Phaeton W12 Is Volkswagen’s Underloved Luxury Bargain
Phaeton W12 is an underground luxury behemoth with a 420 horsepower 12-cylinder engine and a level of class you’d never expect.
The Phaeton wasn’t what you could call successful in the US market. What it was, though, was a shot at BMW and Mercedes that could not be ignored. It’s no secret that the Volkswagen empire extends into some notoriously luxurious branches. Building on their knowledge and the D1 platform (which is also the platform used for the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur), the Phaeton was born into being the epitome of class without being too loud about it. Indeed, if you see a Phaeton on the streets, you might glaze right over it as if it were nothing more than a Passat.
However, you’d have just been in the presence of a car that, when new, cost the equivalent of over $120,000 in today’s money. They aren’t worth nearly that now. However, depreciation does not detract from the fantastic features you find in a Volkswagen Phaeton.
This particular Phaeton W12 is for sale at Marvelous Motors in Garden City, Idaho. They were kind enough to let me take it out for a drive and a photo/video shoot. I have long been fascinated with the Phaeton, and I could not have been more pleased with the experience. They say you shouldn’t drive your hero cars. However, when your hero car’s engineering is specific to creating a comfortable and luxurious experience, it’s hard to go wrong.
Interior Fit for a King
Without the badging on the steering wheel, you would never know you are in a Volkswagen. You won’t find the unsightly cloth seating from a base model Jetta in a Phaeton. Instead, you see big cozy seats wrapped in remarkably soft leather. Don’t worry about the weather outside, either, because all four seats have heating and cooling. While your bottom adjusts to its cozy new temperature, you can treat yourself to a massage, too. Again, in all four spots.
It’s not just the seating that sells the interior, though. The attention to detail in ensuring everything is as classy as could be is astonishing. When the HVAC system is not in use, hide-a-way wood panels gracefully slide down over the vents to complete the trim throughout the cabin. Every door and cupholder moves in slow, classy motion. The infotainment system is far more than a radio, too. It controls everything from the HVAC to the ride height and suspension stiffness. The Phaeton truly is a Bentley in disguise.
Phaeton: A Smooth, Delightful Experience
It makes sense, then, that you can only describe driving a Phaeton in one manner. It’s like driving a cloud. Coupling the air-ride suspension with the twin pane glass windows all throughout makes for a quiet and smooth driving experience. It truly puts you in your own little world.
While it is a big hunk of a vehicle, weighing in at over 5,300 pounds, it doesn’t drive like one. It’s no nimble sports car, to be fair. However, the steering doesn’t manage to feel vague or loose in any way. Its parking and reverse sensors make taking it through even the tightest spaces a breeze.
Furthermore, each window has a dedicated defrost vent. Phaeton owners swear up and down that you couldn’t fog up the windows if you tried. If it’s a little too bright for you, pull out one of many sun visors within the car. Or, better yet, press the button to extend the electric rear window sun visor automatically.
Indeed, the Phaeton is an astonishing thing to be inside of. Whether you’re driving or just along for the ride, you won’t regret your time with this luxurious vehicle.
Don’t Let its Size Fool You
What if you’re behind the wheel, though, and somebody driving slow is forcing you to make a pass. Better yet, what if you see a base model Passat and simply need to remind them why you’re in the superior Volkswagen? Don’t worry; the Phaeton has your back.
Under the hood of the W12 models is the 12-cylinder W shaped engine that dreams are made of. It shares many similarities to the W12 found in the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur, save for the two turbos. Don’t think for a second that its naturally-aspirated state makes it a pushover, though. The Phaeton still spits out a growly 420 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Despite its massive weight, the W12 works with its all-wheel-drive system to push this monster from 0-60 in just 5.5 seconds. To put it in perspective, that is only 0.8 seconds slower than a 2005 Lamborghini Gallardo, and you can make that sprint while getting a massage. This car is truly in a league of its own.
Failing Sales, Fall From Grace.
What does all this class and luxury cost you in the end? After all, this car initially sold for $95,000 back in 2005. While nobody is surprised to see luxury cars stare down some detrimental depreciation, one might think such a rare gem fetches a pretty penny, right?
Marvelous Motors has this 2005 W12 Phaeton for sale for $8,000, which is a pretty reasonable price compared to others for sale. The gremlin in these cars is the maintenance cost, though. The suspension is over $4,000 in parts alone if replacing all four corners, and the OEM fuel pump is over $450. There are a plethora of other expensive parts for this car, and if you want a dealer to work on it, good luck. Not all Volkswagen dealerships are Phaeton certified.
That being said, it’s hard not to still want a taste of this weird bit of Volkswagen’s history. Sure, you may well tie up thousands in repairs and maintenance, but just owning and driving, it seems it would be a good time from my perspective. It’s just a fascinating car, and weird people like me love them. If you’re the same kind of weird, give Marvelous Motors a call.
For a more in-depth visual overview of the Phaeton, check out my video and the photo gallery below!
Photos for Teamspeed by Braden Carlson