The 2019 Volkswagen Arteon

The gorgeous 2019 VW Arteon is the cure for the common SUV: great looks, hartchback utility, good price. It's only missing a high-horsepower sport version as found on other V-dubs.

Room with a view. The 2019 VW Arteon looks out over the Santa Barbara harbor. It has more rear legroom than a giant VW Atlas.

Why buy an Audi A6? For $20K less, the hatchback 2019 VW Arteon is a superior value — lacking only 60 horsepower to its premium cousin while showing off a sexier face.

Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne flogged the 2019 VW Arteon across southern California.

The interior of the 2019 VW Arteon comes standard with blindspot assist, automatic braking and smartphone app connectivity. The 8-speed tranny is lovely — but no manual is offered.

The 2019 VW Arteon comes with an annoying STOP-START feature. The good news is it can be turned off.

The best of all worlds. The 2019 VW Arteon has sedan good looks — and SUV hatchback utility.

The 2019 VW Arteon comes with well-engineered controls found on other V-dubs like the Golf and Passat. The Arteon is a step up in looks and room.

The interior of the 2019 VW Arteon comes standard with blindspot assist, automatic braking and smartphone app connectivity. The 8-speed tranny is lovely — but no manual is offered.

With 268-horsepower, the 2019 VW Arteon's turbo-4 has plenty of get up and go. But a more premium, 6-cylinder engine to match the Kia Stinger and Buick Regal sportbacks is missing.

Natural beauties. The 2019 VW Arteon is the California hills above Santa Barbara.

The gorgeous 2019 VW Arteon is the cure for the common SUV: great looks, hartchback utility, good price. It's only missing a high-horsepower sport version as found on other V-dubs.

The clamshell hood on the 2019 VW Arteon sedan is a thing of beauty with exquisitely stamped lines.

The 2019 VW Arteon is not only gorgeous — it has more rear cargo room than the big VW Atlas SUV.

The 2019 VW Arteon comes with a very livable rear seat that includes its own climate control and loads of legroom.

The 2019 VW Arteon is bigger than the VW Golf, but based on the same FWD platform. The result is a big sedan that is a blast to drive. Add AWD and it is a winter tool as well.

Get the 19-inch wheel upgrade on the 2019 VW Arteon for $1,265. They are nice.

Blindspot assist in the 2019 VW Arteon is easy to see thanks to big lights on the rear-view mirrors.

The interior of the 2019 VW Arteon will be familiar to Golf GTI users — right down to the lap timer.

The 2019 VW Arteon's turbo-4 requires premium fuel for best performance.

The 2019 VW Arteon replaces the CC sedan as the brand flagship.

The 2019 Arteon was designed as the brand's flagship model — the best-looking VW ever.