Volkswagen Phaeton

Expert Rating:

Introduction

A £75,000 Volkswagen might sound ludicrous, but the flagship Phaeton saloon is actually a very impressive luxury car. Whether the VW badge has enough gravitas to carry that price tag is another matter though.

What are its rivals?

When the Phaeton was developed it was to be above its obvious rivals, raising the bar to a new level. That might have had some truth in it when it was launched, but Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar have all built new range-toppers since, each surpassing the impeccably engineered VW in the luxury class. So buyers of this VW are likely to look at the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ and even the Phaeton's Audi A8 cousin.

How does it drive?

In ultimate 6.0-litre W12 specification the Phaeton is mightily quick. It's composed too, the four-wheel drive system putting down its ample 444bhp with no fuss whatsoever. It'll reach 62mph in just 6.1 seconds and although it's restricted to 155mph electronically the big VW is reputed to be good for 200mph. That's incredible given the scale of the Phaeton. It's good enough to lend its underpinnings and engine to Bentley, the Phaeton's DNA running though the Crewe firm's Continental range.

The big engine positioned in front of the front axle does make it feel nose heavy, the Phaeton running out of ideas when asked to change direction quickly and repeatedly on challenging roads. It's crushingly competent on long motorway runs though, its supreme refinement and superb comfort in no doubt - whether you're in the front or the extremely spacious back seats. Its rivals deliver a more driver-focussed, intensive driving experience, but it's difficult not to be impressed by the Phaeton's ability to eat up the miles and deliver you at your destination just as fresh as you were when you left.

What's impressive?

VW wanted to wow with its flagship saloon and prove that it's not just the established players that can do premium saloons. It delivered, the Phaeton a remarkable machine. It feels every bit as over-engineered as it's reputed to be, VW's attention to detail evident in things like the air conditioning vents and the beautifully sculpted boot lid hinges. If such dedication and devotion was lavished on such basic items as that you know that the Phaeton has the right to fight with the best of the premium contenders - despite its more mainstream badge.

The rear passenger compartment is vast: even the lankiest members of the LA Lakers basketball team should find plenty head- and legroom, the boot similarly spacious. The build quality is exemplary too, with much of the switchgear shared with its Bentley relative.

What's not?

For all the technical prowess that the Phaeton boasts, it feels rather insipid to drive. Comfortable certainly, capable too, but you'll never want to get in it and drive it just because you feel like it like you might in its rivals. Some of the systems betray the Phaeton's advancing years, the satnav looking old school for instance and not offering the slick interface of the newest systems. Outwardly, the Phaeton is a bit ordinary to look at too, its Passat CC cousin seriously showing it up in the style stakes. The Phaeton's anonymity might appeal to some, however.

Should I buy one?

As long as it's second-hand then absolutely. That way someone else will have taken some serious residual value punishment and you'll get a real bargain. New, we'd have any of its rivals over it. If you're thinking about a used model then we'd perhaps suggest that you avoid the W12 model - as a 6.0-litre 12 cylinder is never going to be anything less than thirsty. Buy the 3.0-litre TDI V6 instead: it might not be as fast but it'll stretch the distance between fill-ups. The diesel's 30.1mpg combined economy is way more palatable than the 19.5mpg the petrol car officially returns too.

Kyle Fortune