Summary
The Rolls-Royce Wraith was a large luxury two-door coupe that was a long-standing flagship model in the Rolls-Royce range, that was on sale in the UK from 2014 to 2023.
Like the previous generation of the Rolls-Royce Ghost saloon, the Wraith was built on the same platform as the BMW 7 Series, and assembled at the Rolls-Royce production plant in Goodwood, UK.
Taking its name from a Rolls-Royce model from 1938, the Wraith was powered by a turbocharged 6.6-litre V12 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
A number of variants were launched across the Wraith’s lifespan, usually limited edition or bespoke models that generally consist of tweaks to the interior and exterior design.
With a number of newer luxury rivals launching throughout the Wraith’s tenure, Top Gear admitted that the ageing Wraith looked rather dated towards the end of its lifespan. “It has fallen a bit behind on tech, and is tangibly a generation behind the new Phantom and Cullinan, not to mention other luxury car rivals.”
Like the smaller Bentley Continental GT coupe, the Wraith had a price tag that surpassed a quarter of a million pounds, though that is considerably cheaper than Rolls-Royce’s current flagship model, the £360,000 Phantom.
British reviewers warmly regarded the Wraith for almost a decade, praising the high-end coupe for its luxurious cabin trim and its refined engine, although consumer-centric publications consistently mentioned that the Wraith was very expensive to run day-to-day.
No longer on sale, the Rolls-Royce Wraith holds a Used Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of 51%. Although it received excellent media review scores, the Wraith’s overall rating is inevitably dragged down by very poor running costs and CO2 emissions. Potential Rolls-Royce customers are not likely to be unduly concerned, however.
Wraith highlights
- Spacious luxury interior trim
- Impressive performance from a refined engine
- Will retain its value well
- A real head-turner with an elegant exterior
Wraith lowlights
- Poor fuel economy
- Very expensive, base price and extras
- To heavy to feel like a driver’s car
- Rather dated, with its days now numbered
Key specifications
Body style: Large coupe
Engines: petrol
Price when new: From £258,000 on-road
Launched: Spring 2014
Last updated: Summer 2019
Replaced: 2023
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Rolls Royce Wraith retains all the traditional luxury trappings, but more power and style than ever before to help attract a completely new – and younger – breed of customer.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Wraith is the most sporty Rolls-Royce ever made, a large and powerful luxury coupe that remains a luxurious, wafting experience, but with a bit of extra oomph.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Black Badge
Score: 10 / 10
“Much like Las Vegas, the Wraith Black Badge is overblown and unashamedly egocentric – but to some it’ll be irresistible.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“I started my test drive feeling somewhat ambivalent toward the Rolls-Royce Wraith but, by the end of the day, I was pretty much smitten. Assuming such heady sums are comfortably within your means, then I confidently predict you’ll consider it money well spent.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed:
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The Rolls-Royce Wraith is the fastest and sportiest model in the iconic brand’s line-up, but this four-seat coupe is still hugely comfortable and cosseting.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“You buy a coupé to turn heads, and few coupes will get passers-by rubbernecking like the Rolls-Royce Wraith. It’s beautiful inside, too, although pretty cramped in the back.”
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Daily Mail
Model reviewed:
“Best described as a GT car, as Rolls-Royce has marketed it, the Wraith is something you’ll still find rewarding to drive rather than be driven in despite it not being a fast-turning sports car. Essentially, if you want to ‘drive’ a car that makes you feel special, there isn’t much else you can buy that rivals it.”
Read review
Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“Put your foot down and prepare to be amazed – shocked even. It’s outrageously quick.” (Chris Evans)
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Daily Mirror
Model reviewed:
“You could imagine a Hollywood starlet from the 1920s stepping out of this car because it’s got the presence of a pre-war Roller. It doesn’t exactly blend into the traffic. The back looks fabulous and the way the doors open the wrong way (they’re hinged at the rear) is amazing. Rolls-Royce calls them coach doors, but suicide doors is a more common description.”
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Eurekar
Model reviewed:
“The Wraith is the fastest and most powerful car that Rolls-Royce has ever produced. But the beauty of it is how it delivers that power, in a serene, unhurried way pushing you firmly, almost apologetically into your seatback. Keep your foot firmly on the accelerator and the power from the giant 6.6-litre, twin-turbo V12 engine just keeps on coming.”
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Evo
Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“There’s very little indeed to find fault with the Rolls Royce Wraith.”
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Parkers
Score: 9.2 / 10
“Glorious to behold, to be in and to drive”
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The Sun
Model reviewed:
“Driving the Wraith is an effortless affair. And unlike so many coupes, this sumptuous four-seater has acres of room in the back. The Rolls-Royce Wraith is a contemporary, modern car with an impeccable, classic pedigree.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Rolls Royce Wraith does not disappoint.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
gorgeously appointed and flamboyantly styled
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Top Gear
Score: 8 / 10
“A rapid coupe that’s unlike any other car on the planet. Uniquely weird, easy to fall in love with.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
The Rolls-Royce was not crash tested by Euro NCAP during its production life. This is not exactly surprising, as no Rolls-Royce has ever been tested by Euro NCAP and probably never will be.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Rolls-Royce Wraith was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life. Given that it’s a three-tonne coupé powered by an enormous V12 petrol engine, we’ll just assume that testing probably wouldn’t have gone well.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Roll-Royce Wraith has received
2014
- Top Gear Awards – Rather Splendid Motor Car of the Year
- Popular Science Magazine – Best of What’s New Award
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Rolls-Royce Wraith, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi S8 | Bentley Continental GT | Bentey Flying Spur | BMW 7 Series | Lexus LS | Mercedes-Benz S-Class | Mercedes-Maybach S-Class | Rolls-Royce Dawn | Rolls-Royce Ghost
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