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Rolls-Royce Ghost

The Essentials

  • Price from £200,500
  • What Car? says: 3 star rating
  • Fuel economy: up to 20.8mpg
  • What is it? The Rolls-Royce for the owner who drives it, rather than is driven in it

Great

  • Thoroughly enjoyable to drive (if not to manoeuvre through city streets)
  • Five-star luxury inside
  • Safety kit is the last word in technological wizardry

Gripes

  • Seriously expensive to buy and run; eye-watering depreciation
  • Sideways visibility is hampered by the big door mirrors
  • Low-speed ride isn't as comfortable as it should be
  • Drive

    You're queen of the road in this powerful land yacht. However, the firm low-speed ride might rattle the diamonds in your tiara

  • Inside

    Comfortable, high-riding driving position and easy to use controls for the many functions on offer

  • Safety

    If technology can prevent an accident or theft, it'll do it in the Ghost. Optional night vision and lane departure warning systems offer extra peace of mind

  • Reliability

    The combination of BMW features and Rolls build should keep you off the AA's radar

  • Space

    There's plenty of room for everyone to stretch out and enjoy but the boot is smaller than a Skoda Octavia's

  • Standard and extras

    You won't feel short-changed with the standard kit but we defy you not to want to splash out on some bespoke touches

  • What's it like to drive?

    The Rolls-Royce Ghost is touted as the Rolls that's driven by its owner rather than a chauffeur. It's perfect for anyone with megalomaniac tendencies or unresolved power issues: thanks to 563bhp from the 6.6-litre V12 engine you'll never be short of power here. Only the firmness of the ride around town lets it down - not quite the magic carpet experience that's promised.

  • What's it like inside?

    There's a suitably commanding view forwards for the driver, however the huge door mirrors reduce visibility to the sides, while the sheer size of the car may have you calling on the chauffeur to park it. If you let James stay behind the wheel you can still choose the tunes or make calls from the back. The wide-opening rear-hinged doors open onto generous passenger space, but the boot isn't quite as impressive with just 490 litres of space on offer. Luxury oozes from every pore of the hand-stitched leather.

  • How reliable is it?

    All the safety kit you'd expect in a car that costs as much as a house, including technoligical wizardry you've probably never imagined. Reliability shouldn't be an issue either and BMW's contribution to the build process is reassuring.

  • Should I buy one?

    Are you seriously wealthy? If so, go ahead. Every Rolls-Royce is hand-built to order and with prices starting north of £200,000 it's not for the faint-hearted. While average fuel consumption of 20.8mpg is almost respectable for a car like this, other costs will be eye-watering. With depreciation running at 50% after three years, owning a Rolls-Royce Ghost is an easy way to lose a lot of money.