History of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan
I remember the day the Rolls-Royce Cullinan landed in 2018. A Rolls SUV? Purists grumbled. Owners quietly placed deposits. And then we drove it, and the room went silent—literally. This luxury SUV didn’t so much enter the segment as redraw it, borrowing the name of the world’s largest diamond and the quiet confidence to match.
How the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Happened
By the mid-2010s, even old-money garages had SUVs tucked between the classics. Bentley had the Bentayga, Range Rover had been doing stately mud-plugging for decades, and the world’s wealthiest wanted the same commanding view with proper couture. Rolls-Royce’s answer was the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, built on the brand’s new aluminum “Architecture of Luxury” that also underpins the Phantom.
Under the Skin of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Numbers first, because you’ll ask. Under the bonnet sits a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 with 563 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque (Black Badge versions wind that up further). All-wheel drive, an eight-speed with satellite-aided shift mapping, and air suspension team up to deliver the “Magic Carpet Ride” that—when I tried it on genuinely rough rural roads—left me blinking at how little reached the cabin.
On-road: serenity with a pulse
It’s not a sports SUV, nor should it pretend to be. Yet it’s brisk—think 0–60 mph in roughly five seconds—and there’s a lovely, syrupy shove from 1,600 rpm. The steering has that Rolls lightness with a whisper of rear-axle steering to help it feel smaller in tight towns. You float, but you still feel in charge. Like driving in slippers, but expensive ones with excellent arch support.
Off-road: more capable than you’ll believe
Rolls doesn’t sell adventure fantasies, but the Cullinan’s “Everywhere” mode quietly gets on with the job: gravel driveways, wet paddocks, snow to the chalet. With its self-leveling air suspension and decent wading depth (around 540 mm), it’s unflustered. I once eased one down a rutted track I wouldn’t take my own wagon; it never bottomed or bothered. Silent progress is the trick.
Inside the Rolls-Royce Cullinan: the living room moves with you
The cabin is the point. You pick up the hefty coach doors, step onto deep carpets, and it’s as if the outside world turns down a few stops. Even at 70 mph you can hear your kids arguing in the back—whether that’s a blessing is your call. Materials? Choose what you like: lambswool, open-pore woods, technical composites if you go Black Badge. There’s a proper sense of occasion without trying too hard.
- Seating for four or five; the twin rear thrones are divine but nibble cargo space.
- “Viewing Suite” tailgate seats for impromptu polo sidelines or sunset espresso.
- Split tailgate; load bay is flat, though not cavernous with the four-seat spec.
- Infotainment borrows BMW brains—logical, occasionally menu-deep. Wireless smartphone mirroring helps.
- Noise suppression is comical. Pirellis thrum faintly; everything else goes missing.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan vs the World
Different badges, different philosophies. The Cullinan is unapologetically about calm, comfort, and craftsmanship. Here’s how it stacks up in the luxury SUV club:
| Model | Engine | Power | 0–60 mph | Starting Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rolls-Royce Cullinan | 6.75L twin-turbo V12 | 563 hp | ~5.0 sec | $355,000+ |
| Bentley Bentayga (V8) | 4.0L twin-turbo V8 | 542 hp | ~4.4 sec | $200,000+ |
| Range Rover SV | 4.4L twin-turbo V8 | 606 hp | ~4.3 sec | $210,000+ |
| Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 | 4.0L twin-turbo V8 (MHEV) | 550 hp | ~4.7 sec | $175,000+ |
| Lamborghini Urus | 4.0L twin-turbo V8 | 641 hp | ~3.2 sec | $235,000+ |
The Bentayga is sportier, Range Rover SV is the stealth-wealth all-rounder, the Maybach is a lounge on stilts, and the Urus is a hyper sneaker. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan? A tuxedo that moves like a cloud.
A Short Timeline: From Concept to Icon
- 2015–2016: Rolls confirms a high-bodied vehicle project; testing mules appear.
- 2018: Global reveal of the Cullinan; first drives spotlight the silence and surprising off-road smarts.
- 2019: Deliveries ramp up; bespoke options explode (Viewing Suite, Recreation Module).
- 2020: Black Badge Cullinan arrives with extra power, darker trims, and a naughtier attitude.
- 2024: Series II update brings fresher styling touches and a more contemporary digital interface.
Life With a Rolls-Royce Cullinan
It’s the daily that never feels daily. School run? The rear doors open wide enough for bulky child seats and winter coats. Alpine weekends? Heated everything, a boot big enough for the lighter packing list (four-seat owners, keep the luggage curated). Night out in Miami? Valets park it out front without asking. Small gripes: the driver’s screen and central display—while improved in recent updates—still prioritize serenity over flash. And yes, fuel economy is exactly what you think (call it teens). But if you’re cross-shopping a V12 Rolls, you’ve already made peace with petrol.
Final Thoughts on the Rolls-Royce Cullinan
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan didn’t just follow the luxury SUV boom—it refined it. Elegant, absurdly comfortable, genuinely usable, and built to be tailored, it’s what happens when a marque refuses to compromise its values for a trend. If the brief is “effortless, everywhere,” this is your answer. And yes, it still makes a Range Rover feel a bit… common.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan FAQ
How fast is the Rolls-Royce Cullinan?
Expect 0–60 mph in about five seconds, with a governed top speed around 155 mph. Black Badge trims feel a shade quicker thanks to extra power and a sportier calibration.
Is the Cullinan good off-road?
Within reason, yes. Think snowy driveways, muddy fields, gravel estate roads. The “Everywhere” mode, air suspension, and all-wheel drive make quiet work of low-traction stuff. It’s not a rock crawler, but it won’t embarrass itself.
What’s the fuel economy like?
In the teens. Real-world consumption hovers around 12–20 mpg depending on your right foot and city versus highway driving.
How much does a Rolls-Royce Cullinan cost?
Base pricing starts in the mid-$300,000s before options. Bespoke commissions can climb well north from there, and Black Badge models carry a premium.
What’s new with the latest Cullinan?
The Series II update freshened the exterior and modernized the infotainment and driver interfaces, while keeping the core recipe—V12 serenity on an aluminum architecture—intact.
