Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan vs Rolls-Royce Cullinan

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.

Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan

Black Badge Cullinan Series II Petrol 8-Speed Automatic Current

Price on request

⚡ 441 kW 🔧 900 Nm ⛽ 5.95 km/l

Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Cullinan Series II Petrol 8-Speed Automatic Current

Price on request

⚡ 420 kW 🔧 850 Nm ⛽ 5.95 km/l

＋ Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance Black Badge Cullinan

⛽ Fuel Economy Tie

🛡 Safety Tie

📦 Practicality Tie

🔑 Ownership Tie

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Maximum Power	441 kW @ 5250-5750 rpm	420 kW @ 5000-6000 rpm
Maximum Torque	900 Nm @ 1700-4000 rpm	850 Nm @ 1600-4250 rpm
Engine Size	6750 cc	6749 cc
Claimed Mileage	5.95 km/l	5.95 km/l
Ground Clearance	173 mm	173 mm
Boot / Load Bay	612 l	612 l
Airbags	8	8
Kerb Weight	2725 kg	2725 kg
Seating Capacity	-	-
Warranty	4 years; regional conditions apply	4 years; regional conditions apply

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Both Black Badge Cullinan and Cullinan are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Black Badge Cullinan +1 pts

Efficiency Equal

Safety Equal

Practicality Equal

Ownership Equal

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

Black Badge Cullinan

Strengths

More powerful engine output

Weak Spots

No obvious weak spots to flag.

Best suited to: Highway Driving

Cullinan

Strengths

Nothing stands out clearly here.

Weak Spots

Less powerful engine setup

Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

Black Badge Cullinan

Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power

Cullinan

Buyers looking for a balanced all-round vehicle

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Model Introduced Year	2020	2018
Generation	Black Badge Cullinan Series II, the high-power alter ego of the current Cullinan SUV	Cullinan Series II, the current evolution of the marque's five-door super-luxury SUV
Facelift History	Black Badge Cullinan debuted globally in 2019, was introduced in South Africa in 2020 and evolved into Black Badge Cullinan Series II in May 2024	Cullinan was introduced in South Africa in 2018 and received its most extensive evolution as Cullinan Series II in May 2024
Facelift Launched Since	2024	2024
Facelift Version Ending	Current	Current
Body Style	Five-door performance-luxury SUV	Five-door luxury SUV
Model Year	2026	2026
Production Status	active	active
Segment	Full-size performance super-luxury SUV	Full-size super-luxury SUV
Vehicle Type	Internal-combustion sport utility vehicle	Internal-combustion sport utility vehicle

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Drivetrain Layout	All-wheel drive with front- and rear-steered axles	All-wheel drive with all-wheel steering
Transfer Case	ATC 13 transfer case	ATC 13 transfer case
Differential Lock	No lockable differential	No lockable differential
Paddle Shifters	No	No
Gearbox	8-speed ZF automatic	8-speed ZF automatic
Final Drive Ratio	2.81:1	2.81:1
Number of Gears	8	8
Transmission Type	8-speed ZF automatic	8-speed ZF automatic
Clutch Type	Torque converter	Torque converter
Drivetrain	All-wheel drive	All-wheel drive
4WD Engagement	Everywhere off-road capability engaged by one button	Everywhere off-road capability engaged by one button
4WD Hi Range	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
4WD Selector	Everywhere button	Everywhere button
Automatic Shift Paddles	No	No
Front Differential Lock	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Gearbox Type	8-speed ZF automatic	8-speed ZF automatic
Low Range Ratio	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Low Range	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Axle Layout	All-wheel-drive power delivery with front- and rear-steered axles	All-wheel-drive power delivery with active rear-axle steering
Rear Differential Lock	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds	8	8
Gear Shift Type	Satellite Aided automatic gear selection via column stalk with Low button	Satellite Aided automatic gear selection

