There are luxury SUVs. Then there are expensive luxury SUVs. And then, somewhere beyond the clouds, floating silently above tax brackets and common sense, exists the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. This is not merely a vehicle. This is what happens when a British palace decides it is tired of sitting in one place and wants to go shopping.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan first arrived in 2018, and the one you are looking at here is the 2025 facelifted first-generation model — officially called the Cullinan Series II. It comes in two petrol-powered versions: the “standard” Cullinan starting from ₹10.50 crore ex-showroom, and the more aggressive Black Badge variant starting around ₹12.50 crore. And yes, at these prices, the salesperson probably offers you tea in a crystal glass while explaining paint options that cost more than a BMW X5.
This particular example is the standard Cullinan Series II in the “Leader” Inspired Specification, one of six factory-curated personalities available for buyers who somehow find configuring a ₹10 crore SUV slightly exhausting.
And make no mistake — this is one of the most luxurious and expensive SUVs on Earth. It’s the automotive equivalent of wearing a tailored tuxedo while trekking through the Himalayas.
Designed By A Man Who Clearly Doesn’t Believe In Simplicity
The Cullinan was designed by Giles Taylor, the legendary automotive designer whose portfolio includes the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Jaguar XJ, Citroën concepts, and even Hongqi limousines. In other words, the man has spent his life designing cars for kings, CEOs, diplomats, and people who probably have islands named after them.
And the result is spectacular.
The Cullinan does not try to look sporty. It does not scream. It simply arrives. Like royalty.
At the front sits the illuminated Pantheon grille, glowing like Buckingham Palace at night. Above it proudly stands the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, available in silver, illuminated, gold-plated, or even carbon fibre finishes. Because apparently even hood ornaments now have trim levels.
The new laser headlamps with daytime running lights are slimmer and sharper than before, giving this giant SUV a surprisingly modern expression. There’s even an optional silver satin bonnet for those who think regular silver is simply too ordinary.
The coachline running along the side is hand-painted. By an actual human. Not a machine. And if you don’t like the single coachline, you can opt for a double one in multiple colours. Somewhere in Goodwood, there is likely an artist whose full-time job is drawing lines on Rolls-Royces with the concentration of a heart surgeon.
The Name Comes From A Giant Diamond. Of Course It Does.
The Cullinan is named after the Cullinan Diamond — the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered. Because naming it after “Steve” probably didn’t feel luxurious enough.
Built on Rolls-Royce’s aluminium “Architecture of Luxury” platform, the Cullinan shares its bones with the Phantom, Ghost, Spectre, and even the ultra-exclusive Boat Tail. It uses an aluminium spaceframe chassis, keeping the structure incredibly rigid despite the SUV weighing nearly 2.8 tonnes.
And yes, this is Rolls-Royce’s first-ever all-wheel-drive vehicle.
For over a century, Rolls-Royce focused on limousines and grand tourers. Then suddenly the world wanted SUVs, and Rolls-Royce responded by making one so luxurious that other SUVs immediately developed self-esteem issues.
Bigger Than Your Apartment, Heavier Than Your Dreams
The dimensions are gloriously excessive.
At 5.3 metres long, 2 metres wide, and nearly 1.8 metres tall, the Cullinan occupies road space the way VIPs occupy airport lounges. Kerb weight is around 2800 kg, while gross weight crosses 3300 kg.
Yet somehow, despite being massive, it never feels clumsy.
Ground clearance stands at 173 mm, and the SUV can wade through 500 mm of water. Which means you can confidently drive through monsoon-flooded roads while lesser cars begin reconsidering life choices.
Rolls-Royce even classifies this vehicle as a “high-bodied car” rather than an SUV. Meanwhile, in the United States, the Cullinan is bizarrely classified as a station wagon. Imagine pulling up beside a Subaru wagon and technically belonging to the same category.
Magic Carpet Ride: Now With Off-Road Capability
The Cullinan was tested across deserts, snowfields, mountains, ice tracks, and muddy trails in partnership with National Geographic. Because apparently Rolls-Royce wanted to prove that billionaires occasionally touch dirt too.
The suspension setup is absurdly advanced.
You get self-levelling air suspension, electronically controlled dampers, and electrically actuated active anti-roll bars. The system constantly scans road surfaces and adjusts itself to maintain the famous Rolls-Royce “Magic Carpet Ride.”
And honestly, calling it comfortable feels disrespectful.
Potholes disappear. Speed breakers become rumours. Broken roads feel emotionally healed.
There’s even four-wheel steering for tighter turning circles and greater high-speed stability. Rear-wheel steering ensures this massive SUV somehow manoeuvres like a much smaller vehicle.
Off-road mode allows the ride height to rise by 40 mm, while hill descent control manages braking automatically. In many situations, you don’t even need to touch the brake pedal.
Which is excellent, because at ₹10 crore, panic braking probably feels financially stressful.
Wheels Worth More Than Entire Cars
This Cullinan rides on massive 23-inch part-polished alloy wheels, though 22-inch options are also available.
Tyre setup includes:
- Front: 255/40 R23 104Y
- Rear: 295/35 R23 108Y
These are Pirelli P Zero Extra Load radial tubeless tyres, because apparently ordinary tyres are for civilians.
The floating “RR” centre caps remain upright even while the wheels rotate, ensuring the logo always stays perfectly aligned. It’s a tiny detail. But Rolls-Royce exists almost entirely because of tiny details.
Brake calipers can be customized in multiple colours too. Naturally.
Paint Options That Could Fund Startups
The colour you see here is called Emperador Truffle, an optional finish costing nearly ₹80 lakh.
Yes, the paint alone costs more than a fully loaded Toyota Fortuner.
