A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Rolls-Royce Ghost vs Volkswagen Polo-Vivo: the short answer
Ghost holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Polo-Vivo.
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Maximum Power
Ghost420 kW @ 5000 rpm
Polo-Vivo81 kW
Maximum Torque
Ghost850 Nm @ 1600 rpm
Polo-Vivo200 Nm
Engine Size
Ghost6749 cc
Polo-Vivo1000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Ghost6.37 km/l
Polo-Vivo22.2 km/l
Ground Clearance
Ghost118 mm
Polo-Vivo143 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Rolls-Royce Ghost
Ghost Series II
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
Ghost
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Polo-Vivo
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Ghost
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Polo-Vivo
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Model Introduced Year
2020
2010
Generation
Second-generation Ghost in standard-wheelbase Series II form
Long-running locally produced hatchback
Facelift History
The second-generation Ghost was introduced in South Africa in 2020 and evolved into Ghost Series II in October 2024
Periodic feature updates over years
Facelift Launched Since
2024
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Four-door luxury saloon
Hatchback
Model Year
2026
Current
Production Status
active
published
Segment
Full-size super-luxury saloon
Hatchback
Vehicle Type
Internal-combustion passenger car
Hatchback
Color Note
-
White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue, Red
Dealer Stock Note
-
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note
-
4x2 configuration for the local line-up
Tare Mass Kg
-
1108 kg
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Length
5545 mm
3972 mm
Width
1998 mm
1682 mm
Height
1573 mm
1462 mm
Wheelbase
3295 mm
2470 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
118 mm
143 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
118 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
90 l
45 l
Boot/Cargo Space
500 l
280 l
Kerb Weight
2490 kg
1108 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3130 kg
1570 kg
Payload Capacity
640 kg
-
Towing Capacity
0 kg
-
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
4 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
6.5 m
-
Front Headroom
1030 mm
-
Rear Headroom
990 mm
-
Front Legroom
1060 mm
-
Rear Legroom
1075 mm
-
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Engine
6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol
Not Officially Disclosed
Engine Code
N74B68A
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
6749 cc
1000 cc
Cylinders
12
Not Officially Disclosed
Cylinder Layout
V
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
48
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Twin Turbocharged
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
89 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
90.4 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
420 kW @ 5000 rpm
81 kW
Maximum Torque
850 Nm @ 1600 rpm
200 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
6-Speed Manual
Top Speed
250 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
4.8 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Low
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
168.7 kW/tonne
73.1 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
341.4 Nm/tonne
180.5 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Gearbox
8-speed automatic
Manual
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive with all-wheel steering
4x2
Transfer Case
ATC 13 transfer case
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No lockable differential
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
No
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
2.81:1
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
8
6
Transmission Type
8-speed automatic
Manual
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Satellite Aided automatic gear selection
Manual
Drivetrain
All-wheel drive
4x2
4WD Engagement
Rolls-Royce all-wheel drive
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
No
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
No lockable differential
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
8-speed automatic
Manual
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
All-wheel-drive power delivery with active rear-axle steering
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
No lockable differential
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
6
LSD Available
-
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
-
Not Applicable
Differential Type Front
-
Not Available
Differential Type Rear
-
Not Available
Transfer Case Guard
-
Not Available
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Claimed Mileage
6.37 km/l
22.2 km/l
City Mileage
5.10 km/l
17.9 km/l
Highway Mileage
8.08 km/l
26.2 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
90 l
45 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6e (B6e)
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Automatic start/stop: Yes
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
90
45
Combined Driving Range
573-588 km (calculated from 90 L and 15.3-15.7 l/100 km WLTP)
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
6.37 km/l
22.2 km/l
Range Real World Highway
-
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
-
Not Applicable
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Airbags
8
4
ABS
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Dynamic Stability Control
Not Available
Traction Control
Dynamic Traction Control
Not Available
Hill Descent Control
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Hill Start Assist
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
