A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
ALCAZAR
Cullinan
Maximum Power
85 kW
420 kW @ 5000-6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
250 Nm
850 Nm @ 1600-4250 rpm
Engine Size
1493 cc
6749 cc
Claimed Mileage
16.9 km/l
5.95 km/l
Ground Clearance
200 mm
173 mm
Boot / Load Bay
180 l
612 l
Airbags
Driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags
8
Kerb Weight
1445 kg
2725 kg
Seating Capacity
-
-
Warranty
5
4 years; regional conditions apply
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
Cullinan holds a noticeable edge over ALCAZAR, especially in key ownership areas.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
Cullinan
+55 pts
Efficiency
ALCAZAR
+40 pts
Safety
Cullinan
+71 pts
Practicality
Cullinan
+11 pts
Ownership
ALCAZAR
+21 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
ALCAZAR
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Less comprehensive safety features
Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to:Fuel Efficiency
🏆 Overall Winner
Cullinan
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger safety package
More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to:Highway DrivingFamily Usage
Which One's Right for You?
ALCAZAR
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind
Cullinan
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Large families needing more practicality and usability
Full Specs, Side by Side
Spec
ALCAZAR
Cullinan
Model Introduced Year
Current local generation year not confirmed
2018
Generation
Current South African ALCAZAR listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Cullinan Series II, the current evolution of the marque's five-door super-luxury SUV
Facelift History
Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Cullinan was introduced in South Africa in 2018 and received its most extensive evolution as Cullinan Series II in May 2024
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
2024
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Seven-seat SUV
Five-door luxury SUV
Color Note
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
-
Dealer Stock Note
Top grade in the South Africa lineup
-
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
published
active
Segment
SUV
Full-size super-luxury SUV
Vehicle Type
SUV
Internal-combustion sport utility vehicle
Tare Mass Kg
1445 kg
-
Spec
ALCAZAR
Cullinan
Drivetrain Layout
Front-wheel drive
All-wheel drive with all-wheel steering
LSD Available
Not Applicable
-
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
ATC 13 transfer case
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
No lockable differential
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
No
Gearbox
Automatic
8-speed ZF automatic
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
2.81:1
Number of Gears
6
8
Transmission Type
Automatic
8-speed ZF automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Torque converter
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
-
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive
All-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Everywhere off-road capability engaged by one button
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Everywhere button
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
No
Differential Type Front
Not Available
-
Differential Type Rear
Not Available
-
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
8-speed ZF automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front-wheel drive
All-wheel-drive power delivery with active rear-axle steering
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transfer Case Guard
Not Available
-
Transmission Speeds
6
8
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Satellite Aided automatic gear selection
Spec
ALCAZAR
Cullinan
Claimed Mileage
16.9 km/l
5.95 km/l
City Mileage
13.9 km/l
5.10 km/l
Highway Mileage
19.6 km/l
8.08 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
90 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Euro 6e (B6e)
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Automatic start/stop: Yes
Average Fuel Consumption
5.9 l/100km
16.8 l/100km
Claimed Fuel Consumption
5.9 l/100km
16.8 l/100km
Fuel Efficiency
5.9 l/100km
16.8 l/100km
Real-world Mileage
16.9 km/l
5.95 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Consumption
5.9 l/100km
16.8 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
5.9 l/100km
16.8 l/100km
Fuel Economy Combined
5.9 l/100km
16.8 l/100km
Fuel Tank Litres
50 l
90
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
536-563 km (calculated from 90 L and 16.0-16.8 l/100 km WLTP)
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
-
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
-
Spec
ALCAZAR
Cullinan
Airbags
Driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags
8
ABS
Standard
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Electronic Stability Control
Not Available
Dynamic Stability Control
Traction Control
Standard
Dynamic Traction Control
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Hill Descent Control
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Child Safety Lock
Not Available
Rear child-safety locks
ISOFIX Mounts
Not Available
ISOFIX child-seat mounts
Brake Assist
Not Available
Dynamic Brake Control
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
Engine immobiliser
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Not Available
Front seatbelt warning sensor
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Park Distance Control, front and rear
AEB
Not Available
Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
BA
Not Available
Dynamic Brake Control
Brake Override System
Not Available
-
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Head Protection System
Driver Airbag
Standard
Driver airbag
EBD
Standard
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
Engine immobiliser
Hill Hold
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Front-passenger airbag
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not Available
Front and rear three-point pretensioning seatbelts; front force limiters
Side Airbags
Standard
Front side-impact airbags
TCS
Standard
Dynamic Traction Control
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Active front knee protection
ABS EBD
Standard
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Seatbelt Reminder
Not Available
Front seatbelt warning sensor
Stability Control
Not Available
Dynamic Stability Control
Spec
ALCAZAR
Cullinan
Cruise Control
Standard
Dynamic Cruise Control; Active Cruise Control fitted to the referenced current vehicle
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Active Cruise Control
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Rear View Camera
Not Available
Rear View Camera
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Surround View Camera with 3D view
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Driver Attention Alert
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Speed Limit Information
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
High-Beam Assistance
Auto Wipers
Not Available
Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
EV Mode
Not Available
-
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Reverse Camera
Not Available
Rear View Camera
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Active Cruise Control
Park Assist
Not Available
Park Assist and Reversing Assistant
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Surround View Camera with 3D view
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Collision Warning with Brake Function
Spec
ALCAZAR
Cullinan
Seat Material
Cloth
Leather, Duality Twill or Bespoke alternatives
Heated Seats
Not Applicable
Available, including rear-seat heating
Ventilated Seats
Not Applicable
Available, including rear-seat cooling
Ambient Lighting
Not Applicable
Illuminated Fascia with Cullinan wordmark and Cityscape graphic; illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy Clock Cabinet
Steering Wheel Material
Not Applicable
Heated full-leather multifunction steering wheel
Instrument Cluster Type
Digital instrument cluster
-
Interior Colour Options
3
-
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
Electronically folding 2/3 and 1/3 rear bench
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
Fabric Seats
Cloth
-
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen ALCAZAR grade before assuming a feature is included.
