2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II Review: The Reasons Behind Our Mountain Climbing

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      My first experience driving a Rolls-Royce was ten years ago, shortly after I embarked on my full-time journey in automotive journalism. I can vividly recall the sensations: the weighty, cold metal door handle, the engine starting effortlessly without any vibrations felt in the cabin, and the plush lambswool floormats underfoot. At that moment, the meticulously crafted convertible aimed at the elite represented the pinnacle of my brief career in journalism.

      A decade later, I parked a Twilight Purple 2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II in a snow-covered spot at the top of Pikes Peak, 14,115 feet above sea level. Memories of the rollercoaster decade behind me rushed back—the highs, the lows, the chaotic yet relaxed freelance years, the successful but regimented years in a full-time role, and the cutthroat dynamics of the media landscape that annually sidelines talented writers and close friends. Regardless of how much has changed over 10 or even 100 years, Rolls-Royce still embodies only the finest: craftsmanship, elegance, heritage, and, naturally, luxury. Experiencing or owning a Rolls signifies overcoming whatever obstacles you’ve faced.

      I’ve held numerous positions in my nearly 40 years, but only my current role allows me to earn a living while navigating the twists and turns of America's Mountain. From selling candy door-to-door in Mexico City to scrubbing restrooms at a Texas nightclub as a young father, I’ve had a diverse range of experiences. In pursuit of my goals, I moved for education and began my career, only for the 2008 recession to abruptly halt my progress. This led to starting over numerous times. Thankfully, whatever ideas I sketched on that imaginary board a decade ago brought me to a mountaintop with a stunning view of Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, and Nebraska—and a key to a $570,000 SUV in my pocket.

      The Cullinan’s $13,000 sparkling paint gleamed in the sunlight, effortlessly attracting attention, just as its 6.75-liter, twin-turbo V12 smoothly propelled the 6,000-pound vehicle through the mountain’s curves. I couldn’t help but look at the cyclist pedaling uphill and think, “This is so much better than that.”

      For 2025, the Cullinan has undergone a significant transformation, now known as the Series II. The previous model’s more traditional face has been replaced with a bolder, upright design. This includes a lower grille with angled vents, redesigned headlights featuring cascading DRLs, and illuminated grille slats. Rolls claims this "verticality" theme mirrors the skyscrapers of urban areas where most Cullinans are found. The result is a sleeker, more modern-looking SUV, appealing to a trendier clientele. The wheels, too, have been designed to attract a younger audience, showcasing a visual interplay of diagonally contrasting bi-color lines that appear almost three-dimensional. These updates are fitting, given that the average age of a Rolls customer is now 42, with first-time buyers of the Spectre at just 35.

      Inside, as the saying goes, is where the magic occurs, and it’s not just a nod to the famous MTV Cribs phrase. The luxurious cabin offers Rolls-Royce's signature “Magic Carpet Ride,” and this model features one of the most intricately designed interiors I’ve encountered in any vehicle at any price. Utilizing the new Duality Twill embroidery technique, the lilac-hued interior boasts over 2 million stitches and, wait for it, 11 miles of thread. Achieving this required more than 20 hours of dedication to sewing, which perhaps explains its $17,000 price tag. While the seat color selection might not appeal to everyone, the unique and vibrant design showcases Rolls-Royce's evolving vision of bespoke luxury and its willingness to embrace bold choices. As Jon Colbeth, president of Rolls-Royce North America, shared, “We are here to guide the customer, not judge them during the creation process.”

      An equally notable feature of the Series II is the revamped technology and redesigned dashboard, which Colbeth attributes to the brand’s younger clientele. For 2025, a new dashboard now includes a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen that operates using the brand's new Spirit operating system. This can be managed via a dial near the cupholders or by direct interaction with the screen. Initially introduced with the Spectre EV, this system is based on BMW technology yet offers a unique interface that can be tailored in various ways. After three days of use, I found it quite intuitive and visually appealing.

      Despite the dramatic elevation change and the resulting decrease in oxygen, the 563-horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque propelled me through Devil’s Playground with the power of a cruise ship. My