Volkswagen Phaeton

The Volkswagen Phaeton is an uber-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 are three engines here - a three-litre TDI plus a 4.2 V8 and six-litre W12 petrol. The all do their job well, just some do it with more style. The entry 230bhp three-litre V6 TDI is powerful with lots of urge. The 4.2 V8 petrol has more grunt while the range topper is an extremely powerful 414bhp six-litre W12 that's almost too powerful for this dinky little country. Put your foot downand you're already drinking tea at John O' Groats.

  

• Cool

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

  

• Quality

  If you were to set off a large nuclear device inside the Volkswagen Phaeton, the large nuclear device would probably come off worse. The interior is solidly built using the finest leather and wood Volkswagen could find. All the buttons and switches have a fabulous damped action and there's thankfully, nothing recognisable from the Polo. The engines and running gear are extremely strong and should be still ticking over when you've gone to the knacker's yard.

  

• Handling

  Air suspension with four-stage adjustable damping doesn't tackle nuggety surfaces or abrupt undulations as well as expected but, left in mid-position, proves a competent all-rounder. Levels of grip are high, though, and it can be leaned through corners quite quickly despite its bulk.

  

• Practicality

  The interior is huge with plenty of space front and rear for heads, knees and shoulders. The boot is similarly huge at 500 litres, with excellent access to make it easier loading your employer's suitcases and golf clubs. The long wheel base version gives an extra 120mm additional rear legroom.

  

• Running costs

  The most expensive car in the world to run (well, possibly). Servicing is expensive, the fuel economy is dreadful (expect just 18mpg from the 6.0 W12) and the company car tax brackets are the highest. Worse than that, though, is the depreciation. The car will lose huge amounts in the first year.