2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn

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Rating8.1

Ranked #2 in 

Midsize Convertible
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$370,000 - $421,000
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on October 31, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Attractive exterior looks

Costlier than other rivals

No major changes

Premium and luxurious interiors

Lacks on technology

Tons of customization options

Specs & Features

$370,000

price

563 hp @ 5250 rpm

horsepower

605 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

torque

8-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

6.6L 12cyl RWD 8A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The desirability of Roll Royce as a brand is unmatchable by any other automobile brand on the planet. Rolls Royce is known for its impeccable handmade craftsmanship and is a unit to measure luxury in the automotive industry. You can not just get into a showroom to buy a Rolls Royce, as it is the only car brand that you need to have some credibility to own. The 2021 Rolls Royce Dawn convertible remains a carryover model of the previous year’s model. 

Buying Advice

The 2021 Rolls Royce Dawn comes in a single trim level, and it offers pretty much everything that you need. The customization options for the Rolls Royce Dawn are endless, and you can customize it the way you want. Every single bit in the interior and exterior can be customized to suit your personality. If you are planning to buy a Rolls Royce Dawn, you can spend some time on the customization yourself as it is going to be an investment of the lifetime. 

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Rolls Royce says that the 2021 Rolls Royce Dawn convertible is the sexiest Rolls Royce ever made, and no one doubts their words. The Rolls Royce Dawn looks astonishing from the outside and is one of the quietest convertibles that you can buy today. The 2021 Rolls Royce Dawn starts at an MSRP of $356,500 and competes against the likes of the 2021 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible, 2021 Bentley Continental GT Convertible, and the 2021 Aston Martin DB11 Volante Convertible.

Features

The 2021 Rolls Royce Dawn convertible comes in a single fully-loaded trim. There is not a lot of tech inside the cabin, and Rolls Royce never targets the tech-savvy audience. Rolls Royce makes cars that are timeless, and it is more like a piece of art from inside. The standard features with the Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible include 20-inch alloy wheels, a power tilt/telescopic steering column, adaptive air suspension, adaptive xenon headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry/ignition, a power liftgate, a 10.3-inch center display screen, and integrated navigation system.

Trim

Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible

MSRP

$356,500

Key Features

20-inch alloy wheels

 

Power Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column

 

Adaptive air suspension

 

Adaptive xenon headlights

 

Dual-zone automatic climate control

 

Keyless entry and ignition

 

Power liftgate

 

10.3-inch center display screen

 

Integrated Navigation System

We recommend

The 2021 Rolls Royce Dawn comes in a single trim level, and it offers pretty much everything that you need. The customization options for the Rolls Royce Dawn are endless, and you can customize it the way you want. Every single bit in the interior and exterior can be customized to suit your personality. If you are planning to buy a Rolls Royce Dawn, you can spend some time on the customization yourself as it is going to be an investment of the lifetime. 

Fuel Economy
6.7/10

The owners of a Rolls Royce will not even care much about the fuel economy of their car. Those who can afford to buy any of the Rolls Royce models do not think much about the mpg figures of the model. Still, it is our job to present you with the mpg figures. The 2021 Rolls Royce Convertible manages to deliver 12 mpg in the city, 18 mpg on the highway, and 14 mpg of combined fuel economy. The fuel economy figures are not very impressive as the competition offers better efficiency, but they are not that bad considering the powerful V12 engine. The Dawn Convertible comes with a 21.7-gallon fuel tank which allows it to deliver a decent highway range of 390 miles.

Models

2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn Convertible

2021 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible

2021 Bentley Continental GT Convertible

2021 Aston Martin DB11 Volante Convertible

MPG (City)

12

19

12

18

MPG (Highway)

18

28

20

24

MPG (Combined)

14

22

14

20

Fuel tank capacity

21.7

24.3

24

20.5

Range (City/Highway/Combined, in Miles)

260.4/390.6/303.8

315/534/534

288/480/336

369.0/492.0/410

The 2021 Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible and the 2021 Bentley Continental GT Convertible are the least fuel-efficient options. Both convertibles have very identical mpg figures, but the Bentley offers a bigger fuel tank compared to the Rolls Royce. The 2021 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible is the most fuel-efficient in the competition and also comes with the largest fuel tank of 24.3 gallons.

Interior
7.9/10

The interior of any Rolls Royce Model is the parameter to judge the luxury and craftsmanship of the automotive industry. The Dawn Convertible is no exception and offers one of the most pleasing interiors of any car in the market. Everything in the interior is handmade by some of the most experienced craftsmen. You can customize every single thing in the interior of the car. Everything you touch feels premium, and the comfort that it offers is very hard to match for any other competitor. 

The seats are very comfortable and offer excellent support to the passengers. You can equip the car with the artwork of your favorite artists. The space is not that big of a concern compared to some of the other rivals in the segment. The endless customization options mean you can decide the look of the interior based on your personal preference.

Models

2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn Convertible

2021 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible

2021 Bentley Continental GT Convertible

2021 Aston Martin DB11 Volante Convertible

Seating Capacity

4

4

4

4

Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)

39.4/59.0/41.5

42.1/59.7/41.4

40.1/NA/41.9

N/A

Rear Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)

37.0/54.7/36.9

39.2/59.1/43.0

33.7/NA/41.9

N/A

Trunk Capacity (cubic feet)

9.2

10.4

8.3

9.5

The space in the front row of the 2021 Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible is on par with the rivals in the competition. However, the competition offers better space in the rear seats. The trunk space is also not a strong point of any of the convertibles in the competition here, and that doesn’t even concern the buyers much. All the convertibles can accommodate a maximum of 4 passengers in the cabin. Standout interior features include:

  • 8-Way Power Driver and Passenger Seats
  • Bucket Front Facing Heated Rear Seat
  • Power Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column
  • Leather Steering Wheel
  • Dual-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning
  • Cruise Control

What’s there to keep you entertained in the 2021 Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible?

