Autocar not Impressed with new Volkswagen Phaeton 3.0 V6 TDI

Verdict: Two stars out of five.



The Phaeton was an oddball that made an unusual luxury car choice even when it was new to market — a situation that has not been improved by the progress of time, especially when the Passat CC looks more like an executive car.

While every one of the Phaeton’s major competitors has been replaced by an all-new model, the Volkswagen’s modest model tweaks mean that it can no longer compete. It’s an anachronism that represents little more than Ferdinand Piech’s decade-old obsession with creating a luxury VW.

It has arguably been at its most successful as an engineering benchmark for other Volkswagen (and, indeed, VW Group) vehicles. As enthusiasts, we find that makes the Phaeton a damnably hard car to dislike. But it’s a nigh on impossible one to recommend against a wealth of rivals.
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lexusrox123 - 4/25/2011 3:13:38 PM

0 Boost

Irrelevant.

chewy - 4/25/2011 5:49:18 PM

+1 Boost

Just like the Bentley Continental the Phaeton only received a facelift because a new versin of the common platform isn't her yet.

ghosthunter - 4/25/2011 6:09:57 PM

+2 Boost

vw santana, a 30 years after its launch, it owes its continuing existence to Chinese market.

so ya, the phaeton is probably gonna be fine for another 21 years.

chewy - 4/25/2011 7:07:17 PM

+1 Boost

Thanks for the correction but I believe that my original point still stnads, neither the Phaeton nor the CGT received mechanical updates like the new 8 speed gearbox that would have helped the Phaeton in this review. Either way you put it neither one is using all of the group's newest technologies.

dbtimes1 - 4/27/2011 2:10:28 AM

+1 Boost

blazingboy wrote:
The Phaeton rides on the previous gen A8 chassis and not the MDQ.

Please educate yourself before posting false information.
____________________
Original Phaeton and Continental GT shared the same platform and it had nothing to do with the A8.

chewy - 4/25/2011 9:11:47 PM

+1 Boost

Nope, still uses the 6 speed but with quicker shifting according to Bentley.

LexSucks - 4/26/2011 11:12:43 AM

+5 Boost

VW is on drugs. That car has the same design since 2002. LOL!!! It only received a facelift in 2009. Talk about wearing out your welcome.

Eyecarehawaii - 5/3/2011 2:17:21 AM

+1 Boost

The orignal Phaeton was a great car in its prime. Most Phaeton owners, I suspect, were either in love with the shape or technology and were looking for a luxury car option that didn't speak "badge whore". Unfortunately as other premium brands have updated their cars VW has chosen to limit their investment in this platform. The 6 cylinder versions weren't even available in the US; probably not too much of an oversight since most American tend to chose larger engines anyway. The critical factors in a luxury car will vary by buyer but for me it's the shape/style, the comfort and luxury level, the ability to customize, safety, and last on the list would be performance. Unless the new Phaeton at least meets the feature standards of other similar luxury brands then I won't be considering buying another one.