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Claimed Mileage	5.95 km/l	5.95 km/l
City Mileage	5.10 km/l	5.10 km/l
Highway Mileage	8.08 km/l	8.08 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity	90 l	90 l
Emission Standard	Euro 6e (B6e)	Euro 6e (B6e)
AdBlue Tank Capacity	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop	Automatic start/stop: Yes	Automatic start/stop: Yes
Average Fuel Consumption	16.8 l/100km	16.8 l/100km
Claimed Fuel Consumption	16.8 l/100km	16.8 l/100km
Fuel Efficiency	16.8 l/100km	16.8 l/100km
Real-world Mileage	5.95 km/l	5.95 km/l
Charging Port Type	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Charging Type	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Combined Consumption	16.8 l/100km	16.8 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km	16.8 l/100km	16.8 l/100km
Fuel Economy Combined	16.8 l/100km	16.8 l/100km
Fuel Tank Litres	90	90
Combined Driving Range	536-563 km (calculated from 90 L and 16.0-16.8 l/100 km WLTP)	536-563 km (calculated from 90 L and 16.0-16.8 l/100 km WLTP)
Electric Consumption	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Airbags	8	8
ABS	Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System	Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Electronic Stability Control	Dynamic Stability Control	Dynamic Stability Control
Traction Control	Dynamic Traction Control	Dynamic Traction Control
Hill Descent Control	Hill Descent Control	Hill Descent Control
Hill Start Assist	Hill Start Assist	Hill Start Assist
Child Safety Lock	Rear child-safety locks	Rear child-safety locks
ISOFIX Mounts	ISOFIX child-seat mounts	ISOFIX child-seat mounts
Brake Assist	Dynamic Brake Control	Dynamic Brake Control
Tyre Pressure Monitor	Tyre Pressure Monitoring System	Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
Engine Immobiliser	Engine immobiliser	Engine immobiliser
Seatbelt Warning All Seats	Front seatbelt warning sensor	Front seatbelt warning sensor
Front Parking Sensors	Park Distance Control, front and rear	Park Distance Control, front and rear
AEB	Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function	Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
BA	Dynamic Brake Control	Dynamic Brake Control
Curtain Airbags	Head Protection System	Head Protection System
Driver Airbag	Driver airbag	Driver airbag
EBD	Electronic Brakeforce Distribution	Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Engine Immobiliser	Engine immobiliser	Engine immobiliser
Hill Hold	Hill Start Assist	Hill Start Assist
Passenger Airbag	Front-passenger airbag	Front-passenger airbag
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Front and rear three-point pretensioning seatbelts; front force limiters	Front and rear three-point pretensioning seatbelts; front force limiters
Side Airbags	Front side-impact airbags	Front side-impact airbags
TCS	Dynamic Traction Control	Dynamic Traction Control
Knee Airbag	Active front knee protection	Active front knee protection
ABS EBD	Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System	Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Seatbelt Reminder	Front seatbelt warning sensor	Front seatbelt warning sensor
Stability Control	Dynamic Stability Control	Dynamic Stability Control

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Seat Material	Leather, Duality Twill or Bespoke alternatives	Leather, Duality Twill or Bespoke alternatives
Heated Seats	Heated front seats; rear-seat heating available	Available, including rear-seat heating
Ventilated Seats	Front and rear seat cooling available	Available, including rear-seat cooling
Ambient Lighting	Illuminated Fascia with glowing Black Badge infinity motif and vertical Cityscape pattern; up-lit Black Spirit of Ecstasy Clock Cabinet	Illuminated Fascia with Cullinan wordmark and Cityscape graphic; illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy Clock Cabinet
Steering Wheel Material	Heated full-leather multifunction Black Badge steering wheel	Heated full-leather multifunction steering wheel
60 40 Split Seat	Electronically folding 2/3 and 1/3 rear bench	Electronically folding 2/3 and 1/3 rear bench
Driver Seat Adjustment	Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory	Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment	Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory	Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
Seat Trim	Technical Carbon and Placed Perforation available	Placed Perforation leather available

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Climate Control	Automatic four-zone climate control	Automatic four-zone climate control
Power Windows	Front and rear power windows with one-touch up/down	Front and rear power windows with one-touch up/down
Keyless Entry	Comfort Access keyless entry	Comfort Access keyless entry
Push Button Start	Engine start button	Engine start button
Wireless Charging	Wireless smartphone charging	Wireless smartphone charging
Sunroof	Panoramic glass roof available	Panoramic glass roof
Electric Tailgate	Power-operated two-part Clasp tailgate	Power-operated two-part Clasp tailgate
Rain Sensing Wipers	Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers	Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
AC Type	Automatic four-zone climate control	Automatic four-zone climate control

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Length	5355 mm	5355 mm
Width	2000 mm	2000 mm
Height	1835 mm	1835 mm
Wheelbase	3295 mm	3295 mm
Doors	5 doors	5 doors
Front Headroom	1064 mm	1064 mm
Payload Capacity	575 kg	575 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	90 l	90 l
Kerb Weight	2725 kg	2725 kg
Towing Capacity	2700 kg	2700 kg
Rear Headroom	1026 mm	1026 mm
Front Legroom	1006 mm	1006 mm
Rear Legroom	1090 mm	1090 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)	173 mm	173 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)	173 mm	173 mm
Boot/Cargo Space	612 l	612 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)	3300 kg	3300 kg
Seating Capacity	5 seats	5 seats
Number of Rows	2 rows	2 rows
Minimum Turning Radius	6.6 m	6.6 m

