The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Is At Once Rock Star And Quintessential Rolls

Forbes

14-07-2025

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II
Looking at the Rolls-Royce Cullinan it's hard to believe that it was only added to the legendary family of ultra-luxury cars seven years ago. With its long, tall lines, windows made for curtains and coach doors that are both welcoming and shielding from prying eyes, it looks more like a modern iteration of the classic chauffeur-driven sedan than the brand's first SUV.
It also looks, and feels, every bit the perfect vehicle for royalty and rock stars alike. It's certainly perfect for anyone with the budget to craft a bespoke car that is as much fantastical delight as it is a feat of engineering.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II, which is the current model available, is an updated version of the original 2018 edition. In addition to a new exterior that features L-shaped lights and a lighted Pantheon grille, the Series II update also enhanced the multimedia operating system, now called Spirit, added a new clock with a Spirit of Ecstasy sculpture and even more options and material finishes. Essentially, the Cullinan Series II now offers more bespoke options than ever.
Even In Its Basic State, The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II Is Opulent
Our test model was rather sparse by Rolls-Royce standards: It included only the most must-have options such as the Shooting Star headliner ($8,550), Bespoke Audio ($11,425), lambswool floor mats ($1,800) and Black Badge wheels ($10,675). It skipped the option of custom paint, elaborate interior colors, the rear tailgate seating option, a champagne chiller and rear captains chairs with massage and a center console.
In all, the options on our test model added a mere $65,425 to the entry price of $470,000. It would be very easy to more than double that number just on finishes alone.
Even so, the Cullinan Series II we drove proved that even without going overboard you get a sublimely beautiful and elegant ultra-luxury SUV. It starts with the V12 turbo-charged engine that generates 563 hp and 627 pound-feet of torque. The Black Badge edition increases horsepower output to 592; either is an appropriate amount of power, enough to propel you quickly onto the highway but not so much that it feels insane. But power is a must in a car of this heft and reputation, and it comes at a price: Noise. However, as an ultra luxury car, it's vital that noise, even that of the engine, not impede on the passenger experience. So not only is the cabin ultra quiet, but the ride has been engineered so you don't feel the vibration of the engine or the road. Altogether, the feeling is commanding and soaring and gives the confidence that you won't be jostled into spilling your champagne—in the rear seat, with the champagne chiller, of course.
The front seat of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II
Drive the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II—Or Ride As a Passenger?
This was my second time driving the Cullinan Series II, and I hope not my last. Behind the wheel, Rolls-Royce has built a delightful experience. The new driver display is crisp and easy to see, a head up display delivers all the key data points right in your field of vision and chrome buttons that surround the inner portion of the steering wheel can be tapped for things like adaptive cruise control and or to activate Spirit assistance.
Pop the lever gear shifter—a stalk on the right side of the steering column— into drive and head out; you'll immediately notice the commanding feeling of the ride and of the view; you're sitting above most traffic. Which is fitting for a Rolls-Royce, right?
If you're ferrying rear seat passengers, or have the luxury of being one, you'll feel this too. The rear seats sit high and offer very good visibility for taking in the view. But with wide seats and ample room, you might want to cross your legs or recline your seat and stretch out instead. Our model came with 'picnic tables' which are trays that fold down from the seat backs for a bit of work or screen time. The rear seat head rests are cushioned to cradle your resting head and you might want to remove your shoes and let your toes nestle into the lambswool floor mats. Our model came with a rear bench with seating for three, which seems fitting for the rock-n-roll lifestyle; the more the merrier.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II is notable for its coach doors that open outward
All The Finest Design Details Are Engineered To Be Just So
The designers at Rolls-Royce love to build cars with coach-style doors that open outward, but that poses a problem in pulling it closed behind you. Unless you have someone there to always close the door, it can be cumbersome to reach the door to close it. But a button solves that issue.
The buttons are tucked away and can be hard to discover; in the front seat they are on the underside of the upper part of the dash surround just next to the door; in the rear seat they are next to the rear window on the window surround. Push and hold the button and the door closes for you.
Another design detail that is a must for Rolls-Royce is the Spirit of Ecstasy, the sculpture of a goddess leaning into the wind, her gossamer gown flowing behind her. The Spirit of Ecstasy can retract into the hood when the car is locked, or for safekeeping if you don't want her flying into the wind or tempting passersby who might think she'd look good on their mantle. It'll quickly retract with any external pressure, or you can tap the quick-access button on the dashboard panel to retract, or present the sculpture.
Of course there are umbrellas tucked into the doors offering the perfect storage spot even when wet to keep the lambswool mats and leather upholstery dry, and the Shooting Star headliner offers an overhead constellation of hundreds of pinpoint lights that give the feeling of a clear night sky, occasional shooting stars included.
And then, there are the always-upright double R wheel caps. They float in the center of the wheels so no matter where you are, your Rolls-Royce logos are always at attention.
The interior of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II Black Badge Edition
Smart Tech, Courtesy Of BMW, Completes The Picture
As the ultra-luxury arm of BMW, Rolls-Royce gets the benefit of not just great engineering, modern multimedia tech, too. This plays out across the dash in the digital driver display and the touch screen system that, for BMW drivers, will look familiar. The system is nicely organized, easy to use and accommodates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—if the Spirit system isn't to your liking. It's easy to scroll through the tiles, to personalize your experience and to access the owner's manual to answer a question.
Or you can use the Spirit of Ecstasy dial on the center console to control the system; there are also buttons that surround the dial for fast access to maps, music or the home screen.
The upgraded technology and digital driver display are a nice addition that gives the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II modern function while keeping its heritage design feel: the center console is mostly unchanged from the 2018 original, with a switch gear appeal that intimates the evolution from the brand's early days. That, along with the coach doors, all the fun delights and the clever engineering make this ultra-luxe SUV as much a rock star as its owners and occupants.