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
Cullinan
EXTER
Maximum Power
420 kW @ 5000-6000 rpm
5 kW
Maximum Torque
850 Nm @ 1600-4250 rpm
114 Nm
Engine Size
6749 cc
1197 cc
Claimed Mileage
5.95 km/l
16.9 km/l
Ground Clearance
173 mm
185 mm
Boot / Load Bay
612 l
391 l
Airbags
8
6
Kerb Weight
2725 kg
999 kg
Seating Capacity
-
-
Warranty
4 years; regional conditions apply
5
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
Cullinan holds a noticeable edge over EXTER, especially in key ownership areas.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
Cullinan
+80 pts
Efficiency
EXTER
+38 pts
Safety
Cullinan
+38 pts
Practicality
Cullinan
+10 pts
Ownership
EXTER
+21 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
🏆 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
EXTER
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
Which One's Right for You?
Cullinan
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Large families needing more practicality and usability
EXTER
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind
Full Specs, Side by Side
Spec
Cullinan
EXTER
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 EXTER 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
Compact SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
published
Segment
Full-size super-luxury SUV
SUV
Vehicle Type
Internal-combustion sport utility vehicle
SUV
Color Note
-
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note
-
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Tare Mass Kg
-
999 kg
Spec
Cullinan
EXTER
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive with all-wheel steering
Front-wheel drive
Transfer Case
ATC 13 transfer case
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No lockable differential
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
No
Not Applicable
Gearbox
8-speed ZF automatic
AMT
Final Drive Ratio
2.81:1
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
8
5
Transmission Type
8-speed ZF automatic
Automated Manual
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Not Applicable
Drivetrain
All-wheel drive
Front-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
AMT
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
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
5
Gear Shift Type
Satellite Aided automatic gear selection
AMT
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
EXTER
Claimed Mileage
5.95 km/l
16.9 km/l
City Mileage
5.10 km/l
13.9 km/l
Highway Mileage
8.08 km/l
19.6 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
90 l
37 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6e (B6e)
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Automatic start/stop: Yes
Not Applicable
Average Fuel Consumption
16.8 l/100km
5.9 l/100km
Claimed Fuel Consumption
16.8 l/100km
5.9 l/100km
Fuel Efficiency
16.8 l/100km
5.9 l/100km
Real-world Mileage
5.95 km/l
16.9 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Consumption
16.8 l/100km
5.9 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
16.8 l/100km
5.9 l/100km
Fuel Economy Combined
16.8 l/100km
5.9 l/100km
Fuel Tank Litres
90
37 l
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
EXTER
Airbags
8
6
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
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
ISOFIX child-seat mounts
Standard
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
6
EBD
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Engine immobiliser
Not Available
Hill Hold
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Front-passenger airbag
6
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front and rear three-point pretensioning seatbelts; front force limiters
Not Available
Side Airbags
Front side-impact airbags
Not Available
TCS
Dynamic Traction Control
Standard
Knee Airbag
Active front knee protection
Not Available
ABS EBD
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Front seatbelt warning sensor
Not Available
Stability Control
Dynamic Stability Control
Not Available
Brake Override System
-
Not Available
Driver Front Passenger Airbags
-
6
Driver Passenger Airbags
-
6
Spec
Cullinan
EXTER
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
Auto Lights
-
Halogen with automatic function
EV Mode
-
Not Available
Spec
Cullinan
EXTER
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
Rear USB Ports
-
Standard
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 EXTER grade before assuming a feature is included.
Leather Accented Seat Trim
-
Cloth
Interior Colours
-
3
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Spec
Cullinan
EXTER
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
Automatic Headlamps
-
Halogen with automatic function
Adaptive Dampers
-
Not Available
Engine Warranty
-
4
Hill Start Assist
-
Standard
Performance Data Logger
-
Not Available
Rev Matching
-
Not Available
Seat Type
-
Cloth
Steering Mounted Controls
-
Multifunction
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 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
Source Model Column
-
exter
Sport Plus Mode
-
Not Available
Sports Bar
-
Not Available
Tailgate Damper
-
Not Available
Tailgate Lock
-
Not Available
Tow Bar Type
-
Not Available
Trim Level
-
flagship
Variant Role
-
Flagship / premium 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
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Spec
Cullinan
EXTER
Length
5355 mm
3815 mm
Width
2000 mm
1710 mm
Height
1835 mm
1631 mm
Wheelbase
3295 mm
2450 mm
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Front Headroom
1064 mm
-
Payload Capacity
575 kg
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
90 l
37 l
Kerb Weight
2725 kg
999 kg
Towing Capacity
2700 kg
-
Rear Headroom
1026 mm
-
Front Legroom
1006 mm
-
Rear Legroom
1090 mm
-
Ground Clearance (Default)
173 mm
185 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
173 mm
-
Boot/Cargo Space
612 l
391 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3300 kg
-
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Minimum Turning Radius
6.6 m
-
Spec
Cullinan
EXTER
Engine
6.75-litre V12 petrol
Not Officially Disclosed
Cylinders
12
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
48
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Type
AWD
FWD
Top Speed
250 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
Engine Code
N74B68A
Not Officially Disclosed
Cylinder Layout
V
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Twin Turbocharged
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
89 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
90.4 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Low
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Engine Displacement
6749 cc
1197 cc
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
5.3 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Maximum Power
420 kW @ 5000-6000 rpm
5 kW
Maximum Torque
850 Nm @ 1600-4250 rpm
114 Nm
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
154.1 kW/tonne
5 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
311.9 Nm/tonne
114.1 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
Cullinan
EXTER
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
Infotainment System
SPIRIT infotainment operated by touch, controller and voice commands; independent rear-screen streaming available
SYNC
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
USB Ports
USB Type-C ports
Standard
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay compatibility
Standard
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
-
Multifunction
Infotainment Screen Size
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen plus available independently streaming rear screens
🏆Rolls-Royce Cullinan
wins with 73 pts
vs 53 pts for EXTER
In structured scoring, Cullinan emerges as the stronger overall package. However, EXTER 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: Cullinan 28 vs EXTER 66. 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: Cullinan 99, EXTER 61. 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: Cullinan 44, EXTER 65. 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: Cullinan 75, EXTER 65. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: Cullinan 99, EXTER 19. 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 Cullinan and EXTER in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: Cullinan scores 99 vs 19.
Efficiency: Cullinan scores 28 vs 66.
Safety: Cullinan scores 99 vs 61.
Practicality: Cullinan scores 75 vs 65.
Ownership: Cullinan scores 44 vs 65.
Final structured scoring gives Cullinan
the advantage in this comparison.
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