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Engine	6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol	6.75-litre V12 petrol
Cylinders	12	12
Valves	48	48
Fuel System	Direct Injection	Direct Injection
Compression Ratio	10.0:1	10.0:1
Drive Type	AWD	AWD
Top Speed	250 km/h	250 km/h
Engine Code	N74B68A	N74B68A
Cylinder Layout	V	V
Aspiration	Twin Turbocharged	Twin Turbocharged
Bore	89 mm	89 mm
Stroke	90.4 mm	90.4 mm
Drive Modes	Low	Low
Valves per Cylinder	4	4
Launch Control	Not Officially Disclosed	Not Officially Disclosed
Engine Displacement	6750 cc	6749 cc
Transmission	8-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic
0-100 km/h	5.2 sec	5.3 sec
Battery Capacity	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
DC Charging Power	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Fuel Type	Petrol	Petrol
Maximum Power	441 kW @ 5250-5750 rpm	420 kW @ 5000-6000 rpm
Maximum Torque	900 Nm @ 1700-4000 rpm	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	161.8 kW/tonne	154.1 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio	330.3 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	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Apple CarPlay	Apple CarPlay compatibility	Apple CarPlay compatibility
Android Auto	Android Auto compatibility	Android Auto compatibility
Bluetooth Connectivity	Bluetooth wireless technology	Bluetooth wireless technology; rear passengers can pair headphones individually
Number of Speakers	16	16
Digital Instrument Cluster	SPIRIT digital instrument interface	SPIRIT digital instrument interface
Infotainment System	SPIRIT infotainment operated by touch, controller and voice commands	SPIRIT infotainment operated by touch, controller and voice commands; independent rear-screen streaming available
Infotainment Screen	10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen and SPIRIT	10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen plus available independently streaming rear screens
Touchscreen	10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen and SPIRIT	10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen plus available independently streaming rear screens
USB Ports	USB Type-C ports	USB Type-C ports

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
LED Headlamps	Rolls-Royce LED headlights	Rolls-Royce LED headlights
Daytime Running Lamps	Vertical daytime-running-light treatment	Vertical daytime-running-light treatment
Fog Lamps	Front fog lamps	Front fog lamps
Roof Rails	No; vehicle not approved for roof loads	No; vehicle not approved for roof loads
Headlights	Rolls-Royce LED headlights	Rolls-Royce LED headlights
Panoramic Sunroof	Panoramic glass roof available	Panoramic glass roof
Exterior Colour Options	Bespoke exterior colours available; colour may extend to lower body surfaces, sill, valances and lower front bumper	Emperador Truffle; Crystal Over finish available

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Wading Depth	540 mm	540 mm
Terrain Modes	Everywhere mode: rough track, gravel, wet grass, mud, snow and sand	Everywhere mode: rough track, gravel, wet grass, mud, snow and sand
Locking Differential	No lockable differential	No lockable differential
4WD System Type	Rolls-Royce all-wheel drive with all-wheel steering	Rolls-Royce all-wheel drive with all-wheel steering

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Tyre Size	255/45 R22 107Y front and 285/40 R22 110Y rear; 255/40 R23 104Y front and 295/35 R23 108Y rear; 255/45 R22 107H M+S all-round	255/45 R22 107Y front and 285/40 R22 110Y rear; 255/40 R23 104Y front and 295/35 R23 108Y rear; 255/45 R22 107H M+S all-round
Front Brake Type	Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes	Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes
Rear Brake Type	Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes	Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes
Spare Wheel Type	Full-size matching spare wheel fitted on an exact 2026 commissioned vehicle; mounted inside	Full-size matching spare wheel fitted on an exact 2026 commissioned vehicle; mounted inside
Wheel Rim Size	22- and 23-inch approved fitments; 23-inch Black Badge wheels	22- and 23-inch approved fitments
Handbrake Type	Electromechanical parking brake acting on rear discs	Electromechanical parking brake acting on rear discs

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Front Suspension	Black Badge-tuned double-wishbone self-levelling air suspension with electronically controlled dampers	Double-wishbone self-levelling air suspension with electronically controlled dampers
Rear Suspension	Black Badge-tuned five-link self-levelling air suspension with electronically controlled dampers	Five-link self-levelling air suspension with electronically controlled dampers

