Comments by "Stephen Hendricks" (@stephenhendricks103) on "" video.

Great review, Thomas! On this side of the Atlantic (US Washington state in my case) the Areton is tremendously underappreciated though not by me. Sadly, as is the case with almost all VWs we Americans don't have the options provided to Europeans. The basic Golf has been dropped in the US as a result of slow sales. Our Passat is larger, less expensive, and less well equipped than the European version. The US version of the Jetta is larger than its predecessor and not sold in Europe as far as I know. The same is true of our "midsize" VW SUVs, the Atlas and the Cross Sport. The Touareg disappeared when the Atlas was introduced. Our only Tiguan is what Europeans know as the "AllSpace" version. Even the fabulous EA888 2.0L engine lacks the dual injection found in Europe. Of all the vehicles VW offers in the US the GTI, the Golf R, and the Arteon are the closest to their European counterparts. As far as the Arteon is concerned, there are a few noteworthy differences. We have no "Shooting Brake" version available here. Like other automakers VW has given up trying to interest Americans in what we once called "station wagons." A few versions from European luxury brands survive but even those are difficult to find on dealer lots and their prices are firmly in the "luxury" category. Among mainstream brands only the Subaru Outback survives and Subaru goes to great lengths to disguise it by calling it an SUV. Other differences include the aforementioned lack of dual injection on the EA888 engine in the US Arteon. It's not a major issue (except as a weakness widely cited on the internet) and it's easily remedied with head cleaning mostly in high mileage engines. Still, it's an annoyance. In addition, the US version has a conventional 8 speed AT rather than the European 7 speed DCT. As a GTI owner I think that's a shame but VW has undoubtedly discovered that Americans are suspicious regarding the behavior of an automated manual transmission compared to a conventional automatic. Finally, the US won't be getting a full-on "R" version of the Arteon. Rather, we have the "R-Line" in the mid and top trims of the Arteon with HP and torque figures of 268/258 from the 2.0L petrol engine (our only choice). That, too, is a shame but companies including APR offer a Stage I ECU tune that adds significantly to the Arteon's (as well as other VW's) engine performance . And for those who fear risking the loss of VW's factory warranty APR offers a backup warranty that matches VW's version for less than $1000. The HP and torque improvements come close to the European "R's" specs but lacking a brake upgrade it doesn't quite match the factory European specs. Still, it's a time tested ECU upgrade that improves performance tremendously with no discernible loss in reliability and surprisingly little loss in fuel economy. (My last GTI had the APR Stage I tune for 40,000 miles without a single issue.) On the bright side for North American consumers, the price of an Arteon on this side of the Atlantic is tremendously appealing. The top two "R-Line" trims of the Arteon with AWD can be purchased for $40K to $43K here in the Seattle area. (Discounts of $6000 to $7000 from MSRP are common.) Even adding $1000 for a Stage I ECU tune and backup warranty puts the transaction price as low as $41,000 plus tax, title, and license (typically amounting to less than 10% of the purchase price.) Current conversion rates put $43,000 equivalent to less than 36,000 Euros. According to sources on the internet, the Arteon R has a starting MSRP of 63,000 Euros plus considerably higher charges for tax, title, and licensing. To be fair, however, Europeans pay in a number of ways including taxes to have excellent well maintained highways where the Arteon can be driven safely and legally at over 100 mph. Our crumbling infrastructure and speed limits allow for no such adventures. :) All in all, even with the cost cutting and restricted choices for the Arteon in America, it's a fantastic automobile (imo). For the price the most obvious rival is the KIA Stinger with KIA's new 2.5L turbo 4 cylinder engine that's found in at least 7 KIA, Hyundai, and Genesis vehicles. As the owner of both a VW and a KIA (Sorento) I'm torn as I consider giving my teenager unfettered access to my beloved GTI and I get a new daily driver. The KIA has an advantage in terms of its RWD architecture but with AWD in each, that advantage is mitigated. The Stinger has a superior infotainment and embedded navigation system but in terms of other features and interior quality, the Arteon has numerous advantages. All in all, each is an excellent example of a relatively affordable GT (Grand Touring) sedan in the European tradition with the Stinger leaning more to the sport sedan side and the Arteon projecting a near luxury ambiance. A difficult choice.
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@MrLarrylar It appears the 2022 Arteon sent to the US will include a version with more HP and a DSG in place of the conventional TQ automatic transmission. No chance for a V6, as in your CC, though. It will be a version of VWs venerable EA888 four cylinder engine. (BTW, I also own a CC as well as a GTI with the 4 cylinder engine and I love it.) Furthermore, no chance for the Shooting Brake for the US. VW has tried to interest Americans in wagons, both the Passat and the Golf, with no success. Sad, but unsurprising.
