2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan

There are two trims for the Rolls-Royce - the Cullinan and the Cullinan Black Badge. The Cullinan has a price tag of $335,350 and it is considered the base trim in this case while the Black Badge is the higher trim and is priced at $385,000. The base has all the necessary features and the standard aspects are present here as well. The quad-zone automatic climate control and the heated and massaging front seats are some of the exclusive additions here. The retuned suspension and transmission or the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Audio can be found only with Black Badge. The 12.3-inch touchscreen display along with the 18-speaker Fender audio system is unmatchable by other SUVs from the similar category. 

Packages

• Cullinan Package - Available for Cullinan - Standard
• Driver’s Package - Available for Black Badge - Optional

We Recommend

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan already has a high price tag and it comes with all the necessary features that you can ask for from a luxury SUV. Therefore, we recommend you go for the base trim as the higher trim costs 50k more and it is not reasoned enough for us. The driver’s package is available for the Black Badge only so we suggest you be content with the standard Cullinan package. 

Release Date

The 2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan is expected to hit the US market in February 2023. 

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan has an enormous engine of 6.7L and the incredible V12 is equipped with a twin-turbocharger. It is able to generate a maximum power of 563 hp and the torque output is unbelievably high with a figure of 627 lb.-ft. The engine comes with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission which is connected to the AWD drivetrain. The Rolls-Royce has a huge curb weight but despite the heavy body, the Cullinan is able to accelerate beautifully. The 0 to 60 MPH figure of only 5 seconds might seem pretty basic but considering the weight of the SUV, it is an incredible feat. The Black Badge comes with a similar engine but the power output is an impressive 600 hp. The top speed of the Cullinan is commendable but the towing capacity of 7,257 lbs is ridiculously high which is only possible for pickup trucks. 

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan comes with the largest engine with a twin-turbo V12 and the only close competition is the Bentley Bentayga that has a 6.0L W12 engine. The Lamborghini and the Aston Martin have significantly smaller engines. However, the DBX generates the highest amount of power and it has the best 0 to 60 acceleration. The Lamborghini takes second place with the closest figures but it has a better quarter-mile drag. The Aston Martin has the highest top speed while the Cullinan resides at the bottom of the league in terms of both acceleration and top speed. 

Ride and Handling

The ride and handling experience is unique for Rolls-Royce because of its dual personality. You will have a calm and composed cruiser-like experience during regular rides but if you have thirst for power, it is able to deliver a sudden rush within milliseconds. The ride quality of the Rolls-Royce for the driver and the passengers is made to be unparalleled with an adaptive Magic Carpet Ride air suspension system. It accumulates data from the coming terrain through a front camera and adjusts the whole system accordingly to provide the highest level of comfort. As a result, the Cullinan practically flies over the bumps making sure the passengers do not feel a thing. The steering is precise and is very light for the driver which offers excellent control. The overall comfort of the ride of the full-size luxury SUV is class apart. 

Braking Performance

The braking efficiency is as incredible as the engine and the overall system matches the power and acceleration accurately. The curb weight of the Cullinan is huge and it simply requires large brake rotors for the desired stopping power. The size of the brake rotors is not the only crucial aspect here as the Rolls-Royce comes with ventilated disc brakes on all four wheels. The pedals are smooth and they offer excellent efficiency whether you are driving slow or going at top speed. The anti-lock braking system is standard and the brake assist system is also provided. Hill Hold Control and Hill Descent Control are some of the exclusive features in this segment. 

The Lamborghini Urus has the largest brake rotors in the front but the rear ones it has are not even close to its rivals. The Aston Martin DBX has considerable rotors in both front and rear while the Rolls-Royce and the Bentley have rather small ones. The Lamborghini has the lightest body and the DBX has the almost same curb weight. It means that these two have the best braking performance. However, it is necessary to mention that the Cullinan with the largest body weight and small brake rotors offers appreciable braking performance. The braking system of the Bentayga is not bad either. 

