A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
EX-8 Dropside
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Cullinan
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
EX-8 Dropside
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Cullinan
EX-8 Dropside
Model Introduced Year
2018
Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation
Cullinan Series II, the current evolution of the marque's five-door super-luxury SUV
Current South African EX-8 Dropside listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Facelift History
Cullinan was introduced in South Africa in 2018 and received its most extensive evolution as Cullinan Series II in May 2024
Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since
2024
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Five-door luxury SUV
Dropside truck
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Full-size super-luxury SUV
Van
Vehicle Type
Internal-combustion sport utility vehicle
Van
Color Note
-
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note
-
Mid grade in the South Africa lineup
Tare Mass Kg
-
2650 kg
Spec
Cullinan
EX-8 Dropside
Length
5355 mm
6620 mm
Width
2000 mm
2100 mm
Height
1835 mm
2355 mm
Wheelbase
3295 mm
3850 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
173 mm
200 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
173 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
90 l
100 l
Boot/Cargo Space
612 l
-
Kerb Weight
2725 kg
2650 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3300 kg
7800 kg
Payload Capacity
575 kg
5150 kg
Towing Capacity
2700 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity
5 seats
3 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
6.6 m
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom
1064 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
1026 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
1006 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
1090 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Cullinan
EX-8 Dropside
Engine
6.75-litre V12 petrol
3.9-litre Turbocharged Diesel
Engine Code
N74B68A
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Diesel
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
6749 cc
3907 cc
Cylinders
12
4
Cylinder Layout
V
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
48
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Twin Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
89 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
90.4 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
420 kW @ 5000-6000 rpm
103 kW @ 2800 rpm
Maximum Torque
850 Nm @ 1600-4250 rpm
373 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
RWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
Not Officially Disclosed
Top Speed
250 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
5.3 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Low
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
154.1 kW/tonne
38.9 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
311.9 Nm/tonne
140.8 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
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
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Cullinan
EX-8 Dropside
Gearbox
8-speed ZF automatic
Manual
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive with all-wheel steering
Rear-wheel drive
Transfer Case
ATC 13 transfer case
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No lockable differential
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
No
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
2.81:1
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
8
5
Transmission Type
8-speed ZF automatic
Manual
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Satellite Aided automatic gear selection
Manual
Drivetrain
All-wheel drive
Rear-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Everywhere off-road capability engaged by one button
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Everywhere button
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
No
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
8-speed ZF automatic
Manual
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
All-wheel-drive power delivery with active rear-axle steering
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
5
LSD Available
-
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
-
Yes
Differential Type Front
-
Not Available
Differential Type Rear
-
Not Available
Transfer Case Guard
-
Not Available
Spec
Cullinan
EX-8 Dropside
Claimed Mileage
5.95 km/l
5.2 km/l
City Mileage
5.10 km/l
4.2 km/l
Highway Mileage
8.08 km/l
6.1 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
90 l
100 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6e (B6e)
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Automatic start/stop: Yes
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
5.95 km/l
5.2 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
90
100
Combined Driving Range
536-563 km (calculated from 90 L and 16.0-16.8 l/100 km WLTP)
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
-
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
-
Not Applicable
Spec
Cullinan
EX-8 Dropside
Airbags
8
Airbags not listed in official Hyundai EX8 brochure
ABS
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Dynamic Stability Control
Not Available
Traction Control
Dynamic Traction Control