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@TheBigdaddy9448 I don't know where you live but I doubt it's in North America. If you do live in US or Canada you seem to be suffering from what is known as "observation bias" (i.e. seeing what you're expecting/hoping to see.) Despite rave reviews for the Stinger when it was introduced in 2018, its sales have been dismal. The first year KIA dealers sold 17,000 Stingers, considerably below expectations and production. In 2019, that figure dropped to slightly less than 14,000. In 2020 sales declined again, down to 12,500. Sales were so slow last year that there were widespread reports that KIA considered withdrawing altogether it from the North American market. Perhaps your observation that "BMW and Audi sedans are a dime a dozen" comes from the fact that there are so many more sedans from those brands sold despite their significantly higher price tags. For example, the Audi A5/S5 alone, the model most comparable to the Stinger liftback design outsold the Stinger by 50% in 2020. And that Audi sedan is hardly a sales juggernaut. Fortunately, KIA didn't give up. And US sales for the fist half of 2021 are up slightly to 6500 units compared to 4350 in the first six months of 2020. The strategy? It wasn't to focus on the high performance twin turbo V6 versions where the most significant change is an active exhaust and a gain of 3 HP. Instead, the entry level four cylinder Stinger was significantly upgraded with a 2.5L 4 cylinder turbo deployed in at least 7 other KIA, Hyundai, and Genesis models. And while twin turbo V6 Stinger sales have been flat the less expensive, less powerful GT-Line version with specs similar to the Arteon has experienced a significant increase in sales. The lesson? Scalding performance in a midsize sedan is not a ticket to strong sales. As far as the Arteon is concerned, when Herbert Weiss took over as CEO of the Volkswagen division of VW in 2018 he decided to send the existing version largely unchanged to the US. At the time he said he didn't expect to sell many Arteons on this side of the Atlantic and he didn't care. He wanted Americans to recognize that VW was an automaker with a continuing commitment to European style vehicles including true "Grand Touring" sedans. The Atlas, the Tiguan, the Passat, and the Jetta might be uniquely "American" vehicles but the Arteon was aimed at American consumers looking for an affordable vehicle in the European GT mold. Not scalding 0-60 and quarter mile times but a "grand touring" sedan designed to carry 4-5 passengers and their luggage/gear in comfort at high speeds for hours on meticulously maintained highways, to negotiate twisting backroads, many of which were originally paved by the Romans 2000 years ago, and to fit easily into crowded urban environments. Why not give Americans the same high performance "R" version as Europeans? First, as the Stinger example suggests, it likely would not appreciably improve sales, especially as it would significantly increase prices. Second, and even more importantly, if it was a major success it would likely come at the expense of Audi sales in North America. Trading a more expensive, higher profit Audi for a slightly less expensive, less profitable VW is hardly a strong business case from VW's point of view. Want an Arteon with stronger straight line acceleration and overall performance? Your best bet is a Stage 1 ECU tune of the magnificently flexible EA888 engine. That would erase any advantage HP and torque the GT-Line Stinger enjoys for less than a thousand dollars. (And contrary to claims that doing so would invalidate the VW factory warranty, that is not an issue.*) With the typical discount of $4k-$6K off the Arteon's MSRP, the price would be virtually the same as the GT-Line Stinger and the vehicle would be significantly more upscale in terms of materials, ambiance, and interior space. * The reasons that Stage 1 tuning is not an issue are complicated. But suffice to say that any warranty issues encountered would have to be directly related to the tune in order for a dealer to cancel warranty coverage. Further, some tuning products, such as those from APR can be purchased with a backup warranty that covers the same features as the VW factory warranty for about $500.)
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Do you need sunglasses when you emerge from that rock you've been under for the last decade and a half?
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VW is very risk averse in offering models in the US that are likely to cannibalize Audi sales.
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@dragospahontu Agreed. But my VW dealer in the Seattle, WA area has the mid-level SEL R-Line trim with AWD for under $40,000 plus tax, title, and license. It lacks only 20" wheels (19" instead) and a premium sound system compared to the top SEL Premium R-Line version that's discounted $4000 under the $48,000 MSRP. The Stinger is a fine automobile but the $40,000 price asked for it around here is for the 2.5L four cylinder AWD version. That, by the way, is the same engine offered in at least 7 other KIA, Hyundai, and Genesis models and is itself an excellent engine. In the Stinger its 5.2 second 0-60 time trails the V6 by only 0.5 seconds.