Rear child-safety locks
Child-seat support
ISOFIX Mounts
ISOFIX child-seat mounts
Standard
Brake Assist
Dynamic Brake Control
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
Not Available
Engine Immobiliser
Engine immobiliser
Not Available
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front seatbelt warning sensor
Not Available
Front Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Not Available
AEB
Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
Not Available
BA
Dynamic Brake Control
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Front Head Protection System
Not Available
Driver Airbag
Driver airbag
Not Available
EBD
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Engine immobiliser
Not Available
Hill Hold
Hill Start Assist
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Front-passenger airbag
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front and rear three-point pretensioning seatbelts; front force limiters
Not Available
Seatbelt Reminder
Front seatbelt warning sensor
Not Available
Side Airbags
Front side-impact airbags
Not Available
Stability Control
Dynamic Stability Control
Not Available
TCS
Dynamic Traction Control
Not Available
Knee Airbag
Active front knee protection
Not Available
ABS EBD
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Standard
Brake Override System
-
Not Available
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Cruise Control
Dynamic Cruise Control; Active Cruise Control fitted to the referenced current vehicle
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Active Cruise Control
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Not Available
Rear View Camera
Rear View Camera
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Surround View Camera with 3D view
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Driver Attention Alert System
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Speed Limit Information
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
High-Beam Assistance
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Not Available
Reverse Camera
Rear View Camera
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Active Cruise Control
Not Available
Park Assist
Park Assist and Reversing Assistant
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Surround View Camera with 3D view
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Collision Warning with Brake Function
Not Available
EV Mode
-
Not Available
Rear View Camera
-
Standard
Reversing Camera
-
Standard
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Seat Material
Leather, Duality Twill or Bespoke alternatives
Cloth
Heated Seats
Available, including rear-seat heating
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
Available, including rear-seat cooling
Not Applicable
Ambient Lighting
Illuminated Fascia with celestial design
Not Applicable
Steering Wheel Material
Heated full-leather multifunction steering wheel
Not Applicable
60 40 Split Seat
No
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
Not Applicable
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
Not Applicable
Seat Trim
Duality Twill embroidered seat upholstery available
Cloth
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Interior Colour Options
-
Black
Fabric Seats
-
Cloth
Interior Courtesy Lamps
-
Simple dashboard layout, touchscreen infotainment in higher trims
Interior Trim Colour
-
Black
Interior Colours
-
Black
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Climate Control
Automatic four-zone climate control
Not Available
Power Windows
Front and rear power windows with one-touch up/down
Not Available
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access keyless entry
Not Available
Push Button Start
Keyless start
Not Available
Wireless Charging
Wireless smartphone charging
Not Available
Sunroof
No
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Power open/close luggage compartment
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
Not Available
AC Type
Automatic four-zone climate control
Not Available
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
Not Applicable
Adaptive Dampers
-
Not Available
Fuel Consumption Combined
-
4,5
Performance Data Logger
-
Not Available
Rev Matching
-
Not Available
Skid Plates
-
Not Available
Battery Preconditioning
-
Not Available
Bed Extender
-
Not Available
Canopy Fitment
-
Not Available
Diff Lock
-
Not Available
Difflock
-
Not Available
Front Diff Lock
-
Not Available
Intelligent Battery System
-
Not Available
Load Bed Cover
-
Not Available
Load Bed Light
-
Not Available
Load Bed Steps
-
Not Available
Loadbox Depth Mm
-
Not Available
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Rope Hooks
-
Not Available
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
-
Not Available
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Mudflaps
-
Standard/available
One Pedal Driving
-
Not Available
Rear Diff Lock
-
Not Available
Rear Electric Motor
-
Not Available
Regenerative Braking Levels
-
Not Available
Source Model Column
-
polo-vivo
Sport Plus Mode
-
Not Available
Sports Bar
-
Not Available
Tailgate Damper
-
Not Available
Tailgate Lock
-
Not Available
Tow Bar Type
-
Not Available
Trim Level
-
flagship
Variant Role
-
Flagship / premium derivative
Vehicle To Grid
-
Not Available
Vehicle To Load
-
Not Available
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Infotainment System
SPIRIT infotainment operated by touch, controller and voice commands; independent rear-screen streaming available
SYNC
Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay compatibility
Not Available
Android Auto
Android Auto compatibility
Not Available
Bluetooth Connectivity
Bluetooth wireless technology; rear passengers can pair headphones individually
Not Available
