How do you define luxury? Something uniquely designed with you in mind, or choosing between two pre-configured options? The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class includes a range of paint colours, wheel styles, and interior accents. And, while the result is unquestionably premium, it’s ultimately limited by its production options.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom pursues a different path. Your design journey may begin by exploring one of six curated Inspiration Lounge designs, each crafted by a Rolls-Royce design expert, or build your Phantom from the chassis up to reflect your vision.

Rather than configuring your vehicle, the Rolls-Royce Phantom provides a commissioning approach. Especially when participating in the Bespoke Craft program, you’re invited to design a one-of-one model using a colour palette of more than 44,000 hues, including colour matching to a cherished family heirloom, a beloved work of art, or the hues of your favourite villa retreat.

With the Phantom, it’s not about choosing a car but creating a legacy.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class are engineered with an old-world reverence. Advanced suspension systems smooth out road imperfections, transforming each journey into a glide.

The S-Class accomplishes this with the AIRMATIC® Suspension and the Active Damping System. These systems adapt to road conditions but only provide semi-active capabilities, meaning the driver must select from preset modes to adjust the vehicle's height. How the Phantom approaches the riding experience differs greatly, as seen with the Magic Carpet Ride feature:

• Continuously scans the road’s surface
• Uses real-time feedback to make adjustments
• Automatically adjusts the suspension for a fine-tuned ride

In addition to Magic Carpet Ride, the Phantom features the proprietary Architecture of Luxury spaceframe. This lightweight aluminum chassis is engineered specifically for each model and includes sound-absorbing materials to create a serene space. It’s this technology that creates an unspoken fluency between car and passenger.

Driving a Rolls-Royce Phantom or Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is unparalleled. They are not styled for anyone but you. Whereas other models may seek to capture the attention of onlookers, the Phantom and the S-Class are all about the experience they provide you.

Take the interior of the S-Class, for example. It features a clean, modern cabin with quality finishes like Nappa leather and wood accent trim. It's aesthetically pleasing, but the Phantom features The Gallery—a sealed-glass enclosure running the length of the fascia—that houses commissioned artwork in seven different styles, including:

• Astrum: A constellation of solid silver and pear-cut amethyst crystals shaped into starbursts.
• Iridescent Opulence: A dimensional piece featuring over 3,000 individually arranged tail feathers.
• Immortal Beauty: Crafted from porcelain, the singular rose bred exclusively for Rolls-Royce is mirrored to show the brand's timelessness.

With The Gallery, exclusive to the Phantom, your vehicle transforms into a mobile extension of your collection.

The mark of an authentic luxury experience means simply drawing attention, never demanding it. The Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class echo this philosophy with their keen attention to detail. The S-Class is adorned with the aforementioned Nappa leather upholstery, 64-colour ambient lighting system, and active massage capabilities. The result is a polished, efficient, and calm environment.

With the Phantom, you gain the assurance of perfection. Every Rolls-Royce model is hand-built at the iconic Goodwood location in England. That means that every hide is hand-selected, tanned, and stitched by trained artisans to deliver flawless art.

Even the ambiance is curated by hand. From the 580 laser-cut stars of the optional Starlight Headlights to the fibre-optic animations of the Starlight Headliner, either Light Motion or Shooting Star patterns, the Phantom has never known an assembly line. Where the Maybach S-Class is refined, the Phantom has a story to tell before it arrives.

The rear seat of the Rolls-Royce Phantom or the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class must be designed to perfection. There’s no negotiation. It’s here that you can host remote business meetings on the way to a Michelin-starred restaurant or take a few minutes to block out the bustle of the world. Similarities among these models include:

• Centre console
• Central cool chamber
• Ventilated rear seats

Phantom and S-Class rear seats may appear similar but deliver serenity differently. For example, you’ll only experience a VIP greeting with the iconic coach doors in the Phantom. Once inside, available privacy curtains allow you to disappear to enjoy a quiet flute of Cristal or review business acquisitions with the optional Rear Theatre configuration.

The Phantom is the way to go for those who are often chauffeured.

Behind every Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Maybach is a century-old legacy. Both command respect, but what they represent differs. For example, Maybach is a Mercedes-Benz sub-class, meaning these brands share the same showroom space. Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce offers a boutique experience.

Additionally, owning a Rolls-Royce includes access to many perks, like:

• Invitation-only events
• Private tours of the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood
• Commissioning experiences
• And more

Then there's the Spirit of Ecstasy, a timeless symbol of freethinking, perfection, and freedom from conformity —the backbone of exclusivity. While the Maybach S-Class offers prestige, the Phantom delivers provenance and permanence.