Volkswagen Phaeton first generation
The Volkswagen Phaeton first generation (2002–2016): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 45 versions in the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and Canada.
Model codes: 3D, D1 · Sold in: United States, Canada, European Union, France, and United Kingdom
Dimensions, weights and capacity
| Specification | Europe | North America | Wikipedia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | |||
| Length | 5,060 mm RDW | – | 5,055–5,140 mm |
| Width | 1,900–1,910 mm RDW | – | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,450 mm RDW | – | 1,450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,880–3,000 mm RDW | – | 2,881–3,001 mm |
| Front track | 1,618–1,634 mm ASTRA | – | – |
| Rear track | 1,602–1,621 mm ASTRA | – | – |
| Weights and towing | |||
| Kerb weight | 2,054–2,375 kg RDW | – | 2,089–2,600 kg |
| Mass in running order | 2,154–2,475 kg RDW | – | – |
| Gross vehicle weight | 2,640–2,910 kg RDW | – | – |
| Towing, braked trailer | 2,200–2,500 kg RDW | – | – |
| Towing, unbraked trailer | 750 kg RDW | – | – |
| Seats and space | |||
| Seats | 4–5 RDW | – | – |
| Doors | 4 RDW | – | – |
| Luggage space (EPA) | – | 368 L EPA | – |
| Passenger space (EPA) | – | 3,058 L EPA | – |
| Fuel tank | – | – | 90 L |
| Performance | |||
| Top speed | 234–250 km/h RDW | – | 234–250 km/h |
| Torque | 370–560 Nm ASTRA | – | 310–750 Nm |
Tyre sizes (most common first): 235/50R18, 255/45R18, 235/55R17, 255/40R19, 245/45R19
Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: RDW type approvals (Netherlands), Wikipedia (en, de, pl, cs), ASTRA type approvals (Switzerland), US EPA fuel economy data, Traficom type approvals (Finland). Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Reliability and owner reports
UK MOT: first-time pass rate by age
| Age at test | Pass rate | UK average | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9–12 years | 83.4% (80.8–85.6) | 77.9% | 926 |
| 13 years and older | 79.4% (77.4–81.2) | 69.2% | 1,758 |
What the MOT finds
| Area | This model | UK average, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 30.1% | 31.2% |
| Brakes | 27.5% | 33.3% |
| Suspension | 18.0% | 36.7% |
| Lights and electrics | 15.1% | 24.9% |
| Visibility (glass, mirrors, wipers) | 9.5% | 10.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.0% | 13.8% |
First MOT test of each car per year in 2022–2024, from the DVSA’s anonymised test results; only ages with at least 500 tests are shown. The figure in brackets is the 95% confidence interval; green or red means clearly above or below the UK average. The second table shows how often an item was noted (defect or advisory) in each area, against the UK average for cars of the same ages. DVSA anonymised MOT tests (Open Government Licence)
Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)
7 complaints for model years 2004–2006. 1 crash · 2 injuries
Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints
All 45 versions of the Volkswagen Phaeton first generation
Show all 45 versions
European Union 12 versions
New cars registered in the EU (plus Norway and Iceland), from the European Environment Agency. Figures on the NEDC procedure until 2020 and on WLTP from 2021; versions are grouped by engine and power, with their number of registrations.
| Years and version | Engine | Power | Fuel | CO₂ | EU registrations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2016 | 4.2 L | 246 kW (334 PS) | Petrol | 290–293 g/km | 1,696 |
| 2013–2016 | 3.0 L | 180 kW (245 PS) | Diesel | 224 g/km | 5,612 |
| 2011–2014 | 3.0 L | 176 kW (239 PS) | Diesel | 224–226 g/km | 10,296 |
| 2011–2014 | 3.6 L | 206 kW (280 PS) | Petrol | 265–267 g/km | 208 |
| 2011–2012 | – | – | Diesel | 224 g/km | 96 |
| 2011 | 6.0 L | 331 kW (450 PS) | Petrol | 348 g/km | 90 |
| 2010 | 3.0 L | – | Diesel | 233 g/km | 3,608 |
| 2010 | 4.2 L | – | Petrol | 293 g/km | 304 |
| 2010 | 6.0 L | – | Petrol | 348 g/km | 144 |
| 2010 | 3.6 L | – | Petrol | 270 g/km | 102 |
| 2010 | 2.0 L | – | Diesel | 207 g/km | 36 |
| 2010 | – | – | Other fuel | 242 g/km | 26 |
United Kingdom 21 versions
New cars on sale in the UK, from the Vehicle Certification Agency. NEDC figures until 2018 and WLTP figures after; years are the editions a version appeared in.
