Compare the2023 Volkswagen ArteonVS 2022 Toyota Avalon

The Arteon offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Avalon doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Arteon and the Avalon have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Arteon comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Avalon’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Arteon’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Avalon’s (7 vs. 5 years).

The Volkswagen Arteon’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Avalon’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 28 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 267) than the Avalon’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Arteon gets better mileage than the Avalon:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Arteon’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Avalon doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Arteon has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Avalon XLE’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Arteon has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Avalon Limited/Touring’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 15.8 gallons).

The Arteon offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Avalon doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Arteon’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Avalon:

The Arteon’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Avalon are solid, not vented.

The Arteon stops shorter than the Avalon:

For better traction, the Arteon has larger tires than the Avalon (245/45R18 vs. 215/55R17). The Arteon’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Avalon (245/45R18 vs. 235/45R18).

The Arteon’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Avalon XLE’s standard 55 series tires. The Arteon SEL/SEL Premium’s tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Avalon Touring’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Arteon has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Avalon XLE. The Arteon SEL/SEL Premium’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Avalon Touring.

The Arteon has standard rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Avalon’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Arteon SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion handles at .90 G’s, while the Avalon Touring pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Arteon is 4.4 inches shorter than the Avalon, making the Arteon easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Arteon a Large car, while the Avalon is rated a Mid-size.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Arteon. The Avalon doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Arteon’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Avalon doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

The Arteon has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Avalon has no towing capacity.

The Arteon SEL/SEL Premium has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Avalon doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Arteon’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Avalon’s passenger power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Arteon’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Avalon’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Avalon Limited/Touring’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Arteon’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Arteon has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Avalon Limited/Touring.

The Arteon SEL Premium has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Avalon.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Arteon has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Avalon.

The Arteon SEL Premium’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Avalon doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Arteon and the Toyota Avalon, based on reliability, safety and performance.