Compare the2023 BMW 8 SeriesVS 2021 Rolls-Royce Wraith

The 8 Series’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Wraith doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The 8 Series has standard City Collision Mitigation, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Wraith doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The 8 Series has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Wraith doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The 8 Series offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Wraith doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The 8 Series’ standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Wraith.

The 8 Series’ optional blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. The Wraith doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 8 Series’ optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Wraith doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The 8 Series’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Wraith doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 8 Series and the Wraith 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The 8 Series’ corrosion warranty is 8 years longer than the Wraith’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 8 Series’ warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the 8 Series Coupe gets better mileage than the Wraith:

Regenerative brakes improve the 8 Series’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Wraith doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 8 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 Wraith doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

All wheel drive, available in the 8 Series, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Rolls-Royce Wraith is not available with all wheel drive.

The 8 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 Wraith doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 8 Series’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the Wraith:

The 8 Series’ standard 245/40R19 front and 275/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Wraith’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires. The 8 Series’ optional 245/35R20 front and 275/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Wraith’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

The 8 Series M850i has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Wraith doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For better maneuverability, the 8 Series’ turning circle is 3.5 feet tighter than the Wraith’s (38.2 feet vs. 41.7 feet). The 8 Series xDrive’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the Wraith’s (39 feet vs. 41.7 feet).

The BMW 8 Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 1500 pounds less than the Rolls-Royce Wraith.

The 8 Series is 1 foot, 4.9 inches shorter than the Wraith, making the 8 Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the 8 Series has standard flush composite headlights. The Wraith has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The front grille of the 8 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 Wraith doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 8 Series’ standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Wraith doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 8 Series’ trunk can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Wraith doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The 8 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 Wraith doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The 8 Series has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Wraith.

The 8 Series’ optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Wraith doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW 8 Series comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Rolls-Royce Wraith isn’t available as a convertible or sedan.