Bentley Flying Spur vs. Rolls-Royce Ghost

If you’re torn over which high-end luxury car to own, don’t worry. You’re not the first. The height of luxury auto making means that there are tough choices to make! Which is right for you: the four door Bentley or Rolls-Royce? The Flying Spur or the Ghost?

Both are the midsize sedans from their make. Bentley’s bigger choice is the exquisitely luxurious Mulsanne, while Rolls’ is the imminently respectable Phantom.

Power

For the Flying Spur and Ghost, let’s compare their power. The beating heart of the Bentley offers a range of engines from the W12 to the V8. These are extremely powerful engines mapped to a beautiful 8-speed transmission.

The Ghost skips the more efficient V8 option, which is disappointing. The 12-cylinder is impressive and more powerful on each car, but on the Rolls it’s a little growlier and not in all the best ways. Both have power to spare, but the Ghost is rougher around the edges and it becomes apparent in certain driving situations.

Performance

The Flying Spur will hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds from a standstill. That’s much faster than the Ghost’s 4.8 seconds. The Bentley can also hit 202 mph, while the Rolls can “only” reach 155 mph (still impressive!). For many who aren’t taking it on the track, that won’t be an issue, but these performance differences are emblematic of how each car performs in other ways.

Bentley’s Flying Spur has very dynamic handling. It’s exceptionally precise, which lends the driver very refined control. The Rolls is looser, but some prefer that.

Luxury

The interiors of each are phenomenal. Here, it might come down to more a matter of taste. The Bentley Flying Spur is built around the driver, which means streamlined presentation that doesn’t overwhelm. Everything has a place that’s sensible and this helps the driver make adjustments without taking their eyes from the road.

The Rolls can feel a little busy and less refined in its dashboard and center console, but the look itself is impressively traditional.

The Bentley is brighter and more modern-looking. Quilted leather, brilliant use of color, and smart accents abound. The Rolls blends elements of the modern with what’s worked in the past, with a more subdued appearance. Again – the interior may come down to taste.

Conclusion

All in all, the four door Bentley presents itself as an ultramodern car with racing precision and performance. For driving enjoyment, it’s the clear choice. The Rolls-Royce Ghost comes off as more of a limousine. It may be superior if you’re being chauffeured and want an older form of Rolls prestige. Otherwise, it’s the Bentley Flying Spur that drives circles around its competition.