iDriveSoCal

The 2020 Volkswagen Arteon sits in a class of its own.  As a (large) midsize, five-door fastback there’s nothing quite like it.

Because, in the US, there’s no other European non-luxury offering that compares.

Great looks, technology and, engineering equate to a value proposition you can’t ignore.

Ontario Volkswagen is my go-to for VW test drives and this review.

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268 hp & 258 lb-ft of torque

Arteon is in its second model-year.  As typical for year-two of new models, more trims options are rolled out.

And that’s the case for Arteon this year.  Here are your 2020 options.

Often times, Volkswagen will have even more trim options.  We’ll see what 2021 and beyond brings.

Regardless of your trim selection.  Arteon comes with the same powerful engine and transmission combination.

And the engine is a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder.  It delivers 268-horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.

4MOTION is VW’s All-wheel drive

That engine is matched with a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.

In Volkswagen’s universe all-wheel drive is called 4MOTION.  And 4MOTION quite common across VW’s lineup.

For the 2020 Arteon, I might go with just two-wheel drive/front-wheel drive.  Because it feels a bit quicker than the 4MOTION option.  But, I have zero data to back that up.  :0)

Interestingly, no matter AWD or FWD, highway fuel economy is rated at 29 mpg.  Whereas the FWD will give you 22 mpg in the city.  And 4MOTION is rated for 20 mpg in the city.

The slight differing factor in fuel economy definitely has to do with the different curb weights.  FWD is 3,655 to 4MOTION’s 3,854 lbs.

If I had to pick, exterior styling is my favorite aspect of the 2020 VW Arteon.  Because it’s an incredibly sharp-looking sports sedan.

SEL R-Line Trim MSRP $41,745

In fact, it looks like a much more expensive vehicle.  It’s wide and low stance with the swooping fastback gives it an elegant coupe-look.

Standard LED headlights and taillights

Arteon looks big from the outside.  And though the EPA classifies it as a large vehicle.  But it handles and maneuvers like the midsize that it’s mostly referred to as.

*Inches

Inside Arteon is big.  Plus, it is a Volkswagen, so it’s well laid out with top-notch fit and finish for the money.

Stone grey & raven leather interior

You can’t mistake the look of the interior.  But when it comes to the feel and design inside of the SEL R-Line that I test drove.  You could mistake it for a luxury vehicle.

40.2″ backseat legroom

In addition, Arteon offers ample space for both passengers and cargo.  In fact, front and backseat passengers enjoy nearly the same amount of legroom!

27.2 cu-ft cargo volume

And with the backseats folded down the fastback provides up to 55 cubic-feet of cargo space.

*Inches 

If my Top-3 list was a Top-4 list then infotech would make the cut for the 2020 Volkswagen Arteon.

Because I love Volkswagen’s digital cockpit.  It’s standard on all SEL trims.  And it provides a completely customized view of in-dash instrumentation.

Digital cockpit on SEL trim and above

So a monitor sits in-dash where instrumentation gauges have traditionally been placed.  And you can customize that monitor however you like.  Plus you can save multiple custom profiles for quick access.

Also standard for all trims is Volkswagen’s Car-Net telematics system.  It’s VW’s app for keeping you connected to your car.  But for 2020 many of the subscription services are free for the first 5-years.

And VW checks most of the boxes with driver assistance tech.  If it’s a feature that isn’t already standard then it’s available.

Standard

Available

Courtesy of Ontario VW

For your best price, selection, and, experience Ontario Volkswagen is the place to go in Southern Calfornia.

The Latest Volkswagen News HERE.

Refreshed, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas remains an incredible value.  And what’s impressive is that it carries over the same starting MSRP from last year.

Exterior front and rear updates enhance its bold design.  And a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is now available on top trims.

Plus full LED lighting is now standard along with next-gen VW Car-Net telematics.  Also, extra driver-assist safety features.

My friends at Ontario VW hooked me up with a 2021 VW Atlas SEL Premium with 4MOTION for this review.  And, in case you’re wondering, the official color is pure white.

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117.3″ wheelbase & 200.7″ length

Many trim options are available.  In fact, VW offers a total of 15-different trims.

But, in typical VW fashion, they’re all broken down to S, SE, and SEL primary options.

And from there you have engine options.  Plus packages like Premium, Technology, and R-Line.

