2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom - Quality Review

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Whether you’re a taking a ride in a Rolls-Royce for the first time or the 100th, the Phantom always manages to impress its passengers with its level luxury. However, some reviewers ask how interior spaciousness could seem somewhat confined for such a large car.

“There's 103 cubic feet of passenger space, which isn't great considering this car's exterior size,” says Cars.com, adding, “there is a generous 16.2 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk.” Without doubt, the Phantom is a large car. “At more than 19 feet long, a regular-wheelbase Phantom surpasses a 7 Series by more than 2 feet in total length, and it can completely swallow a Mini between its front and rear axles,” reports Edmunds. “We lined up for a spot between a Golf cabrio and a Renault, and all of a sudden it felt like we were trying to park the Death Star,” quips Autoblog. “Speaking of length, though, that back seat isn't anywhere near as spacious at the one in the BMW, but there's room for an adult to be comfy long enough to get wherever you'll be going.”

ConsumerGuide reports that “supremely comfortable seats and ample adjustments join plenty of headroom and legroom for first-class accommodations. High-mounted seat cushions aid ingress and egress, and though the rear-hinged door takes getting used to, it doesn't impede entry or exit, and the power closing feature is an appreciated luxury.” Cars.com says the Phantom can "comfortably seat five, or four if the optional rear bucket seats are chosen.”

Edmunds proclaims the aluminum space frame upon which the Phantom is built provides a ride that is “superb, soaking up huge potholes and minor road imperfections with equal aplomb.” And ConsumerGuide comments that “although our Southern California preview routes weren't plagued by badly broken pavement, the Drophead Coupe soaked up every road imperfection encountered with impressive aplomb and was devoid of undue float or bobbing over bumps.”

Where the Phantom truly shines is in its ability to figuratively transport you to another realm. “When the windows are up, the outside world ceases to exist,” says Autoblog of the experience. Conversely, “when you roll down the windows, the volume inside the car jumps a noticeable number of decibels, and you remember, ‘Oh yeah, there's, like, stuff out there.’” Even the convertible is noticeably silent. “Top down, it's quiet, allowing normal conversation at 80 mph, and only a bit more volume is required to chat at 100,” asserts Motor Trend. “There is a fair amount of wind buffeting, though; air swirls around the back-seat area, and you can feel it blowing between the front seats.”

The reviewer at Autoblog notes that “there are things I could complain about, like the BMW 7-Series key and the finicky iPod integration. But I won't. People buying this car simply don't care.” And Motor Trend says “all the controls are calibrated for fingertips not biceps.”