Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake review

Very much typical Volkswagen in here, which is to say neatly designed, easy to operate and nicely made. Lots of room for adults – five if you wish – each getting a generous amount of leg- and head-room, and materials that feel solid and durable inside. Good seats, storage, connectivity… everything a growing family needs.

Dare we mention the tech?

All models get a customisable 8.0-inch (10.25-inch in upper spec) digital display in place of conventional instruments, configurable to show nav or entertainment choices as well as digitally described instrumentation. And as ever, we always came back to a view that simulates traditional dials.

Sitting loudly and proudly in the middle is an 8.0-inch (or optional 9.2-inch) infotainment touchscreen, commanding everything you require (and even including rotary knobs to control volume and map zoom), bar the climate control that sits below. A small concession to shortcuts, then.

Unfortunately, VW has opted for a touch button climate control panel, with sliders performing the functions of knobs and buttons. It’s as infuriating to operate as expected, but at least – unlike the Mk8 Golf – they’re permanently there rather than being buried in a menu inside the touchscreen.

What’s the boot space like?

There’s not much to choose between Arteon hatch and estate for outright load volume with seats up or down (563-1,557 litres plays 590-1,632 litres), but hatches have always been deceptively good at the numbers in that regard. The estate has a far more accessible load bay, though with a lower load lip and more useful features.

But beyond that, the Arteon can hold its head up high alongside other estates. It’s not quite Skoda capacity, but you get a far better looking outer shell and enough capacity that you shouldn’t need to spoil the lines that often with a roofbox.

It’s all very neat, very tidy and very… sensible in here. But as per the rest of the car, that’s absolutely fine. You’ll want to go for brighter upholstery as it lifts the cabin and makes it feel more special inside than it actually is.