Can a Rolls Royce Be a Good Daily Driver? (6 Key Aspects)
If you can effortlessly afford the high expenses of owning an ultra-luxurious vehicle, Roll Royces are excellent daily drivers with unrivaled comfort and opulence.
Rolls Royce’s Positives as a Daily Driver
#1 Silent and Luxuriously Comfortable Cabin
Rolls Royce cars embody superior performance and unmatched comfort.
Crucially, they surround occupants in top-notch luxury and unmistakable style, with an attention to detail and craftsmanship bordering on the obsessive.
Retailing at half a million dollars, the Rolls Royce Phantom is the cream of the crop, with peerless interior design, materials quality, and seemingly infinite customization options.
The Phantom’s direct rival is the Bentley Flying Spur – it is similarly comfortable and spacious.
Another competitor is the Mercedes-Benz Maybach, but it isn’t as exclusive as the Phantom.
If you’re looking for the best in rolling extravagance, the Rolls Royce Phantom is the daily driver for you.
#2 Abundance of Power
Most Rolls Royces come with potent but turbine-smooth V12 power plants.
Those turbocharged twelve-cylinder engines deliver more than 500 horsepower to the rear wheels, except for the all-wheel-drive Cullinan.
A twin-turbocharged V12 powers the Wraith coupe, producing an impressive 600-plus horses in its standard guise; the Black Badge Wraith is the most powerful in the RR stable.
All Rolls Royces are capable of effortless acceleration (under 5s), with a healthy dose of power on tap to reach eye-watering top speeds befitting the number of cylinders.
However, it is doubtful that RR drivers get them to maximize their speed potential.
#3 The Prestige Factor
Rolls Royces are expensive modes of daily transportation.
Still, the Phantom is one of the most opulent, with a starting price double what other large luxury sedans will cost you.
In return, you get exclusivity and the prestige of being seen to own a Rolls Royce.
It is a statement of your financial successes and achievements.
The downside, however, is the attention a Rolls Royce attracts – the photo-taking is complimentary, but the envious stares are undesirable.
But if you’re uncomfortable with the attention, a Mercedes or BMW may suit you better – their luxury factor is a notch below Rolls Royce, but they’re plenty capable and comfortable daily drivers.
#4 Relatively Strong Value Retention
Ultra-luxury cars depreciate quicker than vehicles from mainstream automakers, partly because they sell at a significantly higher price.
There are comparatively fewer high-end luxury brands. Still, Rolls Royces have good resale values.
The Rolls Royce Ghost depreciates 46% after five years and 64% after ten years.
Meanwhile, the Rolls Royce Wraith coupe has one of the highest resale values among luxury vehicles, losing a mere 39% of its value after five years and 64% at the full-decade mark.
Let’s see how Rolls Royces compare with other luxury cars:
| 5-yr Depreciation | 10-yr depreciation | |
| Rolls-Royce Wraith | 39% | 64% |
| Lexus LX 570 (SUV) | 41% | 65% |
| Bentley Continental GT | 45% | 63% |
| Rolls-Royce Ghost | 46% | 64% |
| Bentley Bentayga (SUV) | 54% | 77% |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 55% | 81% |
| Audi S8 | 61% | 86% |
| BMW 7-Series | 61% | 84% |
| Land Rover Range Rover (SUV) | 63% | 83% |
Bentleys are as expensive as Rolls Royces, but they don’t do as well keeping their value.
Rolls Royce’s Negatives as a Daily Driver
#5 Prohibitively Expensive Daily Drivers
Unless you opt for a used Rolls Royce that has seen the worst of its depreciation years, owning a Rolls Royce is an expensive indulgence.
New Rolls Royce Cullinan, Ghost, and Wraith sell above the $300,000 tag.
The Phantom is the most expensive of all Rolls Royces; its base price is close to half a million dollars.
On the other hand, large luxury sedans like the Lexus LS 500 and BMW 7-Series can be yours for under $100k.
They are relatively comfortable and luxurious at considerably less money.
Still, if you have the means, the lure of owning a Rolls Royce can be irresistible.
#6 Massive Fuel Bill
It is doubtful that the thirsty but powerful V12s will bother Rolls Royce owners.
Still, Roll Royce cars return a meager 15mpg or less in mixed driving.
The use of premium fuel is a requirement for Rolls Royce.
Specific Rolls Royce Models:
Rolls Royce Cullinan as a Daily Driver
At a $300k-plus, few can match this SUV in price and luxury; the Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus come closest for considerably less.
The Rolls Royce Cullinan SUV is an exceptional daily driver if you can afford the price, as it is the most expensive SUV on the road.
Its cabin is infinitely luxurious with excellent isolation from road and wind noise, offering occupants a silent and comfortable ride.
Rolls Royce Ghost as a Daily Driver
Like the other RRs, the Rolls Royce Ghost is a good everyday car with the brand’s signature flawless craftsmanship and a serene ride at all speeds.
It has a relatively small trunk and a thirsty engine, but those are minor drawbacks in high-end vehicles.
Rolls Royce Phantom as a Daily Driver
The Phantom is the top-of-the-line Rolls Royce in price and customization options.
If you want the most comfortable daily driver with an otherworldly level of luxury, the Rolls Royce Phantom is the top pick.
That said, the Phantom is one of the largest sedans out there.
At a length of 230 inches (19.2 feet) or more and width without mirrors exceeding 78 inches (6.5 feet), parking a Phantom in tight spaces will be challenging.
Rolls Royce Wraith as a Daily Driver
Coupes are ideal driving machines for their athleticism.
Although some coupes are both sporty and luxurious, most aren’t comfortable for daily use due to their stiffer suspension setting.
However, opting for a RR Wraith is a choice to have a different coupe type.
The Rolls Royce Wraith is one of the most comfortable coupes, and an excellent daily driver made for high-speed cruises and low-speed urban settings.
What it isn’t: a high-performance sports automobile for tackling winding back roads.
It’s an acceptable trade-off considering the unassailable refinement, on-road presence, and sheer exclusivity of a Rolls Royce Wraith.
Alternatives to Rolls Royce for Daily Driving
Compelling options are aplenty if you can afford a Rolls Royce, and they are often as luxurious for less money:
The Porsche Panamera and Porsche SUVs are worthy competitors for your money with their athleticism and posh cabins.
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