Fuel economy is not the strongest suit for the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and the figures are nothing to be impressed by. The EPA-certified mileage on the city streets is 12 MPG only while the same stat on the highways is slightly better with a figure of 20 MPG. The combined mileage is 14 MPG only and if you were asked to point out a weak section of the Cullinan it would be the only one. The fuel tank is considerable and has a capacity of 26.4 gallons. The sizable tank ensures appreciable range on both highway and city and despite the low mileage you can go for a long haul. Rolls-Royce sums up pretty decent figures in the fuel economy segment. 

All the three rivals except the Aston Martin have the same mileage in the city while the DBX has a slight advantage here. The Cullinan and the DBX have the same figure on the highway while the other competitors are at disadvantage. The Rolls-Royce has the largest fuel capacity while everyone else has smaller tanks. As a result, the range of the Cullinan is better than its rivals, especially since its stats on the highway are well beyond their reach. Only the Aston Martin has some respectable range in city and combined category but the figure on the highway is still low.

The term Rolls-Royce has been established to be synonymous with luxury and it is expected that the interior of the Cullinan would be fascinating. If you take a look at the inside you would understand that it is a combination of eternal time and effort which successfully delivers style, comfort, and every single necessary aspect for the driver and the passengers. The handcrafted work on the high-end materials and their soft leather-touch quality make them unmatchable. The dashboard has an elegant design yet offers a simple layout and you can practically access everything by pressing buttons. The heated and massaging seats with memory settings stand proudly above the competition. The seats have excellent space around them but the trunk space is standard. However, the rear seats can be folded to offer a huge cargo space. The glass partition between the rear seats and the cargo area provides a private feel while the tilting and retracting sunroof offer a wide view of the beautiful sky. 

All the SUVs come with a standard seating capacity for 5 passengers but the Rolls-Royce has much better headspace in the front row. The legroom however is more appropriate in the Bentley and the Aston Martin in the front row. The legroom in the second row is much better in the Cullinan and it has great headspace as well. The DBX comes with the largest trunk space but the rivals have close figures. The Bentayga has the smallest cargo while the Rolls-Royce has a slight advantage over it. However, with the rear seats folded the Cullinan offers the largest area which is even better than the Lamborghini and the Aston Martin. 

• Heated and massaging front seats
• Memory setting for driver and passenger seats, door mirrors, and steering wheel
• Dual-tone leather upholstery
• Alcantara simulated suede ‘Shooting Star’ headliner
• Heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Quad-zone automatic climate control

Infotainment System

The infotainment system with 12.3-inch central touchscreen display puts others to shame with its quality, ease of access and multitude of facilities. The unit comes with an 18-speaker Fender audio system and it also has optional 12.0-inch rear-seat entertainment. The control sits high on the dashboard allowing the driver to access it easily while driving and the heads-up display is a great complement in this case. The entire system is incredibly responsive and intuitive and the voice-activated navigation system makes the whole section alluring. There are standard features like seamless smartphone connectivity and wireless connections. The high quality of the radio and normal audio system needs no introduction. 

• 12.3-inch central touchscreen display
• 18-speaker Fender audio system 
• Optional rear-seat entertainment 
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility
• 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot compatibility
• SiriusXM satellite radio and AM/FM/HD radio 

The signature style of the Rolls-Royce is found on the SUV and the overall design remains the same from last year. However, there are people who are not particularly happy with the same design in every car. The Pantheon grille in the front is huge and the proud “Spirit of Ecstasy” can be found on top of the hood. The enormous V12 is housed under the massive hood that comes with LED DRLs and an electrically heated windshield. The 22-inch 7-spoke light-alloy wheels reflect the character of the brand and the sidelines come with a lot of exclusive aspects. The unique self-righting wheel center caps, body-colored heated power-adjustable mirrors, and the signature suicide doors ensure way too much attention on the road. The expressive roof has a retracting and tilting sunroof and every little factor demonstrates the personality of a Rolls-Royce. 

The Cullinan is the largest car in the competition with more height, width, and length. The wheelbase is the largest among the rivals and it also has the heaviest body. The Aston Martin, on the other hand, has the smallest dimensions but it has excellent ground clearance. The Bentley has the smallest wheelbase and it is leaner than most of its competitors. The Lamborghini has standard length and width but the ground clearance is significantly low for an SUV. The Bentayga has a considerable curb weight but the Urus and the DBX are much lighter compared to the Cullinan. 

