Compare the2023 BMW X5VS 2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Both the X5 and the Cullinan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 176 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Cullinan has not been tested, yet.

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 8 years longer than the Cullinan’s (12 vs. 4 years).

There are over 9 times as many BMW dealers as there are Rolls-Royce dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X5’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X5 third among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Cullinan isn’t in the top three in its category.

On the EPA test cycle the X5 gets better mileage than the Cullinan:

Regenerative brakes improve the X5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Cullinan doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the X5’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip (M50i only). The Cullinan doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

For more complete vehicle control the X5 has Steptronic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. Steptronic allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The Cullinan doesn’t offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

The X5’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Cullinan doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the X5 has larger standard tires than the Cullinan (265/50R19 vs. 255/50R21). The X5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cullinan (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 255/50R21).

The X5’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cullinan’s optional 45 series tires.

The X5 offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Cullinan; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the X5’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Cullinan’s (41.3 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The BMW X5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 to 1450 pounds less than the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

The X5 is 1 foot, 4.6 inches shorter than the Cullinan, making the X5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the X5 has standard flush composite headlights. The Cullinan has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The front grille of the X5 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Cullinan doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X5 offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Cullinan can only carry up to 5.

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Cullinan with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 19.8 cubic feet). The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cullinan with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 68.2 cubic feet).

The X5’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Cullinan w/Executive Rear Seats doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X5’s tailgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Cullinan doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its tailgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The X5 has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Cullinan (1030 vs. 952 lbs.).

The X5 offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Cullinan doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The X5’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Cullinan’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Cullinan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The X5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Cullinan doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X5 outsold the Rolls-Royce Cullinan by over 87 to one during 2022.