English Automotive

Bentley vs Rolls-Royce: Which Is Best?

Although Bentley and Rolls Royce share a very common history, they are actually the most formidable rivals of the present time. If you take a quick look back into the history of high-end luxury vehicles, you will find that Bentley and Rolls Royce were essentially the same car brand.

However, after this, the merchandise split, and Rolls Royce received absolutely everything from the parent manufacturer except for the name of Bentley. If you fast forward to today, Rolls Royce and Bentley are two completely separately manufactured, produced, marketed, distributed, and sold vehicle models.

Thus, both car models have very distinctive features to them. Bentley and Rolls Royce are top-end ultra-luxury oriented vehicles, to say the least. These cars are designed for the people who are fortunate enough to be able to afford them.

Here we have put together a quick Bentley vs Rolls Royce comparison to help you decide which cars are the best luxury car for you.

Bentley Pros

Bentley is a British company that manufacture and market top-end ultra-luxury cars and SUVs. Bently has also been a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group since 1998. Bently produces one of the most performance-oriented luxury vehicle lines available for premium car enthusiasts.

One pro of a Bently vehicle is its character and feel. Bentley cars have more of an independent, sportier, and performance-oriented feeling. If you are an individual that is looking for a faster and more performance-friendly vehicle that is far more than just a luxurious show-off, Bentley is the best choice for you between the two.

Another pro of a Bentley vehicle is its sporty performance. Bentley cars are significantly faster and sportier than Rolls Royce cars. Bentley is an excellent option for those people who wish to own a car that offers far better driving exclusivity.

This brings us onto the next pro of Bently, which is its driving exclusivity. If you are someone that enjoys experiencing driving on their own, then the Bentleys are the safest bet for you. A Bentley offers various driver-friendly features, an incredibly fast speed, and much better handling than the Rolls Royce.

Bentley cars are also slightly more affordable than Rolls Royce. Not only do Bentleys provide you with excellent stability, a fast performance, and sportier convenience, they are the somewhat more affordable vehicle option when compared to the Rolls Royce.

Bentley Cons

The main con of Bently is that it has a lesser status symbol. Bentleys are not necessarily regarded as top-end high-status vehicles in most regions of the world. The reason for this mainly lies in their limited luxury and higher focus on driver-oriented performance features. A large majority of the front leaders seem to prefer Rolls Royce over Bentley.

Another thing that could be considered a con for Bentley is that they don't focus on looks as much as Rolls Royce do. In all fairness, Bentley's are still beautiful cars; however, Bentley is less focused on its looks and convenience as they are spiriting vehicles designed to be able to take you to places on your own. If you are wanting a luxurious car, Bentley may not be an ideal option for you.

Rolls Royce Pros

Rolls-Royce is a British company that manufacture ultra-luxury automobiles. They have a production history dating back to 1904. Rolls Royce is an entirely owned subsidiary of the BMW Group.

Rolls-Royce is a notable leader of timeless, classic looks. They consistently deliver pure premium luxury and convenience with their cars. One of the main pros when it comes to Rolls Royce vehicles are their exclusive looks. Whether it's celebrities, popular icons, executives or luxury enthusiasts, everyone loves the stylish and opulent looks that Rolls Royce cars have to offer. The Rolls Royce cars are definitely an epitome of timeless luxury for car owners with a more defined structure, impressive comfort features and tremendous interior.

Another pro of a Rolls Royce is the status symbol. As previously mentioned, the Rolls Royce is a significantly better status symbol than the Bentley.

Rolls Royce vehicles also offer a distinctly premium interior. You get to experience the magnificent satisfaction of cutting-edge contemporary interiors as you step inside Rolls Royce car. Even the very basic Rolls Royce model offers way more luxury features than the standard Bentley.

Rolls Royce Cons

The most significant con of Rolls Royce is its not so excellent performance. The Rolls Royce is essentially an ideal luxury car that is completely structured on looks and class. Their vehicles do not offer good stability or a faster performance like Bentleys do.

Rolls Royce cars are also not very good for self-drivers. Rolls Royce vehicles are designed to be driven by chauffeurs while the car owner sits in the back and enjoys an array of expensive luxury features.

Is Buying A Classic Rolls Royce Car A Good Investment?

Comparing Bentley and Rolls-Royce Prices

In investment terms, it is no shock that Bentley and Rolls Royce both come alongside a hefty price tag. If you are looking to purchase a Rolls Royce car, you are going to be looking at a minimum of around £400,000, and it doesn't stop there. In 2013, Rolls Royce was commissioned to create the most expensive luxury vehicle in the world. The Rolls Royce Sweptail was a completely bespoke car manufactured specially for a super-yacht and aircraft specialist. 

The Sweptail was worth an extraordinary $13 million. The lucky and incredibly wealthy owner composed a wishlist of things that he wanted incorporating into his unique Rolls Royce, which design director Giles Taylor then magnificently brought to life. His goal was to combine the dramatic and exciting feel of the 1925 Rolls Royce Phantom I Round Door, the sleek and sophisticated angling of the 1934 Phantom II Streamline Saloon Park Ward and the wonderful coachwork of the 1934 Gurney Nutting Phantom II Two Door Light Saloon. 

The finished product featured all hand-built coachwork, stunning polished Macassar ebony trims, and the first-ever made Macassar-veneer clock and compartments to store all of the owner's personal devices.

If you're looking at treating yourself to a Bentley, then the average price will be around £250,00. Bentley's are not exactly 'affordable' but do cost considerably less than a Rolls Royce. The largest amount of money ever paid for a Bentley vehicle was £7 million. Unlike Rolls Royce, this sale wasn't for a brand new, personalised bespoke car. The £7 million was spent on a vintage 1912 Rolls Royce Ghost. The model, which was also known as the 'Corgi', was based on a toy car with the same name. The iconic Rolls Royce Silver Ghost was sold at an auction, where two bidders went back and forth, placing offers in increments of £100,000.

Comparing Performance

It is slightly challenging to adequately compare the overall performance of the Bentley vs Rolls Royce vehicles, as there are a number of different models available within both brands, all of which have their own unique quirks. Instead, it would be beneficial to delve a little deeper into the history of each company to uncover their fastest vehicles ever produced.

The most powerful car that Rolls Royce ever produced was the unmistakable Wraith. The Rolls Royce Wraith had a starting price of £250,000, and the Rolls Royce balances the sheer beauty of the Phantom with a 10% power increase. The Wraith features a brutal 624 horsepower V12 engine that allows the speed to skyrocket from an impressive 0 - 60mph in only 4.4 seconds. Its top speed is an exceptional 155mph that can be easily reached using the car's 8-gear automatic transmission. Although this vehicle poses a substantial power boost, drivers certainly do not have to compromise on any comfort. With every single journey, drivers are entirely isolated from any engine noises or vibrations.

On the other hand, Bentley surpassed Rolls Royce's performance record with the contemporary 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports. This car has a 6-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 engine, allowing drivers the thrill of reaching a whopping 60mph in an astonishing 3.4 seconds. Its top speed is a tremendous 205 mph, five miles per hour more than any other vehicle ever made by the brand, making the 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports the fastest four-seater convertible in the world.

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If you would like to follow up on more information regarding Bentley restoration, repair or servicing, feel free to contact us to discus your requirements. We work with Bentley and Rolls-Royce car owners throughout London and the home counties including; Middlesex, Sussex, Dorset and Kent.