Professional Reviews

• “Volkwagen's Phaeton is a luxury car for people who prefer to wear their designer labels on the inside of their clothing.” — New Car Test Drive
• “Let's just say this ain't your father's Volkswagen.” — Car and Driver
• “The rush of the W12 felt every bit as strong as the BMW 760Li, which we feel benchmarks the large performance sedan category.” — Edmunds.com
• “We like the sound system, although no matter how many CDs we can stuff into a changer (Phaeton's is mounted in the glovebox), we still want a single-disc in-dash unit, and a car attempting to play in this rarefied air should come equipped with satellite radio.” — AutoWeek
• “We begin with the Phaeton (and, yes, we know it is ill-named), a handsome sedan, stretching VW design themes over a 207.1-in. overall length, about 3.5 in. longer than the Mercedes S-Class or long-wheelbase 7 Series BMW.” — Road & Track
• “The Phaeton delivers an estimated 15 mpg in the city and 22 on highways with the V8 and 12 and 19 with the W12. Both engines call for premium fuel.” — Carpoint.com
• “Our test car was equipped with a 4.2-liter, 335-hp, 317-lb-ft V8, the same engine in the A8 L, and we found it a delight (a W12 engine is optional), with a wonderful exhaust growl, something you don't expect in a luxury car.” — AutoWeek
• “By a wide margin, we disliked the steering. It's light, which is okay if the effort builds in proportion to cornering forces. It doesn't.” — Car and Driver
• “The Phaeton's interior is sensational. Substantial seats are like sporting thrones with, from the option list: 18-way adjustability, both heating and cooling, and leather covering that is oh-so-soft and sensuous.” — Road & Track
• “Thanks to double-pane windows, triple door seals and various other sound deadening techniques, the cabin of the Phaeton is whisper quiet even at speeds approaching 90 mph. ” — New Car Test Drive
• “We felt protected and secure inside our elegant VW, surrounded by eight airbags including a complete side curtain system.” — Edmunds.com