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
CO2 Emissions	380 g/km	380 g/km

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Ownership Role	High-power owner-driven Cullinan with Black Badge chassis and design treatment	Versatile owner-driven Rolls-Royce for urban, touring and off-road access
Price Source	https://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/johannesburg/en_GB/showroom.html	https://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/johannesburg/en_GB/showroom.html
Pricing Role	Price on application	Price on application

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Warranty	4 years; regional conditions apply	4 years; regional conditions apply

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Service Plan	4 years / unlimited km	4 years / unlimited km

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100

Verdict readout

Black Badge Cullinan leads by 1 points

Both Black Badge Cullinan and Cullinan are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Winner 74 /100

Lead 1 points

Data 94% confidence

#1 Winner

Black Badge Cullinan

94% data confidence 3 strong categories

Best at Performance 100 Check Efficiency 28

Performance 100

Efficiency 28

Safety 99

Practicality 75

Ownership 44

Leads by 1 points

Cullinan

94% data confidence 3 strong categories

Best at Performance 99 Check Efficiency 28

Performance 99

Efficiency 28

Safety 99

Practicality 75

Ownership 44

Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%

Category leaders What moves the verdict

Performance Black Badge Cullinan +1 Efficiency Level Safety Level Practicality Level Ownership Level

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

Why this score View full breakdown

Overall Winner

Black Badge Cullinan

Performance 100/100

Efficiency 28/100

Safety 99/100

Practicality 75/100

Ownership 44/100

Cullinan

Performance 99/100

Efficiency 28/100

Safety 99/100

Practicality 75/100

Ownership 44/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan wins with 74 pts vs 73 pts for Cullinan

In structured scoring, Black Badge Cullinan emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Cullinan may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the Black Badge 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: Black Badge Cullinan 28 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: Black Badge Cullinan 99, 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: Black Badge Cullinan 44, 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: Black Badge Cullinan 75, Cullinan 75. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: Black Badge Cullinan 100, 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 Black Badge Cullinan edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Black Badge 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 Black Badge Cullinan and Cullinan in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Black Badge Cullinan scores 100 vs 99.

Efficiency: Black Badge Cullinan scores 28 vs 28.

Safety: Black Badge Cullinan scores 99 vs 99.

Practicality: Black Badge Cullinan scores 75 vs 75.

Ownership: Black Badge Cullinan scores 44 vs 44.

Final structured scoring gives Black Badge Cullinan the advantage in this comparison.

Spec	Black Badge Cullinan	Cullinan
Cruise Control	Dynamic Cruise Control; Active Cruise Control fitted to the referenced current vehicle	Dynamic Cruise Control; Active Cruise Control fitted to the referenced current vehicle
Adaptive Cruise Control	Active Cruise Control	Active Cruise Control
Lane Keep Assist	Lane Departure Warning with Active Return	Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Lane Departure Warning	Lane Departure Warning with Active Return	Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Blind Spot Monitoring	Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection	Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Parking Sensors	Park Distance Control, front and rear	Park Distance Control, front and rear
Rear View Camera	Rear View Camera	Rear View Camera
360 Degree Camera	Surround View Camera with 3D view	Surround View Camera with 3D view
Autonomous Emergency Braking	Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function	Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
Driver Fatigue Alert	Driver Attention Alert System	Driver Attention Alert
Traffic Sign Recognition	Speed Limit Information	Speed Limit Information
Auto Highbeam	High-Beam Assistance	High-Beam Assistance
Auto Wipers	Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers	Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
Rear Parking Sensors	Park Distance Control, front and rear	Park Distance Control, front and rear
Reverse Camera	Rear View Camera	Rear View Camera
Adaptive Cruise Control	Active Cruise Control	Active Cruise Control
Park Assist	Park Assist and Reversing Assistant	Park Assist and Reversing Assistant
Around View Monitor	Surround View Camera with 3D view	Surround View Camera with 3D view
Blind Spot Warning	Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection	Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Forward Collision Warning	Collision Warning with Brake Function	Collision Warning with Brake Function

Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan vs Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan

Rolls-Royce Cullinan

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Key Specs Side by Side

The Bottom Line

Where They Actually Differ

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Black Badge Cullinan

Cullinan

Which One's Right for You?

Black Badge Cullinan

Cullinan

Full Specs, Side by Side

Overall Verdict Score

Black Badge Cullinan leads by 1 points

Black Badge Cullinan

Cullinan

Black Badge Cullinan

Cullinan

So, Which One Should You Buy?

Other Comparisons Worth Checking

Buyers Also Looked At These

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

In Depth — Breaking It All Down