-
Interior Colours
3
-
Seat Trim
Cloth
Placed Perforation leather available
Front Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
-
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
-
Spec
ALCAZAR
Cullinan
Climate Control
Not Available
Automatic four-zone climate control
Power Windows
Not Available
Front and rear power windows with one-touch up/down
Keyless Entry
Not Available
Comfort Access keyless entry
Push Button Start
Not Available
Engine start button
Wireless Charging
Wireless
Wireless smartphone charging
Sunroof
Not Available
Panoramic glass roof
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Power-operated two-part Clasp tailgate
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Available
Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
AC Type
Not Available
Automatic four-zone climate control
Adaptive Dampers
Not Available
-
Engine Warranty
4
-
Fuel Consumption Combined
5.9
-
Hill Start Assist
Standard
-
Performance Data Logger
Not Available
-
Rev Matching
Not Available
-
Battery Preconditioning
Not Available
-
Bed Extender
Not Available
-
Canopy Fitment
Not Available
-
Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Difflock
Not Available
-
Front Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Load Bed Cover
Not Available
-
Load Bed Light
Not Available
-
Load Bed Steps
Not Available
-
Loadbox Depth Mm
Not Available
-
Loadbox Rope Hooks
Not Available
-
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
Not Available
-
One Pedal Driving
Not Available
-
Rear Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Rear Electric Motor
Not Available
-
Regenerative Braking Levels
Not Available
-
Rim Size
18 Inches
22- and 23-inch approved fitments
Source Model Column
alcazar
-
Sport Plus Mode
Not Available
-
Sports Bar
Not Available
-
Tailgate Damper
Not Available
-
Tailgate Lock
Not Available
-
Tow Bar Type
Not Available
-
Trim Level
top
-
Variant Role
Mid-to-high value derivative
-
Vehicle To Grid
Not Available
-
Vehicle To Load
Not Available
-
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Boot Space Seats Folded
180 l
-
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
Spec
ALCAZAR
Cullinan
Length
4560 mm
5355 mm
Width
1800 mm
2000 mm
Height
1710 mm
1835 mm
Wheelbase
2760 mm
3295 mm
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Payload Capacity
645 kg
575 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
90 l
Kerb Weight
1445 kg
2725 kg
Ground Clearance (Default)
200 mm
173 mm
Boot/Cargo Space
180 l
612 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2090 kg
3300 kg
Seating Capacity
7 seats
5 seats
Front Headroom
-
1064 mm
Towing Capacity
-
2700 kg
Rear Headroom
-
1026 mm
Front Legroom
-
1006 mm
Rear Legroom
-
1090 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
-
173 mm
Number of Rows
-
2 rows
Minimum Turning Radius
-
6.6 m
Spec
ALCAZAR
Cullinan
Engine
1.5-litre Turbocharged Diesel
6.75-litre V12 petrol
Cylinders
Not Officially Disclosed
12
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
48
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Direct Injection
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
10.0:1
Drive Type
FWD
AWD
Top Speed
Not Officially Disclosed
250 km/h
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
N74B68A
Cylinder Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
V
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Twin Turbocharged
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
89 mm
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
90.4 mm
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Low
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
4
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Engine Displacement
1493 cc
6749 cc
Transmission
Not Officially Disclosed
8-Speed Automatic
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
5.3 sec
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Diesel
Petrol
Maximum Power
85 kW
420 kW @ 5000-6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
250 Nm
850 Nm @ 1600-4250 rpm
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
58.8 kW/tonne
154.1 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
173 Nm/tonne
311.9 Nm/tonne
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
ALCAZAR
Cullinan
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Apple CarPlay compatibility
Android Auto
Standard
Android Auto compatibility
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Bluetooth wireless technology; rear passengers can pair headphones individually
Number of Speakers
Not Available
16
Digital Instrument Cluster
Digital instrument cluster
SPIRIT digital instrument interface
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Standard
Apple CarPlay compatibility
Infotainment System
SYNC
SPIRIT infotainment operated by touch, controller and voice commands; independent rear-screen streaming available
Infotainment Screen Size
SYNC
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen plus available independently streaming rear screens
Infotainment Screen
SYNC
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen plus available independently streaming rear screens
Multi Information Display
Digital display
-
Connected Services
SYNC
-
Smartphone Connectivity
Bluetooth
-
Touchscreen
SYNC
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen plus available independently streaming rear screens
🏆Rolls-Royce Cullinan
wins with 73 pts
vs 52 pts for ALCAZAR
In structured scoring, Cullinan emerges as the stronger overall package. However, ALCAZAR may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
On our scoring the Cullinan edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.
Efficiency scores: ALCAZAR 68 vs Cullinan 28. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.
Safety scores: ALCAZAR 28, Cullinan 99. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.
Long-term ownership scores: ALCAZAR 65, Cullinan 44. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.
Practicality scores: ALCAZAR 64, Cullinan 75. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: ALCAZAR 44, Cullinan 99. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.
Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.
Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.
Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Cullinan edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.
The Cullinan scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
The comparison between ALCAZAR and Cullinan in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: ALCAZAR scores 44 vs 99.
Efficiency: ALCAZAR scores 68 vs 28.
Safety: ALCAZAR scores 28 vs 99.
Practicality: ALCAZAR scores 64 vs 75.
Ownership: ALCAZAR scores 65 vs 44.
Final structured scoring gives Cullinan
the advantage in this comparison.
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