Volkswagen Phaeton (2010 – 2016) Review

Volkswagen Phaeton (2010 – 2016) At A Glance

Sharper styled than previous Phaeton. Available in standard and long wheelbase. 3.0 TDI offers good combination of performance and economy for such a big car.

Still lacks the status of other luxury saloons. Soft in corners. Depreciation is big.

Satisfaction Index

Reviews for Volkswagen Phaeton (2010 – 2016)'s top 3 rivals

Lexus LS

Sharp exterior styling. Refined and spacious interior. Extremely reliable.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Wonderfully luxurious. High-class cabin. Superb refinement on the move. The best looking saloon this...

Audi A8

Superb refinement. Good to drive with nimble handling. 3.0 TDI offers remarkable economy for such a large...

Inside of the Volkswagen Phaeton (2010 – 2016)

Let’s start in the back seats where many are likely to experience the Phaeton. In the standard wheelbase model, you will find good legroom by the norms for this class of car, so you can stretch out and relax.

You will also be able to enjoy standard heated seats back here, but you have to pay extra for the Premium rear seat system that brings electrically adjustable headrests, lumbar support, massage function and seat air conditioning. There’s no electric adjustment for the seat cushions that you’ll find in most of the rivals either as standard or as an option.

Step into the back seat of the Phaeton LWB and even the tallest passenger will find more than ample legroom. As somewhere to while away a long journey, the back of a Phaeton LWB is a good place to be and it comes with an electrically operated rear screen sunblind as standard, plus manually operated door window blinds. These are an option for the standard wheelbase model.

The LWB version of the Phaeton also benefits from an electrically worked glass sunroof as part of its normal kit list, whereas this is an option for the standard model. Both cars share the same 410-litre boot capacity, which is enough for a few suitcases but some 100 litres less than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Move into the front of the Phaeton’s cabin and the driver is provided with more than enough room for head, legs and shoulders. Some might find the driver’s seat doesn’t adjust as low as they might like, but the driving position is good and affords excellent vision in all directions. This is welcome when parking a car of the Phaeton’s size and is aided by front and rear parking sensors, while a rear view camera is an optional extra.

The Phaeton is started using a good old fashioned ignition key, unless you pay to upgrade to keyless ignition to match most competitors. This sets a tone for the Phaeton’s driver environment experience where the Volkswagen just feels a generation behind most rivals.

This is certainly true of the dash layout and style, which has a large display screen in the centre console and small digital display between the two main dash dials. However, they look dated next to the design and graphics of most rivals, which is also the case for the clunky look of the gear lever, stereo and cupholders.

None of this undermines the basic comfort, space and fitness for purpose of the Phaeton’s cabin to transport four adults in considerable comfort. It’s just that most rivals manage this with more aplomb and style.

Child seats that fit a Volkswagen Phaeton (2010 – 2016)

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Driving Volkswagen Phaeton (2010 – 2016)

You have two choices of body when picking a Phaeton: standard or long wheelbase (LWB). The long wheelbase model has an extra 120mm of rear legroom and a commensurate extra amount of distance added to its wheelbase. Both are the same height and width, so there is no great impact on threading the LWB version through narrow city streets or along country lanes.

Both are large cars, so driving on more tightly packed roads does require a modicum of added consideration and forward planning than in a family hatch, but no more so than in any other luxury class car. The difference with the Phaeton is it never manages to feel like anything but a large car.

Where a Jaguar XJ or BMW 7 Series have a sporty side that endears them thanks to their precision driving manners, the Phaeton doesn’t. Nor does the Phaeton have the Mercedes S-Class’ all-round ability to tailor itself to the driver’s mood and intentions.

While this makes the Phaeton sound rather dated, it should not detract from the fact it can mooch along any type of road with ample comfort. The standard air-sprung suspension is only very rarely out-foxed by sudden ridges in the road surface, but no more so than its rivals. Opt for the Phaeton LWB and the ride is even more cushy.

The Phaeton driver can improve the car’s body control by altering the adjustable suspension. This lets the driver choose between Normal, Comfort and Sport modes, plus the suspension can be raised by 25mm for added pothole compliance at lower speeds or for dealing with pesky speed bumps. As the speed rises, the suspension automatically reverts to its lower setting for motorway driving.

If you choose to go for the sportier side of the Phaeton, don’t expect it to carry on providing the same ride comfort. This is sacrificed to some extent for less body lean through corners. With the traction offered by the 4Motion all-wheel drive, the Phaeton gives a good account of itself in the bends, but its steering does not offer the same feel or accuracy as a Jaguar or Mercedes system.

It’s much better to leave the Phaeton in its comfort settings, and comfort zone, to waft along in imperious style. This is what the 245PS 3.0-litre turbodiesel is happiest with too and it goes about its business with quiet efficiency. Stretch its legs for increased acceleration and it responds crisply and with much extra noise before returning to its previous harmony when you’re back in cruise mode. The six-speed automatic gearbox has a Tiptronic manual over-ride, but again it’s best left to its own devices.

With 500Nm of shove on tap from just 1500rpm, the Phaeton can step off the mark smartly, delivering 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds for the standard wheelbase model and 8.6 seconds for the LWB. However, the downside of the 3.0 V6 diesel is 237g/km CO2 emissions in both models, which is now some way behind the best in class.

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What to watch out for

Model History

• April 2010: Volkswagen unveils the revised Phaeton
• October 2010: Volkswagen announced pricing