2021 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Test Drive Review: One SUV To Rule Them All

Eyebrows were raised when Rolls-Royce introduced an SUV model back in 2019. Why would the world's most prestigious luxury brand build a vehicle so far removed from its core values? That question was quickly answered when the Cullinan arrived on the scene, providing the same luxury found in other Rollers; but now with additional trunk space and a taller ride height. There aren't many significant additions to the 2021 Rolls-Royce Cullinan, but when a vehicle already exists as the pinnacle of SUV motoring, why change anything?

The exotic SUV market has exploded in recent years, with models like the Aston Martin DBX, Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, Maserati Levante, Mercedes-Maybach GLS, and more to come including the Ferrari Purosangue. None of these options come close to the Cullinan's $330,000 starting price, nor do any of them approach the same opulence and comfort. As we discovered by spending a week in the nearly 600-horsepower twin-turbo V12-powered Cullinan Black Badge, this SUV exists in a class of one.

2021 Cullinan Exterior

Dimensions

2021 Cullinan Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

Driving a Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the epitome of getting everything you want, whenever you want it. Need to pass a slower vehicle hogging the right lane? No problem! Road surface getting too choppy? Don't worry, you won't feel it. It's mesmerizing. We already mentioned the sumptuous drivetrain, which effortlessly motivates the Cullinan like an omnipotent force; passing maneuvers are a silent affair, and merging up to highway speed is tranquil. Even as a Black Badge, the Cullinan can't be described as sporty, but there's an athleticism to how it wafts along. Rolls-Royce would never include something so uncouth like a sport button, but there is a Low Mode that enables quicker transmission shifts and a throatier note from the engine.

As with most Rollers, the Cullinan leaves its occupants feeling more relaxed at their journey's end. The steering is so light, it feels like you can turn the car left or right by simply blowing on the wheel. Rolls-Royce's Magic Carpet Ride suspension is sublime, absorbing road impacts better than any SUV we've tested. Would-be competitors like the Aston Martin DBX, Bentley Bentayga, and Lamborghini Urus provide a sportier experience that's more enjoyable on a windy mountain road. But if you desire the most comfortable SUV on the market, nothing even comes close to the Cullinan.

2021 Cullinan Interior

2021 Cullinan Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is the 2021 Rolls-Royce Cullinan A Good car?

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the most opulent SUV on the planet. Period. There are other exotic luxury SUVs available, but none match the opulence, comfort, and bespoke feel found in the Cullinan. This is a sport utility vehicle that doesn't blend in; rather, it announces your arrival with the Spirit of Ecstasy leading the way. Never have we experienced an SUV that feels quite like this, and we think the Cullinan justifies its real-estate-level price tag.

Yes, there are other options to consider if you prefer a thrilling driving experience. The Aston Martin DBX, Bentley Bentayga, and Lamborghini Urus are all more exciting to drive, and quicker should you ever find yourself on a racetrack. But none of those vehicles approaches Cullinan levels of comfort, and even the Bentayga, which contains a pretty special interior, still feels less bespoke inside. Buyers at this level can likely afford more than one SUV in their garage, but if they want the best, it has to include a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

2021 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Comparisons

2021 Rolls-Royce Cullinan vs Bentley Bentayga

It's difficult to find a genuine rival to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, but the Bentley Bentayga arguably comes closest. That Bentley badge is as much associated with the upper echelon of luxurious motoring as the Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy, and the Bentayga is a fabulous SUV in its own right. For 2021, the Bentayga has received a significantly refreshed exterior and an upgraded infotainment interface. It's much the same under the skin as before, though, which means the lineup is topped by a 626-hp W12 model that is a fair amount quicker than the Cullinan Black Badge while returning similarly pitiful economy figures. Unless you drive the Cullinan, you wouldn't think any SUV could ride as smoothly as the Bentayga. The Bentley is more engaging for the customers who prefer to do the driving themselves, as well as far more affordable than the Rolls. While the Bentley does offer a third row of seating, it's the Rolls that's much more comfortable at the back. Both SUVs make everything else feel ordinary, but the Cullinan remains better to be driven in and the Bentayga better to drive.

2021 Rolls-Royce Cullinan vs Land Rover Range Rover

The popular Range Rover is an almost unsurpassed automotive status symbol, blending exceptional off-road prowess with a divinely comfortable cabin and superb performance. In its most expensive guise - the long-wheelbase SVAutobiography with a 557-hp V8 - it carries an MSRP of $211,000. That's expensive, but still more than $100,000 less than the base Cullinan. Although this top-tier Range Rover comes with luxuries like 24-way massaging front seats, deployable tables, and a rear-seat entertainment system as standard, it can't match the sense of occasion engendered by the Cullinan's sensational interior. The Range Rover is more fun to drive although slightly slower, but not as isolating as the Cullinan. If you will be doing any off-roading, the Land Rover is the easy choice here. But if money is no object and you never want to look over at the neighbor's driveway with the possibility of seeing something better, then get the Cullinan.