Against 335 other V8 cars rated 2004–2006, the Phaeton sits right on their 15.6 mpg average.
Every Volkswagen Phaeton engine, compared
The Volkswagen Phaeton was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2L 8-cyl | 14 / 21 | 2004–2006 | $2,400 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Dodge Charger gets 19.5 mpg, the Chrysler 300 19.5 mpg and the Hyundai Sonata 22.5 mpg, next to 16 mpg for the 2006 Phaeton. The Phaeton costs the most of them to run: $693 a year more than the Hyundai Sonata.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2006) | $0.200 |
| Fuel per year | $2,400 |
| Fuel over five years | $12,000 |
| Against other V8 cars, 2004–2006 | −$62 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,800 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2006 Volkswagen Phaeton gives up 7 mpg in town: 21 on the highway against 14 in the city, $914 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2006) | 14 mpg | $2,743 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 21 mpg | $1,829 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7 mpg (50%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Phaeton changed over the years
Combined figure across the 3 model years the Phaeton was rated in, all of them at 16 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 14 / 21 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2005 | 14 / 21 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2004 | 14 / 21 | 1 | $2,400 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 3 EPA ratings of the Volkswagen Phaeton — 1 engine across 2004–2006. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $4,800. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2006 Volkswagen Phaeton get?
16 mpg combined, 14 city and 21 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2004 the Phaeton has averaged 16 mpg.
Is the 2006 Phaeton more efficient than the 2005?
About the same: 16 against 16 mpg combined.
Does the Phaeton get better gas mileage than the Dodge Charger?
No: 16 mpg for the 2006 Phaeton against 19.5 for the 2007 Dodge Charger, about $431 a year more to run.
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