Compare the2026 BMW XMVS 2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the XM are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Cullinan doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the XM and Cullinan have rear cross-traffic warning, but the XM has Cross Traffic Warning with braking function (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Cullinan’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the XM 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, 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The XM’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 XM’s warranty.

The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 175 more horsepower (738 vs. 563) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 627) than the Cullinan’s standard 6.8 turbo V12. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 146 more horsepower (738 vs. 592) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 664) than the Cullinan Black Badge’s standard 6.8 turbo V12.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW XM is faster than the Cullinan Black Badge:

On the EPA test cycle the XM running on electricity gets better mileage than the Cullinan:

The XM Label can travel with zero emissions for 30 miles. The Cullinan can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the XM’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 XM’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. The Cullinan doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW XM higher (6 out of 10) than the Rolls-Royce Cullinan (2). This means the XM produces up to 27.7 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Cullinan every 15,000 miles.

For more complete vehicle control the XM has Tiptronic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. Tiptronic 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 XM’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 stopping power the XM’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Cullinan:

The XM stops shorter than the Cullinan:

For better traction, the XM has larger tires than the Cullinan (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. F:255/45R22 & R:285/40R22). The XM’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cullinan (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. F:255/40R23 & R:295/35R23).

The XM’s standard 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cullinan’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires. The XM’s 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Cullinan’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

The XM Label handles at .97 G’s, while the Cullinan Black Badge pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The XM Label executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.7 seconds quicker than the Cullinan Black Badge (23.9 seconds @ .84 average G’s vs. 26.6 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the XM’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Cullinan’s (41 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the XM has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Cullinan (8.7 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the XM to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The XM is 9.6 inches shorter than the Cullinan, making the XM easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

The front grille of the XM 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 XM’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.

The XM’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Cullinan’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the XM uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Cullinan doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The XM has a standard 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 XM’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.

The XM’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Cullinan’s power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the XM has standard extendable sun visors. The Cullinan doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The BMW XM outsold the Rolls-Royce Cullinan by almost three to one during 2024.