Compare the2022 BMW 7 SeriesVS 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the 7 Series xDrive’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Ghost doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the 7 Series and the Ghost have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The 7 Series’ corrosion warranty is 8 years longer than the Ghost’s (12 vs. 4 years).

There are over 9 times as many BMW dealers as there are Rolls-Royce dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 7 Series’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 7 Series second among large premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Ghost isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Alpina B7’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 37 more horsepower (600 vs. 563) than the Ghost’s 6.6 turbo V12. The M760i’s standard 6.6 turbo V12 produces 38 more horsepower (601 vs. 563) than the Ghost’s 6.6 turbo V12.

On the EPA test cycle the 745e Electric Motor xDrive running on electricity gets better mileage than the Ghost (52 city/61 hwy MPGe vs. 12 city/19 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the 7 Series running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Ghost:

The 745e can drive on battery power alone for up to 17 miles. The Ghost must run its internal combustion engine to move.

Regenerative brakes improve the 7 Series’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Ghost doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the 7 Series’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Ghost doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

For more complete vehicle control the 7 Series has a manually controlled automatic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. A manually controlled automatic allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The Ghost doesn’t offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

The 7 Series’ launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Ghost doesn’t offer launch control.

The 7 Series offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Ghost; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the 740i’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Ghost’s (42 feet vs. 42.7 feet). The 7 Series xDrive’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Ghost’s (42.4 feet vs. 42.7 feet).

The BMW 7 Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 1400 pounds less than the Rolls-Royce Ghost.

The 7 Series is 1 foot, 6.3 inches shorter than the Ghost Extended, making the 7 Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the 7 Series has standard flush composite headlights. The Ghost has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The front grille of the 7 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Ghost doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 7 Series has .8 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 2.5 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Ghost.

The 7 Series has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Ghost doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The 7 Series’ instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Ghost does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the 7 Series has standard extendable sun visors. The Ghost doesn’t offer extendable visors.

A power rear sunshade is standard in the 7 Series and power rear side window sunshades are optional to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Ghost doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The 7 Series’ Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Ghost’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The 7 Series is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Ghost doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 7 Series, based on reliability, safety and performance.