Real fuel consumption and economy logo

Volkswagen Phaeton fuel consumption

Of all Volkswagen Phaeton modifications produced from 2002 to 2015 real fuel consumption according to user ratings is approximately 3% higher compared to advertised consumption. For petrol engines real consumption is in average 7% higher, but for diesel engines is similar to manufacturer's stated consumption. Starting from 2002 Volkswagen Phaeton average difference between actual owner-reported fuel consumption and stated consumption was slightly above industry average, at 2003 it was similar to average, at 2004 difference between owner-reported and advertised fuel economy became less than industry average. It is noteworthy during this period that the gap between advertised and actual fuel economy changed significantly throughout the automotive industry. For more details, see the table below.

Year-to-year deviations of actual owner-reported average fuel consumption from advertised values

YearGasoline carsDiesel cars
All carmakersVolkswagen PhaetonAll carmakersVolkswagen Phaeton
2002+6%+10% +7%-
Show all years
2003+6%+7% +8%-
2004+7%+7% +9%insignificant
2005+8%+5% +10%insignificant
2006+9%+5% +11%insignificant
2007+11%+5% +12%insignificant
2008+12%+5% +13%insignificant
2009+14%+5% +14%insignificant
2010+16%+5% +16%insignificant
2011+19%+6% +19%+5%
2012+21%+6% +23%+5%
2013+23%+6% +27%+5%
2014+26%+6% +30%-
2015+27%+6% +33%-

See below for the actual consumption of generations and versions of Volkswagen Phaeton.

2010 - 2015

Volkswagen Phaeton 2010 fuel economy

Average advertised fuel consumption for petrol engines18.3 MPG
12.8 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for petrol engines17.7 MPG
13.3 l/100km
Average real gasoline consumption difference *+6%
Average advertised fuel consumption for diesel engines27.7 MPG
8.5 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for diesel engines26.4 MPG
8.9 l/100km
Average real diesel consumption difference *+5%
ModificationClaimed consumptionReal consumption
3.0 liter diesel engine
Volkswagen Phaeton 2010 3.0 TDI V6 4Motion 240 HP 4x4 automatic 27.7 MPG
8.5 l/100km
26.4 MPG
8.9 l/100km+5%
3.6 liter petrol engine
Volkswagen Phaeton 2010 3.6 V6 4Motion 280 HP 4x4 automatic 20.5 MPG
11.5 l/100km
4.2 liter petrol engine
Volkswagen Phaeton 2010 4.2 V8 4Motion 335 HP 4x4 automatic 18.8 MPG
12.5 l/100km
17.7 MPG
13.3 l/100km+6%
6.0 liter petrol engine
Volkswagen Phaeton 2010 6.0 W12 4Motion 450 HP 4x4 automatic 16.2 MPG
14.5 l/100km
2002 - 2010

Volkswagen Phaeton 2002 fuel economy

Average advertised fuel consumption for petrol engines17.8 MPG
13.2 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for petrol engines16.0 MPG
14.7 l/100km
Average real gasoline consumption difference *+8%
Average advertised fuel consumption for diesel engines21.8 MPG
10.8 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for diesel engines24.0 MPG
9.8 l/100km
Average real diesel consumption difference *insignificant

According to advertised fuel consumption, a Volkswagen Phaeton 2002 with automatic transmission consumes on average 0.8 liters per 100 km or 7% more fuel than similar versions with manual gearbox.

Compared to similar cars from other manufacturers, the Volkswagen Phaeton fuel economy is among the 20% worst in its class. The best real fuel economy in its class according to user reviews of all the modifications has modification with 6.0 petrol engine and automatic transmission (Volkswagen Phaeton 2003 6.0 W12 4WD 450 HP). However, of all modifications the best advertised fuel economy in its class has Volkswagen Phaeton with 4.2 petrol engine and automatic transmission (Volkswagen Phaeton 2004 Long 4.2 V8 4Motion 5-zitter 335 HP 4x4), but despite this 70% of other similar cars have better fuel economy figures.

