Verdict
The RM291,012 Arteon costs RM105,022 more than the RM185,990 Golf, but brings 276 hp, 350 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time against 148 hp, 250 Nm, front-wheel drive and 8.6 seconds. It is also 573 mm longer and has a 563-litre boot, so it suits buyers carrying adults and luggage. The Golf’s RM90 annual road tax, versus RM372, and 4,289-mm length make far more sense for urban Malaysian use. Its 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, matrix LED headlamps and extra rear USB-C ports are welcome too.
Pick the Volkswagen Arteon if you need 276 hp, all-wheel drive, a 563-litre boot and substantially more rear-seat-ready long-distance space.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf if you want to save RM105,022 upfront, pay RM282 less road tax yearly and park a 573-mm shorter hatchback more easily.
Key differences
- Price: Volkswagen Arteon RM291,012; Volkswagen Golf RM185,990.
- Performance: Volkswagen Arteon 276 hp, 350 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds; Volkswagen Golf 148 hp, 250 Nm and 8.6 seconds.
- Driveline: Volkswagen Arteon all-wheel drive; Volkswagen Golf front-wheel drive.
- Size: Volkswagen Arteon is 4,862 mm long with a 2,837-mm wheelbase; Volkswagen Golf is 4,289 mm long with a 2,631-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Volkswagen Arteon 563 litres; Volkswagen Golf 380 litres.
- Annual road tax: Volkswagen Arteon RM372; Volkswagen Golf RM90.
Arteon
- 276 hp, 350 Nm and all-wheel drive
- 563-litre boot and 2,837-mm wheelbase
- Adaptive dampers, 19-inch wheels and 360-degree camera
- RM105,022 higher purchase price
- RM372 annual road tax versus RM90
- 573 mm longer, which demands more parking space
Golf
- RM105,022 lower purchase price and RM90 annual road tax
- 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance and 1.5-litre engine
- IQ.Light matrix LED headlamps and two rear USB-C ports
- 148 hp and 250 Nm trail the Arteon by 128 hp and 100 Nm
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- 380-litre boot is 183 litres smaller and the spare is space-saver
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM291,012 | RM185,990✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372 | RM90✓ |
| 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 at 5,100 rpm✓ | 148 hp |
| Torque | 350 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ | 250 Nm at 1,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 82.5 mm × 92.8 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (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 | — |
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.
Used Arteon & Golf for sale
Arteon vs Golf FAQ
Is the Volkswagen Arteon or Volkswagen Golf better?
The Arteon is better for outright pace, all-wheel-drive traction and luggage capacity, with 276 hp and a 563-litre boot. The Golf is the more sensible city choice thanks to its much lower price, RM90 road tax and shorter 4,289-mm body.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Arteon costs RM105,022 more than the Volkswagen Golf. Its higher outlay brings 128 hp more, 100 Nm more torque, all-wheel drive, adaptive dampers and a 183-litre larger boot.
Which is easier to live with in town?
The Golf is easier in town. At 4,289 mm long it is 573 mm shorter than the Arteon, uses 17-inch tyres rather than 19-inch items, and its annual road tax is RM90 instead of RM372.
