2004 Volkswagen Phaeton

At a Glance

Pricing $66,700 - $96,600
Drive Types AWD
Engines 4.2l V8, 6.0l W12
Transmissions A5, A6
Fuel Economy 12-16 (city), 18-22 (highway)

The Volkswagen Phaeton was created when Volkswagen decided that it would take on Mercedes-Benz as an upscale German brand. The Phaeton is a tour-de-force of electronic gadgetry and driving aids. Closely related to the Audi A8L, the Phaeton is up to the task featuring a 340hp V8 and all-wheel drive. The Phaeton W12 becomes the ultimate Volkswagen with a 420hp 12-cylinder engine and a price tag that tops $110,000. The Phaeton is a good car, but it has not sold extremely well. Poor sales will lead to the discontinuation of the Phaeton in North America after the 2006 model year.

Model/Trim/Package Engine Original MSRP
Phaeton 6.0l W12 (444-bhp) A5 AWD $96,600
Phaeton 4.2l V8 (335-bhp) A6 AWD $66,700