The Rolls-Royce Phantom is renowned for offering an exceptionally smooth and refined driving experience, but when it comes to handling, it emphasizes comfort, effortless power, and stability rather than agility or sportiness. Comparing the Phantom’s handling to other luxury sedans reveals several distinct characteristics, as Rolls-Royce focuses on providing a driving experience that feels more relaxed and imperial than high-performance or aggressive handling.

Here's a detailed breakdown of how the Rolls-Royce Phantom's handling compares to its competitors in the luxury sedan segment:

1. Comfort and Ride Quality

• Rolls-Royce Phantom: The Phantom excels at providing an almost "magic carpet ride". Its air suspension system, coupled with adaptive dampers, delivers a ride that isolates passengers from road imperfections. The car's weight (around 5,380 lbs or 2440 kg) combined with its advanced suspension system ensures that bumps, potholes, and other road irregularities are absorbed with little to no impact on the cabin. The focus here is on absolute comfort, and the Phantom glides over roads, keeping the ride plush and serene, even at high speeds.
• Competitors: Other luxury sedans like the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class or Bentley Flying Spur also offer high levels of comfort, though the Rolls-Royce Phantom is considered the benchmark in this regard. The Maybach S-Class, for example, has an adaptive air suspension that ensures comfort, but it’s generally considered a bit firmer than the Phantom. The Bentley Flying Spur, while luxurious, places more emphasis on driver engagement and performance (especially in the W12 and V8 variants), making the ride slightly firmer than the Rolls-Royce.
• Verdict: The Phantom stands out for its exceptionally smooth and soft ride, even more so than its competitors. The Maybach and Bentley may be close in comfort but generally cannot match the effortless luxury Rolls-Royce delivers.

2. Handling and Steering Feel

• Rolls-Royce Phantom: The Phantom is a large, heavy car, and its handling reflects its focus on luxury rather than sporty handling. The steering is light and precise but lacks the feedback typically found in performance-oriented sedans. While it provides good maneuverability, the Phantom’s steering is not as engaging or responsive as some of its competitors. Rolls-Royce engineers prioritize effortless control over sporty agility. The Phantom’s self-leveling suspension ensures that the car remains stable even in turns, and it has adaptive steering to improve maneuverability at lower speeds, but overall, the focus remains on smoothness over sharp cornering.
• Competitors: The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class offers very responsive and precise steering, especially in models with rear-axle steering, which gives it a more nimble feel for a large sedan. The Bentley Flying Spur is often regarded as having a more engaging steering feel, as it’s a bit firmer and tuned for a more performance-oriented drive, especially in the W12 or V8 models. It offers a balance between luxury and performance, which means its handling and steering responses are more direct than the Rolls-Royce’s.
• Verdict: The Phantom’s handling is not as sharp as the Bentley Flying Spur or the Maybach S-Class (especially the latter with its optional rear-axle steering). However, Rolls-Royce doesn’t aim for sharp handling, instead favoring refined, controlled, and stable driving that is ideally suited for those seeking an imperial driving experience.

3. Stability at High Speeds

• Rolls-Royce Phantom: One of the standout features of the Phantom is its ability to remain incredibly stable at high speeds. The predictive suspension system adjusts the damping to absorb road irregularities before they affect the ride. This system helps ensure that even at higher speeds, the Phantom stays composed and stable, with minimal body roll. The car’s massive presence and weight contribute to its sense of planted stability, making it feel secure even when cruising at high velocity.
• Competitors: Both the Maybach S-Class and the Bentley Flying Spur also perform well at high speeds, with excellent high-speed stability. The Maybach S-Class has active suspension management and a similar focus on comfort, keeping it composed at high speeds, but it may feel a bit more sporty due to its more dynamic tuning. The Flying Spur, with its dynamic all-wheel-drive system, is more performance-oriented and offers a very stable high-speed drive, but with a noticeable sporty edge compared to the Rolls-Royce’s serene manner.
• Verdict: The Phantom has the edge in terms of absolute composure and smoothness at high speeds. While the Maybach and Bentley are also very stable, they often feel slightly more performance-oriented, with a firmer setup. The Phantom’s ability to maintain an ultra-quiet, smooth ride even at high speeds makes it stand out in terms of luxury cruising.

4. Driving Dynamics and Engagement

• Rolls-Royce Phantom: Rolls-Royce’s focus is on creating a driving experience that feels effortless and relaxed. The Phantom provides smooth acceleration, with its 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 engine producing around 563 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. This ensures that performance is swift but unobtrusive. The Phantom is not designed to deliver the thrill of high-performance sedans, but rather to offer a refined and composed driving experience. The car feels secure, but there is little to no sense of sporty engagement — it’s all about luxury and control.
• Competitors: In comparison, the Bentley Flying Spur offers a more engaging driving experience with its range of performance engines (V8, W12), and adaptive suspension settings that give it a greater connection to the road. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is a bit more driver-focused than the Phantom, with a more agile suspension and more direct steering feel, giving it a greater sense of engagement, though still very much a comfort-oriented sedan.
• Verdict: The Phantom isn’t a car that drivers push for engagement or sporty handling. While the Flying Spur and Maybach S-Class are more dynamic, the Phantom’s experience is meant to be more about luxury and relaxation, and less about active driving participation.

5. Weight and Size

• Rolls-Royce Phantom: Weighing over 5,380 lbs (2440 kg), the Phantom is a massive vehicle. This substantial weight contributes to its ride comfort and stability but also impacts its agility. It’s not as nimble in tight spaces or sharp turns as lighter sedans, but this weight helps it feel secure and impervious to road imperfections.
• Competitors: The Maybach S-Class and Flying Spur are both large, but not as heavy as the Phantom. They still maintain a high degree of stability, but their lighter weight can sometimes translate into a slightly firmer ride and more agile handling, particularly when cornering.
• Verdict: The Phantom’s larger weight provides it with superior stability and comfort, though it sacrifices some of the nimbleness found in competitors like the Flying Spur.

Conclusion: Rolls-Royce Phantom vs Other Luxury Sedans

The Rolls-Royce Phantom stands apart from other luxury sedans due to its unrivaled comfort, serene ride, and effortless, stable performance. Its handling is not focused on agility, precision, or sports-like dynamics but on imperial comfort and a driving experience that feels effortless and grand.

• Handling: The Phantom has a softer, more relaxed driving experience compared to competitors. While the Bentley Flying Spur offers a more dynamic, engaging feel and the Maybach S-Class has a more sporty edge, the Phantom is built for a softer, smoother drive with effortless power.
• High-Speed Stability: The Phantom is hard to beat when it comes to composure at high speeds. Its advanced suspension system and heavyweight ensure it remains planted and smooth, with an almost floating sensation at top speeds.
• Overall Driving Experience: The Phantom delivers a unique luxury experience that emphasizes imperial serenity and refinement, whereas competitors like the Bentley Flying Spur and Maybach S-Class offer a more active, engaging, and sporty feel.

For those seeking a grand, tranquil, and sophisticated driving experience, the Phantom excels. However, if you’re looking for more driving excitement and engagement, then the Flying Spur or Maybach S-Class might better fit your desires.