The Rolls-Royce brand has been around since 1906, but it only became famous for its cars after 1973, when Rolls-Royce Motors separated from the main company. The world was introduced to the Silver Shadow and Phantom VI in the 60s, while the Corniche variants and Silver Seraph came many years later. However, the modern era of Rolls-Royce cars officially began in 2003, when BMW obtained sole trading rights to the brand name and logo. These luxurious cruisers are now among the most opulent in the USA with price tags that only the 1% could ever dream of affording.
New Rolls-Royce Car Lineup For 2021
The current lineup of Rolls-Royce models for 2021 consists of just five models, with special variations of some available; Black Badge editions offer darkened chrome, unique exterior paint and carbon fiber composite wheels, and more dynamic performance. The Cullinan, Dawn, and Wraith are all available in this configuration. While none of these perform on the same level as a supercar, they have more than enough power to get around and the looks to turn heads, and, considering the level of quality of each hand-crafted motor car, this is hardly a surprise.
Here is a quick review of each model available right now in the US:
- Wraith - Nobody would blame you for not believing that the Wraith is the cheapest car in the range, at a cool $320,500 starting MSRP. Despite this, it is also the most performance-focused offering featuring the Spirit of Ecstacy. Inside, it is just as sophisticated as its bigger brothers, while the twin-turbo V12 engine under the hood moves it from 0 to 60 mph in a brief 4.4 seconds. Thanks to its slightly smaller size, it handles far better than the massive luxury liners at the top end of the range.
- Ghost - Available as a standard or extended model, the Ghost is all-new for 2021. It has trimmed off some of its more superfluous edges without compromising on quality and opulence. This means you can pick it up a little cheaper than before, though you’ll still need to invest in excess of $332,500. It has access to 563 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, but it isn’t quite as fun to drive when you compare it to the Wraith, although it is gloriously comfortable and plush.
- Dawn - Convertible vehicles are always popular among those who love living the high life, which is where the Dawn comes in. True to its name, it is all about letting the sun in, but it is more for leisure than sport. Though it may boast a potent 6.6L twin-turbo V12, its power is designed for cruising rather than sprinting and it doesn’t handle corners all that well. In terms of looks, the exterior is sleek with a vaned grille. But, while the interior may be equally gorgeous, it is not as spacious as you’d expect from the brand, since convertibles always favor those up front more than the poor passengers stuck in the back. However, like the smaller Wraith, it offers a Black Badge edition for maximum levels of opulence and more horsepower - albeit at serious additional cost.
- Phantom - Another nameplate with two body types - standard or extended - the Phantom is the single most expensive car to bear the Spirit of Ecstacy wings. Be prepared to lay down at least half a mil if you want this beaut to take up residence in your garage. And it better be a big one, since the Phantom needs loads of room to stretch out, even without the extended body. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more luxurious vehicle anywhere in the world, and its ultra-modern tech perfectly off-sets its old-world class and elegance. Designed more to be driven in rather than to be driven, it isn’t particularly nimble. However, the twin-turbo V12 will get you where you want to go in little to no time. Naturally, comfort is king, and there are endless ways to customize your purchase with accessories or tailored color schemes.
- Cullinan - The only SUV to bear the prestigious logo, the Cullinan is all about family comfort and safety. It does offer an extra trim level - the Black Badge - for those who want the absolute best that the brand has to offer, with more assertive looks, and more aggressive performance from under the hood, too. In either configuration, it comes outfitted with a more than capable twin-turbo V12 engine and all-wheel drivetrain. Translating the traditional Rolls style to a high-rider body results in something akin to a luxury tank, but the interior is ludicrously lavish with space to spare.
Rolls-Royce car models and price list
You can’t just walk into a dealership and buy a Rolls; they are far too exclusive for that. However, you can go online and get in touch with a consultant to custom order one of these prestigious vehicles. For this reason, exact pricing is hard to pinpoint, especially when you consider the extent to which you can commission bespoke elements for every car. Nevertheless, here is a list of the estimated price for every new Rolls Royce for 2020 and 2021.
Model |
Power |
Engine |
Base Price |
Rolls-Royce Cullinan |
563 hp |
6.8L Twin-Turbo V12 Gas |
$330,000 |
Rolls-Royce Phantom |
563 hp |
6.7L Twin-Turbo V12 Gas |
$465,000 |
Rolls-Royce Spectre |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC |
Rolls-Royce Ghost |
563 hp |
6.6L Twin-Turbo V12 Gas |
$311,900 |
Rolls-Royce Wraith |
624 hp |
6.6L Twin-Turbo V12 Gas |
$330,000 |
Rolls-Royce Dawn |
563 hp |
6.6L Twin-Turbo V12 Gas |
$356,500 |
Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe |
453 hp |
6.8L V12 Gas |
$492,000 |
Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe |
453 hp |
6.8L V12 Gas |
$449,525 |
What To Consider Before Buying
Naturally, shopping in such an elite segment has its advantages and when you’re paying this much, the downsides are few and generally easy to overlook:
Pros
- Unmistakable styling
- Peerless quality and comfort
- Loads of power under the hood
- Surprisingly adept driving characteristics
- Long list of standard features, safety or otherwise
- Proof that you have truly made it
Cons
- Cost more than most of us make in a year, or several
- No such thing as a good fuel economy rating
- Limited availability
FAQs
Why are Rolls-Royce cars so expensive?
There is no such thing as a mass-produced Rolls-Royce. Buyers commission a tailored package, with all the bells and whistles they want, and it is then hand-crafted to the required specs. With such attention to detail and the sheer quality that goes into each unit, it should come as no surprise that they cost an arm and a leg, and a couple of kidneys too. But you are paying for status, after all.
Are Rolls-Royce cars reliable?
These are some of the most refined works of automotive engineering on the road today, which is both a good and a bad thing. They are designed more for aesthetics than durability, but the components used are of the highest quality with components sourced from BMW, so they are as reliable as we have come to expect from the German automaker. Additionally, each hand-built car must pass stringent checks before being delivered to its new owner, so while there are no specific reliability ratings to reference, this prestigious brand is unlikely to deliver a dud.
Which is the cheapest Rolls-Royce?
The word cheap is not even remotely applicable to the brand, but the least expensive option is the Wraith, with an estimated starting cost of around $320k, excluding licensing, delivery and options.
Are there any electric Rolls-Royce cars?
The move towards electrification is still a relatively new one, and the brand is not known for adapting to the shifting market at lightning speeds. Still, there are rumors of future plans to add energy-efficient models to the lineup, with the Silent Shadow name being whispered in the industry as the brand’s potential EV moniker.
For more information, pictures, and videos of current and upcoming Rolls-Royce models, be sure to read our in-depth reviews and up-to-the-minute news.