Compare the2024 Lexus LSVS 2023 Rolls-Royce Phantom

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Lexus LS 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 Phantom doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Lexus LS has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Phantom doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The LS has a standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Phantom doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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

Both the LS and Phantom have rear cross-traffic warning, but the LS has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Phantom’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the LS and the Phantom have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the LS 2 years longer than Rolls-Royce covers the Phantom. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Phantom ends after only 4 years.

The LS’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Phantom’s (6 vs. 4 years).

There are over 6 times as many Lexus dealers as there are Rolls-Royce dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the LS’ warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the LS gets better mileage than the Phantom:

The LS can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for .6 miles. The Phantom can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the LS 500h’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Phantom doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the LS Hybrid’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. The Phantom doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus LS higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Rolls-Royce Phantom (3). This means the LS produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Phantom every 15,000 miles.

For more complete vehicle control the LS offers an optional 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 Phantom doesn’t offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus LS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Phantom.

The LS 500h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Phantom doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better maneuverability, the LS’ turning circle is 6.2 feet tighter than the Phantom’s (36.8 feet vs. 43 feet). The LS AWD’s turning circle is 5.9 feet tighter than the Phantom EWB’s (39.4 feet vs. 45.3 feet).

The Lexus LS may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 1050 pounds less than the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

The LS is 1 foot, 9.1 inches shorter than the Phantom, making the LS easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The LS is 7.8 inches shorter in height than the Phantom, making the LS much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

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

The LS uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Phantom doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

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

The LS 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 Phantom doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The LS offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Phantom doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The LS offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Phantom doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The LS’ optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Phantom doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Lexus LS outsold the Rolls-Royce Phantom by over 36 to one during 2022.