2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　

What's new

Redesigned for 2018Significantly more powerful V12 engineNew luxury and safety featuresPart of the third Phantom generation introduced for 2018

　　For over a decade, the seventh-generation Phantom served as the pinnacle of the Rolls-Royce lineup. This monument to power and wealth exceeded expectations for what a luxury sedan could be, but near the end of its run, the Phantom started to feel a little dated. While materials and craftsmanship can be timeless, there's an expiration date on technology, and the Phantom offered few advanced driving aids. That changes for this year as the redesigned 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom debuts with a lengthy list of high-tech safety features alongside new luxury upgrades and more customization options than you can shake a stick (or door-embedded umbrella) at.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom 4dr Sedan (6.7L 12cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$312/mo  for Phantom Base

　　Phantom Base

　　4dr Sedan (6.7L 12cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $450,000 MSRPEWB 4dr Sedan (6.7L 12cyl Turbo 8A) - $530,000 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　A new aluminum space frame provides the backbone of the new Phantom's architecture. Rolls says this structure not only increases stiffness and reduces weight but also, accompanied by a new air suspension and four-wheel steering, provides a more dynamic driving experience. Fret not — the Phantom is not a four-door Ferrari. A new camera system that Rolls-Royce calls "Flagbearer" reads the road at speeds up to 62 mph and readies the suspension to soak up upcoming imperfections. Rolls also claims a 10% reduction in exterior noise thanks to the new construction and additional foam layers inserted throughout.

　　As you might expect, the cabin of the new Phantom is even more opulent than the one in the outgoing model. Every conceivable surface is cloaked in leather, metal, glass or wood, and the dashboard adds a new design element. Dubbed "the Gallery," glass on the upper dash encases a swatch of metal that can be customized with a variety of artistic motifs. The ultra-popular Starlight headliner — which decorates the perforated-leather headliner with hundreds of LEDs to resemble the night sky — is now standard, as are a host of advanced driving aids. In short, the Phantom offers practically every piece of driving assistance tech you can think of, though adaptive cruise control and night vision are optional.

　　The redesigned Phantom is not only the most lavish Rolls-Royce you can get, it's also the most exclusive luxury sedan in the world. No expense has been spared in creating this mega land yacht — its buyers will expect nothing less.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　

Driving

　　The Phantom's twin-turbocharged V12 produces a massive 563 horsepower and 663 lb-ft of torque. According to Rolls, that's good enough to haul this big beast from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds. Changes to the structure and suspension should make this Phantom a bit more fun to drive than the previous model.

　　

Comfort

　　The Rolls-Royce Phantom should offer unparalleled levels of passenger comfort, exemplified by the camera that constantly scans the road and readies the adaptive dampers for road irregularities.

　　

Interior

　　Exotic materials blanket every inch of the Phantom's cabin. You'd expect nothing less from a car that, with a few options boxes ticked, retails for a cool half-million.

　　

Utility

　　The trunk measures 19.0 cubic feet, which is very large by sedan standards. Expect the space to shrink considerably if you add the champagne cooler.

　　

Technology

　　The Phantom's 10.25-inch central display screen uses a variant of parent company BMW's iDrive infotainment system. We've found iDrive, especially this latest version, fairly easy to use. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are not offered.

　　

Which Phantom does zzdcar recommend?

　　Tens of thousands of dollars separate the standard Phantom from the extended-wheelbase model, and the only difference is the extra rear legroom. But buyers considering a vehicle this expensive aren't likely to be dissuaded by the additional cost. Most of the options center around driver customization, though we're enamored with the alternate Gallery designs. Make sure to specify the massaging and ventilated rear seats, especially if you spend more time being chauffeured than driving.

　　

2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom models

　　The 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom is a large ultra-luxury sedan with a seemingly infinite number of ways to be tailored to the buyer's whims. Two versions are available — the standard Phantom and a roomier extended wheelbase (EWB) that adds roughly 9 inches of legroom. Regardless of body style, the Phantom is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V12 producing a healthy 563 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. It transmits power to all four wheels via an 8-speed transmission that uses the navigation system to change gears based on upcoming road conditions.

　　Both Phantom models come with the same set of features. Every Phantom comes with 21-inch wheels, laser headlights, a road-reading adaptive air suspension, power-closing doors (with umbrellas inside), leather headliner, heated and ventilated front massaging seats, a navigation system, a 10.25-inch central display, a head-up display, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a 16-speaker audio system, and the Starlight headliner that incorporates hundreds of LEDs to resemble the night sky. Standard safety features include a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, a blind-spot monitor, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection.

　　Stand-alone options include a modified Spirit of Ecstasy ornament (solid silver, gold-plated, or illuminated), 22-inch wheels, ventilated and massaging rear seats, rear footrests, lambswool floor mats, a rear cooler with two champagne flutes and an 18-speaker audio system. Rear bench seating is standard, though you can also specify wider outboard seats or ditch the middle seat altogether for a four-seat configuration. Both of these choices add massaging rear seats. There are also a couple significant packages, including the Driver Assistance Systems package (adaptive cruise control and night vision) and the Phantom package (22-inch wheels, dual rear entertainment display screens, the wider outboard seats, the Driver Assistance Systems package, and "RR" monograms on all headrests).

　　While a standardized list of optional features is all fine and dandy, Rolls-Royce prides itself in offering custom enhancements tailored to the buyer. Though a wealth of exotic woods are available, Rolls-Royce has, in the past, made bespoke veneers from an individual, customer-selected tree. You can also ask Rolls to engrave custom designs in the veneer for a truly personalized look.

　　Rolls-Royce has also gone off script with leather choices in the past — pick an animal, and Rolls can probably make upholstery out of it (within legal confines, of course). Want an exact match of the constellations in the night sky the day you proposed to your spouse? Rolls will do that too. Personalized treadplates, embossed headrests and hand-painted coachlines, contrasting color lines that run the length of the vehicle, are also available. The only limit is your imagination and the size of your pocketbook.

　　

2018 Phantom Highlights

Trim: BaseEWBBase

　　

Base MSRP	$450,000
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	14 MPG
Cost to Drive	$312/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / unlimited miles