From the first 80’s VW Beetle to the first generation of Scirocco, then large family cars from the Passat lineup and mid-size crossover SUV such as the Touareg, Volkswagen has become one of the most recognized brands in the industry for making cars to suit every customer. One of the brand’s cars that have made their mark is the 2005 VW Phaeton W12.
After its introduction at the Geneva Motor show, the first Phaeton made its way to the market in 2002, with more than 20,000 cars produced that year. It was marketed along with its two siblings; the Beetle Cabriolet convertible and the first Touran Compact MPV. Even though its US sales ended in 2006, the Volkswagen Phaeton went on retailing to the rest of the world until its production ended in 2016 and sales thereafter.
While that may have been the cease in production, it was not the final chapter of the 2005 Phaeton as it is still among the most sophisticated cars from the brand. Today, the Volkswagen Phaeton is an ideal choice for a large luxury car, and it competes with the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class, as well as other luxury cars.
The 2005 full-size luxury car has a huge emphasis on power, tech, and safety features, making it worth every penny.
Volkswagen Phaeton Exterior
The 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton came at a time when people were needed something that would offer the premium features of a luxury sedan at an affordable price. The brand ended up building a car that, besides offering a luxurious experience, was visually appealing too.
On the front fascia, the Phaeton comes with standard halogen projector-beam fog lamps; Xenon headlamps; power heated and folding exterior mirrors, which come with puddle lamps; and a power closing trunk lid. Its windshield wipers have built-in rain sensors. The car drives on 17-inch wheels.
The Quiet W12 Engine Under The Chassis
There are actually two versions of the 2005 Phaeton, with the main differences relating to engine power. One comes with a standard W-12 engine, while the other version has a V8 engine. Under the Chassis, the 4.2-liter W12 engine that’s good for 335, while the V8 version can give up to 420 horsepower at 6 500 rpm plus a 317 lb/ft of torque at 3 500 rpm.
While both come with the same version of Tiptronic automatic transmission, the V8 gets can shift through 6 speeds, and the W12 has to deal with a 5-speed system. However, both cars have the brand’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system combined with a Torsen center differential, just in case you find yourself in a sticky situation.
The Phaeton - Behind The Wheel
First of all, the Phaeton is a very pleasing car to drive. Whether you are driving the 5-speed or 6-speed version, the transmission is highly responsive and shifts swiftly without much of a racket.
Speaking of which, the cabin of the Phaeton is extremely quiet, thanks to its triple door seals, double-pane windows, and many sound-muzzling features. You won’t hear any sound inside the car, that’s until you reach at least a speed of 90 mph.
The car also has a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, air suspension with four comfort settings, anti-lock brakes, anti-slip regulation, as well as electronic stabilization (anti-spin) technology.
The Luxurious Interior
On the inside, the phaeton features Eucalyptus wood interior trim, leather-padded front seats that come with a 12-power system, a Homelink transceiver for navigation, a 190-watt audio system with a six-CD changer, which was made standard, along with front and rear cup holders.
Like in most modern vehicles, the majority of the car’s functions are controlled by the infotainment system, with which change climate control settings, music, and so on.
When you step into the car, it is almost like being inside the limo, minus the stretch, of course. Leather seats provide maximum comfort and a maximum of 18 adjustments. Besides the heavy padding, the seats come with both heated and ventilated functions. The back seats have sensors that detect the presence and weight of a passenger in order to move the headrest upward accordingly.
You also have close-up mirrors on the front sun visors, which are lightened and carry mirrors as you would expect. However, there are actually glasses, a regular mirror, and a magnifier. On top of that, the phaeton has a 10-speaker sound system, which gives out a powerful sound you would only expect from a top-notch home theatre.
A Step Up In Technology Features
As we stated earlier, the Phaeton was originally created to compete with vehicles such as the Jaguar XJ, BMW 7 Series, and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. As a result, it came with tech features such as a navigation system, air suspension, 12-way front power seats, and four-zone automatic climate controls, and many others.
The best feature in the VW Phaeton is the emergency system. Basically, when an accident occurs, the car calls for help while it unlocks its doors. Furthermore, it cuts the fuel supply to the engine and disconnects the battery from the alternator.
While it may offer a lot of tech features, it still lags behind the Audi A6, and for a handful of reasons. Firstly, it doesn’t have active headlights, adaptive cruise, and other minor qualities.
How Much Does A Phaeton Cost Today?
The 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton comes at an MSRP (Window Sticker Price) that ranges from $66,950 - $96,100, according to Autoblog.
Compared to most luxury alternatives, the phaeton is economical, functional, and comfy, all the attributes that make it a perfect choice for a family.