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@blue-ck9ns I can understand that decision. I have a 17 y/o daughter who is lusting after my beloved GTI so I'm considering either the Arteon or a KIA Stinger with the new 2.5Lturbo four cylinder engine that KIA, Hyundai and Genesis are putting in (at my last count) 7 different vehicles. The thought of trading my GTI gives me the same feeling as selling the family dog so that's not an option. But keeping it in the family and adding another vehicle is tempting. Having driven both the KIA and the VW it's a tough choice. Both are liftbacks almost exactly the same size. And with the discounts VW dealers are offering on the Arteon it's almost exactly the same price. The Stinger's 4 banger is stronger on paper but a Stage 1 APR tune on the Arteon eliminates that advantage. (And it's not that much even in stock form.) The Stinger is RWD but again AWD mostly eliminates that advantage. On the whole, I'm leaning toward the more elegant Arteon over the sportier Stinger but it's close on my personal checklist.
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@obidean3964 In the US the 2022 Stinger GT-Line with its new 2.5L turbo 4 is comparable to our version of the Arteon in both in price and design. Here in the Seattle area mid and top trim R-Line Arteons are being discounted by $6000-$7000., making the mid trim comparable in asking price to a comparable Stinger or even fully loaded top trim Accord or Camry. Both the KIA and the VW are far superior to chose choices (imo). The KIA is an RWD design compared to the Areton's FWD but outfitting each with AWD largely eliminates that difference. Engine specs favor the Stinger's 300 HP/311 ft lbs torque but VW's are widely known to understate their engine specs (268/258 in this case). And with a 30 minute ECU tune by APR the difference is completely eliminated. Having driven both the actual acceleration difference even in stock form are negligible. The two are almost exactly the same length but the Arteon has significantly more 2nd row legroom and considerably more cargo space under the hatch. Better infotainment and embedded navigation in the KIA. I prefer the driver's seating position and the seats themselves in the Arteon but I'm used to VW's seats in my GTI so YMMV. That's also true of overall looks, of course. Personally I find the Arteon considerably more elegant and understated and with the exception of the infotainment and navigation an overall more appealing interior with better visibility. Comparing the US version of the Arteon to the GT-1 and GT-2 Stingers is a different kettle o' fish. The twin turbo V6 in the KIA is far more powerful if straight line acceleration is your primary metric. On the other hand, the Arteon has more linear power delivery at a price (at least here in Seattle) several thousand dollars less (or even more) than the Stinger. The two vehicles are very well matched (imo). I suspect the choice will come down to whether one finds the "sport" vibe of the Stinger or the "elegant" vibe of the Arteon more appealing. In any event each is a strong example of a class GT (Grand Touring) sedan at a relatively affordable price.
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Really??? Do automakers really consider production costs in design? I, for one am SHOCKED!
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I think not. And that's not because I don't think the Accord is anything other than an excellent car. But the Arteon is considerably more upscale than a fully loaded 2.0L Accord Touring model. And here in the Seattle area the Arteon SEL R-Line is selling for the same price as that Accord.
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@jellebigge And has been corrected in the period since.
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@TheBigdaddy9448 I'm not sure why you believe the Arteon R would sell well in the US. In general the high performance versions of mainstream midsize sedans have minuscule sales. For example, Toyota says that fewer than 5% of all Camrys sold in the US have the 300 HP V6 engine. Toyota, Nissan, and KIA each offer AWD only on their midsize sedans with their smaller, less powerful powerplants. Why? Because sales are so low it makes no sense to invest more in those models. Finally, VW obviously believes that every high performance Arteon sold would risk losing a more expensive, more profitable Audi sale.
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@toddfaull202 The mid-trim SEL R-Line AWD has an MSRP of $45,000. An APR Stage I ECU tune adds about 60 HP and significant torque for far less than $1K. Considering that the actual transaction price here in the Seattle area for the R-Line is around $39,000 it's a screaming bargain.
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@TheBigdaddy9448 The people you talk to "are looking for performance" because you talk to people whom you believe (consciously or unconsciously) hold an opinion similar to your own. And even if you speak to people who don't agree with you, they're likely to avoid contradicting what they believe (consciously or unconsciously) by expressing that opinion. That is why scientific polls does not rely on volunteered opinions or huge samples. Instead, they rely upon sampling techniques that eliminate bias in the selection of respondents and can be extremely accurate with samples numbering as few as 800-1000 randomly selected people where "random selection" doesn't mean the folks one runs into on a street corner.
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Perhaps reviewers should take up a collection and give it to VW to pay for the additional expense of real buttons.
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@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X Not sure where you live but in American the Arteon doesn't come close to rivalling the price of a Mercedes, a BMW, an Audi, or a Volvo. The US mid-level SEL R-Line with AWD has an MSRP under $45,000 and is discounted here in the Seattle area by dealers to around $39,000. That's the price of a top trim Accord or Camry.
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Not much chance of either. VW has concluded correctly that Americans hate "shooting brakes," "estates," and "wagons." Even Subaru has forbidden the term "wagon" in reference to the Outback. As for a significantly higher priced Arteon, I doubt VW is seriously interested in cannibalizing Audi sales.
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@dragospahontu Not in the US. But we don't get the Arteon R here.
