Compare the2025 Rolls-Royce CullinanVS 2025 Audi SQ5

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The SQ5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Cullinan helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The SQ5 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cullinan and the SQ5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 and driver alert monitors.

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan weighs 1739 to 2026 pounds more than the Audi SQ5. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Cullinan comes with a full 4-year/unlimited-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The SQ5’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires sooner.

Rolls-Royce pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cullinan for 4 years and unlimited miles. Rolls-Royce will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the SQ5.

The Cullinan’s standard 6.8 turbo V12 produces 214 more horsepower (563 vs. 349) and 258 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 369) than the SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Cullinan Black Badge’s standard 6.8 turbo V12 produces 243 more horsepower (592 vs. 349) and 295 lbs.-ft. more torque (664 vs. 369) than the SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Rolls-Royce Cullinan (base engine) is faster than the Audi SQ5:

The Cullinan has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the SQ5 (23.8 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Cullinan’s brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ5:

The Cullinan stops shorter than the SQ5:

For better traction and acceleration, the Cullinan has larger standard rear tires than the SQ5 (285/40R22 vs. 255/45R20). The Cullinan’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the SQ5 (295/35R23 vs. 255/45R20).

The Cullinan’s standard 285/40R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ5’s standard 45 series tires. The Cullinan’s optional 295/35R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the SQ5’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cullinan has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the SQ5. The Cullinan’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the SQ5.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Cullinan can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The SQ5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Cullinan has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The SQ5 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the Cullinan uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the SQ5, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Cullinan offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the SQ5.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cullinan’s wheelbase is 18.7 inches longer than on the SQ5 (129.7 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Cullinan is 3.4 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than on the SQ5.

The Cullinan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49% to 51%) than the SQ5’s (54.3% to 45.7%). This gives the Cullinan more stable handling and braking.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Cullinan is quieter than the SQ5 Prestige:

The Cullinan has 3.8 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more rear headroom and 4.9 inches more rear legroom than the SQ5.

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the Cullinan when its optional tailgating rear seats are deployed, allowing people to sit facing out of the tailgate. (Do not use while vehicle is in motion.) The SQ5 doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

The Cullinan has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SQ5 with its rear seat folded (68.2 vs. 54.1 cubic feet).

The Cullinan’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The SQ5’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The Cullinan’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the SQ5.

The Cullinan’s power side reverse swing out doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the sport utility. The SQ5 doesn’t offer a power rear door.

The SQ5’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Cullinan’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the SQ5.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Cullinan’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The SQ5 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Cullinan has standard massaging front and optional massaging rear seats. Massaging seats aren’t available in the SQ5.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the SQ5. The Cullinan also offers Qi charging in the rear seat. The SQ5 doesn’t offer wireless charging in its rear seat.

The Cullinan’s optional Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The SQ5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.