| Years and version | Engine | Power | Fuel | Gearbox | Consumption (combined) | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–20143.0 V6 TDI 240PS 4MOTION Tiptronic with DPF LWB · 3.0 V6 TDI 240PS 4MOTION Tiptronic with DPF SWB | 3.0 L | 177 kW (240 PS) | Diesel | Automatic | 8.5 L/100 km NEDC | 224 g/km |
| 2013–20146.0 W12 450PS 4MOTION Tiptronic LWB | 6.0 L | 331 kW (450 PS) | Petrol | Automatic | 14.5 L/100 km NEDC | 348 g/km |
| 20123.0 V6 TDI 240PS 4MOTION Tiptronic DPF LWB · 3.0 V6 TDI 240PS 4MOTION Tiptronic DPF SWB | 3.0 L | 177 kW (240 PS) | Diesel | 6-speed automatic | 8.5 L/100 km NEDC | 224 g/km |
| 20126.0 W12 450PS 4MOTION Tiptronic LWB | 6.0 L | 331 kW (450 PS) | Petrol | 6-speed automatic | 14.5 L/100 km NEDC | 348 g/km |
| 2009–20103.0 V6 TDI (240 PS) 4MOTION Tiptronic with DPF · 3.0 V6 TDI (240ps) 4MOTION Tiptronic with DPF LWB | 3.0 L | 177 kW (240 PS) | Diesel | – | 9.1 L/100 km NEDC | 240 g/km |
| 20103.0 V6 TDI (240ps) 4MOTION Tiptronic with DPF SWB | 3.0 L | 177 kW (240 PS) | Diesel | – | 9.0 L/100 km NEDC | 239 g/km |
| 20106.0 W12 (450ps) 4MOTION Tiptronic LWB | 6.0 L | 331 kW (450 PS) | Petrol | – | 14.5 L/100 km NEDC | 348 g/km |
| 2007–20094.2 V8 4MOTION (335 PS) Tiptronic (long wheelbase) · 4.2 V8 (335 PS) 4MOTION Tiptronic LWB | 4.2 L | 246 kW (335 PS) | Petrol | – | 13.0 L/100 km NEDC | 310 g/km |
| 2007–20096.0 W12 4MOTION (450 PS) Tiptronic (long wheelbase) · 6.0 W12 (450 PS) 4MOTION Tiptronic LWB | 6.0 L | 331 kW (450 PS) | Petrol | – | 14.5 L/100 km NEDC | 348 g/km |
| 2007–20083.0 TDI V6 4MOTION (225 PS) Tiptronic with DPF (standard wheelbase) | 2.7 L | 166 kW (225 PS) | Diesel | – | 9.6 L/100 km NEDC | 259 g/km |
| 2007–20083.2 TDI V6 4MOTION (240PS) Tiptronic (standard & long wheelbase) · 3.2 TDI V6 4MOTION (240 PS) Tiptronic (standard & long wheelbase) | 3.2 L | 177 kW (240 PS) | Petrol | – | 12.1 L/100 km NEDC | 288 g/km |
| 20063.0 V6 TDI 4MOTION (225 PS) DPF | 3.0 L | 166 kW (225 PS) | Diesel | – | 9.6 L/100 km NEDC | 259 g/km |
| 20063.2 V6 4MOTION (240 PS) | 3.2 L | 177 kW (240 PS) | Petrol | – | 12.2 L/100 km NEDC | 293 g/km |
| 20064.2 V8 4MOTION (335 PS) | 4.2 L | 246 kW (335 PS) | Petrol | – | 13.1 L/100 km NEDC | 314 g/km |
| 20065.0 V10 TDI 4MOTION (312 PS) | 4.9 L | 230 kW (312 PS) | Diesel | – | 11.4 L/100 km NEDC | 308 g/km |
| 20066.0 W12 4MOTION (421 PS) | 6.0 L | 310 kW (421 PS) | Petrol | – | 15.6 L/100 km NEDC | 374 g/km |
| 2003–20043.2 V6 | 3.2 L | – | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | 12.2 L/100 km NEDC | 293 g/km |
| 2004V8 (335 PS) | 4.2 L | 246 kW (335 PS) | Petrol | 6-speed automatic | 13.1 L/100 km NEDC | 314 g/km |
