Jump LinksThe Level Of Saving You'll Get With The Phantom Is StaggeringBe Wary Of The Phantom's Running CostsIt feels good when hard work pays off, and not just because you've managed to hit all the targets you set out to achieve. Do really well, and you may find you've got the spare funds to splash out on a high-end luxury sedan, which makes you feel like you're relaxing in a high-end villa rather than a production car. A shade over $92,000 can get you an entry-level Genesis G90, which provides the necessary refinement and performance to make you feel special.However, for the same price, you could buy a used version of one of the greatest luxury cars ever to grace the world's roads. Yep, hand over around $90,000, and a Rolls-Royce Phantom VII from the early 2000s could end up in your garage.This piece explores the technical makeup and elements that make the Rolls-Royce Phantom VII such a great used-car deal in the high-end luxury sector. We investigate how the model stacks up to a modern 2026 Genesis G90, which costs about the same. Rolls-Royce Phantoms Have Been Hit By Depreciation Over The Years Rolls-Royce While the G90 stands out as a rather unique luxury sedan that provides you with all the necessary gear to enjoy the finer things in life, it's not quite a Rolls-Royce. The Phantom was the first creation to emerge following German automotive giant BMW taking over the company in the late 1990s, and the plan was to make an impact from the outset. Rolls-Royce had built up a commanding reputation during the 20th century for constructing the most exquisite luxury cars on the market, and BMW was determined to preserve this heritage with the Phantom VII.Having cost well over $300,000 when new, you can now pick up a clean Phantom for a fraction of that two decades later. According to Classic.com, the average value of the VII version of the nameplate currently stands at $151,552, over half what the car cost when new. The valuation also factors in much newer examples, given that the Phantom VII's production runs through 2017. If you focus on older specimens built around the mid-2000s, you can save a lot more cash. Tidy cars with around 50,000 miles on the clock can be picked up for just $90,000, making them cheaper than a brand-new 2026 G90. The Level Of Saving You'll Get With The Phantom Is Staggering Rolls-Royce For reference, a 2008 Phantom started at $340,000. From there, buyers could personalize the car extensively with whatever extras the very well-off buyer fancied. From a pure numbers standpoint, this reflects a huge 74.5% decrease in peak value over the last two decades.The Phantom isn't alone either, as the newer Cullinan SUV is showing a similar trend. While this doesn't provide great reading for those who purchased one new, it's amazing news for used buyers in 2026. The upshot is that a full-fat Rolls-Royce can be had for the same price as a G90, which, while great, is certainly not in the same league as a Phantom VII. The Phantom VII Has The G90 Beat From A Luxury Perspective Rolls-Royce It must be said that the G90 offers plenty of luxury touches that, on paper, match the Phantom's prospects. The interior features supple leather seats that are heated and cooled, with a massage function. Plus, the vehicle's air suspension system provides an amazingly comfortable ride that makes you feel more like you're driving over cream than a bumpy road. You also get a light-boosting sunroof and a smooth twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine that pulls the car along with minimal drama.The thing is, there's more to outright luxury than the level of extra equipment it offers. The Phantom's secret lies in its handcrafted nature, which delivers unmatched quality and individuality. Rolls offered 44,000 paint colors, as well as a range of leather and wood veneer choices sourced from the finest suppliers around the world. The brand's expert upholsters took 17 days to craft the Phantom's leather seats, underscoring the level of care and attention lavished on each example. Plus, the leather and wood are prepared with methods that ensure they last for decades without deteriorating.Genesis Of course, alongside this level of pristine coach building, the Phantom comes with a finely crafted cabin that prioritizes passenger comfort over anything else. This means it gets a great climate-control system, heated seats, and other extras like cooled cupholders. The mass-produced G90 can't match this level of quality and occupant attentiveness, making the Phantom a relative bargain. The Roller Comes With A Smoother And More Powerful Engine Rolls-Royce The Phantom VII also gets the better of the Korean challenger from a powerplant standpoint, as its beautifully engineered 6.75-liter V12 is quieter and smoother than the G90's V6. It also provides more pulling power, thanks to its 453 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque figures. By comparison, the G90 has to make do with just 409 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. The Phantom's V12 powers the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, enabling it to reach 60 mph in 6 seconds. That's impressive, especially given the palace with tires tips the scales at just under 5,800 pounds. Be Wary Of The Phantom's Running Costs Rolls-Royce It's important not to get too carried away with the power figures and bespoke nature of the Phantom, though, as you eventually come to the elephant in the room regarding running the big sedan. Not only is that V12 particularly thirsty, with a combined fuel economy of just 14 miles per gallon, but you need to be prepared to spend around $4,000 a year servicing it. By comparison, a G90 demands only that kind of outlay over five years of keeping it on the road.Aside from general maintenance, you're likely facing big bills if other parts of the car need replacing. Recommissioning the climate control system can cost upwards of $7,000, and components of the air suspension can also cost thousands. It may be a $90,000 car these days, but thinking of it as a bespoke $300,000 luxury car is crucial unless you want to get badly burned when something goes wrong. The G90 Is An Awesome Luxury Car, But It Can't Match The Phantom's Majesty Rolls-Royce Still, if you can stomach the sky-high running costs that the Phantom will throw at you, the experience the machine affords you is second to none. The Phantom's distinctive looks, accentuated by its golitath size and elegant Spirit of Esctasy hood ornament that can lower itself into the nose, afford it the kind of attention that'd have you heading down the road with an audience gathering. The luscious cabin is also of higher quality than the new G90, and the V12 sets it apart with power and refinement.It'll cost an arm and a leg to run, but if you can afford it, the Phantom VII will make you feel special in a way the G90 can only dream of. Rolls-Royces exude a majesty that nothing else can match, and the used market now grants those without the kind of budget a brand-new one will cost the chance to make their dreams come true.
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