The Rolls-Royce Corniche is a compact car built from 1981 to 2002 over 4 generations. Between 1972 and 1989 it grew 3 cm longer and gained 274 kg. Engines offered: V8. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the Corniche is
The Rolls-Royce Corniche is a compact car that Rolls-Royce built from 1981 to 2002 — 22 model years. Our measurements put it at 4 generations, the current one starting in 1985. It has been offered with V8 power. Its closest siblings in the Rolls-Royce range: Phantom, Cullinan, Ghost.
Corniche generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the Corniche's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the Corniche that gives 4 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972-1973 | 517 cm | 304 cm | 2146 kg | - | - |
| 1974-1978 | 527 cm | 304 cm | 2184 kg | +10 cm | +38 kg |
| 1981-1982 | 527 cm | 303 cm | 2270 kg | +0 cm | +86 kg |
| 1985-1989 | 520 cm | 305 cm | 2420 kg | -7 cm | +150 kg |
Between 1972 and 1989 the Corniche gained 3 cm in length (+0.6%) and 274 kg in weight (+12.8%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the Corniche that is 274 kg against 3 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Rolls-Royce Corniche tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment Corniche owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Rolls-Royce Corniche have? Power & range
The Rolls-Royce Corniche is offered with 1 powertrain — 6.8L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Rolls-Royce Corniche, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 6.8L · 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The Corniche by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Rolls-Royce Corniche. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Corniche | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 9 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Rolls-Royce Corniche?
The Corniche is a compact car, built from 1981 to 2002 across 4 generations. Engines offered: V8.
How many generations does the Corniche have?
4 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1985. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the Corniche grew 3 cm longer and gained 274 kg.
What is the Rolls-Royce Corniche warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the Corniche reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific Corniche?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Rolls-Royce
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rolls-Royce Phantom | 2004–2026 | 21 | 14 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Rolls-Royce Cullinan | 2019–2026 | 10 | 14 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Rolls-Royce Ghost | 2010–2026 | 14 | 15 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Rolls-Royce Wraith | 2014–2021 | 1 | 15 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Rolls-Royce Spectre | 2024–2026 | 5 | 81 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Rolls-Royce Dawn | 2016–2021 | 2 | 15 mpg | 4.5/5 |
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