Here are the ranges.

2021 Atlas is powered by two different engines.

There’s the 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder.  That’s turbocharged and puts out 235 horsepower with 258 pound-feet of torque.

18″ wheels standard – 20 & 21″ wheel available

Also, there’s the bigger V6.  And it’s a 3.6L.  Putting out 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque.

Either engine will give you the same transmission.  And that’s an 8-speed automatic whether you go with front-wheel or all-wheel drive (4MOTION).

Efficiency in the fuel consumption department depends on your engine and transmission configuration.

But the turbocharged inline 4-cylinder will give you about 20 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway.

And the bigger V6 is rated to deliver 16 in the city with AWD and up to 23 on the highway with FWD.

Both the front and rear have been spruced-up.  A bit bolder looking and more athletic.

Subtle to the uneducated eye.  But I’ll point out a difference from last year that’s easy to notice.

78.4″ width & 70.1″ height

So, the three chrome horizontal bars running across the grill.  Last year, those were only two.  :0)

Other than that the lines are a bit more defined.  Specifically the curvature of them.

8″ ground clearance & up to 4,612 lb curb weight

Updates to the rear are tough to identify.  But it looks more modern overall.

And if not for the Volkswagen badge it could be mistaken for an Audi.

*Above inches

Depending on your config, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas has different towing capacities.  And they range from 2,000 to 5,000 lbs.

Likewise, your config impacts the vehicle’s total curb weight as well.  Ranging from 4,248 to 4,612 lbs.

Inside the Atlas is huge.  Factoring the ample space with a smart and simple VW design provides a very versatile interior.

Up to 96.8 cu-ft of cargo space

Both rows of backseats lay flat.  And with nearly 100 cubic-feet of cargo space.  Any typical family will be able to haul whatever they need.

33.7″ of third-row legroom

Snapping pictures from the 3rd-row seats was no problem.  Because the 3rd-row gives you 33.7-inches of legroom.

37.6″ of legroom in the 2nd-row

And that’s plenty, even for a full-grown adult.  Plus getting to the 3rd-row seating is easy.

So, if you go with captains chairs in the 2nd-row you are left with one-less total seating capacity.  But those captains chairs are comfortable.

61.5″ 1st-row shoulder room

So the interior of my Atlas SEL Premium was the Titan Black & Quartzite Leather.  And I found it to be quality to the touch.

Also, the seats were both comfortable and breathable on a hot Inland Empire day. :0)  Plus the white accent stitching is a classy touch.

*All inches

Perhaps my favorite tech element in the 2020 VW Atlas is the available digital cockpit.

A feature that’s long been part of Audis (VW’s luxe sibling) it greatly enhances your driving experience.

Available digital cockpit

By allowing you to customize your in-dash display it delivers a more evolved sense of motoring.  What’s more, is that you can save different profiles.

And I love that.  Because my wife would have one profile.  And I’d have two.  One for my daily driving and one for my extended highway runs.

VW Car-Net telematics standard

Additionally, Volkswagen’s Car-Net telematics is now standard across all trims.

And that’s significant because the best parts of that subscription service are free for the first 5-years.

Plus, the 2021 Atlas can come packed with driver assistance and safety technology.

Available:

Courtesy of Ontario VW

And for your 2021 VW Atlas go see my friends at Ontario Volkswagen.  They’re in Southern California’s Inland Empire.  Right by the Ontario Airport.

2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Overview

The first VW Jetta GLI rolled off the assembly line in 1984.  And since then, it’s been considered Volkswagen’s GTI with a trunk.

So, quick background.  The VW Golf GTI is the original hot hatch.  A 5-door sports car.  But hatchback.

And the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is the Golf GTI’s sibling.  But a compact sedan.  Just as sporty looking.  More practical overall.

Plus it’s a great performer.  Afterall the GLI is the enthusiasts’ Jetta.  But, I’d never driven the 2020 VW Jetta GLI.

So, I picked one up from my friends at Ontario Volkswagen for this review.

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228 hp with 258 lb-ft of torque

VW’s keeping it easy.  Because this year’s 2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI comes in just to trims.  And they’re very different.

The base model S comes with all the necessities.  It’s nicely equipped for a base model.

But boy.  Bump up to the Autobahn.  And well, you get it all.

