Bentley
Azure
Rolls-Royce
Phantom
Bentley Azure vs Rolls-Royce Phantom: 2017 Comparison
The short answer
Based on available data, the Rolls-Royce Phantom comes out ahead of the Bentley Azure on fuel economy and power. Check the specs table and owner sentiment below for the full comparison before deciding between the two. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
Azure
Overall
Sentiment is mixed and heavily bifurcated. The vehicle is universally acknowledged as a classic, hand-crafted luxury convertible focused on comfort, elegant styling, and a relaxed, open-top driving experience. The 6.75-liter twin-turbo V8 is noted for delivering smooth, quiet, and effortless power, perfectly suited to the car's grand touring character.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to specify a best model year or trim. However, there is a strong, recurrent warning against the W12 engine variant in favor of the V8, with one owner stating, "If you want a conti get a 4.0 not the W12.
Known issues
- ⚠Catastrophic repair costs and complex engine failures: very frequent. W12 engine reliability concerns: recurrent. Exorbitant annual maintenance costs: recurrent. Suspension system failures (air suspension): isolated.
Phantom
Overall
\nThe sentiment derived from owner and enthusiast discussions is overwhelmingly positive, positioning the Phantom as the definitive benchmark for ultimate luxury, refinement, and presence. The vehicle is consistently described as offering a "surreal experience" of quietude and isolation, with its ride quality characterized as effortless and serene, to the point where the sensation of motion can feel disconnected from visual cues. It is held as the standard against which all other luxury vehicles are measured, frequently cited as having "no finer car interior." The primary critique, mentioned in isolation, pertains to the use of some shared switchgear and software from its corporate parent, which some feel is incongruent with the vehicle's bespoke price and image.\n\nSentiment Confidence Level\nMedium (Positive sentiment is strong but based on a limited number of substantive experiential references).\n\nFrequently Mentioned Competitors\nBentley Mulsanne, Mercedes-Benz S-Class Maybach, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
Best version to buy
\nInsufficient owner data available to designate a specific model year or trim as "best." The Phantom Extended is noted for its available "Privacy Suite" with features like electrochromatic glass, catering to buyers seeking maximum separation from the driver.\n\nRecommended Configurations\nInsufficient owner data available for specific configuration recommendations. One mention suggests the Phantom Extended for those desiring modern privacy features.
Known issues
- ⚠\nUse of shared parent-company switchgear/software: some controls, dashboard layout, and software are visibly shared with more mainstream models, which is noted as a minor disappointment given the price and bespoke expectations.
The verdict
The Rolls-Royce Phantom is the better choice for most buyers.
It has stronger reliability sentiment in owner reports than the Bentley Azure, based on the data above. If the specific known issues on the Rolls-Royce Phantom are a dealbreaker, the Bentley Azure is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Bentley Azure or the Rolls-Royce Phantom?
Owner reports lean more positive on reliability for the Rolls-Royce Phantom than the Bentley Azure. See the known issues comparison above for the specific concerns owners report on each.
Which is better for families, the Bentley Azure or the Rolls-Royce Phantom?
Both seat a similar number of passengers based on our data. The Bentley Azure is classed as a Cabriolet, the Rolls-Royce Phantom as a Sedan, which affects cargo space and ride height for family use.
Which has better fuel economy, the Bentley Azure or the Rolls-Royce Phantom?
The Rolls-Royce Phantom is more fuel-efficient on paper: 13.9 L/100km combined versus 19.5 L/100km for the Bentley Azure, based on the best-equipped catalogued version of each.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Bentley Azure or the Rolls-Royce Phantom?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but reliability signals above are the closest proxy: fewer reported issues generally means lower repair costs over time.