement over the CC. With that said, I had the 177bhp CC and the 150 in the Arteon was just not good enough.

If I was buying an Arteon, I think I'd buy the 240hp. Dynamic Chassis Control control is standard on that car and it made a difference to my CC. You can also put those awesome 20" rims with no additional cost - DCC is required to have the 20" rims. The stock R-Line is well specced but leather if you want it is extra. The €1499 pack with the roof and fancy hifi and whatnot is a must have also, imo. In other words that's a €60k car at that spec. If it's your money, I'd think twice as the residual on that would be insane. But as a compnay car over say a 520d SE, compelling.

So, You might be interested to learn that I got rid of my CC for a BMW 330e PHEV - rather high spec too (for a beemer).

Looking at the pricing if I was a company car driver I'd agree that the 240ps looks like a great option say versus a 190ps A6.

How do you find the performance and economy of the 330e versus the CC?

Comhrá

JoeA3 wrote: »

My local dealers sent me out a flyer last week inviting me to take their demo Arteon for an overnight test drive. I assumed it was something that they'd sent to every customer but I was talking to them at the weekend and they said it was only sent to their "special" customers lol. Anyway, just as you say, he admitted they sent it out in order to try drumming up some interest in the car. Also admitted there's a feeling that it's a bit overpriced.
Now as I mentioned earlier, they had one in the showroom and I thought it looked brilliant. R-Line and inside and out I thought it looked very well finished. But it was just 150bhp and priced at about 53k...

Are we witnessing the birth of Phaeton II? I could be wrong (again) but I have a feeling this new Arteon could be the 2020 Luxobarge of the year winner?

bazz26

They already have that in the Phideon for the Chinese market only.

VictorRomeo

Casati wrote: »

How do you find the performance and economy of the 330e versus the CC?

The economy is a little hard to define this early into ownership - certainly until my home charging point is installed. With that said on my most recent commute home - city centre to Maynooth - on a full charge, I achieved 3.7L per 100km and 75% of the journey was electricity.

Now, performance is easier to qualify. The 330e is significantly more powerful and a whole lot more fun than the CC. In sport more you will get to enjoy the full 252bhp and then some...! The CC is a more comfortable ride with the DCC but the 330e more competent.

Casati

VictorRomeo wrote: »

The economy is a little hard to define this early into ownership - certainly until my home charging point is installed. With that said on my most recent commute home - city centre to Maynooth - on a full charge, I achieved 3.7L per 100km and 75% of the journey was electricity.

Now, performance is easier to qualify. The 330e is significantly more powerful and a whole lot more fun than the CC. In sport more you will get to enjoy the full 252bhp and then some...! The CC is a more comfortable ride with the DCC but the 330e more competent.

I feel that VW missed an opportunity with the Arteon not to give the option of a higher powered plug in hybrid

VictorRomeo

Casati wrote: »

I feel that VW missed an opportunity with the Arteon not to give the option of a higher powered plug in hybrid

Totally agree. I would fear for it based on a: the drivetrain of the Passat GTE as in it’s weak compared to BMW and MB... and b: the price they’d charge for it. The Passat GTE is outrageously expensive for what it is.... VAG simply don’t have a credible power train in their stable save for Porsche - which is overkill for an Arteon...

t305nqe

Comhra wrote: »

Are we witnessing the birth of Phaeton II? I could be wrong (again) but I have a feeling this new Arteon could be the 2020 Luxobarge of the year winner?

VW have just released their 181 prices and there is a slight price in the Arteon with the 150bhp Elegance model increasing by 0.8% and the 150bhp R-Line increasing by 0.7%. There was no change in the technology packs.

A lot of money for the Arteon with many motoring critics disappointed with it.

I don't think you are going to see too many on the road

carsfan2

t305nqe wrote: »

VW have just released their 181 prices and there is a slight price in the Arteon with the 150bhp Elegance model increasing by 0.8% and the 150bhp R-Line increasing by 0.7%. There was no change in the technology packs.

A lot of money for the Arteon with many motoring critics disappointed with it.

I don't think you are going to see too many on the road

So have you made up your mind which car to go for?

t305nqe

carsfan2 wrote: »

So have you made up your mind which car to go for?

At this stage I am still undecided but the A5 Sportback is edging ahead...

carsfan2

Can you get any extras on the A5 and be in budget?

t305nqe

carsfan2 wrote: »

Can you get any extras on the A5 and be in budget?

Budget is €52k so I will be looking at the Technology pack with the digital dash

carsfan2

Don't know if you have made up your mind but this popped up in my youtube feed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RFDNCHl0Qw

A good fair comparison I think.