Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that the 2019 Arteon has been named to the Wards 10 Best UX list. The awards, which will be presented October 1st at the WardsAuto User Experience Conference, highlight vehicles with enjoyable and easy-to-operate technology and driver assistance solutions.
For the fourth year in a row, WardsAuto editors recognized exemplary user experiences with its 10 Best UX competition to honor new and significantly improved vehicles for their driver-assistance technologies, connectivity, digital displays, voice-activation systems, intuitive controls and infotainment. Editors evaluated and scored 23 vehicles available in the U.S. with all-new or re-engineered UX features such as display screens, interfaces or apps. There was no price cap, but overall value was a consideration.
“From the moment the R-Line logo lights up the instrument panel during startup, the Arteon delivers a unique user experience setting itself apart from its competitors,” said Wards Senior Editor James Amend. “The Volkswagen Digital Cockpit then comes to life with its richly detailed navigation map nestled between bright, easy-to-read gauges. Wards judges also gushed over the Arteon’s smooth-running adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, a technology underpinning autonomous driving of the future. Owners surely will enjoy the wealth of connectivity through VW Car-Net, and the central infotainment screen with proximity sensing and haptic feedback is a snap to use.”
“From infotainment to driver-assistance features, Volkswagen designs technology to help make consumers’ lives easier,” said Scott Keogh, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “This award for Arteon is a great honor because it shows we’re hitting the mark.”
The 2019 Volkswagen Arteon combines styling and technology in a manner rarely seen outside of high-end luxury sedans. It sports a sleek gran turismo design, with distinct, dynamic proportions and a spacious interior, thanks to the MQB platform. Standard features include 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, full LED headlights, Front Assist, Side Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, and DCC® adaptive damping. Arteon is powered by a 268-horsepower 2.0-liter TSI® engine, which is paired with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission and optional 4Motion® all-wheel drive.
All Arteon models feature the innovative Volkswagen MIB II touchscreen infotainment system with a glass-covered 8.0-inch capacitive touchscreen display. The display utilizes a capacitive-touch sensor (as in smartphone and tablet technology) rather than the more common resistive touchscreens that require pressure, enabling gesture controls like swiping and even pinch-zooming.
SE models feature the Composition Media unit; SEL Premium models offer the Discover Media system with navigation. The infotainment systems offer SD card and USB (two ports for Composition Media units, three for Discover Media units) multimedia interfaces, as well as Bluetooth® technology for compatible devices, SiriusXM® radio for a three-month trial period, and HD Radio. Both units have the ability to send and receive SMS text messages with Bluetooth with compatible phones and pair two phones simultaneously. The Discover Media unit offers 2.5D navigation, featuring one-shot voice destination entry, destination entry with search and auto-complete, and predicts possible destinations based on often used routes.
Arteon SEL and SEL Premium feature Volkswagen Digital Cockpit as standard equipment. The 12.3-inch screen replaces the traditional instrument panel, and the customizable digital display’s 1,440×540 pixel resolution renders details with extreme precision. There are five different information display profiles the driver can select: “Classic”, “Consumption & Range”, “Efficiency”, “Performance & Driver Assistance”, or “Navigation.” In the Navigation profile, the speedometer and rev counter are relocated to the sides to make room for the navigation map in the middle. Information on driving, navigation and assistance functions can also be integrated into the speedometer and rev counter graphics as necessary. Data such as telephone contact images and CD covers can also be displayed in the Digital Cockpit display.
Volkswagen is committed to driving the development of connected and intelligent vehicles, and the Volkswagen Car-Net® connectivity system is a major element in achieving that goal. Features available through Car-Net are divided into three key areas: “App-Connect,” “Security & Service,” and “Guide & Inform.”
Car-Net App-Connect smartphone integration for compatible devices is standard on all Arteon models. App-Connect offers users the ability to run select smartphone apps directly on the vehicle’s display through services such as Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®.
Car-Net Security & Service, equipped on SEL Premium models, is a suite of elements that provides security features and also allows owners to access their VW remotely through vw.com/carnet as well as a smartphone app. Available VW Car-Net Security & Service features include Automatic Crash Notification, Manual Emergency Call, Roadside Assistance, Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance, Family Guardian speed and boundary alerts, diagnostics and maintenance information, and remote vehicle access—including remote door lock and unlock, remote honk and flash of lights, last parked location information, and remote status check (doors and windows). Consumers are able to send a location from their connected smart device to the factory-installed compatible navigation system on select models. For consumers who prefer a more personal touch, Information Assistance by pressing the i-Button in the vehicle overhead console is also available.
VW Car-Net Guide & Inform is standard on SEL Premium models and offers an enhanced navigation and infotainment experience for VW consumers. Volkswagen has incorporated technologies that enhance existing navigation offerings while adding an additional level of information that empowers consumers. The in-vehicle navigation system features fuel prices, sports scores, movie information and weather data as part of the three-month SiriusXM Travel Link trial. VW customers can also enjoy real-time traffic information and a complimentary three-month SiriusXM Traffic trial.
The Arteon offers a standard rearview camera and number of available driver-assistance systems, including Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist), Side Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping System (Lane Assist), Park Assist, High Beam Control (Light Assist), and Overhead View Camera (Area View).
MSRP for the Arteon SE with front-wheel drive starts at $35,845. 4Motion all-wheel-drive adds $1,800 to SE and SEL models and comes standard on SEL Premium models. Destination for all Arteon models is $995.