2024 Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Cullinan

$355,000 (est)

In the make-believe scenario that we could afford a Cullinan, we’d choose the Crystal paint scheme, the 22-inch seven-spoke wheels, the gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, and the electronic tow hitch. We’d spec the Immersive Seating with Center Console option, which gives the rear seats massage functionality and replaces the center seat with a console that doubles as a cooling bin with two champagne flutes and a whiskey decanter. And we wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to have the fabric above our heads display a fiber-optic starry night sky via the Shooting Star Headliner. Finally, we’d add the rear privacy glass and side curtains to make the back row into a tranquil hideout.

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 disturbs the VIPs in the cabin. The one we tested recorded a 60-mph time of just 4.5 seconds—impressive for a vehicle that weighs about three tons. 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.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Cullinan’s V-12 powertrain is rated at 12 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. Believe it or not, those figures aren’t the worst in the class. The V-12-powered Bentley Bentayga boasts ratings of 12 mpg city and 17 highway. We ran the Cullinan on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, and it outperformed expectations, achieving 21 mpg. For more information about the Cullinan’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The spacious cabin is lined in box-grain leather, lambs-wool carpeting, beautiful wood trim, and milled-aluminum accents. If you want an even higher level of luxury, Rolls-Royce will customize almost every part of the Cullinan’s already lavish interior with whatever delights you can imagine. The only warts in this otherwise decadent space are the fully digital gauge cluster that lacks the elegance of an analog setup and the standard rear seating that’s as inflexible as a park bench. At least buyers can rectify the latter issue by optioning the two-seat second row with adjustability and massage functions. The exterior is classic Rolls-Royce, but the vehicle’s liftgate configuration allowed the brand to fit the cargo area with an optional Viewing Suite consisting of a pair of leather-wrapped seats and a small table that pop out of the floor. This is by far the most luxurious way to take in a polo match at the country estate. Even though this SUV is a clear break from tradition for the storied British brand, it’s still an uncompromised Rolls-Royce in every way.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Every Cullinan has a large touchscreen infotainment system with a redundant controller on the center console. Apple CarPlay is also included on every model. The available rear-seat entertainment option adds a 12.0-inch screen to the back of each front seat. Along with a Wi-Fi hotspot, the Cullinan has a bespoke audio system that features 18 speakers.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Rolls-Royce of SUVs has a host of driver-assistance technology, including night vision. For more information about the Cullinan’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Rolls-Royce provides exemplary warranty and included-maintenance programs that span four years with no mileage limit.

• Limited warranty covers four years and unlimited miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years and unlimited miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for four years and unlimited miles

More Features and Specs

Source: www.caranddriver.com