But if that’s still not unique enough, Rolls-Royce offers 69 standard colours plus fully bespoke shades. You can literally ask them to match your favourite handbag, yacht, necktie, or probably your pet Labrador’s eye colour.
Some optional paint schemes can reportedly cost close to ₹1 crore.
At that point, your SUV isn’t painted anymore. It’s invested.
The SUV That Owners Actually Drive Themselves
Interestingly, Rolls-Royce observed that around 70% of Cullinan owners drive the SUV themselves rather than sitting in the rear seat.
Average owner age? Just 43 years.
Which explains why the Cullinan feels less like an old-school limousine and more like a luxury penthouse with launch control.
The Black Badge version especially caters to younger buyers wanting more aggression, offering 600 horsepower and 900 Nm torque. It hits 100 kmph in 5.2 seconds — hilariously fast for something that resembles a luxury apartment block.
An Interior Built Like A Seven-Star Hotel Lobby
Open the rear coach doors — Rolls-Royce refuses to call them suicide doors — and you enter a world where leather quality probably exceeds that of Italian fashion boutiques.
This particular cabin uses Chartreuse leather upholstery, though Rolls-Royce offers 44 leather colours. Beige, white, silver, blue, red, purple, orange, yellow — basically every colour except “budget.”
Customization possibilities are endless:
- Multiple stitching styles
- Embroidery patterns
- Seat piping colours
- RR monograms
- Spirit of Ecstasy logos on headrests
- Bespoke wood veneers
- Piano black finishes
- Lambswool carpets softer than expensive winter jackets
The lounge seats offer ventilation, heating, massage, and supreme comfort. Buyers can even opt for Sanctuary Seats with a centre console and integrated fridge.
Because hydration matters when discussing mergers and acquisitions.
Rear passengers can enjoy two electronically deployable 12-inch HD screens with picnic tables under the Theatre Configuration package. There’s also optional partition glass and rear curtains if you’d prefer not making eye contact with traffic.
The panoramic sunroof brightens the cabin, while the optional Shooting Star Headliner recreates a star-filled night sky using hundreds of fibre-optic lights.
Honestly, the interior lighting alone probably has better ambience than most luxury restaurants.
Technology Hidden Beneath British Formality
Unlike flashy modern luxury cars overloaded with screens, the Cullinan hides its technology elegantly.
The infotainment system uses Rolls-Royce’s advanced SPIRIT operating system supporting:
- Navigation
- Wi-Fi hotspot
- Bluetooth
- FM and radio
- Smartphone connectivity
There’s also the Rolls-Royce Whispers app — a private members digital ecosystem allowing remote access functions like:
- Vehicle tracking
- Lock/unlock
- Location sharing
- Concierge-style services
Basically, it’s like having a luxury butler in app form.
The bespoke analogue clock on the dashboard can also be customized, because in a Rolls-Royce even telling time must feel aristocratic.
Audio System Powerful Enough To Start A Concert
The Cullinan features an 18-speaker, 1400-watt Bespoke Audio system tuned specifically for the cabin.
Rolls-Royce engineers reportedly treat the interior structure itself as part of the speaker enclosure. Which explains why music inside feels less like audio playback and more like a private concert hall.
Whether you’re listening to Beethoven or Punjabi beats, everything sounds expensive.
Boot Space For Billionaire Adventures
Boot space stands at 612 litres, expandable to 1886 litres with the rear seats folded.
Optional extras include:
- Electronically deployable storage compartments
- Tailgate camping seats
- Champagne chest
- Picnic hampers
- Bicycle carriers
- Hosting sets
- Dog accessories
- Luggage collections
You can even spec a starlight tailgate.
Because apparently regular tailgates are insufficiently celestial.
Safety? Obviously.
The Cullinan includes:
- 8 airbags
- ABS
- Stability control
- Night vision
- Lane departure warning
- Blind spot detection
- Cross traffic alert
- Parking assist
- 360-degree camera
- Forward collision warning
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Brake assist
- Child lock
- Engine immobilizer
And plenty more.
Though realistically, most traffic probably moves aside voluntarily when a Cullinan appears in the rear-view mirror.
V12 Power With The Manners Of A Gentleman
Under the long aluminium bonnet sits a glorious 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine from BMW’s N74 family.
Specifications for the standard Cullinan:
- 571 horsepower
- 850 Nm torque
- 0-100 kmph in 5.3 seconds
- 250 kmph electronically limited top speed
- Around 6 kmpl mileage
- 90-litre fuel tank
Paired with the engine is ZF’s legendary 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission — one of the smoothest gearboxes ever made.
And smooth is the key word here.
The Cullinan does not accelerate aggressively. It gathers speed with silent authority. Like a private jet preparing for takeoff.
This same V12 also powers the Phantom and Ghost, and features an aluminium cylinder block for reduced weight.
Driving the Cullinan feels surreal because nothing about a 2.8-tonne SUV should feel this effortless.
Yet it does.
Final Verdict: The King Of Luxury SUVs
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is not trying to compete with a Range Rover, Bentley Bentayga, or Mercedes-Maybach GLS.
It exists above them.
This is an SUV designed for people who want limitless customization, unmatched comfort, handcrafted craftsmanship, V12 performance, genuine off-road ability, and enough road presence to make entire valet parking areas nervous.
Yes, it is outrageously expensive.
Yes, some paint options cost more than houses.
And yes, its accessories catalogue probably reads like a luxury department store.
But that’s exactly the point.
The Cullinan is not about necessity. It is about excess executed perfectly.
And in a world where many luxury SUVs are becoming increasingly sporty, loud, and aggressive, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan remains wonderfully British — calm, elegant, impossibly comfortable, and quietly richer than everyone else on the road.