Plus, when you go with the Autobahn trim.  You have the option of the Black package.  Sharp!  To say the least.

Go with the S.  Or, the Autobahn.  Either way, you get the same powerful engine.

It’s an inline 4-cylinder.  2-liter and turbocharged.  And it delivers 228-horsepower with 258 pound-feet of torque.

18″ Alloy wheels

Manual and automatic transmissions are available.  Front-wheel drive either way.

Personally, I love manual trans.  And especially for a car like this.  But my test driver was an automatic.

It delivered plenty of fun.  Especially with available paddle shifters.

So, when you factor in time spent sitting in traffic.  The automatic transmission is probably the way I’d go.

One note.  The transmission will impact your curb weight.

With manual trans, GLI’s curb weight is 3,225-pounds.  And automatic transmission bumps that up to 3,294 lbs.

With the same engine.  And since automatic transmissions are so darn efficient these days.  The GLI’s fuel economy is nearly identical.

*City/combined/highway 

The 2020 VW Jetta GLI is bold and sporty.  At first glance, I’d say it was a midsize car.  Not a compact.

Because it looks big.  And frankly, it is.  But the EPA rating is compact.

105.6-inch wheelbase – overall length 185.2″

GLI has super-clean lines.  From the front and profiles.  And it has an athletic stance from any angle.

*All inches 

Inside the GLI provides lots of creature comforts.  And it’s unmistakeably Euro-DNA is visible and felt.

Spacious interior

From red stitching and pin-hole seats.  To the flat-bottom steering wheel and available digital cockpit.  The Jetta GLI satisfies the senses.

And it’s all accented with VW’s legendary attention to fit and finish.  The details!  And I love that.

Backseat legroom 37.4″

And that’s to that German engineering.  Jetta GLI’s backseats are beyond compact-car comfortable.

Even with five adults, a slightly extended drive is tolerable.  And, with just four adults?  Road trip ready!

14.1 cu-ft cargo space

Plus the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI provides 14.1 cu-ft of cargo space.  And that’s with the backseats up.

*All inches 

What’s the best tech function in the GLI?  Hands-down the available digital cockpit.

Customize your digital cockpit

Because it allows total customization.  Where instrument gauges are normally found.  You can create your own cockpit.

So you can put your navigation screen in the dashboard.  And more.  Plus you can save multiple profiles.

6.5 or 8″ touchscreens

Plus available BeatsAudio and driving performance monitoring, Volkswagen Car-Net, and wireless phone charging.

Are great additions to GLI’s great looks and performance.

2020 VW Jetta GLI – courtesy of Ontario Volkswagen

Looks good from the rear too!  For all your VW needs connect with my friends at Ontario Volkswagen.   Or email me and I’ll connect you to management directly.

2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

Like facial tissue is dominated by Kleenex brand.  So too is ‘hot hatch’ dominated by VW’s Golf GTI.

And 2020 is no exception.  Because again Volkswagen delivers great performance with exceptional attention to detail for an incredible value.

Sure, that’s come to be expected by VW followers worldwide.  But here in the U.S., more and more drivers are taking note.  Perhaps, more importantly, more and more driving enthusiasts are doing so.  And you might want to as well.

My friends at Ontario Volkswagen in Southern California’s Inland Empire hooked me up with the Golf GTI pictured throughout this review.

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So the 2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI is technically a compact car.  It’s got four doors, a hatchback, and a whole lotta fun behind the wheel. :0)

In fact, the GTI is just one of many versions of the Golf that Volkswagen has made, and continues to produce, for many years.

But GTI has always been the sportier version of the Golf.  Bested only when VW also produces the Golf R, which is arguably a street-legal racecar.

Here’s a look at Volkswagen’s Golf family of models.

*All compacts

Additionally, VW has made electric and 2-door hatchback Golf versions in recent years.

With all these Golf variations, Volkswagen has gotten the car very ‘right.’  And that especially holds true with the GTI.  Which is truly an incredible value for the performance you get.

My thanks.  As always.  To the team at Ontario Volkswagen in Ontario, California.

Led by my friend Earl Reed.  Everyone I send loves the treatment and deals they get there.

And, I’m always happy to make a personal intro.  Email me: tom [at] idrivesocal.com.

The Latest Volkswagen News HERE.