2012 Rolls-Royce Ghost — Carivo review carivo.co
Sedan

2012 Rolls-Royce Ghost

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $160,000–$186,862
Fuel Economy 10 MPG
Seating 4 passengers
Category Sedan
Est. Annual Fuel $5,250/yr

Key Specifications — 2012 Rolls-Royce Ghost

Engine6.6L 12-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (S8)
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypePremium
City / Hwy MPG13 / 20 MPG
Combined MPG15 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$5,450
Seating Capacity4 passengers
Body StyleSedan
Base Price$160,000–$186,862

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2012 Rolls-Royce Ghost

The 2012 Rolls-Royce Ghost is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 6.4/10 — rated Fair. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 8.9/10, while Value at 4.3/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. Buyers should review the score breakdown carefully and consider higher-rated alternatives before committing.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 5.5/10 for reliability, this sedan trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.0/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Performance at 6.3/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. On technology it rates 8.9/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.

Priced from $160,000–$186,862, 10 MPG, seating 4, the Rolls-Royce Ghost sits in the luxury tier of the sedan market. The value score of 4.3/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: Based on our scoring, the 2012 Rolls-Royce Ghost underperforms its segment peers across multiple dimensions. Unless there's a specific reason it fits your situation — price, a particular trim's features, or availability — there are better-scored alternatives at similar price points worth considering first.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among Sedans

The 2012 Rolls-Royce Ghost ranks #1294 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 1% of the segment. Its 6.4/10 overall score is 1.1 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $160,000 starting price is about 478% above the segment's median of $27,664.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →

Which Ghost Year Should You Buy?

Across the Ghost model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 6.6/10$175,000 Read review →
2014 6.6/10$175,000 Read review →
2013 6.4/10$167,500 Read review →
2012 (this review) 6.4/10$160,000

Pros & Cons — 2012 Rolls-Royce Ghost

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Best-in-class infotainment, driver assistance, and connectivity features

✗ Where it falls short

  • Below-average reliability data — factor in potential repair and maintenance costs
  • Value-for-money is a weak point; comparable alternatives offer more for the price
  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Fuel economy at 10 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly
  • Premium price bracket — make sure the score justifies the outlay vs. segment alternatives

NHTSA Recalls — 2012 Rolls-Royce Ghost (2 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Engine and engine cooling / Engine / Gasoline / Turbo/supercharger
18/04/2018 · 18V248000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S…
Equipment / Other / Labels
27/07/2012 · 12V368000
Certain model year 2012 Ghost passenger vehicles manufactured from March 27, 2012, through July 13, 2012 were equipped with 20-inch tires, but the tire information label states that the vehicles were equipped with 19-inch tires. Therefore, the label does…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

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