2020 Lexus LS Series vs. 2020 Rolls-Royce Phantom

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Lexus LS Series 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The LS Series has a standard Auto-Stop that use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Phantom doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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

There are almost 7 times as many Lexus dealers as there are Rolls-Royce dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the LS Series’ warranty.

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

Regenerative brakes improve the LS Series Hybrid’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 Series 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. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The Phantom doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

For more complete vehicle control the LS Series 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 Series, 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.

The LS Series F Sport’s 275/40R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Phantom’s optional 45 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the LS Series’ turning circle is 6.1 feet tighter than the Phantom’s (36.8 feet vs. 42.9 feet). The LS Series AWD’s turning circle is 5.8 feet tighter than the Phantom EWB’s (39.4 feet vs. 45.2 feet).

The Lexus LS Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 950 pounds less than the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

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

The LS Series is 7.3 inches shorter in height than the Phantom, making the LS Series much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

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

The LS Series 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 Series’ 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 Series 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 Series offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Phantom doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the LS Series has standard extendable sun visors. The Phantom doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The LS Series 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.