2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan vs. Bentley Bentayga Comparison with Price, Specs, & Photos
Two of the biggest names in ultra-luxury SUVs are the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and the Bentley Bentayga, vehicles that set the bar for bespoke luxury. There was a time when these two brands were under the same ownership, and not much set one apart from the other, but today that is no longer true, and there are some important distinctions that anyone in the market for a vehicle like this should know.Since it is built by Rolls-Royce, there is nothing else quite like the Cullinan. No other SUV has the presence, the sense of occasion, that comes with the Cullinan. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other ultraluxury SUVs available. Some of these are built to basically be tall sports cars, but there are a couple that aspire to the same kind of luxury experience that the Cullinan provides. In the interests of an informed buying decision, we’ll take a closer look at what the competitors offer.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan VS Bentley Bentayga - Performance
The Cullinan and Bentayga take very different approaches to performance, though both come with more than enough power. The Cullinan comes with a 6.7-liter V12 engine, which is powerful enough that 0-60 times for the Cullinan look like it could be a sports car. Opt for the Cullinan Black Badge and you get an even more powerful version of the engine. But tire-shredding speed isn’t why Rolls-Royce chose this engine. V12 engines were first developed for automotive use, not for power, but because they run so smoothly, delivering linear power with a minimum of drama. The Cullinan might be quick, but it doesn’t go out of its way to call attention to this fact, with an incredibly quiet cabin and smooth power delivery.
Bentley has a rich history in motorsports, one that inspires several aspects of the current lineup. But this isn’t the only thing that inspires Bentley, and there are a few different drivetrain options for the Bentayga. The first is a V6 that is mated to a potent hybrid system; the electrical assistance this system provides makes for smooth power delivery, especially in stop-and-go situations. There is an available V8 as well, which raises power output enough that you’ll notice the difference. And for the full motorsport-inspired experience, there is the Bentayga Speed, which comes with a higher-performance version of the V8 that can propel you to 60 mph in an astonishing 3.4 seconds.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan VS Bentley Bentayga - Design
There is no easy way to compare the design of two vehicles that offer an essentially infinite range of colors, materials, and bespoke coachbuilding details. There are still some differences in the approach the two brands take, which might inform your decision. Traditionally, Rolls-Royce has built vehicles that are intended to be driven by chauffeurs, with most amenities focusing on back-seat comfort. Driving a Rolls-Royce vehicle is enjoyable enough that today, most owners drive themselves, but Rolls-Royce still builds vehicles that offer incredible luxury for passengers.
Bentley leans into its motorsports heritage for a good deal of the design of the Bentayga as well, with bold colors and materials like carbon fiber used in the interior trim. The Bentayga is also built more to be a driver’s vehicle than a chauffeured vehicle, as we saw with the drivetrain options. All that being said, you can absolutely outfit your Cullinen to feel more like a racecar, or your Bentayga to be experienced from the back seat, there’s even an extended-wheelbase version of the Bentley with extra legroom for maximum comfort. Ultimately, this is the strength of both vehicles, the bespoke coachbuilding that lets you make it your own.