2013 Volkswagen Phaeton 4Motion 3.0 TDi V6

Summary:

Luxury on another level, but very expensive for VW

Faults:

Minor oil leak, the rest was wear and tear. No major faults.

General Comments:

Beautiful VW Phaeton I had a while back. It was a stunning car that left a good impression on me, but be aware this was no ordinary Volkswagen!

It was very expensive to buy and run and was the main reasons I sold it.

But what you get is incredible. Think this is just a big Passat? Think again. This honestly is up there and arguably better than a BMW 7 series or Mercedes S Class level of luxury. The Passat "CC" doesn't even come close. Super comfortable leather seats. All the electronics you could want. Huge amount of space inside, this car was massive.

3.0 diesel engine struggled for 30 mpg, which is poor for diesel but I suppose also worth it for the size of the car and the power it delivers. I loved driving it and miss it dearly.

You can buy them now for as little as six grand with higher mileage. Just be aware any repairs may be so expensive now it would write off the car. Tax and insurance was also insanely high.

I don't believe they make them anymore, closest to this from Volkswagen now is the Arteon.

Now don't get me wrong, the Phaeton is an amazing car, but you have to ask yourself, is all this worth it for a VW when you could have BMW/Audi/Mercedes top models for the same money?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th September, 2026

16th Oct 2026, 03:00

This car faced the same problem as the Ford Scorpio: it was an extremely luxurious vehicle, but also incredibly expensive, even pricier than a BMW or an Audi. Ultimately, people with enough money to afford a premium luxury car tend to gravitate toward established premium brands; they simply aren’t going to buy a Volkswagen.

That said, the Phaeton was expensive because it was genuinely worth it. It wasn’t just on par with a Mercedes or a BMW; on the inside, it felt like a Rolls-Royce or a Bentley. I remember seeing one at an exhibition a few years back; I decided to sit inside, and I was truly impressed by the interior. It was luxurious from every angle—you just didn’t want to get out. Absolutely beautiful!