Rolls Royce does not believe in using a lot of tech inside their cabin as the tech gets old with time, and Rolls Royce believes in making a timeless interior that never gets old. However, things have changed now as BMW has made sure to provide the top-notch technology in the Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible. The Rolls Royce Dawn gets features similar to the BMW’s iDrive features. The infotainment system on the Dawn Convertible is a very responsive unit and is one of the finest infotainment units in the automotive industry.

The audio is managed via an 18-speaker audio system which provides a very premium music experience. The standout infotainment features include:

  • 10.3-inch center display screen
  • 18-speakers audio system
  • Satellite radio and HD radio
  • Voice Activation
  • Wireless Phone Connectivity
  • Integrated Navigation System

Exterior
7.9/10

The Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible does not follow the conventional Rolls Royce design language, but not in a bad way. Rolls Royce themselves call the Dawn Convertible the sexiest Rolls Royce ever made, and you will also agree with them after looking at the car. The Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible is a true style statement, and it looks pleasing to the eyes no matter from which angle you look at it. 

The front grille and the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy on the bonnet make it easy to recognize as a Rolls Royce. The headlights look very sleek and carry the Rolls Royce DNA. The customization options remain endless for the exterior styling also. You can customize every bit of the Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible to suit your personality. The convertible weighs 5,644 lbs, which is around 2,000 lbs more than the DB11 Volante in the competition.

Models

2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn Convertible

2021 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible

2021 Bentley Continental GT Convertible

2021 Aston Martin DB11 Volante Convertible

Curb Weight (lb)

5644

4553

5315

3,880

Length (inches)

208.5

206.9

190.9

186.6

Width (inches)

76.7

75

76.9

76.4

Height (inches)

59.1

58.8

55.1

51.2

Ground Clearance (inches)

6.5

5

5.6

N/A 

Wheelbase (inches)

122.5

124.6

112.2

110.4

The 2021 Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible is the longest option in the competition and also one of the widest convertibles after the 2021 Bentley Continental GT Convertible. The 2021 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible has the longest wheelbase in the competition, followed by the 2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn Convertible. The Dawn Convertible has also the best-in-class ground clearance. Standout exterior features include:

  • 20-inch alloy wheels
  • Rain sensing wipers
  • Body-colored front and rear bumper
  • Chrome grille
  • Power liftgate
  • LED Brakelights

Safety
8.0/10

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have not crash-tested the 2021 Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible. It is very clear that testing such an expensive car is not a great idea. However, Rolls Royce has taken care of all your safety concerns very well. The Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible does not equip many driver assistance features, but it comes with plenty of safety tech. The standard safety features include electronic stability control, roll stability control, front and rear parking sensors, low tire pressure warning, back-up camera, and front camera. The standout safety features include:

  • Electronic Stability Control
  • Roll Stability Control
  • Side Impact Beams
  • Rolls-Royce Assist Emergency Sos
  • Low Tire Pressure Warning
  • Back-Up Camera

Competition
9.0/10

2021 Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible vs. 2021 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible offers some serious performance with excellent driving dynamics. The interiors of the car are also very premium, and it offers great comfort and luxury to the passengers. The one thing that makes it a better choice is that it offers all this at a way lower price, which makes it a great option. Still, it can not match the desirability of a Rolls Royce.

2021 Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible vs. 2021 Bentley Continental GT Convertible

The 2021 Bentley Continental GT Convertible is a very close rival to the 2021 Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible. Bentley offers great performance, and it also does not miss out on the luxury front. The handling and driving dynamics are great too. Bentley Continental GT Convertible is a little more expensive than the Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible, but it is more than $100,000 cheaper than the Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible, which makes it a great choice for the price.

2021 Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible vs. 2021 Aston Martin DB11 Volante Convertible

The 2021 Aston Martin DB11 Volante Convertible is the cheapest convertible in the competition. It offers one of the class-leading performance figures. The British brand offers a good level of luxury too, but it fails to keep up with the other British rival Rolls Royce in terms of overall luxury and comfort. The Aston Martin DB11 Volante Convertible remains a good choice for those who love to drive, but for everything else, the Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible comes out as a better choice.

Final Verdict

The 2021 Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible may be the last model of the Dawn Convertible in the United States as Rolls Royce is planning to discontinue the Dawn Convertible in North America. The Dawn Convertible stands strong on the claims of Rolls Royce as the sexiest Rolls Royce ever made. It offers everything that you need from your car and so much more. The customization options are endless which makes it even more special. If you can afford to buy it and you are looking for something in a similar range, then you will not regret investing in the Rolls Royce Dawn Convertible.

Trims

    Base
    $370,000 onwards
    • 18-Speaker premium sound system
    • Power-Adjustable and heated front seats
    • Quad-Zone climate control
    Black Badge
    $421,000 onwards
    • Engine: 6.6L 12cyl RWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 592 hp @ 5250 rpm hp
    • Torque: 620 lb.-ft. @ 1650 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 4.7 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 14 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$370,000- $421,000

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.06

Horsepower

592 hp @ 5250 rpm

Torque

620 lb.-ft. @ 1650 rpm

Capacity

4

Read Review

2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Top Speed
    Source
    4.7 sec155 mph

    2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      Source
      12 mpg18 mpg14 mpg21.7 gal.260.4/390.6 mi.

      2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Wheelbase
        Source
        208.5 in.76.7 in.59.1 in.122.5 in.

        2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Source
          9.2 cu.ft.

          2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Source
            9.2 cu.ft.

            2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              Source
              1500 lbs.1056 lbs.5203 lbs.

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