For Refined, luxurious limousine that is also good to drive.

Against This is an expensive car to buy - and an even more costly one to run, with awful residuals. The cluttered dashboard can be confusing, too.

Volkswagen Phaeton Saloon

What Car? says

3 out of 5 stars

The Phaeton's execution is faultless, but the VW badge simply isn't desirable enough to compete in this class.

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The Volkswagen Phaeton Saloon full review Read in full


There are 3 Volkswagen Phaeton versions available

Volkswagen Phaeton Saloon 3.0 V6 TDI 240 4Motion 4dr £45,565
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volkswagen Phaeton Saloon 3.0 V6 TDI 240 4Motion LWB 4dr £48,010
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volkswagen Phaeton Saloon 6.0 W12 4Motion LWB 4dr £77,655
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Phaeton Our pick

Volkswagen Phaeton Saloon 3.0 V6 TDI 240 4Motion 4dr

If a Phaeton sounds like the luxury car for you, then the diesel is the one to go for, thanks to its decent economy and almost affordable running costs.

What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Read review

Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

Volkswagen's aim with the Phaeton was to build the world's best luxury car. In many respects it's done a decent job, but one crucial element is missing from the Phaeton and that’s the right badge on its snout.

VW may have an enviable reputation for solidity and quality, but in such a rarefied atmosphere as luxury saloons, the VW moniker counts for little, so sales of the Phaeton are very slow and used values horrifically low.

This is all something of a shame as the Phaeton offers decent performance. The petrol W12 is outrageously fast, but it's the 3.0 V6 turbodiesel that gets the nod from us for its blend of oomph and economy.

Inside, the Phaeton is eerily quiet thanks to double glazed windows and excellent noise suppression. It also covers ground with smooth aplomb and is magnificently well equipped inside, with plenty of space for front and rear passengers. So near greatness, yet so far.

Reader test team says:

Volkswagen Phaeton Saloon 3.0 V6 TDI 230 4Motion 4dr

I am sad to say the Phaeton is going.. baby has…

adrian snelius

5 out of 5 stars

Volkswagen Phaeton Saloon 3.0 V6 TDI 230 4Motion 4dr

I purchased this car on 16th of June from a VW…

Niall Smith

4 out of 5 stars

Volkswagen Phaeton Saloon 3.0 V6 TDI 230 4Motion 4dr

DO NOT BUY. I bought my Phaeton Aug'07 believing i…

Robert Borthwick

1 out of 5 stars

Volkswagen Phaeton Saloon 3.2 V6 4Motion LWB 4dr

Fantastic car and fantastic spec particularly the…

Matthew Nicoll

4 out of 5 stars
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