Volkswagen Arteon vs Volkswagen Golf
Verdict
At RM291,012 against RM185,990, the Volkswagen Arteon asks RM105,022 more than the Volkswagen Golf, and that money mainly buys size, pace and hardware. The Arteon’s 2.0 litre turbo makes 276 hp and 350 Nm, drives all four wheels and hits 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds; the Golf’s 1.5 litre turbo with 48V mild-hybrid assistance makes 148 hp and 250 Nm, drives the front wheels and takes 8.6 seconds. The Arteon is also the bigger family liftback, with 563 litres of boot space versus 380 litres. But the Golf is cheaper to buy and tax.
Pick the Volkswagen Arteon if you want the quicker, roomier Volkswagen with all-wheel drive, a larger boot and richer cabin kit.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf if you want the lower purchase price, lower road tax and easier C-segment footprint, while keeping five doors and five seats.
Key differences
- Price: Volkswagen Arteon RM291,012; Volkswagen Golf RM185,990
- Output: Volkswagen Arteon 276 hp/350 Nm; Volkswagen Golf 148 hp/250 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Volkswagen Arteon 5.6 seconds; Volkswagen Golf 8.6 seconds
- Drive: Volkswagen Arteon all-wheel drive; Volkswagen Golf front-wheel drive
- Boot space: Volkswagen Arteon 563 litres; Volkswagen Golf 380 litres
- Road tax: Volkswagen Arteon RM372 a year; Volkswagen Golf RM90 a year
Arteon
- Much stronger 2.0 litre turbo: 276 hp and 350 Nm
- All-wheel drive and a quicker 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Bigger 563-litre boot, 14-way power front seats with driver memory, 360-degree camera and 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- Costs RM105,022 more to buy
- Higher annual road tax at RM372 versus RM90
- Longer body at 4,862 mm versus 4,289 mm, so it needs more space in town
Golf
- Far lower entry price at RM185,990
- Lower annual road tax at RM90
- IQ.Light Matrix LED projector headlamps and AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Less power and torque: 148 hp and 250 Nm versus 276 hp and 350 Nm
- Slower 0-100 km/h time at 8.6 seconds versus 5.6 seconds
- Smaller 380-litre boot versus 563 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 291,012 | RM 185,990✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC with Twin-Scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing with 48-volt MHEV assistance |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 276 hp✓ | 148 hp |
| Torque | 350 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed DSG | 7-Speed DSG |
| Gears | 7 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Volkswagen AG | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds✓ | 8.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.4 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | — |
| Co2 | 164 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,862 mm | 4,289 mm |
| Width | 1,871 mm | 1,789 mm |
| Height | 1,450 mm | 1,483 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,837 mm | 2,631 mm |
| Weight | 1,600 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 66 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 563 litres✓ | 380 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R19 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-Size 19" Alloy | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Bridgestone Turanza T005 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Montevideo Two-tone Alloy | 17" Coventry Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Montevideo Two-tone Alloy | 17" Coventry Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | Electronic differential lock (XDS) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 7 Airbags, Stability Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Cornering Lights and Auto High Beam | IQ.Light Matrix LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 14-Way Power-adjustable with Driver's Side Memory | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | 2nd Row Vents, single-zone |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB-C, 1 Front Qi Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (3 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Discover Pro 9.2" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.9" Digital Cockpit Pro with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 7-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 3-year/45,000 km Free Service | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 372 | RM 90✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Arteon vs Golf FAQ
Is the Volkswagen Arteon or Volkswagen Golf better?
The Volkswagen Arteon is better for performance and space, with 276 hp, all-wheel drive and a 563-litre boot. The Volkswagen Golf is better for cost control, at RM105,022 less to buy and RM282 less in annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Arteon costs RM291,012, while the Volkswagen Golf costs RM185,990. That makes the Arteon RM105,022 more expensive.
Which one is faster?
The Volkswagen Arteon is clearly faster. It does 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds with 276 hp and all-wheel drive, while the Volkswagen Golf takes 8.6 seconds with 148 hp and front-wheel drive.