2005
Volkswagen Phaeton

Starts at:
$66,950
Shop options
New 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton
See ratings
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Shop Cars.com
Browse cars & save your favorites
Dealers near you
Find & contact a dealership near you
no listings

We're not finding any listings in your area.
Change your location or search Cars.com to see more!

Change location

Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr Sdn V8 6-spd Auto
    Starts at
    $66,950
    16 City / 22 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V8
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn V8 6-spd Auto 4-seater
    Starts at
    $66,950
    16 City / 22 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas V8
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn W12 5-spd Auto
    Starts at
    $96,100
    12 City / 19 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas W12
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn W12 5-spd Auto 4-seater
    Starts at
    $96,100
    12 City / 19 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas W12
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2005 Volkswagen Phaeton 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton

Notable features

Full-size dimensions
V-8 and W-12 engines
Tiptronic automatic transmission
Air suspension
4Motion AWD

The good & the bad

The good

Exclusivity
Performance
Interior space

The bad

Price
Fuel economy
See all specifications

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
12 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
4 years

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
MY 2016-MY 2017 vehicles / 75,000 miles; MY 2018- MY 2019 vehicles / 72,000 miles; MY 2020 and newer vehicles / 75,000 miles
Basic
Vehicles purchased on or after 1 / 5 / 21: MY 2017 & older, 2 yrs / 24,000 miles (whichever is 1st) limited warranty; MY 2018-19, 1 yr / 12,000 miles (whichever is 1st) limited warranty; MY 2020 & newer, 2 years / 24,000 miles (whichever is 1st) limited warranty
Dealer certification
100-plus point inspection
See all CPO program details

Consumer reviews

100% of drivers recommend this car
4.9 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 5.0
Interior 4.8
Performance 4.7
Value 4.5
Exterior 4.7
Reliability 4.2

Most recent

  • By Tomalee from Morgantown,WV
    Owns this car
    May 19, 2021

    A lot of bang for your buck

    It was definitely everything I expected,I’ve only owned it for a month. It has some quirks, I get a flat tire warning from time to time for no reason. The computer had to be replaced because the sunroof drain stopped up and covered the computer which is under your left foot.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 4.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • By Rytessex from Oklahoma City, OK
    Owns this car
    April 2, 2019

    Most comfortable car I’ve ever owned

    This car is just a nice place to be. Extremely comfortable, quiet, and packed with features like heated and cooled seats front and back. The only downside to this car is that they stopped importing them to the US which means you’re getting a car that’s at least 13 years old. That means they’ll need some general upkeep and that can get very expensive. You get a Bentley ride with VW engineering, Audi performance, but a Bentley maintenance cost.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • By BostonSports fan from Boston , MA
    Owns this car
    April 1, 2018

    Great new addition to may garage

    Best luxury vehicle I have ever owned. I recently purchased this car and drove it from the dealer I bought it from in KY to Boston. The V8 performed wonderfully and I loved the stereo. I will be upgrading the stereo to handle my iPhone 6+ and this upgrade easily integrates into the existing screen so I can use my iPhone Nav & stereo. The back seat is a pleasure and I spent a few hours back there and am looking forward to being there with my wonderful wife. The rear view side mirrors and rear visibility are a bit limited without turning around but I bought convex mirrors and they helped tremendously. A true Bentley in a VW body . No bumper parking sensors on the one I bought and that I do miss and I will be putting in a rear view camera that also integrated into the Nav when car is placed in R. A hidden gem and a fine addition into my garage. Glad I got rid of my 2008 Range Rover for this automobile. Worth the flight and the 14 hour trip. Now I want the 4 seater. Make sure the timing belt has been done recently and these require transmission flush and radiator flush when you purchase car. Make sure this has been done in the last 70K miles. It's an expensive fix but you will love how long the car will last with this done. Also make sure you find a certified Phaeton Repairman, not too many around at VW or Audi dealers. I have found 3 dealers w/I 20 miles of me that service this vehicle.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • By PJ Ramirez from Houston, TX
    Test drove this car
    February 8, 2018

    State of Art VW Pheaton

    This car surpassed my expectation. All the standard options are incredible. VW was ahead if its time when the car came out. I would recommend it for all the right reasons, and comfort.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • By bc from Plano, Texas
    Owns this car
    December 6, 2017