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Rear child-safety locks
Not Available
ISOFIX Mounts
ISOFIX child-seat mounts
Not Available
Brake Assist
Dynamic Brake Control
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
Not Available
Engine Immobiliser
Engine immobiliser
Not Available
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front seatbelt warning sensor
Not Available
Front Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Standard
AEB
Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
Not Available
BA
Dynamic Brake Control
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Head Protection System
Not Available
Driver Airbag
Driver airbag
Not Available
EBD
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Engine immobiliser
Not Available
Hill Hold
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Front-passenger airbag
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front and rear three-point pretensioning seatbelts; front force limiters
Not Available
Seatbelt Reminder
Front seatbelt warning sensor
Not Available
Side Airbags
Front side-impact airbags
Not Available
Stability Control
Dynamic Stability Control
Not Available
TCS
Dynamic Traction Control
Standard
Knee Airbag
Active front knee protection
Not Available
ABS EBD
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Standard
Brake Override System
-
Not Available
Spec
Cullinan
EX-8 Dropside
Cruise Control
Dynamic Cruise Control; Active Cruise Control fitted to the referenced current vehicle
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Active Cruise Control
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Rear View Camera
Not Available
360 Degree Camera
Surround View Camera with 3D view
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Driver Attention Alert
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Speed Limit Information
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
High-Beam Assistance
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Standard
Reverse Camera
Rear View Camera
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Active Cruise Control
Not Available
Park Assist
Park Assist and Reversing Assistant
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Surround View Camera with 3D view
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Collision Warning with Brake Function
Not Available
EV Mode
-
Not Available
Spec
Cullinan
EX-8 Dropside
Seat Material
Leather, Duality Twill or Bespoke alternatives
Cloth
Heated Seats
Available, including rear-seat heating
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
Available, including rear-seat cooling
Not Applicable
Ambient Lighting
Illuminated Fascia with Cullinan wordmark and Cityscape graphic; illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy Clock Cabinet
Not Applicable
Steering Wheel Material
Heated full-leather multifunction steering wheel
Not Applicable
60 40 Split Seat
Electronically folding 2/3 and 1/3 rear bench
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
Not Applicable
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
Not Applicable
Seat Trim
Placed Perforation leather available
Cloth
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Instrument Cluster Type
-
Digital instrument cluster
Interior Colour Options
-
3
Fabric Seats
-
Cloth
Interior Courtesy Lamps
-
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen EX-8 Dropside grade before assuming a feature is included.
Interior Colours
-
3
Spec
Cullinan
EX-8 Dropside
Climate Control
Automatic four-zone climate control
Not Available
Power Windows
Front and rear power windows with one-touch up/down
Not Available
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access keyless entry
Not Available
Push Button Start
Engine start button
Not Available
Wireless Charging
Wireless smartphone charging
Wireless
Sunroof
Panoramic glass roof
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Power-operated two-part Clasp tailgate
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
Not Available
AC Type
Automatic four-zone climate control
Not Available
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
Not Applicable
Adaptive Dampers
-
Not Available
Engine Warranty
-
4
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
Intelligent Battery System
-
Not Available
Load Bed Cover
-
Not Available
Load Bed Light
-
Not Available
Load Bed Steps
-
Not Available
Loadbox Depth Mm
-
Not Available
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Rope Hooks
-
Not Available
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
-
Not Available
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
One Pedal Driving
-
Not Available
Rear Diff Lock
-
Not Available
Rear Electric Motor
-
Not Available
Regenerative Braking Levels
-
Not Available
Source Model Column
-
ex-8-dropside
Sport Plus Mode
-
Not Available
Sports Bar
-
Not Available
Tailgate Damper
-
Not Available
Tailgate Lock
-
Not Available
Tow Bar Type
-
Not Available
Trim Level
-
mid
Variant Role
-
Core range derivative
Vehicle To Grid
-
Not Available
Vehicle To Load
-
Not Available
Spec
Cullinan
EX-8 Dropside
Infotainment System
SPIRIT infotainment operated by touch, controller and voice commands; independent rear-screen streaming available
SYNC
Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay compatibility
Standard
Android Auto
Android Auto compatibility