| 2004V10 TDI (312 PS) | 4.9 L | 230 kW (312 PS) | Diesel | 6-speed automatic | 11.4 L/100 km NEDC | 308 g/km |
| 2002–2004W12 | 6.0 L | – | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | 15.6 L/100 km NEDC | 374 g/km |
| 2003V10 (308 PS) | 4.9 L | 227 kW (308 PS) | Diesel | 6-speed automatic | 11.4 L/100 km NEDC | 308 g/km |
France 8 versions
New cars on sale in France, from ADEME Car Labelling. NEDC figures until 2015, WLTP figures in the current catalogue.
| Years and version | Engine | Power | Fuel | Gearbox | Consumption (combined) | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015PHAETON V6 TDI 4MOTION LIMOUSINE | – | 180 kW (245 PS) | Diesel | 6-speed automatic | 8.5 L/100 km NEDC | 224 g/km |
| 2015PHAETON V6 TDI 4MOTION BERLINE | – | 180 kW (245 PS) | Diesel | 6-speed automatic | 8.5 L/100 km NEDC | 224 g/km |
| 2015PHAETON V6 4MOTION LIMOUSINE | – | 206 kW (280 PS) | Petrol | 6-speed automatic | 11.4 L/100 km NEDC | 265 g/km |
| 2015PHAETON V6 4MOTION BERLINE | – | 206 kW (280 PS) | Petrol | 6-speed automatic | 11.4 L/100 km NEDC | 265 g/km |
| 2012–2015PHAETON V8 4MOTION | – | 246 kW (334 PS) | Petrol | 6-speed automatic | 12.5 L/100 km NEDC | 290 g/km |
| 2012–2014PHAETON V6 TDI 4MOTION Berline | – | 176 kW (239 PS) | Diesel | 6-speed automatic | 8.5 L/100 km NEDC | 224 g/km |
| 2012–2014PHAETON V6 TDI 4MOTION Limousine | – | 176 kW (239 PS) | Diesel | 6-speed automatic | 8.5 L/100 km NEDC | 224 g/km |
| 2012–2014PHAETON V6 4MOTION | – | 206 kW (280 PS) | Petrol | 6-speed automatic | 11.4 L/100 km NEDC | 265 g/km |
United States 2 versions
Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.
| Years and version | Engine | Fuel | Gearbox | Drive | Consumption (combined) | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–20063MODE CLKUP | 4.2 L | Petrol | 6-speed automatic | Four- or all-wheel drive | 16 MPG (14.7 L/100 km) EPA | 345 g/km |
| 2004–20063MODE CLKUP | 6.0 L | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | Four- or all-wheel drive | 13 MPG (18.1 L/100 km) EPA | 425 g/km |
Canada 2 versions
Model years sold in Canada, from Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption ratings (5-cycle test).
| Years and version | Engine | Fuel | Gearbox | Consumption (combined) | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–2006Full-size | 4.2 L | Petrol | 6-speed automatic | 14.3–14.7 L/100 km 5-cycle | 329–338 g/km |
| 2005–2006Full-size | 6.0 L | Petrol | 5-speed automatic | 17.7–18.0 L/100 km 5-cycle | 407–414 g/km |
Similar models from other brands
Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.