Some cars fly under the radar.

Not in a B52 bomber-style fashion (though someone should work on that) but rather they’re launched with little fanfare then live on in anonymity among virtually everyone other than those people who actually buy one.

The Volkswagen CC was just such a car. Essentially a Passat that had been to fashion school, it offered a taste of the four-door coupe lifestyle popularised by the likes of the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Audi A7, along with a lusty 220kW V6 and plenty of kit, for a fraction of the price of its more premium German competitors.

Looks, of course, are subjective, but myriad comments received throughout our week-long test suggest MOTOR’s verdict that this is one stunning car will find support. It helps that the new Passat is a decent-looker itself, unlike the previous model which made watching grass grow seem like a spectator sport by comparison.

The CC had this market largely to itself previously, but the arrival of the Kia Stinger and the new Holden Commodore means the Arteon will have to be more than just a pretty face to assert itself this time around.

Nevertheless , it uses every one of those very effectively with a 0-100km/h claim in the mid-5s and a broad spread of power from virtually idle – peak torque is generated from just 1800rpm – all the way to its automatic change-up point of 6700rpm.

There isn’t much to get excited about aurally, though turning the sound generator on helps, but it’s an effective engine and by and large the seven-speed DSG is a good match, though its shifts aren’t as whip-crack fast as the best and the hesitation from rest can be irritating if you’re in a hurry.

Crucially, it feels to distribute cornering forces more or less equally between all four tyres, only falling into understeer if you carry too much speed in a tight corner.

The steering is accurate and nicely weighted, only flustered by very severe mid-corner bumps, the chassis is poised and the dampers in Sport tie the body down well while retaining enough compliance to deal with lumps in the road. It’s impressive and, driven within its parameters, fun.

The dampers can actually be adjusted through 14 different levels in the Individual mode but you’d need ‘Princess and the Pea’ levels of bum sensitivity to detect the individual steps, so it seems redundant when the regular modes are well judged.

Rear accommodation is spacious, though a little tight on headroom for anyone 180cm or over but the Arteon is extremely practical; its arrival coincided with a house move and the amount of gear (including furniture) that can be jammed under that hatch with the rear seats folded flat is remarkable.

Otherwise there’s plenty to like about the Arteon. Looks great, it’s quick, refined, economical and practical for under $70K as-tested. Will this be enough to put it on more people’s radars?

Star Rating: 4 out of 5 stars