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@timothysimmons9441 They won't change their minds. To do so would seriously risk cannibalizing Audi sales in the US. The Arteon R MSRP starts at the equivalent of $75,000 in Germany. However, with a Stage I APR tune, the performance of the EA888 engine can be brought to near "R" levels and with AWD the problem of overwhelming the FWD with so much power is largely eliminated.
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@Astke The US doesn't have VAT. Sales taxes vary from state to state (and within states) but TTL rarely exceeds 10% of the purchase price of an automobile.
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@timothysimmons9441 You haven't been checking lately as destination fees have been going up throughout the industry. For the Arteon it's $1200 as it is for every VW no matter where you're located. In fact, I haven't seen any new car with a destination fee below a thousand dollars for quite some time.
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@Astke Actually, the reason US MSRP prices don't include TTL (tax, title, and license) is because sales tax charges vary by state and often within a state. VAT (Value Added Tax) is a uniform charge throughout a nation. In any event, TTL in the US almost never exceeds 10% of the transaction price while VAT is typically around 17%.
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@blue-ck9ns Actually, the Golf R doesn't sell well in the US. In fact, sales are so soft for the Golf R that VW opted to drop it in the US in 2018. When US dealers objected that doing so would mean that elimination of such a "halo" model would hurt sales of other models, VW relented and agreed to send a few Golf Rs to the US but only as many as dealers could get customers to pony up a $500 deposit. Sales were strong enough for VW eventually to leave the "R" in the US portfolio (without a deposit) but they're still relatively rare. (Interestingly, that's not as true in Canada where AWD vehicles are relatively far more popular than in the US.) The bottom line is that the GTI and Golf R are so iconic among VW faithful in the US that VW continues to export them to the US in relatively limited numbers even though they're not profitable models in America.
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@blue-ck9ns It's true that Europeans are prepared to pay far more for VWs than Americans. That's partly because automobile ownership is far more widespread in the US than in Europe where budget constrained Europeans frequently have the option of inexpensive mass transit that Americans lack. As a result Europeans who purchase vehicles that Americans would consider purchasing are typically more affluent (on average) and thus more willing to pay more for comparable vehicles. Furthermore, Europeans have the choice of less expensive (typically smaller) vehicles that Americans never see and likely would never purchase. The Polo brand from VW is an example. European brands typically cope with the differences with a couple of strategies. First, they simply don't send models to the US that they believe Americans would find too expensive. When they do offer the same models in the US they frequently strip content from the European spec versions and/or combine multiple individual options into a few trim levels to constrain production costs and achieve savings through volume production. GTIs for sale in the US, for example, have few individual options compared to Europeans including a wide range of colors and US spec Golf Rs lack a sunroof option that's available in Europe. As far as the Arteon is concerned if the R version were to be sold here I'd expect to see it with some cost cutting compared to the features of the European version and probably sell for around $60,000. But even at the $55,000 you speculate, that would be a price that would seriously risk cannibalizing much more profitable Audi sales. And that is a risk that VW is clearly unwilling to take.
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@blue-ck9ns That's certainly true. When I was replacing my MK6 GTI in 2018 I seriously considered a Golf R as reviewers pointed out it was only "a few thousand dollars" more than the MSRP of a loaded Autobahn trim of the GTI. In fact, however, I purchased my GTI for about $6000 under MSRP and Golf Rs were commanding "market adjustment" stickers that pushed the price difference to about $10,000. The R is an awesome vehicle but since my track days are spent on two wheels rather than four and the "R's" additional power is less obvious on the twisty back roads I enjoy, the ten grand was simply a bridge too far for me.
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Do you have the arms of a T-Rex?
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And your age. I drove a Karmann Ghia in college but that was before the majority of folks on this website were born. :)
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Right. And lose the additional profit on every Audi that isn't sold because a customer bought a VW instead. I suspect that any exec that suggested such a strategy would be cleaning out his desk by the end of the day.
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@valdrinrexhepi2244 Of course you're not betting your job on that assessment. VW is VERY protective of their Audi brand in the US as a result of the much higher profit margin on each unit sold.
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@valdrinrexhepi2244 My point exactly. VW corporate would hate to see you trade an Audi for a VW.
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@PeterAlhussein Different strokes for different folks. I love the look of estates aka shooting brakes aka station wagons. But as an American I recognize I'm in a small minority here.
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@VonDarko In that case buy a KIA Stinger. Unlike the Arteon, the Stinger isn't a true European GT but it's an American-ized version that's more likely to fit your taste.
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Fair enough but they're really apples and oranges.
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You should probably take a look at something like the Hyundai G80 or G90 if not one of the (more expensive) European sedans explicitly designed for chauffeured executives.
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Not in the Seattle area it's not. Especially considering that dealers are discounting the Arteon by $6000-$7000 off MSRP.
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