Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon (03 on) - Review

Review by Simon Harris on
Last Updated: 04 June 2009
Rolls-Royce may be owned by BMW, but the Phantom is both individual and feels every inch the pinnacle of British-built luxury. Its appearance is certainly imposing - indeed it's too heavy-handed for some - but it travels with an unmatched elegance and style. It's a 'motor car' in the great Rolls-Royce tradition with a long list of options with which to personalise the vehicle, it has a surprising turn of speed and can be controlled with a level of precision that belies its size. If you want the best car in the world - and can afford it - we couldn't argue against choosing a Phantom.
5 out of 5

Other Rolls-Royce reviews

0.5 out of 5

Running costs

If you're considering a Phantom then chances are running costs aren't too much of a concern. It's incredibly expensive to buy, service and insure. Economy is poor too with an average of just 18mpg and as little as 12mpg in town, but the 100-litre tank means you won't have to fuel it too often.

Summary Running Costs

Servicing period

25,000 miles.

Warranty

Four years/unlimited mileage.

Road tax (12 months)

£475.00 - £475.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO2 emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

0.5 out of 5

Green credentials

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CO2 emission figure (g/km)

Fuel economy rating

The arrows indicate the best and worst CO2 bands for this model.

Emissions summary

With its large 6.7-litre petrol engine and average fuel consumption figure of just 18mpg, it's no surprise that the Phantom gets a rock-bottom eco score. It emits 377g/km CO2, which is exceptionally poor compared to the average family car. A petrol Mondeo will typically emit about 170g/km of CO2 for instance. The only saving grace is that buyers of these sorts of cars tend to do fewer miles per year than those that own average family cars.

Find the exact engine and CO2