How Good Does It Look?
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The Rolls-Royce Wraith, while considered one of the marque’s smaller models, still commands significant road presence. Its design philosophy leans towards understated elegance rather than overt flamboyance. Subtle, well-sculpted lines work harmoniously to minimize its considerable bulk. The perceived audacity of your Wraith largely hinges on your chosen color palette and detail configuration, with Rolls-Royce providing a near-infinite spectrum of paint options. For those desiring an even more pronounced Rolls-Royce identity, the Wraith Black Badge edition is available. This iteration features the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament rendered in black, along with darkened chrome elements across the vehicle’s exterior. The Black Badge also distinguishes itself with 21-inch, lightweight carbon fiber and alloy composite wheels, replacing the standard 20-inch wheels on the “normal” Wraith. This subtle enhancement elevates the Wraith’s visual appeal, making it a true head-turner.
What’s the Interior Like?
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
When investing upwards of a quarter of a million pounds in a vehicle, a certain level of interior opulence is expected. The Rolls-Royce Wraith not only meets but exceeds these expectations. Motorized doors that close with a gentle touch of a button, meticulously crafted wood veneers, sumptuously soft leather-clad armchair-like seats, and impeccable fit and finish define the cabin experience. Again, extensive customization options are available, allowing owners to personalize their Wraith interior to an unparalleled degree. Despite its sporty coupe silhouette, the Wraith retains the elevated, commanding driving position characteristic of Rolls-Royce. This places the driver more in the realm of piloting a luxury yacht than occupying the cockpit of a sports car. The steering wheel, generously sized by modern standards, quickly becomes familiar and comfortable in hand. The infotainment system, a recognizable iteration of BMW’s iDrive, offers intuitive usability with subtly refined graphics, making it among the most user-friendly systems available. Surprisingly, the air conditioning system, while effective, is relatively basic compared to the advanced climate control systems found in many contemporary, and significantly less expensive, vehicles.
How Practical Is It?
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
As a coupe, ingress and egress to the rear seats of the Rolls-Royce Wraith are inherently more challenging than in the Ghost saloon. However, the vast rear-hinged coach doors provide surprisingly generous access, even for taller adults. Once seated in the back, occupants will find ample legroom and headroom – designed comfortably for two, as there is no middle seat. The front cabin also offers generous space. The Wraith is undeniably a large car, and while the deep but somewhat narrow boot (trunk) may not visually appear enormous relative to the car’s overall size, it still provides a substantial 470 liters of cargo capacity. This outstrips its primary rival, the Bentley Continental GT. However, the rear seats do not fold down, limiting flexibility for carrying larger items. If the standard boot space proves insufficient, alternative solutions will be necessary.
What’s It Like to Drive?
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The sheer scale of the Rolls-Royce Wraith remains apparent when in motion. Navigating tight country lanes or constricted city streets can initially feel daunting. However, once acclimated to its dimensions, the Wraith delivers a remarkably impressive driving experience. Despite its size, it maintains composure and stability through corners, delivering the signature Rolls-Royce “wafting” ride comfort with minimal road noise intrusion. The steering, while exceptionally light, slightly detracts from the Wraith’s positioning as a sportier Rolls-Royce model. It is undeniably fast and capable, yet it doesn’t offer a high degree of driver engagement when pushed to its performance limits. The focus remains on effortless progress rather than outright sporty handling.
How Powerful Is It?
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The Rolls-Royce Wraith holds the distinction of being the most powerful production Rolls-Royce. Beneath its hood resides a monstrous twin-turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 engine. This powerplant delivers a formidable 624 horsepower (632 PS) and 820Nm of torque to the rear wheels. The Black Badge variant elevates torque output to 870Nm. Consequently, the standard Wraith accelerates from 0 to 62mph (100km/h) in a mere 4.6 seconds, while the Black Badge shaves that time to 4.5 seconds. Impressive figures for a car weighing close to 2.5 tonnes. The power delivery, however, is far from aggressive. In a manner befitting a discreet and efficient butler serving a perfectly crafted cocktail, velocity arrives seamlessly with minimal exertion or audible drama upon pressing the accelerator.
How Much Will It Cost Me?
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
As expected, Rolls-Royce ownership comes at a premium, and the Wraith is no exception. Prices begin around a quarter of a million pounds, and most buyers will readily invest tens of thousands more on bespoke customizations and optional features. This positions it as a significantly more expensive proposition than other luxury coupes such as the Aston Martin Vanquish or the Bentley Continental GT W12. The Wraith’s potent V12 engine consumes fuel with considerable enthusiasm. Official fuel economy figures for the standard Wraith are around 20.2mpg (miles per gallon), which, to be fair, is comparable to the Aston Martin and Bentley. Depreciation estimates suggest a substantial loss in value over three years, and the initial high purchase price translates to a greater monetary depreciation than its rivals. On a positive note, servicing, repairs, and maintenance are likely to be more cost-effective than for an Aston Martin. However, overall, Wraith ownership will place a significant burden on your finances.
How Reliable Is It?
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Reliability data specific to Rolls-Royce vehicles is scarce due to their low production volumes. They rarely feature in mainstream reliability surveys. The Wraith shares numerous mechanical components with the BMW 7 Series. While the 7 Series doesn’t achieve exceptional scores in reliability indices like the Warranty Direct Reliability Index, Rolls-Royce ownership typically entails meticulous maintenance and servicing. This suggests Wraiths are likely to be more robust than the BMWs included in reliability studies. Be prepared for potentially high repair costs when necessary. However, the standard four-year/unlimited mileage warranty provides peace of mind for the initial ownership period.
How Safe Is It?
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Euro NCAP, the European car safety assessment program, does not conduct crash tests on Rolls-Royce models due to their limited sales volume. However, Rolls-Royce’s parent company, BMW, possesses an excellent safety reputation, which can reasonably be assumed to extend to the Wraith. The Wraith is equipped with eight airbags and Isofix child seat mounting points in the rear. However, advanced active safety features like lane departure assist and automatic emergency braking are optional extras, which is somewhat disappointing in a vehicle of this price point.
How Much Equipment Do I Get?
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The equipment and features available in your Rolls-Royce Wraith are virtually limitless, constrained only by your budget. Almost any conceivable feature can be incorporated if you are willing to pay for it. Rolls-Royce’s extensive personalization program can create bespoke items ranging from custom-matched luggage sets to a fiber optic headliner replicating astronomical constellations. Standard equipment on the Wraith includes all-around parking sensors and cameras – invaluable for maneuvering a vehicle of this size – keyless start, and a high-fidelity sound system with 18 speakers.
Why Buy?
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The Rolls-Royce Wraith appeals to those who desire a Rolls-Royce with a more assertive character than the Phantom or Ghost. If your priority is a purely sporty luxury car, alternatives like the Bentley Continental GT might offer a more engaging driving experience. However, the Wraith is an exquisitely engineered, beautifully crafted automobile that also serves as an undeniable status symbol. If this combination of attributes aligns with your aspirations, the Rolls-Royce Wraith will undoubtedly be a highly satisfying purchase.
