Compare the2023 Bentley Flying SpurVS 2023 Rolls-Royce Ghost

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Bentley Flying Spur are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Rolls-Royce Ghost doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

An active infrared night vision system optional on the Flying Spur helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera and near-infrared lights to detect heat, the system then projects the image on the windshield, near the driver’s line of sight. The Ghost doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Flying Spur and Ghost have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Flying Spur has Reversing Traffic Warning (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Ghost’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Flying Spur 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 and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and available lane departure warning systems.

The Flying Spur’s optional 6.0 turbo 12-cylinder produces 35 more horsepower (626 vs. 591) than the Ghost Black Badge’s optional 6.6 turbo V12.

As tested in Motor Trend the Bentley Flying Spur turbo V8 is faster than the Rolls-Royce Ghost (base engine):

On the EPA test cycle the Flying Spur running on electricity gets better mileage than the Ghost:

On the EPA test cycle the Flying Spur running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Ghost:

The Flying Spur Hybrid can travel with zero emissions for 21 miles. The Ghost can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Flying Spur (except Hybrid)’s fuel efficiency. The Ghost doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Flying Spur Hybrid’s 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 stoplights the Flying Spur’s 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.

The Flying Spur offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Ghost doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Flying Spur’s 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.

For better stopping power the Flying Spur’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Ghost:

For better traction, the Flying Spur has larger standard tires than the Ghost (F:265/45R20 & R:295/40R20 vs. F:255/40R21 & R:285/35R21). The Flying Spur’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Ghost (F:275/35R22 & R:315/30R22 vs. F:255/40R21 & R:285/35R21).

The Flying Spur’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ghost’s 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Flying Spur offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Ghost’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Flying Spur is 1.9 inches wider in the front and .1 inches wider in the rear than on the Ghost.

The Flying Spur handles at .94 G’s, while the Ghost pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Flying Spur executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Ghost (24.7 seconds @ .78 average G’s vs. 25.3 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Flying Spur Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 6.4 feet tighter than the Ghost’s (36.3 feet vs. 42.7 feet). The Flying Spur’s turning circle is 8.3 feet tighter than the Ghost Extended’s (37.6 feet vs. 45.9 feet).

The Bentley Flying Spur may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 300 pounds less than the Rolls-Royce Ghost.

The Flying Spur is 9 inches shorter than the Ghost, making the Flying Spur easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

The Flying Spur has .2 inches more front legroom and .6 inches more rear legroom than the Ghost.

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

The Flying Spur 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.

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

The Bentley Flying Spur outsold the Rolls-Royce Ghost by 16% during 2022.