Anyone drive the Cullinan yet?

No, but Chris Harris's review of it is entertaining

 

I have not driven one. But I’ve seen several on the road in Naples,FL.

They look even worse in real life than in pictures. IMHO.

Matt

 

I must be one of a very small minority who actually likes the way it looks (for an SUV), but I entirely agree with Mr. Harris that an estate car is preferable to an SUV (any SUV), which is why I have one as my DD and have done so for the last 25+ years - SUVs are not for me, thankyou. Unfortunately, neither R-R nor Bentley makes an estate car, so I'll have to stick with a Merc for the foreseeable (I am on my 3rd. E-class, which has just turned 100,000 miles and still going strong).

 

I like the way they looks.... obviously a Rolls.

Anyone notice (in Chris' video) that the RR center cap on the wheels always stays upright... doesn't spin with the wheel?

 

Why wouldn’t you load up a Range Rover with all options and pocket the difference?

Matt

 

My wife wanted an SUV, I offered a Cullinan or Lusso.
She took the latter.

 

Agree. They’re hideous.

My RR Wraith is the same. I believe Rolls began the static center caps when they brought the Phantom back.

 

The Bentayga has apparently flopped. I have a feeling RR may also be in for a rude awakening for the demand for such expensive SUVs.

 

The Bentayga has apparently flopped. I have a feeling RR may also be in for a rude awakening for the demand for such expensive SUVs.

 

but ive read the lambo suv is a hit. hard to figure

 

It is a flop because it is boring to drive and does not feel like a proper Bentley at all.
It does feel like an upgraded version of Audi Q7 which it is in reality anyway.
Cullinan will do well because it drives and feels like a Rolls.

 

I was lucky enough to be invited to test drive the Cullinan at Jack Barclay in London a few weeks ago. Apparently there is a fleet of six cars going round the main UK dealerships for a couple of days each. I drove for about an hour around central London (so not much opportunity to go above 30mph) but I have to say I was extremely impressed. Some thoughts:

- I know many people hate the idea of an SUV (particularly a Rolls-Royce one), but as a Porsche Cayenne owner I 'get' it. The seating position gives much better visibility compared to say my Bentley Turbo R, which makes the Cullinan quite usable around town. It's also not as wide as you might expect.

- The level of comfort (ride quality, quietness, quality of interior, automatic gear change) is quite exceptional, as it should be for a car that costs £275k without options and £375k as tested!

- The look of the interior wasn't to my personal taste, but there is a huge range of colour/material choices available so it should be possible to find something desirable.

- Even the gentleman from Goodwood who accompanied me admitted that the exterior appearance is an 'acquired taste'. That said, it does seem to be very colour-sensitive. There was an ivory white car outside the dealership which looked surprisingly nice, and after playing around with the online configurator I could also be tempted by silver.

- As mentioned above, there wasn't much opportunity to test performance, but even a gentle prod of the throttle resulted in some quite astonishing acceleration for a car of this size. This reinforces the 'effortless everywhere' impression which is what R-R are seeking.

- My impression from observing the other cars in the Jack Barclay showroom and the people testing the Cullinan is that the demographic for R-R is definitely changing. I was probably the oldest person there (at 52) and most of the cars were white on the outside, the inside or both. Not my taste, but I guess the brand has to evolve to survive.

In summary, if I had the requisite £350k+ and wanted a single car, I would be very tempted. The Cullinan does virtually everything my other cars do (sports, luxury, SUV) with not much evidence of compromise apart from the looks...

Jonathan

 

saw one in naples last week.
also saw about 4000 bentaygas in naples - the grocery getter of choice for the port royal crowd apparently.

personally, i would not want either.
ridiculous vehicles for fake car people.

 

Saw my first Cullinan in person last week; it looked fairly good overall - similar to a Range Rover but perhaps more boxy. For sure it's not beautiful.

The Bentayga is hideous IMO, and deserves to be a flop.

The Lambo looks like a fancy Audi S7.

I'm afraid I just don't "get" the ultra luxury SUV thing, but there is a market for these for sure and some may sell well.

If I wanted an upper tier SUV I would be looking at something like an X5M or similar, anything beyond that is pure ego driven. But as Harris says, wealth and taste are often inversely proportional, so hey ......

 

...and spot on.

 

His phrasing is a little off, but he nailed the looks.
"It looks, to me, like a Chinese knockoff of what they think a Rolls Royce SUV should look like."

 

When I first saw the Cullinan at its premier in NYC I wasn't all that impressed. I was invited to drive it later at the dealership. I have to say it looked better the 2nd time I saw it (maybe the premier car wasn't quite finished?). I was very impressed with the drive and the way it handled. For a huge vehicle it felt very light and quick. I see its market to be those who have unlimited money to burn (maybe pro-athletes or bored housewives?). Its not for me even if I wanted to throw 4-500K at a depreciating asset. For half the price a Bentley or Lambo SUV would make more sense relatively speaking. My Porsche Macan S makes the most sense for me (there is no substitute )

 

I would but i can see how the badge and the fact that it says "I can shell out $500k on this and not worry" is appealing to some. It's like buying those Balenciaga sneakers that look like fake Nikes but cost $800. For those who know, they know you spent the money..

 

I drove one, and I like it. It out Range Rovers the Range Rover (on looks, drive, everything). It's just a bit big / brash / obvious, otherwise we'd be waiting for a of delivery one!

 

I'm not sure how you can call a Bentayga a flop, Bentley is selling a TON of them. I spent some time in one with a Mansory exhaust and it makes it more appealing IMO.

 

Any recent owner reviews?
Considering one ….


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