Volkswagen Phaeton

Our verdict

The Volkswagen Phaeton is anuber-saloon that looks too much like a swollen Passat to convince most people, and its heavy steel body gives it cumbersome dynamics. The only place to enjoy it is from the back seat.

Comfort

The Phaeton is a good place to be, thanks to superb seats, a brilliant climate control system, fine noise isolation and a generally good ride. There's masses of room in the standard car and acres in the LWB version. Watch out for versions on too-big wheels though, as they cause a bit of thumping from below.

Performance

There's enough, given it's not a car that likes to be hustled. Chauffeurs will go for the V6 diesel, though if they're planning on any autobahn outside-lane action the V8 might be better. The W12 is hard to justify - however hard you drive, you'll actually be slow because of the need to keep pitting for fuel.

Cool

It shows you have money, but also that you don't know how to use it.

Quality

Volkswagen threw the kitchen sink at the Phaeton when it was launched, and the interior is still a paragon of quality. The complexity and solidity of items like the vents and cupholders makes them things of beauty.

Handling

The Phaeton isn't just several hundred kilos heavier than it should be, the weight is also in the wrong place, the engines being slung out over the nose so it doesn't really want to turn at all. But the 4WD system means there's plenty of secure traction in slippery weather.

Practicality

Well, it's certainly commodious, with room for more bags than even British Airways could lose. But it's actually getting so big it's a bit of a liability in crowded city centres.

Running costs

Depreciation is the Phaeton's enemy, even compared with other luxo-barges. Although it's cheaper to run than comparably kitted and engined rivals, it's just as dear to run overall.