Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Rolls-Royce Ghost
What's the difference?

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

$47,950 - $181,950

2023 price

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Rolls-Royce Ghost

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2024 price

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Summary

2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2024 Rolls-Royce Ghost

By Emily Agar

By Stephen Corby

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.5L

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Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded/Electric

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Fuel Efficiency

6.9L/100km (combined)

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Seating

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Likes

Luxurious finishes
Upmarket and intuitive tech
Precise handling

Road presence
Interior luxury
Gobs of power

Dislikes

On the compact side for size
Low-ground clearance may grind the teeth
Dynamic guidelines are trippy

Price
Options prices
Not being rich

2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Summary

When it comes to choosing a family car, sedans are often overlooked for their long-legged wagon or beefy SUV cousins.

They're a bit of a forgotten hero but they'll always hold a piece of my heart for their practicality and (often) sexier kerb-side appeal.

If you can get used to your body cracking like a glow stick when you get in and out of them, the sedan may make a comeback!

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, in entry-level C200 form, has definitely tempted my family to consider a sedan in the future – it looks stately and refined but the driving experience also makes it fun.

Let's see what else it did right and if there was anything that could be improved.

Did I mention, I'm fond of sedans... ?

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2024 Rolls-Royce Ghost Summary

It’s finally happened: Rolls-Royce has become so divorced from the everyday world of common folk that it's no longer even sharing the previously agreed meanings of words. Rolls has its own meanings, possibly its own language, which must be spoken with a plum on the tongue.

They’ve been heading here for a while. For example, at Rolls, “affordable” means the car we're driving today, the Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II, which is yours for just $680,000 (an indicative price, bumping to $800K for the Black Badge). And “iconic British marque” means, obviously, “BMW bought us in 2003, so there might be some German bits”.

It turns out that “driver-focused” means something different at Rolls-Royce, too. Thanks to a smattering of chassis innovations, Rolls says this updated 2025 Ghost is “the most driver-focused V12 Rolls-Royce ever”. Which is “a side of Ghost’s character that our clients increasingly and enthusiastically embrace”.

Don’t fall for it. The Ghost’s extra focus is not actually very focusy, and its additional dynamism is really only more dynamic in the way that a bed that could corner at all would be more dynamic than a normal bed. None of that matters.

The reason it doesn’t matter is because the Ghost Series II is wonderful. Indeed, it is very nearly perfect. Which is a word that even Rolls won’t quibble over.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2024 Rolls-Royce Ghost

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class C200 is such a stylish sedan and I would totally have one. The driving performance, luxurious features and practical size made it a winning combo for my family. The price point is definitely up there but you do get a high-end build for the cash. I've seen bigger boots in other sedans and not being able to fit a third child seat will limit some families, but this still easily earns an 8.5/10 from me.

My son really loved this one. The ambient lighting was the highlight for him and he thought it looked like a "space car" inside. He gave it a 9/10.

Verdict

In a disruptive era when the coachbuilder has pivoted to SUVs like the Cullinan, a sort of London black cab that’s been dipped in opulence, and succeeds despite itself, and the brand’s grand, million-dollar EV, the Spectre, the Ghost is a safe and familiar space.

A beautiful, long, broad, immaculate land boat. It’s a space Rolls inhabits with relish.

The Ghost Series II feels nothing like a track-day option when you’re behind the wheel. But it might do if you were stepping out of a Phantom. Or a Cullinan. Or a Wraith. Especially if you’re stepping out of the back doors.

It’s the perfect driver’s car. As long as all your other cars are also Rolls-Royces.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Rolls-Royce Ghost What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Rolls-Royce Ghost
What's the difference?