• 22-inch 7-Spoke light-alloy wheels
• Heated, powered, and auto-dimming side-view mirrors
• Electrically heated windshield
• Glass roof with power tilting and sliding sunroof
• Signature suicide doors
• Dual chrome-tipped exhausts

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan or any other car from the brand is known to be unbelievably expensive. Hence these cars are never tested for crash endurance and other safety aspects either by the IIHS-HLDI or the authorities of NHTSA. However, you practically do not need to worry about the safety of a car that puts so much effort into every little aspect to ensure the best quality and functionality. There is a myriad of standard safety features in the SUV like the forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist. The Night vision assist is an interesting feature and the Rolls-Royce Emergency assist SOS is a unique one. The parking sensors in both front and rear are good additions and the 360-degree surround-view camera system offers better control and navigation. 

• Forward collision warning
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Low tire pressure warning
• Rolls-Royce Emergency assist SOS
• Front and rear parking sensors
• 360-degree surround-view camera system

2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan vs. 2023 Bentley Bentayga Speed

The 2023 Bentley Bentayga Speed has a smaller engine but the W12 is much more powerful than the Cullinan. The maximum torque output is slightly better and the 0 to 60 acceleration is impressive. The top speed is higher for the Bentayga and it has satisfactory ride quality as well. The driving, control, and braking are commendable but certainly not better than the Rolls-Royce. The EPA-certified mileage is similar but due to a smaller fuel tank, the Bentley offers a lower range. It has a comfortable cabin with lots of space and features but to be honest here, it does not come anywhere close to the luxury of Rolls-Royce. The Cullinan also has a better safety system and the Bentley is not a match here. 

2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan vs. 2023 Lamborghini Urus

The 2023 Lamborghini Urus has a much smaller V8 engine but it is able to generate high maximum power. The 0 to 60 acceleration is among the best in the market and it has a great quarter-mile figure as well. The handling is appreciable even at the top speed of 190 MPH but the ride quality is not as comfortable as the Rolls-Royce. The mileage offered by the Lamborghini is acceptable but the range is much lower than the Cullinan. The luxurious cabin has a lot of space but it still cannot match the audacity of a Rolls-Royce. The standard features are great and the safety system is commendable. However, even with a much lower price tag, we are not going to recommend you the Urus over the Cullinan. 

2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan vs. 2023 Aston Martin DBX 707

The 2023 Aston Martin DBX has a huge difference in price tag and engine size from the Rolls-Royce but the DBX can produce high power and torque thereby staying ahead of the rival. The excellent acceleration and commendable top speed make the Aston Martin a good bargain and it also has a good ride quality. The overall control along with cutting the corners and braking is comfortable and effective. The EPA-certified mileage is better than the Cullinan but the smaller fuel capacity offers a standard range. The interior is attractive but it is nothing compared to the Rolls-Royce and the exclusive features of the Cullinan put others to shame. Considering the safety and overall performance the Aston Martin is a great alternative but we would not dare recommend it over a Rolls-Royce. 

The 2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan is a full-size SUV that comes with all the necessary aspects that you can expect and the exclusive features simply go beyond your imagination. It has a powerful engine that has strong torque output and acceleration. The incredible ride quality is unmatched in the current market and the overall control is extraordinary. The Cullinan justifies the term SUV with its all-terrain performance and you cannot feel anything while going over bumps or puddles. The interior section redefines the concept of luxury with incredible space around the seats and high-quality materials and the level of comfort they offer beggar’s description. The safety features are exceptional and the overall style statement on the exterior is commendable. The brand itself is enough to make the car stand out and the simple “Spirit of Ecstasy” is enough to turn your head on the road. But let us be honest here, you do not buy a Rolls-Royce depending on how advantageous it is in the competitive market. The hefty price tag is maintained to make sure that you are not just going for a better SUV but the brand that ensures handcrafted excellence. If you can afford it and match the lifestyle you should never look at any other option from the market.