ModificationClaimed consumptionReal consumption
3.0 liter diesel engine
Volkswagen Phaeton 2004 3.0 TDI V6 4Motion 4-zitter 224 HP 4x4 automatic 24.5 MPG
9.6 l/100km
25.0 MPG
9.4 l/100km-2%
Volkswagen Phaeton 2004 3.0 TDI V6 4Motion 5-zitter 224 HP 4x4 automatic 24.5 MPG
9.6 l/100km
24.8 MPG
9.5 l/100km-1%
3.2 liter petrol engine
Volkswagen Phaeton 2002 3.2 V6 4-zitter 241 HP manual 20.6 MPG
11.4 l/100km
Volkswagen Phaeton 2002 3.2 V6 4-zitter 241 HP automatic 19.3 MPG
12.2 l/100km
Volkswagen Phaeton 2002 3.2 V6 5-zitter 241 HP manual 20.6 MPG
11.4 l/100km
16.9 MPG
13.9 l/100km+22%
Volkswagen Phaeton 2002 3.2 V6 5-zitter 241 HP automatic 19.3 MPG
12.2 l/100km
Volkswagen Phaeton 2004 3.2 V6 4Motion 4-zitter 241 HP 4x4 automatic 19.3 MPG
12.2 l/100km
Volkswagen Phaeton 2004 3.2 V6 4Motion 5-zitter 241 HP 4x4 automatic 19.4 MPG
12.1 l/100km
Volkswagen Phaeton 2004 Long 3.2 V6 4Motion 4-zitter 241 HP 4x4 automatic 19.3 MPG
12.2 l/100km
Volkswagen Phaeton 2004 Long 3.2 V6 4Motion 5-zitter 241 HP 4x4 automatic 19.3 MPG
12.2 l/100km
4.2 liter petrol engine
Volkswagen Phaeton 2003 4.2 V8 4Motion 4-zitter 335 HP 4x4 automatic 18.0 MPG
13.1 l/100km
16.6 MPG
14.2 l/100km+8%
Volkswagen Phaeton 2003 4.2 V8 4Motion 5-zitter 335 HP 4x4 automatic 18.0 MPG
13.1 l/100km
16.7 MPG
14.1 l/100km+8%
Volkswagen Phaeton 2004 Long 4.2 V8 4Motion 4-zitter 335 HP 4x4 automatic 18.0 MPG
13.1 l/100km
16.6 MPG
14.2 l/100km+8%
Volkswagen Phaeton 2004 Long 4.2 V8 4Motion 5-zitter 335 HP 4x4 automatic 18.0 MPG
13.1 l/100km
16.6 MPG
14.2 l/100km+8%
4.9 liter diesel engine
Volkswagen Phaeton 2003 4.9 5.0 V10 TDI 4Motion 4-zitter 313 HP 4x4 automatic 20.6 MPG
11.4 l/100km
21.0 MPG
11.2 l/100km-2%
Volkswagen Phaeton 2003 4.9 5.0 V10 TDI 4Motion 5-zitter 313 HP 4x4 automatic 20.6 MPG
11.4 l/100km
21.0 MPG
11.2 l/100km-2%
Volkswagen Phaeton 2004 4.9 Long 5.0 V10 TDI 4Motion 4-zitter 313 HP 4x4 automatic 20.6 MPG
11.4 l/100km
21.8 MPG
10.8 l/100km-5%
Volkswagen Phaeton 2004 4.9 Long 5.0 V10 TDI 4Motion 5-zitter 313 HP 4x4 automatic 20.6 MPG
11.4 l/100km
21.8 MPG
10.8 l/100km-5%
6.0 liter petrol engine
Volkswagen Phaeton 2002 6.0 W12 4Motion 4-zitter 420 HP 4x4 automatic 15.1 MPG
15.6 l/100km
14.4 MPG
16.3 l/100km+4%
Volkswagen Phaeton 2002 6.0 W12 4Motion 5-zitter 420 HP 4x4 automatic 15.1 MPG
15.6 l/100km
14.4 MPG
16.3 l/100km+4%
Volkswagen Phaeton 2004 Long 6.0 W12 4Motion 4-zitter 420 HP 4x4 automatic 15.1 MPG
15.6 l/100km
Volkswagen Phaeton 2004 Long 6.0 W12 4Motion 5-zitter 420 HP 4x4 automatic 15.1 MPG
15.6 l/100km
Volkswagen Phaeton 2003 6.0 W12 4WD 450 HP automatic 16.2 MPG
14.5 l/100km
15.2 MPG
15.5 l/100km+7%

* - Difference between advertised and user reported fuel economy has been calculated taking into account only those car versions for which information is available both on the fuel consumption specified by the manufacturer and reported by users.

User-reported fuel consumption may not accurately represent all users' experiences due to variables such as driving conditions, driving style, technical condition of the vehicle, and other circumstances. Thus, it should not be relied upon as a representative indicator.