The proceedings
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV, named after the largest rough-cut diamond of gem quality ever found, is a rolling embodiment of its namesake legacy. The Cullinan is a full-size SUV that combines the classic Rolls benchmarks, such as a whisper-quiet interior, a traditional Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, and a spacious rear compartment with exquisitely padded seating to make the passengers—or in some cases, the owner, though Rolls-Royce says that is the exception rather than the rule—into the vehicle. Bentley Bentayga, or a Mercedes-Maybach GLS Class, the Cullinan is also far more exclusive. For many buyers, that makes its price of entry a relative bargain.
What’s New for 2025?
By appending the “II” suffix to its name, Rolls-Royce indicates that the 2025 Cullinan has undergone minor upgrades; nonetheless, these improvements are mostly cosmetic and pertain to the user interface. The recognisable Pantheon grille is still there, but it is now lighted, and the rectangular headlamps are flanked by a new L-shaped LED strip. A “V” form is created by the redesigned front bumper’s angled air intakes. A high-gloss black finish on the rear bumper adds to the overall bolder appearance. The appearance is completed with a brushed stainless steel protection plate and polished stainless steel components surrounding the exhaust. There are now new 23-inch seven-spoke wheels that were manufactured from a single aluminium billet. Additionally, a new Emperador Truffle finish has been introduced, which is meant to add a faint shine by integrating
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Cullinan’s twin-turbo 6.7-liter V-12 provides 563 horsepower (592 in the Black Badge model) and is whisper quiet, lest it disturb the VIPs in the cabin. All-wheel drive is standard, although we suspect buyers will never venture off the tarmac and risk damaging the paint. The Cullinan rides on an air suspension that receives information from a road scanning camera and automatically adjusts the vehicle’s height to compensate for imperfections in the pavement. Ride comfort is beyond the standards of regular luxury vehicles, as the Cullinan wafts down the road and transmits nothing unpleasant to the people inside.
0–60-MPH Times
When we tested a Cullinan, it reached 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, which is outstanding for a vehicle weighing roughly three tonnes, whether or not it has a V-12 engine. The latest Bentayga V-8 we tested, however, accomplished the same feat in a mere 3.3 seconds.
Elegant Cabin
The centre touchscreen and the digital gauge cluster are now housed under a glass panel that spans the entire width of the dashboard on the Cullinan. The new touchscreen is permanently visible and fastened in place, whereas the old model’s touchscreen might have been concealed by an upholstered trim piece. Rolls’ most recent infotainment system, Spirit, which debuted in the electric Spectre, is now displayed on the screen.
The dashboard also includes the Illuminated Fascia panel, which sits in front of the passenger and features Cullinan branding atop a skyscraper-inspired artwork that consists of 7000 dots laser-etched onto a darkened piece of glass at different angles and dimensions to create a 3D look. Owners can commission their own illuminated fascia design, of course. There’s also a new clock cabinet to the left of the touchscreen, which packs an analog timepiece and a lit stainless steel Spirit of Ecstasy figurine that mirrors the SUV’s hood ornament.