    Anonymous Luxury

    Pride and joy. Usually unknown in North America, it was to be VW luxury model. It is built on a Bentley Continental chassis and suspension, has an Audi A8 drive train, aluminum and carbon fibre body and all the experimental VW gadgets. Some of features, soft close doors, insulated glass, selectable sport driving and suspension, TPMS, motor operated huge trunk, GPS, Heated and massaging leather seats front and back, fully motor adjustable, heated steering wheel, selectable dash display, HVAC individual for each passanger, Wood trim throughout, Memory seating also moves outside and rear view mirror, best radio/CD I have heard. Best advise is to google the Phaeton and see what is said.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 3.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • By BC from Plano, Texas
    Owns this car
    December 6, 2017

    Anonymous Luxury

    Pride and joy. Usually unknown in North America, it was to be VW luxury model. It is built on a Bentley Continental chassis and suspension, has an Audi A8 drive train, aluminum and carbon fibre body and all the experimental VW gadgets. Some of features, soft close doors, insulated glass, selectable sport driving and suspension, TPMS, motor operated huge trunk, GPS, Heated and massaging leather seats front and back, fully motor adjustable, heated steering wheel, selectable dash display, HVAC individual for each passanger, Wood trim throughout, Memory seating also moves outside and rear view mirror, best radio/CD I have heard. Best advise is to google the Phaeton and see what is said.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 3.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • By Tennis Nut from Fair Oaks, CA
    Owns this car
    January 31, 2016

    Amazing, Luxurious, Unique and Stealthy

    Over the past 50 years, I've owned dozens of vehicles, from sports cars to RVs, including some luxury brands. The VW Phaeton stands out as the most comfortable and all-round capable car I know. In town it's like a limo. On the Interstate, it's a super cruiser. With the air suspension at max height, it even handles unimproved logging roads. The plus for me is, it's not a showboat. Everybody ignores it, like they would an old Passat. I don't even bother to lock it most of the time. The only drawback is operating costs. It's complex and gas hungry. Repairs are expensive. Buy an extended warranty along with the car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • By jb from Chicago, IL
    Owns this car
    March 20, 2013

    Great car for the right person

    This car is big, luxurious, well designed and built. It has a quiet smooth ride and is equiped with most everything I want. It is expensive to operate. I would not buy one if I was putting lots of miles on a car or wanted to spend as little as possible on a car. I live in Chicago and it is perfect for bumpy city roads and blocking out noise. It is a beautiful, comfortable cocoon to travel through town.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 3.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • By Ohio 2005 Phaeton from Boardman, Ohio
    Owns this car
    April 12, 2012

    Stealth Bentley for 1/5 the cost.

    I've had our 2005 Phaeton for 6 months with zero problems. Amazing engineering. Interior matched by none, even Rolls and Bentley. The navigation might need an upgrade but it's a minor complaint for an extremely loaded vehicle. Massage and heat/ac in every seat with true 4 zone climate. It measures the humidity in all 4 zones and the chestnut covers on front vents open and close silently as required. Bentley frame, Audi A8 engine and over the top luxury that makes people take a second look. Especially the car folks who "know their vehicles" are fooled by the Phaeton.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • By Car Nut from Santa Barbara, CA
    Owns this car
    October 25, 2011

    Not for the average crowd

    The Phaeton is the best value for the money in the used luxury car market today. Few, if any, cars can give you that exclusivity and performance. The W12 is an amazing motor with a turbine-like smoothness that cannot be matched by anything with 8 cylinders. Drive one and you will purchase it on the spot. I've owned mine for four years w/o any major problems. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for that "special" car and likes to fly under the radar.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • By Phaeton Driver from Irvine, CA
    Owns this car
    January 16, 2011

    Buy the Phaeton

    The W12 Phaeton is a great car; impossible to upgrade and amazing to drive. Few, if any cars sold for under $100,000 today can come near this car in comfort or performance. If you have the choice between a Mercedes, BMW, or Phaeton.............purchase the Phaeton. You won't be disappointed. The W12 has an aura or mystique that is undeniable. You're in a special car, and everyone knows it; especially the BMW and Mercedes owners!!!!!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
See all reviews

Volkswagen dealers near you

See all Volkswagen dealers near you

FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton?

The 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton is available in 2 trim levels:

  • V8 (2 styles)
  • W12 (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton?

The 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton offers up to 16 MPG in city driving and 22 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton reliable?

The 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton has an average reliability rating of 4.2 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton owners.

Is the 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton. 100.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.9 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
  • Comfort: 5.0
  • Interior: 4.8
  • Performance: 4.7
  • Value: 4.5
  • Exterior: 4.7
  • Reliability: 4.2
Your list was successfully saved.
 
 
 
 
Save list Compare
[{"cat":"luxurypassenger_plus","stock_type":"used","bodystyle":"Sedan","page_type":"research/make-model-year","oem_page":false,"search_fuel_types":["Gasoline Fuel"]}]