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
Taigo
Maximum Power
420 kW @ 5000-6000 rpm
85 kW
Maximum Torque
850 Nm @ 1600-4250 rpm
200 Nm
Engine Size
6749 cc
1000 cc
Claimed Mileage
5.95 km/l
16.1 km/l
Ground Clearance
173 mm
168 mm
Boot / Load Bay
612 l
440 l
Airbags
8
6
Kerb Weight
2725 kg
1220 kg
Seating Capacity
-
-
Warranty
4 years; regional conditions apply
3 years / 120 000 km
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
Cullinan dominates this comparison with clear advantages across multiple categories.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
Cullinan
+63 pts
Efficiency
Taigo
+35 pts
Safety
Cullinan
+54 pts
Practicality
Cullinan
+9 pts
Ownership
Cullinan
+18 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
🏆 Overall Winner
Cullinan
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger safety package
More practical for daily use
Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Highway DrivingFamily Usage
Taigo
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Less comprehensive safety features
Less practical in daily usage
Shorter warranty coverage
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
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind
Taigo
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Full Specs, Side by Side
Spec
Cullinan
Taigo
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 Taigo 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
SUV
Model Year
2026
Current
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
Drivetrain Note
-
4x2 configuration for the local line-up
Tare Mass Kg
-
1220 kg
Spec
Cullinan
Taigo
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive with all-wheel steering
4x2
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
DCT
Final Drive Ratio
2.81:1
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
8
Not Applicable
Transmission Type
8-speed ZF automatic
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Not Applicable
Drivetrain
All-wheel drive
4x2
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
DCT
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
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
Taigo
Airbags
8
6
ABS
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Dynamic Stability Control
Not Available
Traction Control
Dynamic Traction Control
Not Available
Hill Descent Control
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Hill Start Assist
Not Available
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
Not Available
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
Side Airbags
Front side-impact airbags
Not Available
TCS
Dynamic Traction Control
Not Available
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
Spec
Cullinan
Taigo
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
Standard
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
Standard
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
Rear View Camera
-
Standard
Reversing Camera
-
Standard
Spec
Cullinan
Taigo
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
Standard
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
Steering Type
-
Standard
Front Armrest
-
Standard
Interior Colour Options
-
Black
Fabric Seats
-
Cloth
Armrest Front
-
Standard
Interior Courtesy Lamps
-
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen Taigo grade before assuming a feature is included.
Interior Trim Colour
-
Black
Floor Mats
-
Standard
Interior Colours
-
Black
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Spec
Cullinan
Taigo
Climate Control
Automatic four-zone climate control
Standard
Power Windows
Front and rear power windows with one-touch up/down
🏆Rolls-Royce Cullinan
wins with 73 pts
vs 48 pts for Taigo
In structured scoring, Cullinan emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Taigo 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 Taigo 63. 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, Taigo 45. 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, Taigo 26. 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, Taigo 66. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: Cullinan 99, Taigo 36. 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 Taigo in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: Cullinan scores 99 vs 36.
Efficiency: Cullinan scores 28 vs 63.
Safety: Cullinan scores 99 vs 45.
Practicality: Cullinan scores 75 vs 66.
Ownership: Cullinan scores 44 vs 26.
Final structured scoring gives Cullinan
the advantage in this comparison.
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