Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II vs. Mercedes-Maybach GLS
At a Glance: Cullinan Series II vs. GLS
Your weekly rhythm in Sterling, VA; Washington D.C.; Baltimore, MD; or Alexandria, VA moves between curating private gallery walls, attending black-tie galas, navigating virtual boardrooms, and slipping away to your country estate or wellness retreat. In motion and at rest, you value more than mere transportation; you seek a sanctuary defined by premium materials, intuitive technology, and uncompromising craftsmanship.
Enter the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS—the standard bearers and statement makers of modern prestige for their respective marques. Which luxury SUV goes beyond mere pampering to deliver true hospitality? Join Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Washington in comparing these icons to discover which one not only transports but transforms.
EXTERIOR PAINT COLOURS
REAR PRIVACY CURTAINS
VIEWING SUITE
Sanctuaries in Motion
PRESENCE
In life, presence speaks volumes. The way you move through the world—subtly or boldly—reflects what you value most. True confidence doesn’t clamor for attention; it arrives with quiet authority, defined by impeccable detail. So it is with these full-size luxury SUVs that command respect the moment they arrive.
Prestige in Profile
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS stand tall and poised, monuments to distinction. Their designs are masterful: clean lines, yacht-inspired contours, and silhouettes designed to leave a lasting impression. The Cullinan embraces sophisticated understatement with a monolithic front fascia, vertical headlamps, and the Spirit of Ecstasy rising above its signature Illuminated Grille. Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS leans into expressive flourish with two-tone exteriors, a gleaming grille, and mesh Maybach emblems jockeying for attention.
Beneath their inherent elegance, both offer a glimpse of their rebellious nature with models that defiantly hint at something bold. The Black Badge Cullinan Series II and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS Night Series embrace a darker aesthetic with deepened finishes and shadowy accents.
While the Mercedes-Benz settles into the shade, the Rolls-Royce reframes darkness as a contrast, emerging with vivid brake calipers, backlit digital dials, and even an up-lit Spirit of Ecstasy, casting a soft glow from beneath the analogue timepiece. Rather than disappear into the night, it defines it.
Bespoke: Your Signature, Realize
True exclusivity lies in the art of customisation, when individuality rises above uniformity, and the outer edge of imagination sets the only limits. The Mercedes-Maybach GLS offers 14 exterior paints (including two-tone combinations), eight leather hues, four accent trim options, and a single design package each for its exterior and interior.
While its Inspiration Lounge provides six curated Inspired Specifications, Rolls-Royce Bespoke ventures beyond simple pre-determined personalisation. It offers a collaborative, one-of-one commission that brings your singular vision to life.
With the Cullinan Series II, you become the curator of every surface, stitch, and stylish element. Envision a custom hue drawn from a Santorini sunset, a fascia inlaid with gold leaf or an heirloom gem, or seat upholstery matched to your travel set—or even woven in pure cashmere. Nearly every touchpoint becomes an extension of your story. It isn’t simply made for you; it’s made of you.
POISE
In the luxury SUV realm, performance isn’t defined merely by horsepower—though both deliver well over 550 HP. It’s measured by precision and an unwavering composure. Above all, fluidity of motion defines the experience. Ultimately, how these SUVs master the road shapes everything about your journey.
Effortless Power, Refined Motion
Both models feature twin-turbocharged engines paired with transmissions engineered for swift yet gentle acceleration and seamless, silky-smooth gear shifts. Equipped with all-wheel drive, a suite of drive modes, and adaptive air suspensions, they ensure movement is impeccably composed and effortlessly controlled.
The Mercedes-Maybach’s E-Active Body Control system dynamically adjusts damping to minimize any disruption from road imperfections. Yet, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II’s signature Magic Carpet Ride suspension goes further, constantly scanning the road ahead, executing precise choreography that anticipates even the smallest blemish. The result is a glide so graceful it feels like levitating above the surface, insulating you completely from disturbance.
The Privileged Perspective
Whether behind the wheel or relaxing in the rear seat, these luxury SUVs offer every accoutrement to transform the cabin into a serene sanctuary and elevate the journey. Lounge-style rear seats recline, ventilate, and massage, delivering a spa-like experience on the move. Rear refrigerated compartments with champagne flutes provide the opportunity to celebrate milestones, toast a successful day, or simply savour a moment of relaxation.
While both models include privacy glass, only the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II offers rear compartment side curtains. Discreetly elegant, these curtains provide an extra layer of seclusion—ideal for high-profile arrivals, quiet post-flight transfers, or moments when the world outside simply doesn’t require your attention.
PERCEPTION
Luxury isn't just seen; it's sensed. The best interiors anticipate needs and respond with discernment and finesse. From digital conveniences to elevated indulgences, every interaction should feel effortless, intuitive, and distinctly personal. Within these mobile suites, refinement doesn't shout; it whispers with intelligence and elegance.
Artistry in Every Detail
Premium materials and artisanal craftsmanship abound within their respective inner sanctums. Each SUV honors its heritage differently. The Maybach GLS embraces a more traditional approach, employing classic materials to compose its refined environment. The Cullinan Series II, by contrast, feels more like an atelier with lambswool carpets, curated open-pore wood, and Bespoke Placed Perforations: 107,000 meticulously hand-applied perforations.
True to Rolls-Royce’s legacy of design innovation, the Cullinan Series II features a distinctive Illuminated Fascia adorned with 7,000 laser-etched graphic elements that shimmer like a city skyline at night. Personalisation extends to colour-customisable instrument dials, while the newly introduced Spirit of Ecstasy Clock Cabinet showcases the iconic figurine beneath an analogue timepiece.
Connected With Intention
In this echelon, technology transcends smartphone integration and premium audio systems. While the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS include those, of course, their polished and purposeful technology is calibrated to move at the rhythm of your life: MBUX in the Mercedes-Benz and the SPIRIT operating system in the Rolls-Royce.
Both models offer onboard virtual concierges responsive to your voice and Rear Theatre Configurations with dual monitors. Whether tracking the Dow, FaceTime-ing with your VP of Operations, or reviewing contracts ahead of a merger, your work moves with you—seamlessly.
The Maybach GLS includes ambient lighting to set the tone, but the Cullinan Series II takes a more celestial approach. Its Starlight Headliner, woven with hand-placed constellations, reminds you that you’re the ruler of your private cosmos. Or, deploy the Viewing Suite to expand your perspective and savour the majesty of all you survey.
Travel, Transformed
In a life defined by constant motion, you seek the luxury of stillness and serenity. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS strive to provide sanctuary on the move, yet one elevates the SUV into a true spiritual salon.
If you regard your vehicle not just as transport but as a personal environment, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II is poised to redefine your travels near Sterling, VA; Washington D.C.; Baltimore, MD; and Alexandria, VA. Schedule your private viewing at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Washington today, where every mile is a masterpiece—and experience firsthand how true luxury moves with you.
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