Rolls-Royce vehicles are known for their exceptional craftsmanship, luxury, and performance, and safety is no exception. However, when comparing Rolls-Royce’s safety ratings to other luxury automakers like Mercedes-Maybach, Bentley, and BMW, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
1. Crash Testing and Safety Ratings:
- Rolls-Royce does not typically undergo formal crash testing by major safety organizations such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This is partly because Rolls-Royce vehicles are often low-volume models with customized builds, which means they do not always fit the criteria for mass-market crash testing.
- While NHTSA and IIHS testing is not available for Rolls-Royce models, the company still ensures its vehicles meet the highest safety standards set by international regulations, particularly in Europe and the U.S.
2. Advanced Safety Features:
Despite the absence of specific crash-test data, Rolls-Royce includes a broad array of cutting-edge safety features and driver assistance systems that ensure a high level of protection:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Night Vision Assistance
- Surround-View Camera Systems
- Pedestrian Detection
These systems make Rolls-Royce’s offerings competitive with other top-tier luxury automakers, even though formal crash-test ratings might not be available.
3. Build Quality and Crashworthiness:
- Rolls-Royce vehicles are built with the highest standards of engineering excellence. The aluminum spaceframe used in models like the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Ghost is incredibly strong and lightweight, offering exceptional crash protection while maintaining the vehicle’s smooth ride and handling.
- The structural integrity of Rolls-Royce vehicles, combined with advanced driver assistance technologies, makes them inherently safe in terms of crashworthiness, even without publicized crash test scores.
4. Comparison to Other Luxury Brands:
When compared to Mercedes-Maybach, Bentley, and BMW, Rolls-Royce holds its own in terms of safety features and engineering, although specific crash-test ratings might not be available:
- Mercedes-Maybach: Mercedes-Maybach vehicles are rigorously tested by organizations like IIHS and Euro NCAP, often receiving high marks for crashworthiness and safety technology. Many models come equipped with features like AEB, Pre-Safe systems, and active safety systems. Mercedes-Benz vehicles, including the Maybach S-Class, often receive Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ ratings from the IIHS, highlighting their superior safety performance.
- Bentley: Bentley, like Rolls-Royce, tends to focus more on luxury and performance than on formal crash testing. However, Bentley models (such as the Bentley Continental GT or Bentley Flying Spur) come with a robust suite of safety features and high-strength construction, similar to Rolls-Royce’s offerings. Bentley vehicles often receive high marks for safety in terms of safety technology but do not always undergo extensive crash testing by independent agencies.
- BMW: BMW, particularly in its 7 Series and 8 Series models, undergoes more extensive crash testing, receiving high ratings from IIHS and NHTSA for crash safety and overall protection. BMW vehicles also feature advanced safety technologies like AEB, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control, making them among the safest in the luxury segment.
5. Overall Safety Features in Rolls-Royce:
Rolls-Royce’s emphasis on advanced driver assistance systems and sophisticated safety technologies places its cars on par with competitors in terms of active and passive safety, even if the cars don’t always undergo the same rigorous testing as mainstream luxury vehicles. Key safety aspects include:
- Superior crash protection due to the use of a robust aluminum frame and a multi-layered construction that protects occupants.
- Advanced driver assistance systems that actively help to avoid accidents.
- Active Safety: Systems like adaptive headlights, cornering lights, and stability control help prevent accidents before they happen.
6. Rolls-Royce’s Safety Philosophy:
- Rolls-Royce focuses on creating luxury vehicles that also offer secure and safe driving experiences for their owners. The brand integrates a combination of advanced technology and traditional craftsmanship to ensure that safety is not compromised for luxury or performance. Rolls-Royce owners expect not only luxury and performance but also a strong emphasis on passive and active safety.
- The heavier weight of Rolls-Royce vehicles, combined with advanced chassis dynamics, makes them very stable on the road, contributing to their safety during sudden maneuvers or difficult conditions.
Conclusion:
While Rolls-Royce vehicles may not undergo public crash tests from organizations like NHTSA or IIHS, their advanced engineering, premium safety features, and bespoke craftsmanship ensure that they are at least on par with, if not superior to, other luxury automakers in terms of safety. The inclusion of cutting-edge technologies such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Pedestrian Detection ensures that Rolls-Royce offers comparable or better safety than competitors such as Mercedes-Maybach, Bentley, and BMW, all of which are known for their high safety standards.
So, while Rolls-Royce’s formal safety ratings may not be as publicly available or as extensively tested as some other luxury brands, the build quality and advanced safety technologies make Rolls-Royce a very safe and reliable choice in the luxury automobile market.