2020 Rolls-Royce Ghost Review: The Essence Of Ultra-Luxury

The Ghost Series II is the end of an era for the small ultra-luxury sedan. While the Series II may have only been around since 2015, the current generation of the Ghost is over a decade old. Based on the old BMW 7 Series, the four-door sedan took things to a new level, reaching its pinnacle in this, its final year of production with the aptly named Ghost Zenith - a 50-unit limited edition model. And while it may not be quite as opulent as a Rolls-Royce Phantom, the Ghost is still a hard-to-beat luxury sedan, with few rivals to speak of. Among these, the Bentley Mulsanne is probably the closest contender, while the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a much cheaper alternative, but it sacrifices the over-the-top decadence. Getting behind the wheel, or usually in the back seat, of a Ghost will require a minimum down payment of $311,900, but you get a supremely appointed interior, plenty of comfort features, a smooth ride, and a potent 563-horsepower V12 engine. This may not seem like a good deal to every shopper, but those looking in this price bracket won't be disappointed.

What's the Price of the Rolls-Royce Ghost?

Rolls-Royce doesn't do affordable, so it's no surprise that even its smallest sedan is exorbitantly expensive. That said, the Ghost is still a far cry from a Phantom, bearing a price tag that is $150k - $200k lower. But what's a few hundred thousand dollars to anyone who goes shopping for a Rolls? The standard-wheelbase Ghost has a starting price of $311,900, while the long-wheelbase model, with its cavernous cabin and almost limitless legroom, starts the bidding at $345,900. However, you can expect to pay well in excess of the starting price on each model, as there are countless ways to customize your purchase to suit your personal taste, with each little change making a marked impact on the final bill. These prices do not include tax, registration, licensing, incentives, or the manufacturer's $2,500 handling fee.

Handling and Driving Impressions

Smaller than the average Rolls-Royce, the Ghost Series II is perhaps a tad more athletic than its bigger siblings. However, it still retains the same stately demeanor that the brand is renowned for. The air suspension seldom meets a bump it can't easily soak up, so ride comfort is always excellent, and the well-constructed cabin mutes all but the loudest external noises. The Ghost is certainly an excellent sedan to ride in. But how much fun is it to drive?

The answer is: extremely. The smaller sedan is based on the BMW platform, so it certainly doesn't lack performance. It is also able to maneuver a bit more easily than the standard rotund Rolls. It's still absurdly heavy, though, so you need to be mindful when pushing its limits. However, these limits can be expanded by opting for the Dynamic Package for the regular-wheelbase Ghost. This upgrade reduces body roll and tightens up the steering.

Even with this upgrade, though, the Ghost Series II will never be a sports car. It has the power of one, sure, but it lacks the character. It is, at heart, a gentleman, and should be driven as such. You can have a little bit of fun, from time to time, but the sedan is best enjoyed as a luxury cruiser.

Verdict: Is the Rolls-Royce Ghost A Good car?

It may be hard to picture a $300k car that isn't good, but we won't be putting your imagination to the test with the Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II. This is definitely a good car, despite its few minor flaws.

Like every Rolls, the Ghost is the pinnacle of style, both inside and out. It's impossible to ignore on the road yet so luxurious inside that you may not even notice that you're belting down the highway at 155 mph. But, while space certainly isn't an issue for the Rolls, it isn't as cavernous as its larger siblings, like the Phantom, nor does it provide nearly as much cargo capacity, with only 17.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

Still, its smaller size makes it more engaging to drive, if you prefer to sit up front rather than in the back. It can be had with the Dynamic Package to further improve its handling, but it will never be as sporty as more mainstream luxury rivals like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7 Series.

The only car more pleasurable to be inside, though, is a larger Rolls-Royce. So, if you can overlook the smaller cargo capacity and limited driver-assistance features, the Ghost Series II is certainly a great car to ride in.

What Rolls-Royce Ghost Model Should I Buy?

There isn't much difference between the two Ghost models, but there really is no need to hold back when you're shopping in such a premium price bracket. As such, we suggest getting the Ghost Extended Wheelbase for the extra rear legroom and outfitting it with grained leather upholstery, the rear-seat entertainment suite, and the few available advanced driver aids. If you're going to be a passenger more often than a driver, you may like the rear entertainment remote and the rear-seat coolbox. The Black Badge Package may appeal to those who will be driving their Ghost a bit more often, assuming the bolder exterior trimming appeals to them, since it gets a stronger engine, as well as improved steering and suspension. Similarly, the available Dynamic Package for the regular wheelbase delivers a more engaging driving experience.

2020 Rolls-Royce Ghost Comparisons

2020 Rolls-Royce Ghost vs Rolls-Royce Phantom

The Ghost's bigger, classier, more expensive brother, the Phantom takes everything the smaller sedan has to offer and kicks it into overdrive. This starts with the powertrain. The Phantom's V12 displaces 6.75 liters to develop 563 hp and a whopping 664 lb-ft. This is necessary to move the even heavier Rolls, although it makes the 0-60 mpg sprint only 0.4 seconds slower than the Ghost. Inside, though, there is no comparison. The Phantom proves that, sometimes, bigger is better. The amount of passenger space, especially in the rear, is literally ludicrous, and the style and luxury are peerless. The larger sedan can also stow a bit more cargo, with 19 cubic feet of trunk space. In terms of features, though, the two Rolls-Royces are mostly on par, although the Phantom gets a couple extra speakers and more standard driver-assistance features. If money isn't a concern, and if you're looking at a Rolls it probably isn't, then the Phantom is the clear winner here.

2020 Rolls-Royce Ghost vs Rolls-Royce Wraith

Based on the same platform as the Ghost, the Wraith is similarly sized and priced to its sibling. However, as the name suggests, the Wraith is a bolder version of the luxury sedan. While it gets a 6.6-liter V12 like the Ghost, the slightly sportier sedan ekes out 624 hp and 605 lb-ft, giving it a slight edge over its forebear. It also has better handling dynamics thanks to the adaptive suspension. The Wraith does sacrifice some practicality for this extra kick, though, with less cargo space than the already lacking Ghost. The rear seats also aren't quite as spacious, but considering how much room the Ghost has to spare, the Wraith can easily shave off a few inches and still have room for tall adults. But the question is, which Rolls is better? The Wraith is certainly more geared towards those who want to drive themselves, with engaging handling and bolder aesthetics. But the Ghost might be preferred by those who want to lounge luxuriously in the back while being driven around town.