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Bluetooth wireless technology; rear passengers can pair headphones individually
Standard
Number of Speakers
16
Not Available
Digital Instrument Cluster
SPIRIT digital instrument interface
Digital instrument cluster
USB Ports
USB Type-C ports
Not Available
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen plus available independently streaming rear screens
SYNC
Touchscreen
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen plus available independently streaming rear screens
SYNC
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay compatibility
Standard
Wireless Android Auto
Android Auto compatibility
Standard
Infotainment Screen Size
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen plus available independently streaming rear screens
Rolls-Royce all-wheel drive with all-wheel steering
Not Applicable
Approach Angle
-
Not Available
Departure Angle
-
Not Available
Breakover Angle
-
Not Available
Energy Recovery Display
-
Not Available
Front Skid Plate Guard
-
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
-
200 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
200 mm
Off Road Descent Control
-
Not Available
Off Road Traction Assist
-
Not Available
Crawl Control
-
Not Available
Rear Skid Plate Guard
-
Not Available
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
-
Not Available
Skid Plates Transfer Case
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Mud
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Normal
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Rock
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Sand
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Snow
-
Not Available
Terrain Response System
-
Not Available
Underbody Camera
-
Not Available
Spec
Cullinan
EX-8 Dropside
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
Not Available
Front Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes
Not Available
Rear Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes
Not Available
Spare Wheel Type
Full-size matching spare wheel fitted on an exact 2026 commissioned vehicle; mounted inside
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
22- and 23-inch approved fitments
Not Available
Handbrake Type
Electromechanical parking brake acting on rear discs
Not Applicable
Fifth Wheel Prep
-
Not Available
Spec
Cullinan
EX-8 Dropside
Front Suspension
Double-wishbone self-levelling air suspension with electronically controlled dampers
Not Available
Rear Suspension
Five-link self-levelling air suspension with electronically controlled dampers
Not Available
Front Track Width
-
Not Applicable
Rear Track Width
-
Not Applicable
MagneRide Damping
-
Not Available
Spec
Cullinan
EX-8 Dropside
CO2 Emissions
380 g/km
Not Applicable
Hybrid System Type
-
Not Available
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
Diesel
Spec
Cullinan
EX-8 Dropside
Service Plan
4 years / unlimited km
3 Years / 45000 km
Service Interval
-
15000 km / 12 months
Battery Warranty
-
4
Maintenance Plan
-
3 Years / 45000 km
Engine Oil Change Interval
-
15000 km / 12 months
First Service At
-
15000
Service Plan Duration
4 years / unlimited km
3 Years / 45000 km
Service Plan Distance
4 years / unlimited km
3 Years / 45000 km
Alternator
-
120A
Service Intervals
-
15000 km / 12 months
Accessory Battery Type
-
Lead-acid
Spec
Cullinan
EX-8 Dropside
Ownership Role
Versatile owner-driven Rolls-Royce for urban, touring and off-road access
Mid
Pricing Role
Price on application
Current listed price
Price Zar
-
656500 ZAR
Starting Price
-
656500
Starting Price Zar
-
656500
Spec
Cullinan
EX-8 Dropside
Warranty
4 years; regional conditions apply
5
Warranty Years
4 years; regional conditions apply
5
Warranty Kilometers
4 years; regional conditions apply
5
Roadside Assistance
-
5 Years
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
-
5 Years
Basic Warranty
4 years; regional conditions apply
5
Roadside Assistance
-
5 Years
Warranty Roadside Assistance
-
5 Years
In depth: how these cars differ
This Cullinan and EX-8 Dropside comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Cullinan 99 vs EX-8 Dropside 58.
Efficiency index: Cullinan 28 vs EX-8 Dropside 31.
Safety-equipment index: Cullinan 99 vs EX-8 Dropside 94.
Practicality index: Cullinan 75 vs EX-8 Dropside 67.
Ownership-cover index: Cullinan not separately scored vs EX-8 Dropside 65.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Cullinan and EX-8 Dropside image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
Cullinan leads by 15 points
Cullinan holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over EX-8 Dropside.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Cullinan
Performance
99/100
Efficiency
28/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
75/100
EX-8 Dropside
Performance
58/100
Efficiency
31/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
67/100
Ownership
65/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexRolls-Royce Cullinan
leads the specification evidence index with 79 pts
vs 64 pts for EX-8 Dropside
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Cullinan leads. However, EX-8 Dropside may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
Compare
Get Best Price
We'll Contact You
Fill in your details and a dedicated executive will reach out shortly.
✓
We've Got Your Details!
An executive will contact you shortly. Thank you for your interest.
