Audi A5 Sportback SE or Volkswagen Arteon R-Line

t305nqe · 22-09-2017 09:59PM #1

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 · 22-09-2017 11:10PM

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 · 23-09-2017 02:07AM

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

JoeA3 · 23-09-2017 08:48AM

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 · 23-09-2017 09:23AM

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 · 23-09-2017 09:54AM

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 · 23-09-2017 09:58AM

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 · 23-09-2017 10:40AM

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 · 23-09-2017 10:44AM

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 · 23-09-2017 10:46AM

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 · 23-09-2017 11:36AM

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 · 23-09-2017 12:03PM

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 · 23-09-2017 01:35PM

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 · 23-09-2017 01:48PM

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 · 23-09-2017 01:49PM

The Arteon is a liftback.

Casati · 23-09-2017 01:53PM

bazz26 wrote: »

The Arteon is a liftback.

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

bazz26 · 23-09-2017 01:55PM

Yeah the old CC had a saloon boot opening alright.

JoeA3 · 23-09-2017 03:14PM

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 · 23-09-2017 03:57PM

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 · 23-09-2017 04:07PM

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

i want the 280 bhp 4x4 version !!

DaveyDave · 23-09-2017 05:26PM

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 · 24-09-2017 10:22AM

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.

24-09-2017 10:48AM

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 · 24-09-2017 11:12AM

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 · 24-09-2017 11:28AM

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 · 24-09-2017 12:29PM

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 · 24-09-2017 12:53PM

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

carsfan2 · 24-09-2017 01:16PM

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 · 25-09-2017 11:56AM

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 · 25-09-2017 12:02PM

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 · 25-09-2017 02:48PM

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

Audi A5 Sportback SE or Volkswagen Arteon R-Line

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