2004 Volkswagen Phaeton Road Test

The same lithe feel translates over to car's maneuverability and handling as well. Driving around town is much easier than initially expected, especially given the substantial chunk of real estate the Phaeton

The Phaeton's 4.2 liter 335-hp alloy V8 supplies 317 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

shadows. Parallel parking is easy, but make sure to mind the standard 17-inch aluminum rims wrapped in P235/55HR17 performance tires as they aren't curb friendly. Mine came with even more impractical 18-inch alloys wrapped in P255/45VR18 rubber, but they looked fine and don't cost a penny more. Finding a parking stall large enough to accommodate the big sedan is another story, as most in my neck of the woods are for "Small Cars."

Out on the open road the Phaeton is amazingly stable at speed and wonderfully agile in the corners. I set out on my regular route up the mountainside, steep enough to test acceleration and braking under a fairly severe load while curvy enough to see if

Although the Phaeton offers a superbly comfortable ride, it is also up to the challenge of tackling curving mountain roads. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

its lateral stability is up to snuff. It is, and then some. I threw it into one corner after another, with the same aggressive assertion I would an Audi S4 or RS 6, and while the Phaeton's not as firmly planted to the tarmac as these completely sport-oriented machines it manages stress with surprising composure, leaning a little during extremely tight turns taken at double digit speeds but nevertheless pushing and pulling the chassis around to the other side with respectability.

And its softer side comes with rewards, the most important being a superbly comfortable ride. It needs to ride well, of course, being that the limousine-like VW will undoubtedly act as escort to some executives who would rather be driven than drive.