2023 Rolls-Royce Ghost Expert Review
Reviewed by Duncan Brady
When you need to flex on your buddy with an S-Class but don't feel the need to drop half a million big ones on a Phantom, the Rolls-Royce Ghost is the tool for the job. We can't think of any automaker with a more luxurious entry-level offering; the Ghost is every bit as plush as you'd hope of a vehicle with the Spirit of Ecstasy adorned on its nose. We don't anticipate any major changes for 2023.
What We Think
The previous, first-generation Ghost never quite convinced us it was as worthy of a Rolls-Royce badge as its Phantom cohort. In ways, it felt like the dressed-up BMW 7 Series it was. This second-generation model, however, is a stunningly opulent four-door that more than deserves its Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament.
Despite the Rolls-Royce reputation of vehicles that are best to be driven in, the new Ghost is a pleasure from the driver's seat. Now imbued with all-wheel drive and a four-wheel-steering system, Rolls-Royce's "small" sedan navigates pavement with surprising agility and ease. The experience is bolstered by the effortless and seemingly endless power delivery of the Ghost's twin-turbo V-12. For the best driving experience, though, we recommend skipping the more powerful and sinister-looking Ghost Black Badge, as it lacks the magic carpet ride quality we've come to expect from Rolls-Royce.
Material quality, on the other hand, is among the best in the automotive industry. This goes beyond your Mercedes-Benz S-Class or even a Bentley Flying Spur, short only of the range-topping Phantom. World-class upholstery and trim surround driver and passenger, and the automaker sets a high bar for customization options. There's really nothing like a Rolls-Royce.
The Ghost's Twelve-Cylinder Engine
Like every Rolls-Royce aside from the battery-powered Spectre coupe, the Ghost sources its propulsion from an indulgent 6.8-liter (6.75-litre if you ask RR) twin-turbo V-12 connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD. The monstrous engine delivers 563 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, but if you're hungry for more power, you can unlock it by opting for the Ghost Black Badge. That model's V-12 is good for 592 hp and 664 lb-ft. In the standard model, we recorded 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds. Fuel economy is an afterthought at 12/19 mpg city/highway.
The Architecture of Luxury
Most readers may know Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has been a subsidiary of BMW since 1998. When the first-generation Ghost was introduced for the 2010 model year, it shared its bones with the BMW 7 Series. Rolls-Royce redesigned its smaller sedan for 2021, now riding on the Rolls-Royce-exclusive platform boldly dubbed The Architecture of Luxury, which made its debut beneath the 2018 Phantom.
How Much Is a Rolls-Royce Ghost?
The Ghost might be affordable compared to its Phantom big sibling, but this is no Corolla. Expect pricing for the standard 2023 Ghost to start just short of $350,000, and that's before you add absurdly priced options like $22,000 paint, a $12,000 gold-plated hood ornament, or an $11,000 premium audio system. More interested in the long-wheelbase version? Budget closer to $400,000.
Rolls-Royce's Electric Future
Rolls-Royce hasn't yet revealed an electric version of the Ghost, but we expect to see one in the coming years. The automaker recently revealed the 2024 Spectre, an electric coupe with over 300 miles of range and close to 600 hp. Rolls-Royce has announced its intention to offer an all-electric lineup by 2030, and it's hard to imagine that lineup without a version of the Ghost.