Number of Speakers
16
Not Available
Digital Instrument Cluster
SPIRIT digital instrument interface
Not Applicable
USB Ports
USB Type-C ports
Not Available
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen plus available independently streaming rear screens
SYNC
Touchscreen
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen plus available independently streaming rear screens
SYNC
Infotainment Screen Size
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen plus available independently streaming rear screens
SYNC
Connected Services
-
SYNC
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
LED Headlamps
LED and laser headlights with more than 600 m illuminated range
Not Available
Daytime Running Lamps
Series II daytime-running lights
Not Available
Fog Lamps
Front fog lamps
Not Available
Roof Rails
No; vehicle not approved for roof loads
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
Bespoke shades available, including Mustique Blue
6
Headlights
LED and laser headlights with more than 600 m illuminated range
Not Available
Panoramic Sunroof
No
Not Available
Body Type
-
Hatchback
Exterior Colour Options
-
6
Load Bed Liner
-
Not Available
Active Exhaust
-
Not Available
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
-
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Available
Locking Differential
No lockable differential
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Rolls-Royce all-wheel drive with all-wheel steering
Not Applicable
Approach Angle
-
-
Departure Angle
-
-
Underbody Protection
-
Not Available
Approach Angle Deg
-
-
Breakover Angle
-
Not Available
Departure Angle Deg
-
-
Energy Recovery Display
-
Not Available
Front Skid Plate Guard
-
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
-
143 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
143 mm
Off Road Descent Control
-
Not Available
Off Road Traction Assist
-
Not Available
Crawl Control
-
Not Available
Rear Skid Plate Guard
-
Not Available
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
-
Not Available
Skid Plates Transfer Case
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Mud
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Normal
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Rock
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Sand
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Snow
-
Not Available
Terrain Response System
-
Not Available
Underbody Camera
-
Not Available
Wading Depth Mm
-
-
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Tyre Size
255/35 R22 102Y front and 285/30 R22 104Y rear; 255/40 R21 102Y front and 285/35 R21 105Y rear; 255/45 R20 105Y front and 285/40 R20 108Y rear; 255/45 R20 105V M+S all-round
Not Available
Front Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes
Not Available
Rear Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes
Not Available
Spare Wheel Type
No spare wheel
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
20-, 21- and 22-inch approved fitments
Not Available
Handbrake Type
Electromechanical parking brake acting on rear discs
Not Applicable
Fifth Wheel Prep
-
Not Available
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Front Suspension
Planar Suspension with upper wishbone damper, electronic dampers and self-levelling air struts
Not Available
Rear Suspension
Five-link rear axle with self-levelling high-volume air suspension
Not Available
Front Track Width
-
Not Applicable
Rear Track Width
-
Not Applicable
MagneRide Damping
-
Not Available
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
CO2 Emissions
357 g/km
132 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
95 RON; minimum 91 RON
Petrol
Hybrid System Type
-
Not Available
Particulate Filter
-
Not Available
Idle CO2 Output
-
132
CO2 Emissions G Km
-
132
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Service Plan
4 years / unlimited km
Not Available
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Ownership Role
Owner-driver-focused saloon with genuine rear-passenger accommodation
South Africa market model
Pricing Role
Price on application
Active local lineup
Price Zar
-
363300 ZAR
Starting Price
-
363300
Starting Price Zar
-
363300
Spec
Ghost
Polo-Vivo
Warranty
4 years; regional conditions apply
3 years / 120 000 km
Basic Warranty
4 years; regional conditions apply
3 years / 120 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Ghost and Polo-Vivo comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Ghost 100 vs Polo-Vivo 35.
Efficiency index: Ghost 30 vs Polo-Vivo 80.
Safety-equipment index: Ghost 99 vs Polo-Vivo 59.
Practicality index: Ghost 64 vs Polo-Vivo 54.
Ownership-cover index: Ghost not separately scored vs Polo-Vivo not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Ghost and Polo-Vivo image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
Ghost leads by 21 points
Ghost holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Polo-Vivo.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Ghost
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
30/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
64/100
Polo-Vivo
Performance
35/100
Efficiency
80/100
Safety
59/100
Practicality
54/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexRolls-Royce Ghost
leads the specification evidence index with 76 pts
vs 55 pts for Polo-Vivo
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Ghost leads. However, Polo-Vivo may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
Compare
Request dealer offers
Let's discuss your next car
Share your interest so Hagalu can follow up about quotations and available discounts. The dealer confirms stock, price and terms.
✓
We've Got Your Details!
Your enquiry has reached Hagalu for follow-up. Any dealer offer will be confirmed separately by the seller.
