Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake review

Prices for the Arteon-With-A-Slightly-Bigger-Boot start at £39,900 for the 1.5-litre 147bhp petrol version, £42,080 for the for 2.0-litre 147bhp diesel, and £44,555 for the plug-in hybrid, with its 1.4-litre petrol engine and 13kWh battery combining for 215bhp. The estate commands £885 over the hatch, if that helps.

Monthly payments start at around £500 for the petrol, £520 for the diesel, and £560 for the PHEV, on a four-year agreement with a six-month initial payment. 

To put those prices into perspective, the Golf Estate starts from £26,970, and the Passat Estate from £32,580.

WHAT’S THE KIT LIKE?

At time of writing, the regular Shooting Brake is available in just two trim levels: Elegance and R-Line, with the former focusing on comfort, and the latter majoring on style, and little between them in price.

As standard, all models get LED head- and tail-lights, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry, eight-inch infotainment system with wireless app connect, adaptive cruise control and three-zone climate control.

Elegance model highlights include 18-inch alloy wheels, rear view camera and hands free boot opening, while inside luxuries include a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel, heated front seats, and voice control.

The Arteon R-Line gets a typical VW R-Line bodykit (including dual trapezoidal exhaust tips) and 19-inch alloys, plus privacy glass and panoramic sunroof. Inside meanwhile, there’s ambient lighting with over 30 colour options.

WHAT’S THE BEST SPEC?

We’d probably steer clear of the lesser-powered petrol and set our sights on the more powerful 2.0-litre 187bhp version – though here you’re not far off plug-in hybrid money, which is where we’d likely spend our money. There’s little in it monthly, and you’ll likely make up the extra expenditure on fuel savings.

Given the possible lack of, er, driving thrills, we’d be tempted to pair it with the more stylish R-Line trim – the feelgood factor will come every time you walk up to it, along with the envious glances from the neighbours.