Rolls-Royce Ghost (2016-2020) Review and Prices

Looking at these pictures, you wouldn’t believe the Rolls-Royce Ghost is actually the little brother to the larger and even pricier Phantom. Despite being based on a BMW 7 Series, you’ll enjoy the same levels of quality and class as in the Phantom, but pay (slightly) less for it, although it doesn’t manage to be quite as comfortable over bumps in town.

Still, you – and everybody walking down the high street – will be in no doubt as to your social status driving or riding in the back of a Ghost. It’s vast, has slab sides and the infamous Rolls-Royce grille complete with a gleaming Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet emblem.

Then, imagine the most comfortable, well-built and high-quality environment you can and that’s what the Ghost offers inside. Its build quality is second to none, you’ll find some of the finest woods, metals and leathers, while the switches are unique (no BMW bits here). The rear doors are rear-hinged to improve access and, well, so you can show off, really.

As you’d imagine, space is plentiful. Your driver and a front passenger will have no complaints, while it’s suitably roomy in the back for another couple of adults. There’s also a generous amount of boot space for your bespoke Rolls-Royce luggage set (yep, that’s one the accessories you can choose).

You’ll be surprised how nimble the Ghost feels to drive, and thanks to its smaller stature than the Phantom, it’s less unwieldy on narrower roads. Grip levels are huge, the adaptive suspension ensure cornering is composed and the brakes are more than up to the task of bringing 2.4 tonnes of metal, wood and leather to a halt. The only real complaint is comfort at low speeds in town – it’s a little firmer than you’d expect from a Roller.

The Ghost might be based on a BMW 7 Series, but you wouldn’t know sat inside. It’s comfier than country mansion drawing room in there

There’s only one engine in the Ghost: a 6.6-litre, twin-turbo V12 with 571hp in its standard guise, or 612hp if you buy the Ghost Black Badge, which is an even more exclusive model. In reality, there’s enough shove to shame sports cars in both models, with 60mph arriving in 4.7 seconds even with the lesser engine. But if that sort of thing sounds uncouth then you can simply revel in the huge low down pull that allows your driver to potter around in utter silence at virtually any speed.

As far as equipment goes, if you don’t need it, it hasn’t got it. If you do, it’s already there. If the regular Ghost just isn’t large enough for you, but the Phantom a little bit too big, then Sir might consider the Ghost EWB, or extended wheelbase version. This offers even more space in the back to do things such as count your money.

And you’ll need quite a bit of it to buy a Rolls-Royce Ghost, but that’ll come as no surprise to those in the market for one. In fact, next to a Rolls-Royce Phantom, you could even view it as good value – just. Happily, for that money you’re getting one of the best luxury cars, if not quite the comfiest over botched town roads.